The first two quarterfinalists for the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament were determined on Tuesday, as the Pacers‘ win over Atlanta and the Lakers‘ blowout of Utah ensured that both clubs will advance to the knockout round of the tournament.
Indiana, the winner of East Group A, is 3-0 in round robin play and holds the tiebreaker over the 2-1 Cavaliers due to their head-to-head record. Cleveland remains in the hunt for the East’s wild card spot.
As for the Lakers, they’ve played their full round robin slate in West Group A and won all four games, with a +74 point differential. The club has secured home court advantage for the quarterfinals and is in strong position to claim the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed.
Only two other undefeated teams are left in the West and those two clubs – the Kings and Timberwolves – will have to face each other this Friday. If either Sacramento or Minnesota finishes with a 4-0 record in group play, point differential would be the tiebreaker to determine seeding — the two clubs are only +16 and +10, respectively, through two games and would probably need a pair of blowout victories to pass the Lakers.
By making the quarterfinals, the Pacers and Lakers have clinched per-player bonuses worth at least $50K. The value of those bonuses would increase to $100K if they advance to the semifinals, $200K if they make the final, and $500K if they win the entire tournament. The Lakers haven’t been shy about referring to that prize money as a motivating factor, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN notes.
“It’s not a run-of-the-mill regular-season game,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said after Tuesday’s win. “They’re well aware. That purse is pretty attractive. … Guys like money. … Not like it, they love it. That incentive right there — it’s huge.”
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle said this week that they appreciate the fact that the in-season tournament has given a young club – which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020 – a chance to compete in meaningful games.
The Pistons, Wizards, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Spurs have been eliminated from quarterfinal contention, but every other team technically remains alive. The full in-season tournament standings can be found here.
Nobody cares
Might as well do pre season championships while we are at it.
I think you just figured out what they have planned next.
I’m still waiting for the Cavalier’s parade after their Summer League Championship.
The players seem to care, I’ve noticed more focus and urgency during tourney games. The games seem to get more chippy then normal regular season games as well. Most of these guys have been very competitive since they were in middle school.
They should care already. They are paid millions. They already cry about 82 games(every player before them had pride. these players are weak minded)
I think they did it for basketball fans
That pacers game was straight trash. No defense at all. Hoisting up 300 shots is ugly. Silver has destroyed the NBA. Please fire him. Hire Tatum and bring back defense and dribbling
Silver has been so bad for the league PR wise
All noise here …..
I guess you don’t care about their records either. Just part of 82 gm season.
Which basketball rumors editor has a huge problem understanding the Celtics aren’t in the Central Division?
Silver been handling business as professionally possible. My only grief with this tourney is that the players are complaining about the court being slippery.
Personally.. I think the court colors are an eye sore, and especially when one team wears a similar color as the courts color… If it’s also slippery then wtf r we doing here? A large in-season-tourney logo on some regular hardwood seems like the best way to go moving forward.
So the NBA will give monetary compensation for games that are to be played regardless but will continue to put G Leaguers at the forefront of all star weekend…
What a joke
I Love This Game!
Glad they have created a framework to discuss these early season games in a way that matters.
That’s the spirit !!!!!!
But does it really?
This In-season tourney is garbage! It’s all just part of their ‘equity’ plan….To make the NBA as equally lame as the WNBA! ;)
P.S. Any actual Hoops fans DONT want to see 157-152 games either, have a little pride in your work and play a little DEFENSE!!!
Phase 2 should be eliminating the playoffs altogether. I mean, it shouldn’t be hard to get the Players’ Association to agree to playing fewer games, thereby mitigating further injury risk.
Every single player since the early 50s took pride in playing 82 games. Why are these players weak. Are they not athletic? I thought the medical staff and travel was better? They are paid more than any of them in the past. James Wiseman has probably made more money than Scottie pippen has for his entire career