The first NBA In-Season tournament is here and the Minnesota Timberwolves are on a quest to win the first ever NBA Cup.
So, what exactly is the NBA In-Season Tournament and how can the Wolves win the NBA Cup?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Timberwolves in the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, including the game schedule, updated results, how to tune in to the entire tournament and get tickets to tournament games home.
NBA tournament in season 101
The NBA In-Season Tournament (IST) is a new annual competition for all 30 teams that gives players and teams another competition to win, engages fans in a new way and generates additional interest in the first part of the schedule of the regular season.
The first tournament of the season began on Friday, November 3 and will culminate with the championship on Saturday, December 9. The semifinals (Thursday, December 7) and championship will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Each team will still play an 82-game regular season. All IST matches will count toward the regular season standings, except for the championship, which will take place outside of the regular season.
The IST consists of two stages: group play and elimination rounds.
At the conclusion of the IST, the NBA will name the competition’s Most Valuable Player and All-Tournament Team. Selection will be based on players’ performances in the group stages and elimination rounds.
Group game (November 3 – November 28)
The 30 teams compete in groups with matches on Tuesdays and Fridays through November. Each team will play four designated group matches: one match against each opponent in their group, with two matches at home and two away.
The top teams from each of the six groups and two wild card teams advance to the elimination rounds.
The Wolves were randomly selected to be in Group West C, which also includes the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings.
Knockout rounds (December 4 – December 9)
Every match is a must-win as eight teams enter the knockout bracket. The quarterfinals begin on December 4 and 15, with the winners traveling to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 7.
It all comes down to this. Two teams will take their shot at NBA history on December 9 in Las Vegas. The winning team will enter the record books and win the first-ever NBA Cup.
For more information on STI, Click here.
Minnesota In-Season Tournament Schedule
Part of the West C group, the Wolves will face the Spurs, Warriors, Kings and Thunder in the In-Season Tournament (IST).
Minnesota’s first two IST games will take place in early November. Their final 2 IST matches will take place at the Target Center at the end of November.
If the Wolves finish first in their group or are in the top 8 in the IST, they will advance to the knockout round of 16 in Las Vegas.
Minnesota In-Season Tournament Field
For their two IST home games at Target Center, the Wolves will play on an NBA-designed in-season tournament court. Minnesota will take the field against the Kings (Friday, November 24) and the Thunder (Tuesday, November 28).
The court features a bold, distinctive league-wide design, instantly letting fans know when a game has NBA In-Season tournament implications.
The land features the following design details:
- A completely painted court, edge to edge
- A larger-than-life NBA Cup on center court, clearly displaying to players and fans the new trophy that will be awarded to the champion
- A contrasting wash of color from lane to lane, creating a 16-foot-wide “track” across the field.
- NBA Cup silhouettes in the alleys
- NBA Cup team logos on center court and on the baselines
