The NBA is set to make history with the introduction of its first-ever In-Season Tournament. During the 2023-24 season, all 30 teams will participate in this exciting tournament, with eight teams advancing from the Group Play stage to the Knockout Rounds. Apart from claiming the coveted NBA Cup and boasting rights, players will also have the opportunity to earn prize money based on their team's progress in the tournament. The Sporting News will provide regular updates on the In-Season Tournament standings.
Group Play games will be played during the regular season on designated "Tournament Nights." From November 3 to November 28, each team will face the other four teams in its group once. The Sporting News will provide updated standings after each Tournament Night, delivering the latest results and schedule information for fans to follow.
In Group A of the Western Conference, the Lakers and Jazz are off to a strong start, with both teams boasting a flawless winning record of 2-0. The Trail Blazers are currently sitting at 1-1, while the Suns and Grizzlies are struggling to find their footing with a record of 0-1 and 0-3 respectively.
Group B in the Western Conference sees the Nuggets leading the pack with a 2-0 record, followed by the Rockets at 1-0. The Pelicans are currently at 1-1, the Mavericks at 1-2, and the Clippers at 0-2.
In Group C of the Western Conference, the Timberwolves have started the tournament strong with a perfect 2-0 record. The Kings stand at 1-0, while the Warriors are at 1-1. The Thunder is currently at 1-2, and the Spurs are struggling with a winless record of 0-2.
Moving over to the Eastern Conference, Group A features the Pacers at the top with a record of 2-0. The Hawks follow closely behind at 1-0, while the 76ers sit at 1-1. The Cavaliers and Pistons are currently at 0-1 and 0-2 respectively.
Group B in the Eastern Conference sees the Heat leading the way with a 2-0 record, with the Bucks at 1-0. The Hornets are currently at 1-1, while the Knicks and Wizards are struggling with records of 0-1 and 0-2.
Lastly, in Group C of the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have secured a solid 1-0 record, while the Nets sit at 2-1. The Bulls are currently at 0-1, and both the Magic and Raptors are yet to play a game.
The In-Season Tournament, which kicks off on November 3, is set to conclude on December 9. The Knockout Rounds will take place in early December, with the semifinals scheduled for December 7 and the championship game set for December 9. These games will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fans can catch the action on ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. Those who prefer to stream the games have options such as NBA League Pass, Fubo, and Sling TV. NBA League Pass offers various packages and a free seven-day trial for fans to test the service before committing. Fubo also offers a free trial with the option to add NBA League Pass for as low as $14.99 a month. Sling TV includes ESPN and TNT in its packages.
The introduction of the In-Season Tournament brings a new level of excitement to the NBA season. With fans eagerly following the tournament and teams competing for the NBA Cup and prize money, the 2023-24 season promises to be one to remember.
