The Emirates NBA Cup is back, this time with a chic new name and a year of understanding of the way the nuanced tournament works.

Introduced just last season, the in-season tournament has returned with different groups, which were announced midway through Summer League. And on Tuesday, the actual slate was unveiled, with the Thunder playing in two national TV games.

The Thunder, which is joined by the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs in Group B, hosts the Suns to begin group play on Nov. 15. The following Tuesday, OKC will visit San Antonio to take on the Spurs on late-night TNT. That Friday, the Thunder will take to L.A. in a showdown with the Lakers on ESPN. OKC then closes group play by hosting the Jazz on Dec. 3.

The rules are the same: Games are held each Tuesday and Friday during the group play stage. The teams who clinch the best record in their group, as well as two wild cards — one team from each conference with the best standing among teams that finished second in their group — will advance to the knockout round.

Last season, the Thunder lost all but one of its games in group play. The only familiar team in its group from a year ago is the Spurs.

More: NBA Christmas schedule lacks Thunder. Here's how OKC could have spiced things up.

OKC Thunder Emirates NBA Cup 2024-25 schedule

• Thunder vs Suns, Friday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.

• Thunder at Spurs, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 8:30 p.m., TNT

• Thunder at Lakers, Friday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m., ESPN

• Thunder vs Jazz, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA schedule release: Time, dates for OKC Thunder in 2024 Emirates Cup