The National Basketball Association (NBA) (US) has revealed the format, groups and dates of its first NBA Cup.
‘Olympics’ stated that the world’s top basketball league announced on July 8th that its inaugural in-season tournament will culminate with the ‘Final Four’ in Las Vegas (US), with the Championship game scheduled for December 9th.
New York (US)-based the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams. It is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.
‘Olympics’ further stated that the new tournament will make its debut during the 2023-2024 seasons and has a prize pool of about $18 million. Players of the wining team will make $500,000 each. Tournament games, except the Championship game, will count toward regular-season standings.
Said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, “This is a concept that has been rumbling around the league office for about 15 years. New traditions take time. But, all throughout sports, we are seeing new innovations, and now is the time for this NBA in-season tournament. We thought what a perfect opportunity for a global league like the NBA and it’s a perfect fit for our game.”
The games will tip off on November 3rd, being mostly played on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. The NBA will not schedule any games on November 7th to commemorate Election Day.
NBA In-season Tournament
All 30 teams have been split into six groups of five teams each, divided between the Eastern and Western Conference. The six group winners along with the best two second-place teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
Here is a look at the groups:
- West Group A: Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers;
- West Group B: Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets; and
- West Group C: Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs.
- East Group A: Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons;
- East Group B: Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets; and
- East Group C: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic.
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