As the second annual NBA In-Season Tournament — now known as the Emirates NBA Cup — draws to a close, the championship game is set for this Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Here's a breakdown of how the tournament works, the teams involved, and what's at stake.
How Does the NBA In-Season Tournament Work?
The NBA In-Season Tournament began on November 12, with all 30 teams divided into five groups of five within their respective conferences. The groups were assigned based on each team's win-loss record from the previous season.
From the start of the tournament through December 3, each team played four group-stage games on designated “Cup Nights.” These included one game against each of the four other teams in their group, with two games played at home and two on the road.
Knockout Rounds: The Final Eight
After the group play concluded, the top team from each of the six groups, along with two wild-card teams from each conference, advanced to the knockout rounds. These teams competed in a single-elimination format, beginning with the quarterfinals on Tuesday, December 5.
The teams that reached the knockout rounds were:
Milwaukee Bucks
Orlando Magic
Oklahoma City Thunder
Dallas Mavericks
Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks
Houston Rockets
Golden State Warriors
Semifinals and Final Matchup
In the semifinal matchups held on Saturday, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-102, and the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Houston Rockets 111-96, securing their spots in the final.
The championship game between Thunder and Bucks will take place this Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It will be broadcast live on ABC.
What’s at Stake?
The winning team will not only take home the Emirates NBA Cup trophy but also a prize pool. The NBA has confirmed that this pool will be distributed to players on teams that made it to the knockout rounds, with the amounts increasing depending on how far a team progresses in the tournament.
In addition, after the championship game, a media panel will select the MVP of the tournament, and an All-Tournament Team will also be named.
Regular Season Impact
All tournament games count toward the regular-season standings, except for the championship game. The tournament offers a unique mid-season competitive thrill, with the added incentive of the trophy, prize money, and accolades like the MVP and All-Tournament Team selections.
How to Watch the Championship Game
Don’t miss the tournament finale! Tune in to ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday to watch the Bucks and Thunder battle it out for the coveted NBA Cup.
