The first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament commenced on Friday night, and it’s safe to say it delivered. There had been a lot of questions surrounding it, with many being skeptical of the concept, but if this first day is anything to go by, we are in for a treat.
4 out of the first 5 NBA In-Season Tournament matchups were one possession games in the final minute.
It moves to 100% if you add the context the one game that wasnt was the Wizards.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 4, 2023
Jokes about the Washington Wizards aside, it was great to witness all those close games. The players do seem more motivated to give their best in these games as it matters just that little bit more than your average regular season game would.
NBA Fans Reacted To The First Day Of The In-Season Tournament
Considering how the action unfolded on the opening night of the tournament, many have changed their outlook toward it. NBA fans hailed the concept and are looking forward to more close games.
One praised Commissioner Adam Silver for introducing this tournament.
adam silver was actually cooking with this tournament. Bring more competitiveness in the regular szn
— Kyrie (@CarriedLeBron) November 4, 2023
A fan thinks the players seem more engaged now.
The players were clearly a little more engaged than they would otherwise be at game 6 or 7 of the season. Appears to have worked even if fans don’t care about the trophy we got an exciting weekend out of it.
— Rook (@rook_sports_) November 4, 2023
One fan now loves the concept but wishes it was later in the season.
This is fire I wish it was later it’s too early
— Kyrie’s Hub (@kyrieshub) November 4, 2023
One fan had some complaints regarding the color of these courts.
Adam Silver lost the plot with these courts
— Bryan 🇸🇻 💍 (2-0) (@Bryan694200) November 4, 2023
One can’t believe that people had an issue with the tournament.
Can’t believe people were mad about this lol
— Big Terry (@Bigbigterry) November 4, 2023
I tend to agree with this fan. I saw no harm whatsoever in the NBA adding this tournament. It makes the early regular season games more interesting and the players clearly seemed to be taking it more seriously. The color of these courts is really the only negative for me as it is just a bit too much.
There Has Been Some Incredible Action On Opening Night Of The Tournament
The tournament commenced with the Indiana Pacers beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-116 at home. The Cavaliers had multiple opportunities to take the lead late in the final minutes but failed to do so, and the Pacers held on for the win.
Then came a terrific clash between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks, which the Bucks won 110-105 despite Jalen Brunson exploding for 45 points. We then saw the Miami Heat beat the Wizards fairly comfortably despite a close final score of 121-114.
The next two games, however, would almost go to overtime. The contest between the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls saw Zach LaVine get a shot to send it to overtime. He missed a 21-footer, though, and the Nets won 109-107.
Then came the most controversial game of the night. The Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder were tied at 139 in the closing stages and Stephen Curry hit what looked to be a game-winning layup. Draymond Green, however, was called for a goaltend on the play, but that call would be controversially overturned, which meant the Warriors won 141-139.
We then got our first bit of overtime action between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Luke Kennard seemed set to hit the game-winner at the buzzer, but Shaedon Sharpe blocked his three-pointer to send the game to an extra period. The Trail Blazers then pulled away in overtime to win 115-113 to leave the Grizzlies winless.
The last game of the night didn’t see a very close contest, as the Denver Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 125-114. We did get to see an incredible battle between Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, though, which made up for that.
It’s a pity that we’ll have to wait for a week for the next round of games, but hopefully, they’re just as competitive as a lot of these were.
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