Author: Monojit Mandal
The NBA has released the schedule for its first In-Season Tournament, a new initiative that promises to increase interest in the regular season. The basketball world is buzzing as the event, which includes an innovative structure and a large prize fund, is scheduled to kick off on November 3 in Indianapolis with a match between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers.
The schedule for the tournament’s 60-match group stage was published on Tuesday, showing a mix of exciting matches that will take place throughout November. The first night alone has an incredible schedule of seven games, captivating the attention of fans from all over the world. Each team will play four group matches, and their results will determine whether they progress to the single-elimination quarter-finals.
In addition to its grandeur and status, the In-Season Tournament has a considerable prize fund of over 18 million dollars. Players with normal contracts have a lot at stake, with the tournament champions taking home $500,000 each. Meanwhile, the runner-up team will receive US$200,000 each, and the semi-final teams will receive US$100,000 each. Those who advance to the quarter-finals will not go home empty-handed, as they will each receive US$50,000.
The competing teams were rigorously organized, ensuring a balanced competition and entertaining fights.
The WESTERN Conference is divided into three sections:
- Memphis, Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah and Portland are in Group A;
- Denver, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas and Houston are in Group B;
- and Sacramento, Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City and San Antonio are in Group C.
Meanwhile, the teams in the EASTERN Conference are just as attractive:
- Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Indiana and Detroit are in Group A;
- Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Washington and Charlotte are in Group B;
- and Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago and Orlando are in Group C.
Fans should mark their calendars for the tournament days, which will only take place on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. The only exception is November 7, when matches will be canceled in respect of election day. 14 teams will begin their journey to the tournament on November 3, followed by another 13 teams on November 10. Orlando and Atlanta will begin their campaigns in the tournament on November 14, while Toronto will start on November 17.
The action-packed day of November 24, the day after Thanksgiving, which usually witnesses the end-of-year shopping rush, is an exciting highlight of the tournament program. That day will include ten games, starting at 14:30 (Brasília time) with a game between Boston and Orlando.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for December 4 and 5, and the semifinals will be held on December 7 in Las Vegas. The final game, the culmination of the In-Season Tournament, will be held on December 9 in the colorful city of Las Vegas.
With the exception of the title game, all games in the tournament will count towards the regular season standings. The schedules for the regular season and national broadcasts, which will include 80 games, will be distributed to the teams shortly. The final two games will be played in December, either as part of the competition or as additional regular season games for the 22 clubs that don’t advance to the knockout stage. These extra games are scheduled for December 6 and 8, providing a complete and exciting NBA season.