NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his satisfaction with the inaugural In-Season Tournament this season, emphasizing the likelihood of some adjustments to the format before the next year.
Speaking on Saturday ahead of the championship game between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers, Silver praised the positive reception of new elements like brightly painted courts and cash incentives for team success.
“I want to thank all the players in the league, the coaches, and of course the teams for embracing this new concept,” Silver stated. He highlighted his long-standing advocacy for such an event, akin to those in many soccer leagues worldwide, being added to the NBA calendar. “I know it doesn’t come without challenges. There’s no doubt there’s some things that we’re learning this time through. Overall, we’re thrilled with the interest we’ve seen so far this season.”
While specific changes for the next year remain uncertain, Silver mentioned that discussions might focus on potential modifications to the tiebreaker format used in group play, which included point differentials—a feature disliked by many players.