How to watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament: Game starting times, tournament schedule, format, more

FAN Editor

This content is sponsored by Sling TV.

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Chris Paul #3 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 24, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA.  Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images

The first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament begins Friday, Nov. 3 and ends on Saturday, December 9 with the In-Season Tournament Championship. All 30 NBA franchises will compete in the new annual in-season tournament, which features rounds of group play, followed by knockout rounds.

With $500,000 in prize money awaiting each member of the winning team and game results going toward season standings, expect top-quality games in the tournament — maybe some of the best games of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

You won’t want to miss a shot, pass or dribble. Keep reading for the best way to watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament.


When does the NBA In-Season Tournament begin?

The 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament will begin on Nov. 3, 2023 when New York plays Milwaukee. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) and will air on ESPN. Other games in the tournament will air on ESPN and TNT.

The tournament ends on Dec. 9, 2023.

What channels will air the NBA In-Season Tournament?

Fourteen group play games in the NBA In-Season Tournament will be aired nationally on ESPN and TNT on Tuesdays and Fridays. Other group play games will be broadcast locally via network TV affiliates.

All seven knockout round games will be broadcast nationally.


How to watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament

The NBA In-Season Tournament will air on ESPN and TNT. While many cable packages include ESPN and TNT, it’s easy to watch the game if TNT isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you’re going cable-free.

Stream the NBA In-Season Tournament on Sling TV for half price

If you have don’t have cable TV that includes TNT or ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream the NBA In-Season Tournament this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to TNT and ESPN, in addition to the NFL Network plus local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available) with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the season’s top NBA matchups.

That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

  • There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
  • You get access to all aired NBA In-Season Tournament games, not to mention most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
  • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Upgrade to Sling TV’s NBA League Pass package

Sling TV has a new offering for the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament called NBA League Pass. It gets you access to all out-of-market NBA games, plus game replays and highlights. It can be bundled with Sling TV packages that allow you to watch NBA In-Season Tournament games live.

Right now, you can get the NBA League Pass package at Sling TV starting at $270 for six months when you pre-pay. You can learn more about Sling TV NBA League Pass by tapping the button below.


What is the NBA In-Season Tournament?

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Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images

Consisting of two stages of play, group play and knockout rounds, the NBA In-Season Tournament is a new addition to the NBA season schedule. All 30 teams will be playing for the NBA Cup (and some serious prize money). Inspired by the WNBA’s successful in-season tournament, the NBA In-Season Tournament is the league’s way of drawing a bigger viewing audience to each game.

The 30 NBA teams are split into six, five-team groups. The group stage, called Group Play, will be played on seven Tuesdays and Fridays in November: Fridays (Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023) and Tuesdays (Nov. 14, 21 and 28, 2023). 

The quarterfinals will be played Dec. 4 and 5, with the higher-seeded team earning home-court advantage. The semifinals and championship game will be Dec. 7 and 9, 2023 in Las Vegas.

Results of the In-Season Tournament will count toward teams’ regular-season standings.


Are There Prizes for the In-Season Tournament?

The In-Season Tournament champion team will earn a trophy called the NBA Cup, and will earn $500,000 per player on the team. The runners up will each receive $200,000 per player. The losing team of the semifinals wins $100,000 per player, while the losing team of the quarterfinals wins $50,000 per player.


Will there be individual awards for the In-Season Tournament?

An In-Season Tournament MVP will be named, as well as an All-Tournament Team.


2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule: Group Play

Below is the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule. All times in ET.

Friday, Nov. 3

New York vs. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dallas vs. Denver, 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Cleveland vs. Indiana,  7 p.m.

Washington vs. Miami, 8 p.m.

Brooklyn vs. Chicago , 8 p.m.

Golden State vs. Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Memphis vs. Portland, 10 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10

Brooklyn vs. Boston,  7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

L.A. Lakers vs. Phoenix , 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Philadelphia vs. Detroit,  7 p.m.

Charlotte vs. Washington, 7 p.m.

New Orleans vs. Houston, 8 p.m.

Utah vs. Memphis, 8 p.m.

Minnesota vs. San Antonio, 8 p.m.

LA Clippers vs. Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City vs. Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)

LA Clippers vs. Denver, 10 p.m. (TNT)

Miami vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Atlanta vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.

Indiana vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Orlando vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas vs. New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Portland vs. Utah, 9 p.m.

Minnesota vs. Golden State, 10 p.m.

Memphis vs. L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 17

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sacramento vs. San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Phoenix vs. Utah, 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Milwaukee vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.

New York vs. Washington, 7 p.m.

Detroit vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Boston vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Orlando vs. Chicago, 8 p.m.

Denver vs. New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers vs. Portland, 10 p.m.

Houston vs. LA Clippers,10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Cleveland vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)

Utah vs. L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. (TNT)

Toronto vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.

Indiana vs. Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Portland vs. Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 24

Boston vs. Orlando,  2:30 p.m. (NBA TV)

Phoenix vs. Memphis, 5 p.m. (NBA TV)

Miami vs. New York,  7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

San Antonio vs. Golden State, 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Chicago vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit vs. Indiana, 8 p.m.

Denver vs. Houston, 8 p.m.

Washington vs. Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Sacramento vs. Minnesota, 8 p.m.

New Orleans vs. LA Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Milwaukee vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)

Golden State vs. Sacramento, 10 p.m. (TNT)

Chicago vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte vs. New York, 7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Houston vs. Dallas, 8:30 p.m.


2023-2024 NBA Season: Looking ahead

  • The 2023-2024 NBA season starts 10/24.
  • NBA Inaugural In-Season Tournament: Nov. 3 – Dec. 9
  • All-Star Week: Feb. 16 – Feb. 24, 2024.
  • Play-in tournament: Apr. 16-19, 2024
  • NBA Playoffs: April 20 – May/June 2024
  • NBA Finals: June 2024

Storylines We’re Following This NBA Season

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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Everybody loves Victor: At 19 years old and standing 7’4″ tall, French basketball sensation Viktor Wembanyama makes his NBA regular-season debut on Oct. 25 with the San Antonio Spurs. The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, “Wemby” is the most-anticipated rookie since LeBron James made his NBA debut in 2023. Agile and athletic, Wembanyama already proved he’ll be a serious threat on defense during the 2023 preseason, eight-foot wingspan and all.

Dame time in Milwaukee: Despite the NBA’s efforts to ban superteams, the pairing of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee has the potential to become just that. Dame spent 11 years with the Portland Trail Blazers before the seven-time All-NBA point guard requested a trade. Giannis is a two-time NBA MVP surrounded by an already talented Bucks team. Dame brings his leadership, loyalty and clutch shots to Milwaukee, which is starting to look exactly like a super team.

The end of an era in Nor Cal?  When Golden State Warriors beloved GM Bob Myers stepped down last spring, it sparked questions if the Warriors dynasty– which led to four NBA championships — is over. Superstar Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are all locked in to the team for at least three seasons, but head coach Steve Kerr and 1/3 of the Splash Brothers — Klay Thompson — are both in the last year of their respective contracts. Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob has always shown he’s willing to spend to keep the team together, reports say the team and Thompson are far from making a deal. It’s hard to imagine the team without Kerr’s calm, sideline-cool or Thompsons epic 3’s, but fans may have to. 


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