Prepare for a thrilling addition to the NBA season — the In-Season Tournament! Debuting in the 2023-24 season, this exciting contest includes all 30 teams showcasing skill, strategy, and on-court drama.
The inaugural In-Season Tournament tipped off on Friday, Nov. 3, with the grand finale — the Championship — scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9.
The heart-stopping Semifinals and Championship games have been slated to take place in the dazzling T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The tournament is divided into two enthralling stages: Group Play, where everyone fights for the top spots, and the Knockout Rounds, where it's do or die. Stay tuned for the complete schedule and embark on this unforgettable NBA journey with us!
Group Play
Group Play is the initial phase of the tournament, where all 30 NBA teams are divided into six groups based on their won-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season. This ensures an equitable distribution of skill and competition across all groups.
Starting from November 3 and running through November 28, each team will compete in four compelling Group Play games on designated "Tournament Nights."
These games consist of one match against each group member, splitting the venues between home and away games. This stage is the proving ground where teams battle for supremacy to secure their spot in the thrilling Knockout Rounds.
Knockout Rounds
The tension escalates as we move into the Knockout Rounds. After an intense competition in the Group Play stage, eight teams advance to these decisive battles: the top-ranked team from each group and two 'wild card' teams.
Wild cards are the teams from each conference with the best records that finished second in their groups. These rounds are single-elimination games, meaning every game counts — lose, and you're out.
The schedule for the Knockout Rounds is as follows: Quarterfinals will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, and Tuesday, Dec. 5, in the respective NBA team markets.
The Semifinals and Championship will follow, with dates and locations to be announced. Fair warning to all fans: the thrill at this stage is off the charts!
These Knockout games, except for the Championship, also count towards the regular-season standings. Packed with nail-biting moments, all these games are part of each team's 82 regular-season games.
So, whether you're checking the FanDuel NBA standings or planning your viewing schedule, remember to factor these in.
All Knockout Round games will be nationally televised, ensuring you won't miss a moment of the action.
Stay updated and prepare to cheer on your favorite teams as they compete for victory, the prestigious new NBA Cup, and a considerable prize pool. The thrill and excitement of the NBA have never been greater!
Tournament Details
Group Play Draw
Before Group Play commenced, the teams were organized into "pots" based on their 2022-23 regular-season records.
The draw was designed to ensure an equitable distribution of teams across each group. Five teams were drawn from each pot to form the six groups in each conference.
Pot 1: This pot consists of the top three teams with the best records from the previous season within their respective conference.
Pot 2: This category includes teams who ranked fourth to sixth in their performance records in the previous season.
Pot 3: Teams that held their position from seventh to ninth, based on their performance in the preceding season, fall into this pot.
Pot 4: Occupying the 10th to 12th spots in the previous season's record places teams in this pot.
Pot 5: This pot is for teams ranked 13th to 15th in last season's performance record.
Group Play
During Group Play, teams from each pot will face off against each other in a series of exciting games on Tournament Nights that fall every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 3-28 (except for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when no games will be played).
Each team will have a chance to display their prowess as they go head-to-head with the other four groups in one Group Play game.
The stakes are high as the team's performance in these four games will determine whether they move on to the Knockout Rounds.
The first criterion to break a tie is the teams' comparative records in the Group Stage matches they played against each other.
The point differential from the Group Stage games is considered if the deadlock persists. The third tiebreaker is the total points each team has scored throughout the Group Stage.
If none of these factors break the tie, the teams' regular season records from the 2022-23 NBA season come into play.
In the unlikely event that a tie remains even after considering all these factors, the decision comes down to a random draw.
Remember, every Group Play game counts as a Regular Season game, so every victory, every point, and every moment matters!
Gear up for some thrilling basketball action as our teams vie for supremacy in their groups and aim to advance to the Knockout Rounds.
Prizing & League Honors
The In-Season Tournament offers more than just fierce competition and thrilling gameplay; it also presents a significant prize pool and the opportunity for players to earn prestigious league honors.
In the 2023-24 season, the teams who make it to the Knockout Rounds will get ever larger portions of the total prize fund. This provides an exciting incentive for teams to give their all in every match and strive to advance in the tournament.
After the tournament, the NBA will also recognize exceptional player performances. Based on their outstanding showings in Group Play and the Knockout Rounds, a player will be named the In-Season Tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
This prestigious award is a testament to the player's skill, determination, and contribution to their team's success.
