The NBA has announced the start of its in-season tournament, the Emirates Cup, beginning on November 12th, with all 30 teams competing for cash prizes. The tournament was introduced last season, with the Los Angeles Lakers emerging as the champions. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the concept had been in the works for 15 years and was inspired by international soccer tournaments.
The tournament features a format similar to the World Cup, with group play and a knockout round. Teams will compete in group play, with the top team in each group and a wild-card team from each conference advancing to the knockout rounds. The winning team will take home an extra $500,000 per player.
The tournament will take place at each team’s home arena for group play, with the semifinals and championship game held in Las Vegas. Fans can watch the games on TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV, with a national broadcast schedule for the Knockout Rounds to be announced later.
Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, the games will count towards the regular-season standings, with the championship game being the only exception. While teams can earn cash prizes and bragging rights, the tournament will not impact the postseason bracket.
Stay tuned for an action-packed tournament, with colorful courts and intense competition as NBA teams battle for the prestigious Emirates Cup.
Source
Photo credit www.nbcnewyork.com
