NBA Cup 2026: Knicks drop to final place in group play with loss to shorthanded Pacers

The 2025-26 season was a dream for the New York Knicks, from the NBA Cup to the NBA Finals. This season is shaping up otherwise.

The defending Cup champions fell to 0-2 in group play on Friday with a 106-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers, n. That places New York within the backside of the East Group B standings and all however eliminates them from the in-season match.

No workforce with two losses in group play has reached the knockout rounds within the NBA Cup since its introduction in 2023.

Past the NBA Cup, the loss dropped the Knicks to 6-6 within the common season, persevering with a sluggish begin for a workforce that introduced again practically each contributor from final yr’s champion.

The sport was practically one other epic comeback for the Knicks, who had been down by 14 late within the third quarter however had the sport tied early within the fourth. The Pacers responded with a 13-2 run to reassert management and held off one final Knicks push within the remaining minute to report the win.

Dunk of the Evening

NBA Cup Evening 3 scoreboard

NBA Cup Standings getting into Friday

East Group A

• Detroit Pistons (1-0, +16)

• Orlando Magic (1-0, +7)

• Toronto Raptors (1-1, +7)

• Milwaukee Bucks (0-1, -14)

• Brooklyn Nets (0-1, -16)

East Group B

• Cleveland Cavaliers (1-0, +24)

• Miami Warmth (1-0, +20)

• Philadelphia 76ers (1-1, -19)

• New York Knicks (0-1, -5)

• Indiana Pacers (0-1, -20)

East Group C

• Boston Celtics (2-0, +53)

• Atlanta Hawks (1-0, +7)

• Washington Wizards (1-1, +9)

• Chicago Bulls (0-1, -14)

• Charlotte Hornets (0-2, -55)

West Group A

• Dallas Mavericks (2-0, +17)

• Denver Nuggets (1-0, +7)

• Houston Rockets (0-1, -5)

• Phoenix Suns (0-1, -7)

• Utah Jazz (0-1, -12)

West Group B

• Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0, +32)

• Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (1-0, +31)

• New Orleans Pelicans (0-1, -6)

• Los Angeles Clippers (0-1, -26)

• Memphis Grizzlies (0-1, -31)

West Group C

• Golden State Warriors (1-0, +17)

• San Antonio Spurs (1-0, +15)

• Los Angeles Lakers (1-1, -11)

• Portland Path Blazers (0-1, -6)

• Sacramento Kings (0-1, -15)