On August 15th, 2023 League Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the NBA will be adapting the In-Season Tournament idea from European Soccer into its 2023 Schedule. The tournament will consist of a four game qualification stage where teams are split into two conferences and three divisions each consisting of five teams in each division. The divisions are
East A: 76ers, Hawks, Pacers, Cavaliers, and Pistons
East B:Bucks, Heat, Knicks, Hornets, and Wizards
East C: Celtics, Nets, Raptors, Magic, and Bulls
West A:Lakers, Jazz, Suns, Trailblazers, and Grizzlies
West B: Nuggets, Mavericks, Rockets, Clippers, and Pelicans
West C:Warriors, Timberwolves, Kings, Spurs, and Thunder
Each Division will play each other once with the team with the highest record going to a playoff bracket. If two teams have the same record the tiebreaker is decided with point differential. All six divisions send one team to the in season playoffs and then the best team in terms of wins and point differential who did not win their division will make the playoffs as a wild card. Once there are four teams left they will play each other in an east and west bracket with the winner of the Eastern Conference playing the Winner of the Western Conference.
A common question fans have is why these games are important. Each game still counts for the team’s season record so they are incentivized to win. The team that wins the tournament gets a trophy and $500,000 each. Yahoo Sports reported on the incentive to try in the games and Pacers Star Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton stated “I think the greatest incentive for everybody to do it would be an automatic playoff bid… if it was a playoff spot, I think everyone would take it very, very serious, right? I think the older teams would take it serious.” This idea has caught players and the leagues’ ear and could be voted on next season.
The tournament will conclude on December 9th 2023 in Las Vegas. Tournament games can be pointed out easily based upon the design of the court with each tournament game being played on a special court with bright colors and trophy behind the mid court logo. To keep up with the standings and schedule they can be viewed here.
