Las Vegas is set to host the Final Four of the NBA’s first in-season tournament, according to a report by ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The semifinals and finals of the tournament are scheduled to take place on December 7 and 9, although the specific venue has not been confirmed yet.
However, the T-Mobile Arena is likely to be chosen as the location for the games. The dates of the tournament coincide with the home schedule of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, as they will be away from home until December 10 after playing a home game on December 4. Additionally, the annual National Finals Rodeo will be held at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center during the reported tournament dates.
While the NBA has not officially confirmed the ESPN report, they have scheduled a news conference on Saturday to announce the details and locations of the in-season tournament. The news conference will also reveal the group drawings, determining where each team will play in the tournament.
An interesting aspect of the in-season tournament is that the statistics accumulated during the tournament, apart from the championship game, will count towards the NBA regular season. This means that the performance of the teams and players in the tournament will have an impact on their regular season standings.
This move by the NBA to introduce an in-season tournament is not common in major American professional sports leagues, with the exception of the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup. The Commissioner’s Cup games are held throughout the season, leading up to the crowning of a champion. Last season, the Las Vegas Aces won the Commissioner’s Cup en route to their WNBA championship victory.
By hosting the Final Four of the in-season tournament, Las Vegas further strengthens its ties with the NBA. The city has already been a host to various NBA events, including the NBA Summer League, the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, and preseason contests.
The possibility of an NBA expansion to Las Vegas is also not ruled out. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged that Las Vegas is a potential destination for the league, given its excellent hotels, entertainment options, and facilities. The Oak View Group is even planning to build a $10 billion project that includes an NBA-ready arena on a portion of land on Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road.
However, as of now, no decision has been made regarding potential NBA expansion. The league is closely monitoring the situation and is aware of the plans put forth by the Oak View Group.
If this NBA in-season tournament comes to fruition, it will add yet another exciting event to the already bustling sports scene in Las Vegas. The Final Four, hosted in the city’s renowned T-Mobile Arena, will attract basketball fans from across the country. Furthermore, the inclusion of high stakes and a significant cash prize of $500,000 for each player on the winning team will undoubtedly add to the competition and intensity of the tournament.
Las Vegas continues to prove itself as a top destination for professional sports events, and with the potential for an NBA expansion in the future, the city’s status as a sports hub is only set to grow. Fans eagerly await the official announcement from the NBA regarding the in-season tournament and the Final Four’s arrival in Las Vegas.
