2023-07-08 07:00:00
The United States Professional Basketball League announced this Saturday its first tournament in parallel to the regular season, an NBA Cup that will have its final on December 9 in Las Vegas (Nevada).
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said league officials had discussed the idea for 15 years before settling on a format inspired by European soccer’s Champions League.
Silver cautioned that the enchantment with the new competition might not be instantaneous, hoping NBA fans would be patient at the start of Cup.
NBA Today’s Richard Jefferson and Malika Andrews with Steve Kerr, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards announce the launch of the In Season Tournament at NBA Con as part of the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Tom O’Connor / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP) | Photo: The Country
“It takes a little bit of time to establish a new tradition,” Silver said. “In all sports we are seeing innovations and now it is time for this tournament to enter the season. So here we go.”
Each team will play two home games and two away games in the group stage, facing each group opponent once.
Those games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays beginning November 3.
Three group winners and the next best overall team from each conference will advance to the knockout round of the quarterfinals.
The winners will advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 7, with the championship match two nights later.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announces the launch of the In Season Tournament in the NBA. (Photo by Tom O’Connor / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP) | Photo: The Country
Each player on the champion team of that tournament will receive $500,000.
In the Western Conference, Group A will consist of the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Phoenix, Utah and Portland.
A general view of the Championship Trophy for the In Season Tournament at NBA Con as part of the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Tom O’Connor / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP) | Photo: The Country
Pool B will feature reigning NBA champions Denver, New Orleans, the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas and Houston, while Pool C includes Golden State, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento.
In the Eastern Conference, Group A includes Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Indiana and Detroit and Group B consists of Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Washington and Charlotte.
Group C will feature Orlando, Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn and Toronto.
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