Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 43 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder reach a 6-2 record on Monday.
The scoring surge has propelled OKC ahead of their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, according to NBAE reporting.
“I am just trying to figure out what winning will look like for this team, with this group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after Monday’s victory, NBAE reported.
The Thunder's offensive production has risen during this stretch. While OKC averaged 106.5 points per game entering Monday, the team has averaged 120.5 points per game over their last two contests.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been a high-volume contributor during this period. Over the two wins, he attempted 61 shots, his highest total over any two-game span, while shooting 47.4 percent from three-point range and recording 16 assists, NBAE noted.
The Memphis Grizzlies enter the matchup with a 6-2 record. Despite a strong start to the season that included six straight wins, the team is currently attempting to recover from consecutive losses, NBAE reported.
Ty Jerome has emerged as a primary scoring threat for Memphis. His recent scoring increase has established him as one of the early breakout stars in the league, NBAE reported.
The race for the eight knockout spots continues through Thanksgiving week. According to Vegas Odds, group games are played every Tuesday and Friday through November 27, with the quarterfinals scheduled for December 4 and 5.
The tournament offers large financial incentives for participants.
The knockout bracket will consist of the six group winners and one wild card from each conference, along with the best second-placed team from the East and the West. In determining these spots, head-to-head records serve as the primary tiebreaker, followed by point differential. Points scored during overtime do not count toward a team’s point differential, Vegas Odds reported.
The championship game is scheduled for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This location marks a change for the tournament, which has held its last three final games in Las Vegas.
The following table shows the NBA Cup betting favorites as of November 10, 2026, according to BetOnline:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | +325 |
| Boston Celtics | +350 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +600 |
| Detroit Pistons | +1000 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1200 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +1400 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2000 |
| Houston Rockets | +2200 |
| Orlando Magic | +2500 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +2500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +2800 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +2800 |
| New York Knicks | +2800 |
| Toronto Raptors | +2800 |
In addition to team odds, Victor Wembanyama is currently the favorite to win the NBA Cup MVP at +400, Vegas Odds reported.
The San Antonio Spurs enter the tournament as favorites to improve upon their previous performance, when they lost the final to the New York Knicks. The Spurs can view their progress through official press conferences available on their social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, according to BVM Sports.