The stage is set for the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
We've known the format and groups for a while now, but the full schedule for the tournament, which will be held during the regular season, was revealed on Tuesday's edition of ESPN's "NBA Today." That means we now know when each game of the group phase will be played.
In total, there will be 67 games played in the In-Season Tournament. Here are a few you won't want to miss.
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Best NBA In-Season Tournament games
Bucks vs. Heat
Date: Nov. 28, 2023
The Bucks and Heat are probably sick of each other at this point.
In 2020, the No. 5 seeded Heat defeated the No. 1 seeded Bucks in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks got some revenge in 2021 with a first-round sweep, but the Heat responded in 2023 with a historic first-round upset.
It's only right, then, that the Bucks and Heat are in the same group for the inaugural In-Season Tournament. And who knows, it could quite easily be another preview of what's to come.
Let's just hope Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy this time.
Raptors vs. Bulls
Date: Nov. 24, 2022
No, this doesn't pack quite the same punch as Bucks vs. Heat, but Raptors and Bulls have some history as well.
Not only did Bulls star DeMar DeRozan start his career and become a star with the Raptors, but he, his daughter and Zach LaVine led the charge in the first round of last season's Play-In Tournament, which saw Chicago upset Toronto on the road.
The fact that the Raptors and Bulls could be once again competing for a spot in the playoffs this season will only add to the fun.
Suns vs. Lakers
Date: Nov. 10, 2023
A matchup between two Western Conference teams hoping to compete for a championship this season.
As good as Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Anthony Davis are, the draw here is LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant, who continue to play at an All-Star and All-NBA level in their mid-to-late 30s. Don't take any matchup between them for granted — James and Durant haven't faced each other since 2018.
Nuggets vs. Mavericks
Date: Nov. 3, 2023
The Nuggets will face the Clippers, Pelicans and Mavericks in group play. Each of those will be worth watching, especially if Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and Pelicans star Zion Williamson play, but there are few matchups more exciting right now than Nikola Jokic vs. Luka Doncic.
While they play different positions, Jokic and Doncic impact the game in similar ways. Doncic is coming off of a season in which he averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He ranked third in the NBA with 10 triple-doubles, trailing only Kings star Domantas Sabonis (14) and Jokic (29), who averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game on the season.
Beyond being two of the best players in the NBA today, Jokic and Doncic are effortless scorers and all-time passers. They've had some big performances against each other over the years.
Kings vs. Warriors
Date: Nov. 28, 2023
The Kings and Warriors went the distance in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, capped off with a historic 50-point game from Stephen Curry in Game 7 to end Sacramento's season. It could be the start of a new rivalry. The Warriors have positioned themselves to compete for title No. 8 while the Kings will be looking to prove last season wasn't a fluke and they deserve a seat at the big table.
Key dates for NBA In-Season Tournament
- Start date: Nov. 3, 2023
- End date: Dec. 9, 2023
All 30 teams have been drawn into groups of five for the NBA's In-Season Tournament.
Between Nov. 3 and Nov. 28, each team will play four Group Play games on "Tournament Nights." They will face each opponent in their group, with two games taking place at home and two taking place on the road.
The Knockout Rounds will follow with the quarterfinals on Dec. 4 and 5, the semifinals on Dec. 7 and the finals on Dec. 9. Both the semifinals and finals will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The only game in the In-Season Tournament that won't count toward the regular-season standings is the championship.
NBA In-Season Tournament groups
All 30 teams in the NBA have been split into groups of five via a random drawing. There are three groups of teams from the Eastern Conference and three groups of teams from the Western Conference.
East Group A
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Atlanta Hawks
- Indiana Pacers
- Detroit Pistons
East Group B
- Milwaukee Bucks
- New York Knicks
- Miami Heat
- Washington Wizards
- Charlotte Hornets
East Group C
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Chicago Bulls
- Orlando Magic
West Group A
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Utah Jazz
- Portland Trail Blazers
West Group B
- Denver Nuggets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
West Group C
- Sacramento Kings
- Golden State Warriors
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- San Antonio Spurs
In-Season Tournament cash prize money breakdown
As detailed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players will receive prize money if their team reaches the quarterfinal, semifinal, final or wins the In-Season Tournament championship.
Here's how the payout works:
- Win championship: $500,000 per player
- Reach final game: $200,000 per player
- Reach semifinal game: $100,000 per player
- Reach quarterfinal game: $50,000 per player
Additionally, players will be eligible to win the In-Season Tournament MVP award and make the All-Tournament Team. A trophy will also be awarded to the winning team.
