What is the NBA In-Season Tournament?
The NBA In-Season Tournament is an exciting new initiative set to debut in the 2023-24 season. This annual competition will involve all 30 teams and provide another avenue for competitive action and opportunities for teams to win.
Why is the NBA adding the In-Season Tournament?
The In-Season Tournament is a strategic move by the NBA to create new ways of fan engagement and inject further excitement into the early portion of the regular-season schedule. This additional competition promises an amplified level of intrigue for fans and players alike.
The In-Season Tournament Schedule
The inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament will kick off on Friday, Nov. 3, culminating with the Championship on Saturday, Dec. 9. The games will be hosted in NBA team markets, with the exception of the Semifinals and Championship, which will take place at the neutral site of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Who will participate in the In-Season Tournament?
All 30 teams will partake in the first stage of the tournament, aptly named Group Play. From there, eight teams will progress to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, the second and final stage of the competition.
The In-Season Tournament Rewards
The champion of the In-Season Tournament will be honored with the newly minted NBA Cup. Additionally, a prize pool will be distributed to the players on teams that make it to the Knockout Rounds, with allocations increasing based on the team's progression in the tournament.
Honoring the Top Performers
Following the Championship, the NBA will acknowledge the In-Season Tournament's Most Valuable Player and All-Tournament Team. These distinctions will be awarded based on players' performances in both the Group Play and Knockout Rounds.
NBA In-Season Tournament Structure: Group Play and Knockout Rounds
Group Play
The initial stage of the tournament, Group Play, is a randomized grouping of five teams from each conference, based on the 2022-23 regular-season records. During this stage, each team will play four designated games – two home games and two away games.
The Knockout Rounds
The top eight teams from Group Play will advance to the Knockout Rounds. These will comprise single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Championship.
Implications for the Regular Season
The In-Season Tournament will not disrupt the 82-game regular season. All games played within the tournament will count towards the regular-season standings, excluding the Championship.
Watching the In-Season Tournament
Fourteen Group Play games and all seven Knockout Round games will be broadcasted nationally. Further details regarding the game and broadcast schedule for the Group Play stage will be announced in August.
Purchasing Tickets for the In-Season Tournament
Tickets for the Semifinals and Championship can be purchased from NBAEvents.com. For Group Play or Quarterfinals games, fans can purchase tickets directly from the host team’s ticketing provider. Additional information can be found at NBATickets.com.
Who Won the 2023 In-Season Tournament?
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers on December 9th, 2023. The final score was 123-109, with the Lakers winning the inaugural cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the schedule for Group Play be announced?
The game and broadcast schedule for Group Play will be announced in August.
How are teams grouped for the Group Play stage?
Teams are grouped based on their won-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season.
How many teams advance from Group Play to the Knockout Rounds?
Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds: the best-performing team from each group and one “wild card” team from each conference.
How does the In-Season Tournament affect the regular season?
The In-Season Tournament doesn't disrupt the 82-game regular season. All games, excluding the Championship, count towards the regular-season standings.
Where can I purchase tickets for the NBA In-Season Tournament?
Tickets can be purchased from NBAEvents.com for the Semifinals and Championship, and through the host team’s ticketing provider for Group Play or Quarterfinals games. Additional information can be found at NBATickets.com.
Where is the NBA In-Season Tournament played?
The NBA in-season tournament will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada at the T-Mobile Arena.
When is the NBA In-Season Tournament played?
The tournament begins on November 3rd, with the semifinals on December 7th and the NBA Cup finales on December 9th.