NBA In-Season Tournament: Everything You Need to Know
The Emirates NBA Cup In-Season Tournament was introduced in 2023 to boost engagement and heighten competition during the early part of the NBA regular season, before the All-Star Break. This new event aims to attract sports fans’ attention at a time when NFL and NHL seasons are also active.
Introduction and Purpose
Commissioner Adam Silver described the tournament's launch on July 8, 2023, saying:
“New traditions take time. But, all throughout sports, we are seeing new innovations, and now is the time for this NBA In-Season Tournament.”
Tournament Format
The Emirates NBA Cup consists of two stages before the final Championship game:
- Group Play Round: A monthlong phase where each team plays four games—two at home and two away—against their group opponents.
- Knockout Round: A single-elimination stage including Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
Schedule
- The tournament starts on Friday, October 31, with “Cup Nights” primarily held on Fridays throughout October and November.
- The Group Play Round concludes on Friday, November 28.
- Quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 and Wednesday, December 10.
- The Semifinals will be played on Saturday, December 13.
- The Championship game takes place on Tuesday, December 16.
All Group Play games follow the regular season schedule with each team facing their four group opponents once.
Author’s summary: The Emirates NBA Cup is an innovative mid-season tournament designed to increase excitement and competition during the early NBA season, culminating in a new competitive tradition for teams and fans alike.