Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA and Wilson unveiled a new basketball for the league’s 2024 NBA Cup, which begins on Tuesday with eight games on the docket.
The new look includes a bracket design printed on the ball and a picture of the trophy that will be awarded to the winners following the conclusion of the tournament.
The NBA Cup consists of both the Group Play stage Knockout Rounds, a format seemingly inspired by European soccer competitions like the Champions League, albeit with an NBA twist.
During the Group Play stage, teams will play four games in the conference group they were randomly drawn into ahead of the tournament. The top six teams from each group will advance to the Knockout Rounds, along with two wild card teams (consisting of the best second-place group finisher from each conference).
The Knockout Rounds are single-elimination contests, starting with the quarterfinals (Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 11) followed by the semifinals (Saturday, Dec. 14) and championship game (Tuesday, Dec. 17).
Every game in the tournament except for the title contest counts toward the regular-season standings, giving them dual value for teams.
Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers were the NBA Cup champions. Players on the winning team this year will each receive $500,000, while players on the runners-up will get $200,000 each, semifinal losers will take home $100,000 per player and players on teams that advance out of Group Play will get $50,000.
“I think it’s fun,” Boston guard Jrue Holiday told reporters on Sunday regarding the NBA Cup. “We push for something else in the middle of the season. … Obviously we’re trying to win every single game. But knowing this is another tournament and another milestone we’re trying to get, go for it.”
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