What happened: The Pacers revealed their Emirates NBA Cup group-play assignment, landing in East Group B for the in-season tournament. Indiana will face the 76ers, Knicks, Cavaliers and Heat during Cup group play.

Why it matters: The draw stacks Indiana against several of the conference's top clubs, including the New York side that reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. Because Cup group games double as regular-season contests, the pool shapes a cluster of early matchups against direct Eastern rivals.

What to watch: Watch for the league to release Cup group-play dates and the full tournament format as the 2026-27 calendar is finalized.