November 25, 2025 — Today’s Top Sports Headlines and Highlights

Welcome to the Pro Merch Report, your go-to source for the latest sports news, game previews, and highlights from the NFL, NBA, MLB, college athletics, and beyond. November 25, 2025, is packed with major headlines, standout performances, and exciting matchups. For fans looking to show team pride, don’t forget to check out Pro Merch for official jerseys, apparel, and collectibles from all your favorite leagues.

Top National Headlines

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalists Announced: Legendary quarterbacks Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headline the 26 modern-era player semifinalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Both players’ contributions to the NFL continue to resonate, and fans are eagerly debating who will make the final cut.
• Shohei Ohtani to Play in WBC: Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani confirmed he will represent Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, adding another layer of excitement for baseball fans around the globe. His dual-threat talent as a pitcher and hitter is sure to make headlines once again.
• Detroit Pistons Tie Franchise Record: The Pistons’ win over the Indiana Pacers extended their winning streak to 13 consecutive games, tying a franchise record. Detroit fans are buzzing as the team continues to defy expectations this season.

NFL News Highlights

• 49ers Win on Monday Night Football: San Francisco defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-9, with running back Christian McCaffrey delivering a standout performance against his former team. The game, however, ended with an on-field altercation between Jauan Jennings and Tre’Von Moehrig after a controversial hit.
• Injury Updates:
  • Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has been placed in concussion protocol following a recent hit.
  • Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is dealing with a low-grade shoulder sprain, though team sources confirm there is no long-term damage.
• Ja’Marr Chase Apologizes: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase issued a public apology after serving a one-game suspension for spitting on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, signaling a commitment to sportsmanship moving forward.

NBA News and Tonight’s NBA Cup Action

• Chauncey Billups Pleads Not Guilty: Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has entered a not guilty plea in an alleged illegal poker scheme case, a developing story that continues to grab headlines.
• Top Teams on a Roll: The Toronto Raptors secured their eighth straight victory, while the Houston Rockets are proving unstoppable offensively, leading the league with a unique and aggressive style of play.
• Tonight’s NBA Cup Games: The in-season NBA Cup continues to bring high-stakes competition:
  • Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
  • LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
  These matchups are part of the 2025 NBA Cup group stage and could determine which teams advance to the knockout rounds. Fans can grab official NBA Cup gear and show their team pride by visiting Pro Merch.

College Sports Updates

• CFP & ESPN Delay Agreement: Negotiations between ESPN and the College Football Playoff continue, as both sides take additional time to finalize the extended playoff format for 2026. Fans can expect more clarity in the coming weeks.
• Ohio State vs. Michigan Buzz: Anticipation is building for the iconic “The Game” matchup, with analysts hailing this era of the rivalry as one of the greatest in college football history.
• Local College Games (NJ/Philly Area):
  • Coppin State Eagles at Rider Broncs (Men’s Basketball) – 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Rutgers Camden Scarlet Raptors at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (Men’s Basketball) – 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Villanova vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (Men’s Basketball) at the Finneran Pavilion – 7:00 p.m. EST

Fans attending or watching these local games can find official team apparel, including jerseys, hats, and gear, at Pro Merch, making it easy to support your favorite college teams in style.

Why Pro Merch Is Your Source for Game Day Gear

Whether it’s NFL, NBA, MLB, or college sports, Pro Merch has you covered with officially licensed gear, collectibles, and apparel. From the latest NBA Cup jerseys to Hall of Fame commemorative items, Pro Merch ensures fans can show team pride in style. Visit Pro Merch today to shop for your favorite teams and upcoming matchups.

This Pro Merch Report highlights the biggest headlines and upcoming action across sports today. From high-stakes NBA Cup games to historic winning streaks and Hall of Fame updates, there’s never been a better time to be a sports fan—and to gear up with Pro Merch.

The NBA Cup is back, entering its third thrilling year as the league’s in-season tournament that injects early-season intensity and stakes into the regular NBA calendar. Formerly called the In-Season Tournament, the NBA Cup now offers teams not only bragging rights but also prize money, giving players extra motivation to shine before the All-Star break. For fans, it’s a new way to watch familiar matchups with higher stakes—and for collectors, Pro Merch has all the official NBA Cup gear to show your team pride.

How the NBA Cup Works

The NBA Cup is structured to seamlessly integrate with the regular season while adding its own competitive layer. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Group Stage

All 30 NBA teams are sorted into six groups of five, based on their performance in the previous season. Each team plays four “Cup Nights” games against the other members of their group. These matchups are not just for the tournament—they also count toward the team’s regular-season record. The group stage sets the stage for which squads will move on to the high-stakes knockout rounds.

2. Knockout Rounds

Eight teams advance from the group stage into single-elimination play. This includes the winners of each group plus two wild-card teams, one from each conference, that posted the best records among non-group winners. Every game in this phase is do-or-die, creating some of the most intense moments of the early NBA season.

3. Semifinals and Championship

The final four teams meet in Las Vegas for the semifinals and championship game. Only one team will hoist the NBA Cup trophy, and all players on teams reaching the knockout stage earn prize money—adding both glory and financial incentive.

2025 NBA Cup Groups

The NBA determined this year’s groups by ranking teams into pots based on their 2024–25 records and then randomly drawing them into six five-team groups. Here’s the lineup:

Eastern Conference

• East Group A: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
• East Group B: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers
• East Group C: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks

Western Conference

• West Group A: Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz
• West Group B: Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans
• West Group C: Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

The groups for the 2025 NBA Cup were determined by placing all 30 teams into five pots based on their record from the 2024–25 season and then randomly drawing them into six five-team groups. 

Eastern Conference Groups

Western Conference Groups

Tonight’s Key NBA Cup Matchups

On November 25, 2025, two pivotal group-stage games are set to shape the path to the knockout rounds:

• Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers: Both teams are fighting for a top spot in East Group B, and every win counts toward advancement.
• LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers: A high-stakes local showdown in West Group B, this matchup could determine which team moves forward in the tournament.

Fans looking to celebrate these games in style can browse Pro Merch’s NBA collection for the latest jerseys, apparel, and collectibles tied to your favorite teams and the NBA Cup itself.

Group play for the 2025 NBA Cup is still ongoing, and as of today, November 25, only the Toronto Raptors have officially clinched their group. The final week of group play, with 23 games remaining, will determine the rest of the teams advancing to the knockout rounds. 

Teams with a strong chance to advance

Based on current standings and remaining schedules, several teams are in a good position to move on as either group winners or wild card teams:

The final spots will be decided on November 26 and 28, with the knockout rounds scheduled for December.

Why the NBA Cup Matters

The NBA Cup isn’t just another midseason tournament—it’s a chance for teams to build momentum, for young stars to make a name for themselves, and for fans to experience high-stakes basketball outside the traditional playoff structure. With prize money on the line, players are incentivized to bring their best game to every matchup, ensuring competitive and exciting basketball early in the season.

Whether you’re tracking standings, following group-stage drama, or gearing up to cheer your team on, the NBA Cup adds a fresh layer of excitement that basketball fans can’t afford to miss. And for anyone looking to bring the NBA Cup experience home, Pro Merch has every official product to elevate your fan game.