Kings center Domantas Sabonis fired up for NBA in-season tournament as group stage begins
Kings center Domantas Sabonis has been a big proponent of the NBA’s new in-season tournament since commissioner Adam Silver started pushing the idea years ago.
The NBA is borrowing a page from the European playbook this season, launching its first in-season tournament with all 30 teams vying for the inaugural NBA Cup. The Kings will open the group stage of the tournament when they play the Oklahoma City Thunder in West Group C on Friday at Golden 1 Center.
“I’m very excited,” Sabonis said. “I was very excited a couple years back when they brought it up. It’s something we do in Europe. I think it’s great for the game.”
Fans who attend the game or tune in on television will immediately notice unique differences that set tournament games apart from other regular-season games. All in-season tournament games will be played on specially designed alternate courts featuring distinctive colors and designs, making it clear when a game carries tournament implications. The courts are fully painted with vibrant colors and a larger-than-life NBA Cup logo at center court.
Another difference will be the uniforms each team wears. The Kings will debut their 2023-24 Nike NBA City Edition uniform, which was officially unveiled last month at Fan Fest.
The updated design strongly resembles the 1968 Cincinnati Royals road uniform. It features historic Royals and Kings colors as the franchise — which was founded in 1923 in Rochester, New York — celebrates its 100th anniversary. The uniform is royal blue, the team’s primary color for seven decades, with red, white and gray trim.
All teams will play four group stage games on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. In a random drawing, the Kings were placed in West Group C with the Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. The Kings will open group play at home against the Thunder on Friday before facing the Spurs on Nov. 17 in San Antonio, the Timberwolves on Nov. 24 in Minnesota and the Warriors on Nov. 28 in Sacramento.
Eight teams will advance from group play to the quarterfinals, which will also be played at home arenas. Four teams will go on to the Final Four beginning Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. The first-ever NBA Cup will be awarded to the tournament winner following the championship game Dec. 9.
All tournament games will be played as part of each team’s 82-game regular-season schedule with the exception of the championship game. Players on standard NBA contracts will receive $500,000 apiece for the winning team; $200,000 for the runner-up; $100,000 for teams that lose in the semifinals; and $50,000 for teams that lose in the quarterfinals.
