Where Celtics Stand in 2025 NBA Cup as Group B Play Heats Up
The 2025 NBA Cup group stage intensifies Friday night with 11 games on the schedule. Currently, the Boston Celtics hold a 4-5 record and sit 10th in the NBA Eastern Conference after a mixed start to the 2025-26 season.
If the Celtics beat the Orlando Magic on Friday, they will claim first place in Group B of the NBA Cup. This in-season tournament, now in its third year, resumes Friday with more games contributing to the NBA Cup standings.
Group B Overview
The Celtics share Group B with the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. Boston is 1-0 in the group after narrowly defeating the Sixers 109-108 last Friday in their NBA Cup opener.
The Celtics-Magic game is "one of 11 games around the league that will count toward the NBA Cup standings."
This Celtics-Sixers matchup remains the sole completed Group B game so far. The Magic, Pistons, and Nets have yet to start their group play, but all three appear in action Friday, with Detroit facing Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Key Factor: Point Differential
Point differential plays a crucial role as a tiebreaker in the NBA Cup. Both the Celtics and Magic are expected to compete hard until the final buzzer, regardless of the game's score margin.
"Point differential is a key tiebreaker in the NBA Cup, so expect both the Celtics and Magic to play hard until the final whistle."
Implications for the Standings
- Boston aims to maintain or improve its position in Group B with a win over Orlando.
- Friday's games involving Detroit, Brooklyn, and Orlando will influence the group standings by night’s end.
- Close contests are expected due to the competitive nature of the in-season tournament.
Author’s summary: The Celtics are positioned to lead Group B in the 2025 NBA Cup, where point differential influences standings, making every game an intense battle until the final buzzer.