The Los Angeles Lakers’ run in the 2025 NBA Cup is over after a disappointing elimination at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. The in-season tournament now moves forward without JJ Redick’s team, shifting the focus for Lakers fans from Las Vegas hopes to what this means for the rest of the regular season. The field is down to four, and the betting market has quickly reshaped around the remaining contenders.
According to DraftKings Missouri, the Oklahoma City Thunder are now heavy favorites to win the 2025 NBA Cup at -250, well ahead of the rest of the pack. The New York Knicks sit next at +380, followed by the Spurs at +900 and the Orlando Magic at +1100. These prices reflect both current form and public confidence as the tournament advances to the semifinal stage, with the Lakers now on the outside looking in.
Lakers’ Exit Changes the Picture
The Lakers’ loss to San Antonio removes one of the tournament’s most prominent brands from the spotlight and alters the overall narrative of the NBA Cup. Redick’s group entered Cup play with realistic hopes of making it to Las Vegas, but the knockout format left no margin for error, and the Spurs capitalized. The result highlights the volatility of single-elimination basketball, even for star-studded rosters.
From a betting standpoint, the Lakers’ elimination clears a path for less-established franchises to chase a signature trophy. Oklahoma City already carried strong Cup expectations, and its path becomes even more favorable without another Western contender in the mix. For Los Angeles, the focus now shifts back to seeding, health, and long-term rhythm rather than chasing the in-season hardware.
Thunder Lead a Young Semifinal Field
Oklahoma City’s spot as a heavy -250 favorite speaks to more than just record; it reflects the blend of elite young talent, depth, and two-way balance that has defined their season. Oddsmakers at CSGO Casino see them as the precise class of the remaining field, and the price suggests the Thunder are expected not only to reach the final but to finish the job. Their performance in group play and the knockout rounds has backed up that confidence.
The Knicks’ +380 number underscores how far New York has come in this era. They bring toughness, improved scoring balance, and a defensive identity that travels. At +900, San Antonio’s price reflects both the respect earned by knocking out the Lakers and the uncertainty that comes with a young core in high-pressure games. Orlando at +1100 is the longest shot left, but their presence in the semifinals is a significant step for an emerging roster.
What the Odds Say About the Lakers
Even though the Lakers are out of the Cup, their elimination provides valuable information about where they stand among the league’s contenders. The Spurs’ win is a reminder that Los Angeles still has gaps to address in closing games, defending in space, and maintaining composure when the pace breaks down. Redick’s system emphasizes spacing, quick decisions, and defensive connectivity, but those elements can fray under knockout pressure.
The loss also highlights the importance of depth and role clarity. The Lakers’ stars still command attention, but the ability to withstand foul trouble, cold stretches, and matchup issues determines success in short, high-leverage tournaments. Front office decisions around the margins of the roster will matter if the team wants to translate regular-season credentials into tournament success in future editions of the NBA Cup.
How the NBA Cup Works
The NBA Cup, first introduced in the 2023–24 season, was designed to inject playoff-style stakes into the first half of the regular schedule. All 30 teams are placed into groups based on conference and prior-year standings. Those group games count toward the regular season, but they also determine who advances to the playoffs. Group winners and wild cards advance to a single-elimination bracket, played on neutral and home floors, with the semifinals and championship games staged in Las Vegas.
Players and teams compete for more than just a trophy. The league has tied significant prize money and visibility to the event, making it a showcase for rising stars and a measuring stick for contenders. For fans, the Cup breaks up the long regular season grind with a defined timeline, clear stakes, and national TV attention. For teams like the Lakers, it provides an opportunity to test lineups and refine big-game habits before the postseason.
How the Cup Has Evolved
After a successful debut, the NBA made targeted tweaks to the Cup format, but the core concept has remained the same: meaningful games early, with a fast, win-or-go-home finish. Point differential tiebreakers, themed courts, and a dedicated “Cup week” have helped the tournament stand apart from standard regular-season play. Coaches have gradually shifted from treating Cup games as just another date on the calendar to approaching them as mini-playoff tests.
The 2025 edition has further cemented the event’s place in the NBA landscape. Ratings have climbed, and players have publicly embraced the chance to compete for a new trophy. For front offices, Cup performance now factors into evaluations of roster construction, scheme flexibility, and mental toughness. The Spurs’ upset of the Lakers is precisely the type of result that gives the tournament its identity and fuels debate.
Implications for the Rest of the Lakers’ Season
With the Cup now off the table, the Lakers return to a more traditional set of goals. Health management, rotation clarity, and defensive consistency become the focal points. Redick and his staff can use the Cup loss as a teaching tool, emphasizing late-game execution, turnover control, and adaptability when opponents take away first options. The emotional sting of elimination can also serve as motivation as the schedule tightens.
The front office will monitor the team’s response. Strong play following a Cup exit can reassure management that the core still carries the right competitive edge. A prolonged slump, on the other hand, would raise questions heading into the trade deadline. The Cup might be a separate trophy, but it has quickly become a diagnostic window into a team’s actual level.
Future Lakers Stakes in the NBA Cup
Looking ahead, the NBA Cup should remain an essential benchmark for the Lakers’ ambitions. A franchise built on banners will not ignore a midseason trophy, especially one that unfolds on a big stage and carries significant attention. As long as the Cup offers high-level competition and national exposure, Los Angeles will feel pressure—from fans, media, and inside the locker room—to make deeper runs.
For now, attention turns to whether the Thunder can cash their favorite status, whether the Knicks can break through, and whether the Spurs can build on the very win that eliminated the Lakers. The bracket will move on without Los Angeles, but the lessons from this year’s Cup will linger. How the Lakers absorb those lessons may matter more than one elimination game, especially if they expect to return to Las Vegas next season with a better chance to finish the job.
