How the NBA In-Season Tournament Works

in-season tournament

The 2023-2024 NBA season kicked off with an interesting new dynamic – the in-season tournament.

The NBA has been highly innovative over the past decade. They’ve introduced tons of new ideas while polishing up on old, outdated ways.

Every year it seems the NBA is always looking for ways to improve the league to provide fans and players with an optimal experience.

For example, a couple of seasons ago the NBA introduced the “play-in tournament” which allowed 10 teams to have a chance at making the playoffs.

This was a great move by the NBA, which allowed teams to continue to want to fight to make the playoffs, thus reducing the chance at teams opting to tank at the end of the season.

A win-win for both the fans and teams in this case.

Fast forward a couple of years, we’re introduced with the NBA in-season tournament. Something built off the success of the play-in tournament.

Here’s how it works…

The NBA In-Season Tournament:

 

In a nutshell, the NBA in-season tournament is a tournament played throughout the regular season where some games are more important and count toward the actual tournament.

So far, a few of these in-season tournament games have already been played.

Group Play

The first set of games – Group Play – are played during the regular season are all in November on Tuesday and Friday nights.

Each in-season tournament game is played in special “city-edition” uniforms and played on brand new customized courts.

All 30 teams were randomly divided into groups based on regular season record from last season.

Each team will play 4 games, 2 away, and 2 at home against each team in their group.

2023 In-Season Tournament: Previewing all 6 Groups | NBA.com
Credit: NBA.com

Knockout Rounds

Eight teams will advance to what is called the “Knockout Rounds.”

This consists of the top team from each group and two “wildcard teams.” Which are the teams with the best record that placed second in their group.

Knockout Rounds are single elimination and begin on December 4th.

Semi-finals are on December 7th and then the Championship game will be on December 9th on neutral grounds in Las Vegas.

The semifinals and championship game will not count toward the teams regular season record.

And after it’s all said and done, the champion will be awarded the first ever NBA Cup!

There will also be an award for Tournament MVP and an All Tournament Team based on performances in both group play and knockout rounds.

Thoughts

It’s exciting that the NBA is always looking at new ways to make the league more entertaining.

The in-season tournament will offer more excitement for both fans and players throughout the regular season. It should also boost the competition by creating playoff-like atmosphere games.

Above all, the winner of the in-season tournament gets bragging rights… Sort of like receiving a bronze trophy in comparison to winning the NBA championship.

One future idea could be to have additional rewards for the champ..

If the champion were to receive a future draft pick or some sort of additional team compensation (nothing crazy) that would be very interesting.

Teams would give it their all for sure!

What do y’all think of the NBA in-season tournament? Comment Below!

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