The Clippers and Suns are set to begin their group-play games in the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, with the Clippers starting on November 11 against the Houston Rockets and the Suns on November 12 against the Utah Jazz. The Clippers will play additional games against the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Portland Trail Blazers, while the Suns will compete against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. The top eight teams from the group stages will advance to the knockout rounds, with the championship scheduled for December 17 in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Clippers will inaugurate their new Intuit Dome arena with a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 14 and will play their first regular season game there against the Suns on October 23. The Suns will also host the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.