rd Stephen Curry, and Thunder forward Jerami Grant, who each had 7 assists; and Bucks guard Khris Middleton, who made 6 three-pointers.
Overall, the first day of the NBA in-season tournament was filled with excitement and historic moments. From Myles Turner’s dunk becoming the first basket of the tournament to thrilling overtime games and controversial finishes, fans were treated to a day of intense competition. The tournament format, inspired by European soccer and basketball leagues, brought a new level of intensity to the early part of the regular season.
Players and coaches expressed their support for the tournament, praising the NBA for adding excitement to November games. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green called the in-season tournament a “playoff game” and commended the league for bringing intensity to the early part of the regular season.
Several records and firsts were also set on the first day of the tournament. The Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers played the first overtime game, with the Blazers securing a 115-113 victory. The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry had a controversial finish, as his layup with less than a second to go was initially called offensive interference but was counted after video review, leading to a thrilling 141-139 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers claimed the first win of the tournament with a 121-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks set the record for the first 40-plus point game in an in-season tournament game, scoring 45 points in a losing effort against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Denver Nuggets had the first double-digit victory, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 125-114. Additionally, the tournament introduced new-look courts with bold colors and the likeness of the NBA Cup.
In other games, the Chicago Bulls lost 109-107 to the Brooklyn Nets, with Zach LaVine missing a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer. The Miami Heat snapped a four-game losing streak with a 121-111 victory over the Washington Wizards, led by Tyler Herro’s 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.
As the tournament continues throughout the month of November, fans can expect more thrilling games, record-breaking performances, and intense competition as teams vie for the NBA Cup.Myles Turner’s Dunk Ignites NBA’s In-Season Tournament
In a historic moment for the NBA, Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers kicked off the first-ever in-season tournament with a thunderous dunk just 19 seconds into the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Turner’s dunk, assisted by Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, marked the first basket scored in the newly introduced tournament.
After years of speculation and debate, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s long-time pet project finally became a reality on Friday. The tournament features seven days of group stage games throughout the month of November, with all 30 NBA teams playing four games against groups determined by last year’s standings. Modeled after the tournaments in European soccer and basketball leagues, this new addition to the NBA season aims to bring excitement and intensity to the early stages of the regular season.
The inaugural day of the tournament witnessed several notable firsts and record-breaking performances. In a Western Conference Group A matchup, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers engaged in the first overtime game of the tournament. The game ended with a thrilling 115-113 victory for the Trail Blazers, thanks to a technical foul called on Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams for celebrating a dunk. Despite the loss, the Grizzlies showcased impressive performances from Desmond Bane, who recorded 33 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals, as well as Jaren Jackson Jr., who contributed 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Another thrilling moment occurred in the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Warriors star Stephen Curry’s layup with less than a second remaining was initially called offensive interference but was counted as a game-winning shot after video review. The Warriors narrowly escaped with a 141-139 victory over the Thunder, who played without All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to a knee injury.
In an Eastern Conference Group A game, the Indiana Pacers secured the first win of the tournament with a 121-116 victory over their opponents. The Pacers sealed the game with a late 12-1 run, highlighted by Tyrese Haliburton’s step-back jumper and crucial free throws. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a tournament-high 45 points in a losing effort against the Milwaukee Bucks, who emerged victorious with a 110-105 win in an Eastern Conference Group B game.
The tournament also introduced new-look courts, specifically designed to stand out for the event. Each court features a likeness of the NBA Cup, the tournament’s trophy, in the lane and at center court. The vibrant colors of the courts added a unique visual element to the games, although some viewers found the bright blue court in Indiana and the bright red courts in Chicago and Miami a bit overwhelming.
In other tournament action, the Chicago Bulls suffered a narrow 109-107 defeat against the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference Group C game. Bulls forward Patrick Williams was moved out of the starting lineup, and Torrey Craig took his place after Williams’ disappointing start to the season. Despite improved performance from Williams, the Bulls fell short, with Zach LaVine missing a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer. The Miami Heat ended their four-game losing streak with a 121-111 home victory over the Washington Wizards in an Eastern Conference Group B game, led by Tyler Herro’s impressive performance of 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.
As the tournament progresses, players continue to make their mark with exceptional performances. Jalen Brunson’s 45-point game and Brook Lopez’s eight blocks were standout individual achievements. Additionally, players such as Mitchell Robinson, Chris Paul, Jamal Murray, Jordan Poole, Kyrie Irving, and Desmond Bane showcased their skills in various statistical categories.
The NBA’s in-season tournament has undoubtedly brought a new level of excitement and competitiveness to the early stages of the regular season. With more games to come, fans can expect thrilling moments, record-breaking performances, and intense battles as teams vie for the coveted NBA Cup.