NBA In-Season Tournament: Live, schedule, format, basics, cash incentives, where to watch

The inaugural In-Season Tournament will begin on Friday with seven games with 14 teams participating. It will come to an end with a Knockout Round for the tournament’s final seven games. The quarterfinals will be held in NBA cities on December 4-5, and the semifinals will take place on December 7. The final of the championship will be played on December 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In-Season Tournament basics

All 30 participating teams have been divided randomly into three groups per conference, each will play group rival once. In an attempt to generate the interest of fans, every franchise will host its games on specially painted new courts. Similarly, players will wear their teams’ City Edition uniforms.


Qualifying games will take place on Tuesday and Friday nights from November 3 to November 28, except Election Day November 7. Based on records within Group Play, three winners and one wild-card team will advance to the quarterfinals. It will be a Knockout Round.

Teams that don’t make it to the Knockout Round will have to play two games on December 6 and December 8. The four teams that lose in the quarterfinals will face each other on December 8.

Where to watch

The inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament can be watched on ESPN and NBA App.

Cash Incentive

According to reports, the cash incentive is $500,000 per player on the title team, and between $50,000 and $200,000 for teams that reach the Knockout Round.

Schedule for Friday, November 3

Cavaliers at Pacers (East Group A)
7 p.m. ET, League Pass

Knicks at Bucks (East Group B)
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Warriors at Thunder (West Group C)
8 p.m. ET, League Pass

Nets at Bulls (East Group C)
8 p.m. ET, League Pass

Wizards at Heat (East Group B)
8 p.m. ET, League Pass

Grizzlies at Trail Blazers (West Group A)
10 p.m. ET, League Pass

Mavericks at Nuggets (West Group B)
10 p.m. ET, ESPN

FAQs:


What is the format of the NBA In-Season Tournament?
All 30 participating teams have been divided randomly into three groups per conference, each will play group rival once. Based on records within Group Play, three winners and one wild-card team will advance to the quarterfinals. It will be a Knockout Round. Teams that don’t make it to the Knockout Round will have to play two games on December 6 and December 8.

What are the cash incentives for the NBA In-Season Tournament?
If reports are to be believed, the cash incentive is $500,000 per player on the title team, and between $50,000 and $200,000 for teams that reach the Knockout Round.