Myles Turner believes that the Indiana Pacers’ success in last season’s playoffs was partly due to the in-season tournament. He is excited for the upcoming tournament. The NBA announced the group play pools for the Emirates NBA Cup, which will start on November 12 and end with a championship game in Las Vegas on December 17. The Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious in last year’s inaugural tournament final against Indiana.
Turner mentioned that the tournament brought attention to the team and the city, as they don’t usually get many TV games. The exposure helped them gain positive momentum throughout the season. Players on the winning team will receive $514,971 each, while the runner-up team members will get $205,988 each. The tournament provides a chance for players to compete for something different in the middle of the season.
CJ McCollum, the president of the National Basketball Players Association, highlighted the competitiveness of the tournament last year. He mentioned that the jersey changes and different courts added to the unique experience. The league has designated seven dates as “Cup Nights,” with teams playing Cup games on four of those nights against the other teams in their group. The quarterfinals will take place on December 10 and 11, followed by the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 14 and the championship game on December 17.
The tournament adds an extra element of competition to the regular season, making the games more entertaining for both players and fans. The groupings for the tournament were also announced, with strong teams like the Knicks, Magic, and 76ers leading the way in the East. The Pacers will look to replicate their success from last season in their group.
In the West, teams like the Clippers, Rockets, and Trail Blazers are expected to be competitive in their group. The defending champion Lakers will face tough competition from teams like the Thunder and Suns in their group. The full schedule for the tournament is yet to be released, but matchups like Dallas at Golden State, potentially featuring Klay Thompson’s return, are highly anticipated.
Overall, the NBA Cup provides an exciting opportunity for teams to compete for a trophy and cash prizes in the middle of the regular season. It adds a new dynamic to the games and gives players something extra to play for. Fans can look forward to intense matchups and competitive games as teams battle it out for the championship title.