• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 6, 2025

Silver: NBA Could ‘Tweak’ Aspects of Future NBA In-Season Tournaments

  • The Los Angeles Lakers won the first ever NBA Cup.
  • Future editions of the NBA In-Season Tournament could feature some tweaks.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers have added some hardware to their storied history of accomplishments in the NBA. After defeating the Indiana Pacers in the final of the inaugural In-Season Tournament on Saturday, the Lakers won the first ever NBA Cup.

By most indications, the NBA’s attempt at a European soccer-style addition to the regular season was successful in piquing interest among players, coaches, owners, media partners, and fans. The tournament will return in 2024, and could evolve as the competition grows.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was in Las Vegas as the tournament’s final four took place. Silver didn’t guarantee any changes for future editions of the IST, but admitted several aspects will be reviewed — like the point differential tiebreaker during group stage games.

Tiebreakers, Courts, and Money

“I’m not ready necessarily to move away from it,” Silver said. “But if ultimately there’s going to be a sense particularly from our American fans that it’s somehow an indication of poor sportsmanship, that’s not a good idea for us to be doing it. And maybe there’s some ways to tweak that.”

Another aspect of the tournament that might undergo a change involves the distinctive colored courts, which sparked some controversy among players. Silver said he’s a fan of the courts but knows safety needs to be a priority.

“I’m a big advocate of the colorful courts,” Silver said prior to the Lakers-Pacers championship game. “We want to make sure they’re not a distraction,” he said.

Additionally, Silver acknowledged players’ requests for prize money to be raised. The tourney’s winning players and coaches earned $500,000 each, while the runners-up got $200,000 apiece, and the semifinal losers took home $100,000 each.

“This is a business,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with money being a motivator in certain cases.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tony Clark

Everything You Need to Know About the MLBPA-OneTeam FBI Investigation

Money from lucrative group licensing deals is under federal scrutiny.

French Open Ratings Up 23% in Week 1 Ahead of Star-Powered Finals

The women’s final will feature the world’s top two players.
Marc Lasry

Marc Lasry Still Wants to Buy an NWSL Team 

The billionaire tried, and failed, to buy two NWSL clubs last year.

Featured Today

May 27, 2015; Paris, France; Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) knocks the clay off her shoe during her match against Simona Halep (ROU) on day four of the French Open at Roland Garros

Roland-Garros’s Iconic Red-Clay Surface Is a Precise Alchemy

The exact science behind maintaining the French Open’s red clay.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
May 31, 2025

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.

NHL Not Opening Expansion Bids—but Houston, Atlanta Still in Mix

The question of additional franchises will stay in a more unstructured process.
Jun 4, 2025; Paris, FR; Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates winning her match against Madison Keys of the United States on day 11 at Roland Garros Stadium.
June 4, 2025

Coco Gauff Is Last Hope for U.S. to End French Open Drought

Gauff last made the French Open final in 2022.
June 4, 2025

Manfred: MLB Wants New Media-Rights Deal Before All-Star Game

Talks continue with three bidders, and a decision is expected soon.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
LeBron James
June 4, 2025

Adam Silver: All-Star Game Will Be USA vs. World in Daytime Event

The NBA tried a tournament last year that fell in ratings.
Hilary Knight
June 4, 2025

PWHL Teams Risk Losing Superstars in Expansion Draft

The league permitted teams to initially protect only three players each.
June 4, 2025

ACC Lawsuits Formally Closed, but How Long Will Peace Remain?

Florida State, Clemson, and the ACC have ended their litigation.
Dec 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
June 3, 2025

NBA Finals Ticket Prices Down 25%, Still Average Over $1,000

The NBA Finals tip off Thursday in Oklahoma City.