NBA Cup 2024: Latest Standings, Bracket Predictions After November 15 Group Stage | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 15: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Tyus Jones #21 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup game at Paycom Center on November 15, 2024 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)

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1. Oklahoma City (1-0; +16)

2. Los Angeles Lakers (1-0; +5)

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to win without Chet Holmgren.

OKC took down the Kevin Durant-less Phoenix Suns on Friday to open up a point gap over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. held the Suns to 83 points and won by 16, while LeBron James led the Lakers to a five-point triumph over the San Antonio Spurs.

The Thunder and Lakers meet in Los Angeles on November 29. Phoenix will play the Lakers on Nov. 26, and it will be treated as an elimination game.

A Lakers win over the Suns would set up a battle for first place with the Thunder. Each team could also be in the mix for the top second seed in the West because they still have an opportunity to even out their point differential against the Utah Jazz.

The difference in the head-to-head meeting should be Anthony Davis’ size, but if OKC keeps it close with the Lakers, it still has a chance to finish second and advance.

Prediction: 1. LA Lakers, 2. Oklahoma City, 3. Phoenix, 4. San Antonio, 5. Utah