The penultimate night of group play in the 2025 NBA Cup started with a streak-snapping thriller.

In the first game Wednesday, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-114 to end a 13-game win streak. With the Pistons now 2-1 in Group B, they will have a winner-take-all game against the Orlando Magic for the knockout round berth on Friday.

The game saw 15 different lead changes in Boston, with the Celtics pulling ahead for the final time on a Jaylen Brown and-one. 

That lead was endangered when the Celtics tried to foul Cade Cunningham with 3.8 seconds left while up three, attempting to guarantee only two free throws on the possession. Cunningham, however, began his shooting motion once the Boston defense bore down on him and drew three potentially game-tying free throws.

He made the first one, made the second one and missed the third one. Ballgame, Celtics.

Had the Pistons won, they would have set a new franchise record with 14 consecutive wins. 

Who clinched, was eliminated?

With group play wrapping up, a lot was decided on Wednesday night. 

The Knicks rolled over the Charlotte Hornets to grab an easy 129-101 win, thanks to a 33-point night from Jalen Brunson. That officially eliminated the Hornets from knockout round contention for a third straight year.

The Miami Heat held on in the fourth quarter to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-103 at the Kesaya Center. It marked their sixth straight win and pushed them to 13-6 on the season. Tyler Herro, in just his second game back after recovering from ankle surgery, dropped 29 points to lead Miami once again. The Bucks, still without an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, have lost six straight.

With the Heat’s win, and the Knicks’ victory earlier in the night, a slew of teams in the East were eliminated. The Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks were officially knocked out.

While it didn't impact the NBA Cup race, as they've already clinched their group, the Toronto Raptors escaped with a tight 97-95 win over the Indiana Pacers. That extended Toronto's win streak to nine.

In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated after they stumbled late against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who managed to pick up a 113-105 win. That, paired with the Memphis Grizzlies' overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans, knocked the Timberwolves out of contention. The Grizzlies' 133-128 win over the Pelicans also eliminated the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors before their respective games even hit halftime.

The Portland Trail Blazers could have clinched Group C with a win, but the San Antonio Spurs pulled ahead late to grab a 115-102 win at home. That ended up eliminating the Trail Blazers completely, thanks again to that Grizzlies win earlier. 

NBA Cup scoreboard

NBA Cup standings

East Group A

• Toronto Raptors (4-0, +55)*

• Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1, +34)

• Atlanta Hawks (1-2, -11)

• Washington Wizards (1-2, -45)

• Indiana Pacers (0-3, -33)

East Group B

• Orlando Magic (3-0, +61)

• Detroit Pistons (2-1, +24)

• Boston Celtics (2-2, -17)

• Brooklyn Nets (1-2, -17)

• Philadelphia 76ers (0-3, -51)

East Group C

• Miami Heat (3-1, +49)

• New York Knicks (2-1, +26)

• Milwaukee Bucks (2-1, +13)

• Chicago Bulls (1-2, -42)

• Charlotte Hornets (0-3, -46)

West Group A

• Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0, +71)

• Phoenix Suns (3-0, +35)

• Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2, +45)

• Sacramento Kings (0-3, -57)

• Utah Jazz (0-3, -94)

West Group B

• Los Angeles Lakers (3-0 +36)*

• Los Angeles Clippers (2-1, -9)

• Memphis Grizzlies (2-1, +9)

• Dallas Mavericks (1-2, -13)

• New Orleans Pelicans (0-4, -17)

West Group C

• Denver Nuggets (2-1, +26)

• San Antonio Spurs (2-1, +23)

• Houston Rockets (2-2, +14)

• Portland Trail Blazers (2-2, -31)

• Golden State Warriors (1-3, -32)

* = clinched group title