The knockout rounds of the NBA In-Season Tournament are here, and the winners of the tournament that reaches its apex on Saturday will get $500,000 a piece and the satisfaction of knowing they are the first winners of an In-Season Tournament that looks like it will stick around for a while.
They also get medals and trophies, and the league unveiled those on Monday.
A new set of awards for a whole new competition.
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2023
Introducing the NBA Cup, Tournament MVP Trophy, Tournament Medals and All-Tournament Team Trophies for the NBA In-Season Tournament, designed by Tiffany & Co. in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon.
Awarded to the champion… pic.twitter.com/hyyDyU2klg
The NBA Cup 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2023
Custom made for the In-Season Tournament Champs 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/yXXri284je
The In-Season Cup trophy, along with one for the tournament MVP, were a given and do look sharp. However, awarding a medal to each winner is different for an American sport and a nice touch. If this really does take off and become a regular feature of the NBA landscape it will have value going forward.
Having the All-Tournament Team award shaped like a basketball and made of crystal is a nice touch.
The NBA has hit all the right notes with the In-Season Tournament so far, it will be interesting to see how fans embrace these knockout rounds and the games in Las Vegas this weekend.