With Group Play in the Emirates NBA Cup 2024 set to tip off in November, we’re breaking down each group as they prepare for opening night, continuing with East Group A.

One note before we get to it: The East is wide open. This past season's conference champion, the Indiana Pacers, lost All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The other teams in East Group B are the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. The groups are set for the Emirates NBA Cup 2025.

That duo alone should win the Knicks the East in 2025-26, and it’s strong enough to compete with the Celtics and the Pacers when Tatum and Haliburton return to the court in 2026-27.

The matchup Monday night for the Heat at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League was a reminder of how things are about to change in the East. And it had little do with Monday’s players on the court.

One note before we get to it: The East is wide open. This past season's conference champion, the Indiana Pacers, lost All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The Nets went 1-3 in the 2024 NBA Cup, their only win coming against the Charlotte Hornets in a tight 116-115 win. Brooklyn has also never made it past the group stage of the tournament since its ...