The NBA officially kicked off the NBA Cup on Saturday by unveiling the groups for the 30-team event that culminates in the inaugural Finals on Dec. 9 in Las Vegas. The competition will begin on November 7. This is the first time that such a tournament has been organized at the same time as the NBA regular season (from October 24, 2023 to April 14, 2024).
NBA commissioner Adam Silver pointed out that the idea had been discussed for 15 years by league officials before arriving at a format that could be compared to European football competitions like the League of Nations. champions. “This is a perfect opportunity for a global league like the NBA,” he said on Saturday.
A tournament that will count for the regular season standings
All 67 matches from both phases of the tournament will count towards the regular season standings, with the exception of the final. All clubs will continue to play 82 regular season matches each in the 2023-2024 season.
Six groups of five teams, three from the Eastern Conference and three from the Western Conference, were drawn based on last season’s results. Each team will play twice at home and twice away in the tournament, playing each group rival once.
These matches will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays in November starting November 3, excluding US Election Day.
The first in each group and the next two best teams will qualify for the knockout quarter-finals, which will take place on December 4 and 5. The winners will advance to the semi-finals which will take place in Las Vegas on December 7 and for the final which will take place two evenings later.
NBA IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT EXPLAINED ????
Starting Nov. 3, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing into the knockout rounds! The tournament semis and championship game will be held in Las Vegas, Dec. 7 and 9! pic.twitter.com/NZdURUa3XR
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2023
“I’m very excited,” said Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “It will add an element of excitement for players, coaches and fans. I think it’s a great idea”. The players have reason to rejoice, indeed: each player of the victorious team of the NBA Cup will receive 500,000 dollars (455,000 euros approximately).
