Kings advance to quarterfinals of NBA In-Season Tournament to play Pelicans
Nov 29, 2023, 10:16 AM
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with De'Aaron Fox #5 after a win W during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
After falling behind by 24 points on Tuesday night, the Sacramento Kings mounted an incredible comeback to deliver a 124-123 win over the Golden State Warriors in an instant classic at Golden 1 Center. With the win, the Kings clinched Group C of the NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play portion.
Next up in the tournament, the Kings face the New Orleans Pelicans in a single-game elimination game at 7 p.m. PST on Monday, Dec. 4 at the Golden 1 Center. Going forward, all games in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament are single-elimination. If the Kings advance, they’ll play the winner of the Lakers and Suns matchup in Las Vegas.
Everyone loves a bracket…
The NBA In-Season Tournament moves on to the Knockout Rounds!
Quarterfinals: Dec. 4 & 5
Semifinals: Dec. 7
Championship: Dec. 9 pic.twitter.com/7yoDMwe9Xe— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 29, 2023
What happened last time the Kings and Pelicans met?
It wasn’t long ago that Sacramento and New Orleans faced off. During the Kings’ recent six-game road trip, the two teams faced off twice in New Orleans, with the Pelicans taking both games.
While one of those games was a blow-out loss, the Kings made game two a contest, coming up short in the final minutes. However, the NBA’s last two-minute report showed a missed call on Zion Williamson that could have benefited the Kings.
Do the NBA In-Season Tournament games impact the regular season?
All tournament games except the championship count toward regular-season standings.
When the NBA released its 2023-24 regular season schedule in August, only 80 games were announced for all teams. A standard regular season schedule consists of 82 games. And this is where the tournament comes into play.
Each team’s final two regular-season games will be determined by their result from the tournament.
“Each of the 22 teams that do not advance to the Quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament will be assigned two regular-season
games (one home game and one away game) that will be played on Wednesday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 8,” reads the NBA’s press release about the tournament. “The losing teams in the Quarterfinals in each conference will play each other in a regular-season game on Dec. 8.”
What does the tournament winner get?
The winning team wins the NBA Cup. There will also be an In-Season Tournament MVP and all-tournament team. Players in the championship, semifinals and quarterfinals will also receive a monetary prize.
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