In recent years, the NBA’s in-season tournament has been a hot subject as the league looks for new ways to captivate both spectators and players throughout the regular season. It’s a fresh idea designed to add a new level of competition and excitement to the NBA schedule.
Superstars including Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have made their predictions for this one-of-a-kind tournament. Seems like the upcoming in-season tournament will surely be a memorable one.
What is NBA in-season tournament?
The NBA’s In-Season Tournament, is expected to provide a new and interesting element to the league’s regular season schedule. This unique competition spans from November 3rd to December 9th, culminating in a championship staged at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It is divided into two stages: group play and knockout rounds.
In Group Play, all 30 teams are split into groups of five within their conference based on their win-loss results from the previous season. Each team competes in four Group Play games against the other teams in their group. Eight teams advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, including the top team from each group and two wild cards (the second-best club in each conference).
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Championship are the Knockout Rounds. Except for the Championship, these games count as regular season matches. Prizes are distributed to teams participating in the Knockout Rounds based on their progress.
Individual excellence will also be recognized, with an MVP and All-Tournament Team selected based on players’ efforts in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds. The NBA’s In-Season Tournament aims to provide fans with a competitive edge as well as new entertainment, making it an important addition to the league’s annual schedule.
Stephen Curry And Kevin Durant reveal NBA in-season tournament predictions
Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, two of the NBA’s greatest stars, gave their predictions for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, along with Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green. This exciting event, which kicks off on Friday, has the league reverberating with enthusiasm.
Durant and Stephen Curry had a friendly rivalry while making their forecasts. Durant predicted the 76ers to win East A and the Bucks to win East B, while Curry predicted the Warriors to win West C and the Lakers to win the wild card.
"What team do you see coming out of the West as the wildcard?"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 2, 2023
Steph Curry: "The Lakers."
Kevin Durant, Steph, Anthony Edwards, and Draymond Green make their picks for the FIRST ever NBA Cup 🏆👀
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/mQ5AqGqQHN
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards weighed in, picking the Clippers over the Nuggets in West Group B and predicting the Suns and Magic as conference wildcard winners. Draymond Green who is looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, completed his predictions by picking Boston for East C, the Lakers for West A, and the Clippers for West B, with the Nuggets taking the wild card place.
These predictions just add to the excitement around the In-Season Tournament, which also promises to add a new level of excitement to the NBA’s regular season. Its soccer-inspired model intends to establish a distinct culture within the league, with players and coaches driven to win the first NBA Cup.
