LAS VEGAS — Last season proved pivotal for the NBA as the Los Angeles Lakers reached the semifinals of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament and emerged victorious. The tournament took place in Las Vegas, a city closely aligned with the Lakers given its proximity, about four hours by car from Los Angeles. T-Mobile Arena filled to capacity, effectively granting the LeBron James-led Lakers a home-court advantage as they dominated the Indiana Pacers, clinching a 123-109 win.
This year, the league returns for another round with the rebranded NBA Cup, although the Lakers will not be part of the festivities. Moreover, the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, failed to make the semifinals following a controversial one-point loss to the Houston Rockets. Despite these absences, the upcoming semifinals promise to feature notable players, including two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is one of the season’s standout performers.
The question now is whether these stars will attract enough fans, as the nearest teams are more than a two-hour flight away. While star power enhances any sporting event, Las Vegas has its innate appeal, argued Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of B Global Advisors. The city offers significant draw, not only to its 2.3 million residents but also to the approximately 40 million tourists who visit annually.
However, as of Thursday night, Ticketmaster revealed that many tickets for Saturday’s Eastern Conference semifinals featuring Milwaukee versus Atlanta and the Western matches between Houston and Oklahoma City remained available. Secondary market sites like Vivid Seats reported low prices, with tickets as cheap as $17 for the Eastern semifinal and $30 for the Western one, and $61 for the championship game.
To aid fan attendance, the NBA introduced additional days between the quarterfinals and semifinals, allowing for better travel planning. This year, the semifinals are also happening over the weekend, contrasting with the weekday match last season that resulted in minimal attendance. Kelly Flatow, the NBA’s executive vice president for global events, indicated that they are on track this year to match last year’s pace in terms of interest and ticket sales.
Flatow noted a surge in visits to the NBA events website, and the league is optimistic about the turnout for both the semifinals and the championship on Tuesday. Efforts to engage fans included reaching out to a sizable group of Atlanta Falcons fans who will be in Las Vegas for an upcoming game, offering them ticket packages for the NBA events.
The NBA has also diversified its offerings this year, introducing interactive activities, a high school basketball event showcasing top-tier prospects, and a celebrity golf tournament. Furthermore, the intensity displayed during the knockout rounds leading up to the semifinals has underscored a competitive atmosphere, reminiscent of the excitement associated with March Madness, although this occurs in December.
NBA Senior Vice President Evan Wasch explained that the tournament stands apart from the regular 82-game season and traditional playoff formats. The single-elimination knockout format can produce unexpected results, making it more unpredictable than a standard best-of-seven series, which usually leads to the top teams advancing. Notably, the absence of defending champion Celtics and Western Conference champs Mavericks highlights the unpredictable nature of the tournament this year.
Nonetheless, NBA officials remain hopeful that the Las Vegas allure is sufficient on its own to keep fans engaged. Already, supporters from 12 different countries and 30 states have signed up for NBA Experience packages that include game tickets. Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed disappointment over missing the chance to compete in Las Vegas after his team’s setback against the Rockets. With a mix of anticipation and frustration, Kerr stated, “I’m pissed off. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win the Cup.”