The NBA Cup's group stage heats up Friday night when the Milwaukee Bucks storm into Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in a high-stakes showdown (7:30 PM ET). This isn't just another November matchup—it's a battle for early tournament positioning, where every possession carries extra weight. The Bucks bring their signature blend of size and skill to the Big Apple, while the Knicks will look to lean on their raucous home crowd to fuel another statement performance in the Garden.

With both teams jockeying for NBA Cup advancement, expect intensity from the opening tip. The Bucks' dynamic offense will test New York's defensive identity, while the Knicks' physicality could disrupt Milwaukee's rhythm. In a tournament format where margins matter, this prime-time clash could set the tone for both teams' Cup aspirations—or leave one scrambling to recover. The Garden's lights will be bright, the stakes will be real, and only one team will leave with momentum in this pivotal group-stage battle.