How to watch today's 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament finals: Which teams remain and what time
This content is sponsored by Sling TV.
The first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament is a success to say the least. The league's inaugural in-season contest, which began on Nov. 3 and ends today with the In-Season Tournament finals, boosted NBA ratings, energized players and fans, while delivering some seriously good basketball and some major surprises (Pacers eliminated the Celtics, surprise!).
While all 30 NBA franchises entered the in-season tournament, two teams remain. $500,000 in prize money awaits each member of the winning team and game results of the entire tournament go toward season standings. There's more than bragging rights at stake here. Keep reading to find out which teams will play and how to watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament finals today.
What teams are going to the NBA in-season tournament finals?
After ousting the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, 133-89, the Los Angeles Lakers move on to the finals. They'll face the Indiana Pacers, who dominated the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals, 128-119.
How and when to watch the NBA In-Season Tournament finals
The NBA In-Season Tournament finals will be played Saturday Dec. 9, 2023. The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT)
The finals will be played in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.
What channels will air the NBA In-Season Tournament finals?
The In-Season Tournament finals will air on ABC.
How to watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament finals
The NBA In-Season Tournament finals will air on ABC. While many cable packages include ABC, it's easy to watch the game if those networks aren't included in your cable TV subscription, or if you're going cable-free.
Stream the NBA In-Season Tournament finals on Sling TV for half price
If you have don't have cable TV that includes ABC, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream the NBA In-Season Tournament finals is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to TNT, ESPN and ABC, in addition to the NFL Network plus local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available) with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the season's top NBA matchups.
That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you'll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
- There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
- You get access to all aired NBA In-Season Tournament games, not to mention most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
- All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
Upgrade to Sling TV's NBA League Pass package
Sling TV has a new offering for the 2023 NBA Season called NBA League Pass. It gets you access to all out-of-market NBA games, plus game replays and highlights. It can be bundled with Sling TV packages that allow you to watch NBA games live, including the NBA In-Season tournament finals.
Right now, you can add the NBA League Pass package at Sling TV for just $15/month, save $5 on your first month. (Or, add access to just one NBA team's games for $14/month). You can learn more about Sling TV NBA League Pass by tapping the button below.
What is the NBA In-Season Tournament?
Consisting of two stages of play, group play and knockout rounds, the NBA In-Season Tournament is a new addition to the NBA season schedule. All 30 teams played for the NBA Cup (and some serious prize money). Inspired by the WNBA's successful in-season tournament, the NBA In-Season Tournament is the league's way of drawing a bigger viewing audience to each game.
The 30 NBA teams were split into six, five-team groups. The group stage, called Group Play, was played on seven Tuesdays and Fridays in November: Fridays (Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023) and Tuesdays (Nov. 14, 21 and 28, 2023).
The quarterfinals were played Dec. 4 and 5, with the higher-seeded team earning home-court advantage. The semifinals and championship game are being played Dec. 7 and 9, 2023 in Las Vegas.
Results of the In-Season Tournament will count toward teams' regular-season standings.
Are there prizes for the In-Season Tournament?
The In-Season Tournament championship team will earn a trophy called the NBA Cup, and $500,000 per player on the team. The runners up will each receive $200,000 per player. The losing team of the semifinals (the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks) win $100,000 per player, while the losing team of the quarterfinals (Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics) win $50,000 per player.
Will there be individual awards for the In-Season Tournament?
An In-Season Tournament MVP will be named, as well as an All-Tournament Team.
2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule: Finals
- Sat., Dec. 9: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
2023-2024 NBA Season: Looking ahead
- The 2023-2024 NBA season starts 10/24.
- NBA Inaugural In-Season Tournament: Nov. 3 - Dec. 9
- All-Star Week: Feb. 16 - Feb. 24, 2024.
- Play-in tournament: Apr. 16-19, 2024
- NBA Playoffs: April 20 - May/June 2024
- NBA Finals: June 2024
Storylines We're Following This NBA Season
Everybody loves Victor: At 19 years old and standing 7'4" tall, French basketball sensation Viktor Wembanyama made his NBA regular-season debut on Oct. 25 with the San Antonio Spurs. The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, "Wemby" is the most-anticipated rookie since LeBron James made his NBA debut in 2023. Agile and athletic, Wembanyama already proved he'll be a serious threat on defense during the 2023 preseason, eight-foot wingspan and all, earning him high praise from his NBA competitors already.
Dame time in Milwaukee: Despite the NBA's efforts to ban superteams, the pairing of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee has the potential to become just that. Dame spent 11 years with the Portland Trail Blazers before the seven-time All-NBA point guard requested a trade. Giannis is a two-time NBA MVP surrounded by an already talented Bucks team. Dame brings his leadership, loyalty and clutch shots to Milwaukee, which is starting to look exactly like a super team.
The end of an era in Nor Cal? When Golden State Warriors beloved GM Bob Myers stepped down last spring, it sparked questions if the Warriors dynasty-- which led to four NBA championships -- is over. Superstar Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are all locked in to the team for at least three seasons, but head coach Steve Kerr and 1/3 of the Splash Brothers -- Klay Thompson -- are both in the last year of their respective contracts. Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob has always shown he's willing to spend to keep the team together, reports say the team and Thompson are far from making a deal. It's hard to imagine the team without Kerr's calm, sideline-cool or Thompsons epic 3's, but fans may have to.
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