The NBA In-Season Tournament is all set to take place this season. As always, the league finds new ways to keep the game interesting, and fans engaged on a daily loop. Unlike most leagues, the NBA used to have a very basic season scheduled which included Christmas Day Games and the All-Weekend before the Playoffs.
This time, it will be a little different. All thirty teams will be competing to win the In-Season Tournament Trophy which also entails a set of exciting prizes. Adam Silver and the league board of directors came up with a plan to motivate teams to play harder as well. Tournament games will take place during normal regular season games.
NBA In-Season Tournament Key Dates
As announced by the league, the first two stages of the tournament will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays between November 3rd and 28th. During the first stage, teams will play four games each against opponents of the same group.
This is similar to the FIBA World Cup’s group stage schedule. Eight teams from the group stage will advance into the knockout rounds out of which six are selected based on their record. The other two will be wild card entries.
The NBA today released the schedule for Group Play of the inaugural In-Season Tournament. These games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays in November.
π Schedule by day: https://t.co/hSD1LCs5jp
π Schedule by team: https://t.co/oe097EkC6b
π More: https://t.co/GLTHgGSUec pic.twitter.com/7d865g6jsQ
β NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 15, 2023
Between December 4th and 5th, teams will play single-game elimination matches (knockout stage/quarterfinals). On December 7th, the winners of the knockout stages will face each other in the semifinals and the NBA In-Season Tournament Finals will happen on December 9th. Group games will be played at various arenas as per the game that’s scheduled. The final two stages of the tournament will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The NBA In-Season Tournament will start on November 3, 2023
The first stage of the NBA In-Season Tournament will commence on November 3, 2023. There are a couple of exciting matchups to look forward to on opening night.
The Golden State Warriors will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams have been playing far better than they were at the start of last season. The Milwaukee Bucks will begin their In-Season Tournament journey against the New York Knicks, a matchup that fans would’ve witnessed if the Bucks hadn’t been knocked out in the first round last postseason.
THE FIRST-EVER NBA IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT TIPS OFF TONIGHT π₯
Cavs vs. Pacers
Knicks vs. Bucks
Wizards vs. Heat
Nets vs. Bulls
Warriors vs. Thunder
Mavs vs. Nuggets
Grizzlies vs. Blazers7 GAME SLATE πΏ pic.twitter.com/56gj8EoteL
β Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 3, 2023
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Denver Nuggets. Both teams are favorites to emerge out of the Western Conference during the In-Season Tournament. The only matchup that will not be part of the In-Season Tournament Games will be the Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule
Teams will be split into three groups in each conference based on their 2022-23 regular season record. Each team will play four games against opponents from within their groups. Knockout games, the semifinals, and finals matchups will be determined accordingly as the tournament progresses.
NBA In-Season Tournament Groups and Schedules:
East A:
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- Philadelphia 76ers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Atlanta Hawks
- Indiana Pacers
- Detroit Pistons
π THE FULL EAST GROUP A SCHEDULE π
East A group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/d3714ncd0oβ NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
East B:
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- Milwaukee Bucks
- New York Knicks
- Miami Heat
- Washington Wizards
- Charlotte Hornets
π THE FULL EAST GROUP B SCHEDULE π
East B group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 7:30 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/yyQ71rR2pJβ NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
East C:
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- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Chicago Bulls
- Orlando Magic
π THE FULL EAST GROUP C SCHEDULE π
East C group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 8:00 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/0pOTe6JvbIβ NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
West A:
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- Memphis Grizzlies
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Phoenix Suns
- Utah Jazz
π THE FULL WEST GROUP A SCHEDULE π
West A group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 10:00 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/wdd9y3d09Mβ NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
West B:
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- Denver Nuggets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- New Orleans Pelicans
π THE FULL WEST GROUP B SCHEDULE π
West B group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 10:00 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/ih1ugZglX1β NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
West C:
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- Sacramento Kings
- Golden State Warriors
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- San Antonio Spurs
- Oklahoma City Thunder
π THE FULL WEST GROUP C SCHEDULE π
West C group play tips off Friday, November 3rd at 8:00 PM ET!
For more NBA In-Season Tournament info
β‘οΈ https://t.co/MC7QUx0Bv9 pic.twitter.com/uH4AJ1wdwXβ NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) August 15, 2023
All teams are up and ready to pursue the NBA In-Season Tournament title. NBA TV, ESPN, TNT, and various regional channels will stream the In-Season Tournament Games.