The NBA Cup semi-finals will be held at home in teams with better record starting next season. The finals will remain neutral

September 11th news The NBA officially issued an announcement that corresponding adjustments will be made in the new NBA Cup.

Starting from the 2026-27 season, the NBA Cup semi-finals will be held at home at teams with higher rankings in each division. According to current rules, the NBA Cup semi-finals and finals will be held in a neutral position next season (this season will be held in Las Vegas). Starting from the 2026-27 season, only the NBA Cup finals will continue to be held in a neutral position.

In addition, the NBA board of directors also approved the adjustment of the coach's challenge rules. Since the 2025-26 season, when challenging a coach for an out-of-bounds penalty, the determination of whether there is a related foul will be decided by the video center rather than the leader of the on-field referee group. This move is to speed up the process of replaying the penalty.

Last season was the first time the league allowed the referee to determine whether there was a related foul when the coach challenged the penalty out of bounds. The rules at that time required the leader of the referee team to make the final decision, but now the video center will make the decision instead.

This rule modification on the coach's challenge was recommended by the NBA Competition Committee and the League Office.