Whether you like the NBA’s new in-season tournament or not, it’s happening, so you might as well watch.
Here’s what you need to know:
The format: The tournament tips off Friday, Nov. 3, and ends with the championship Saturday, Dec. 9.
The Celtics are in a group (East C) with the Nets, Raptors, Magic and Bulls. In November, each team will have one group play game against each opponent – two at home, two on the road.
Boston’s schedule:
Friday, Nov. 10: Nets at Celtics, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Nov. 17: Celtics at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 24: Celtics at Magic, 2:30 p.m., NBA TV
Tuesday, Nov. 28: Bulls at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
*Quarterfinals: Dec. 4 and 5
*Semifinals: Dec. 7
*Championship: Dec. 9
*If the Celtics advance
6 group winners.
1 wild card per conference.Which 8 teams do YOU have advancing out of Group Play in the NBA In-Season Tournament?
Schedule drops on ESPN’s NBA Today at 3pm/et! pic.twitter.com/lkPVXWzRFM
— NBA (@NBA) August 15, 2023
Eight teams – six group winners and one wild card per conference – advance to the knockout rounds. The knockout rounds feature single-elimination games in the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship.
The qualifying teams will compete for a prize pool and the new In-Season-Tournament trophy, the NBA Cup. Every game counts toward the regular-season standings except the championship.
The Celtics are currently the favorites to win the tournament, per ESPN.
