Prime Video Has Exclusive NBA Cup Playoff Rights
The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup semifinals take place Saturday, December 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, streaming exclusively on Prime Video. If you don't have an Amazon Prime subscription, you won't be watching these games—Prime holds exclusive rights to all playoff games and the championship final.
This isn't network television. This isn't cable. It's streaming-only, which means fans need to adjust their viewing plans accordingly. No ABC, no ESPN, no TNT. Just Prime Video.
Saturday's Semifinal Schedule
Game 1: Orlando Magic vs New York KnicksTime: 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PTStreaming: Prime VideoLocation: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Game 2: San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City ThunderTime: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PTStreaming: Prime VideoLocation: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Two games, two distinct styles, and everything on the line. The winners advance to Tuesday's championship final, also streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
Magic vs Knicks: Eastern Conference Battle
Orlando earned their spot by beating Miami 117-108 in the quarterfinals, with Desmond Bane dropping 37 points and taking control when it mattered most. The Magic's defensive identity has been their calling card all season, and now they're proving they can close tight games in high-pressure situations.
New York demolished Toronto 117-101 behind Jalen Brunson's 35-point masterpiece, including 26 first-half points. The Knicks buried the Raptors with a brutal 34-13 second quarter that ended the game before halftime. They looked like a veteran squad executing at playoff intensity, which is exactly what they need to be.
This matchup pits Orlando's suffocating defense against New York's halfcourt execution and veteran poise. Magic want to slow the pace, force turnovers, and turn this into a grinding defensive battle. Knicks want clean offensive possessions, Brunson operating in space, and their experience to overwhelm Orlando's younger roster.
Spurs vs Thunder: Western Conference Showdown
San Antonio advanced without Victor Wembanyama, beating the Lakers 132-119 behind strong performances from Keldon Johnson, De'Aaron Fox, and a bench that outscored LA's reserves 46-31. The big question heading into Saturday: does Wemby return? If he's healthy, the Spurs suddenly have the defensive weapon that could disrupt Oklahoma City's historic offense.
The Thunder are 24-1, matching the 2015-2016 Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history. They didn't just beat Phoenix in the quarterfinals—they humiliated them 138-89, the worst loss in Suns franchise history. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are playing at an elite level, and Oklahoma City looks unstoppable right now.
San Antonio needs to slow the game down, control tempo, and turn this into a halfcourt grind. Oklahoma City wants to push pace, run in transition, and use their athleticism to create mismatches before defenses get set. Whoever dictates the game's rhythm wins.
How to Watch on Prime Video
You need an Amazon Prime subscription to stream Saturday's semifinals. If you're already a Prime member, just navigate to Prime Video on your device—smart TV, streaming stick, mobile app, or web browser—and find the NBA Cup games.
If you're not a Prime member, you'll need to sign up. Amazon offers a free trial for new subscribers, which covers Saturday's games if you cancel before the trial period ends. Otherwise, Prime costs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually and includes far more than just sports streaming.
Prime Video works on practically every streaming device: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, smart TVs from Samsung/LG/Sony, gaming consoles, and mobile devices running iOS or Android. No complicated setup required—just log in and stream.
Why Prime Video Has Exclusive Rights
Amazon paid for exclusive NBA Cup playoff rights as part of their broader push into live sports streaming. They already stream Thursday Night Football exclusively, and securing NBA content expands their sports portfolio while forcing basketball fans onto their platform.
This is the future of sports broadcasting: streaming services bidding for exclusive rights to marquee events, pulling content away from traditional networks and cable channels. It's inconvenient for fans who don't want another subscription, but it's lucrative for leagues and platforms.
The NBA benefits from Amazon's massive reach and financial commitment. Prime Video gets exclusive content that drives subscriptions and keeps viewers engaged. Fans either adapt by subscribing or miss out on meaningful basketball.
Championship Final on Tuesday
The NBA Cup Championship game streams Tuesday, December 16 at 8:30 PM ET, also exclusively on Prime Video. Winners of Saturday's semifinals meet in Las Vegas for the trophy, the prize money, and the bragging rights that come with winning the league's in-season tournament.
That's three must-watch games across four days, all streaming exclusively on one platform. If you're invested in the NBA Cup, you need Prime Video access. There's no alternative, no workaround, no traditional broadcast option.
What's Actually at Stake
Beyond the trophy and financial rewards, these semifinals carry serious implications for team confidence and momentum. Winning meaningful basketball in December validates roster construction, coaching strategies, and championship aspirations.
Oklahoma City wants to prove their historic start is legitimate. San Antonio wants to show they're contenders even without Wembanyama at full strength. Orlando needs to demonstrate their defensive identity translates to high-pressure situations. New York wants confirmation they're ready to compete for championships right now.
Saturday's semifinals answer those questions. Prime Video has the exclusive stream, starting at 5:30 PM ET with Magic versus Knicks. The Thunder and Spurs follow at 9:00 PM ET. Championship final Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET. All on Prime Video.