Everything you need to know about the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, plus the debut of each team’s court design ahead of Friday’s start

Drew Smith
October 30, 2023
Sixers
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Ladies and gentlemen, we are just days away from the 76ers playing in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, so it’s time to lock in and figure out what exactly the tournament is, how it works, and why winning the championship is of the upmost importance here in Philadelphia. Plus, the NBA released all-new court designs for each team ahead of Friday’s start date. Let’s get into it.

NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule

The NBA In-Season Tournament will begin on Friday, November 3rd with the Championship on Saturday, December 9th. The Semifinals (Thursday, Dec. 7) and Championship will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Full Schedule Here >>

Group Play

The In-Season Tournament will consist of two stages: Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.

All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season. Beginning Friday, November 3rd and continuing through Tuesday, November 28th, each team will play four designated Group Play games on “Tournament Nights” – one game against each opponent in its group, with two games at home and two on the road.

Knockout Rounds

Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds. The team with the best standing in Group Play games in each of the six groups and two “Wild Card” teams will continue in the tournament.

The Knockout Rounds will be single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals (played in NBA team markets on Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5), Semifinals and Championship. The qualifying teams will compete for a prize pool and the new In-Season Tournament trophy, the NBA Cup.

Note: All 67 games across both stages of the In-Season Tournament will count toward the regular-season standings except the Championship. Each team will continue to play 82 regular-season games in the 2023-24 season, including those games that are part of Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.

What’s at stake?

For the 2023-24 season, the In-Season Tournament prize pool will be allocated to the players on the teams that participate in the Knockout Rounds, with allocations increasing depending on how far a team progresses in the tournament.

At the conclusion of the In-Season Tournament, the NBA will name the Most Valuable Player of the competition and the All-Tournament Team. Selection will be based on the players’ performance in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.

NBA Releases Team Courts for the first annual In-Season Tournament

The Philadelphia 76ers, along with all other NBA teams will receive all-new court designs for the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Sixers will have an all red court with navy and gold, featuring the In-Season Tournament trophy and “76” at half court.

sheeeesh. 🔥🔥 https://t.co/WhKLcTUYft
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 30, 2023

Party on Broad: I want the In-Season Tournament NBA Cup in Philadelphia BAD

I will fully admit that I wasn’t exactly on board with the NBA In-Season Tournament when it was initially announced, mainly because the Philadelphia 76ers are notorious for breaking my heart every single year in the playoffs.

After reviewing the format and how the NBA is marketing the event, I actually have completely changed my mind. There’s not a trophy I want more than the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament one. It would be absolutely hilarious to win this thing and have a parade down Broad Street because of it.

I want the Sixers to win whatever this in-season tournament is real bad. 😂
— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) October 30, 2023

On a serious note, we’ll see how the players handle the tournament. If it does in fact, remain competitive with the prize money, a tournament MVP, and an NBA Cup on the line, then having Joel Embiid and a (knock on wood) healthy 76ers team actually play for something would be pretty refreshing given how the playoffs have faired here in Philly over the past 4-5 seasons.