NBA In-Season Tournament: Final Four Set Amidst Drama and Stellar Performances
The NBA’s In-Season Tournament final four bracket has been determined amid some intense action. The Los Angeles Lakers secured their spot by defeating the Phoenix Suns, albeit amidst controversy due to a contentious timeout in the final moments. They will now face the New Orleans Pelicans in the West semifinal on Thursday in Las Vegas. The Lakers maintain an undefeated streak in the tournament, with LeBron James showcasing exceptional prowess, defying age, and rewriting records.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the New York Knicks in their quarterfinal, shooting an impressive 60.5% from 3-point range. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 35-point performance, coupled with Damian Lillard’s remarkable 71.1% accuracy from beyond the arc, led to a decisive victory for the Bucks. They now prepare to take on the Indiana Pacers in the East semifinal on Thursday afternoon.
The Pelicans orchestrated a stunning comeback from a 15-point deficit against their opponents, securing a halftime lead with Brandon Ingram’s standout 30-point contribution. Conversely, the Pacers leaned on Tyrese Haliburton’s MVP-worthy performance, achieving a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists, propelling them to victory.
The In-Season Tournament culminates in a championship for the NBA Cup on Saturday, with the title game not affecting the regular season standings. However, winning players will each receive $500,000.
Following the conclusion of the quarterfinals, the matchups for Friday’s flex games have been finalized. The Knicks will face the Celtics, while the Suns will host the Kings.
For an overview of the tournament’s format, home teams have debuted their city edition uniforms on specially designed courts. Below are the remaining schedule, scores, and additional tournament details.
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