NBA announces major broadcast change for cup knockout rounds with Stephen Curry given video game treatment
The NBA and broadcaster TNT are implementing a significant alteration for the in-season tournament’s knockout stages.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday are the dates of the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Additionally, all of the champions will advance to the final four in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Three of the quarterfinals—two on Tuesday and one on Wednesday—will air on TNT.
Before the Dallas Mavericks play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, the Orlando Magic play the Milwaukee Bucks.
The following night, TNT will also broadcast Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors visit to the Houston Rockets.
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On Wednesday, ESPN will broadcast the Atlanta Hawks’ game against the New York Knicks.
Additionally, there will be a simulcast with a video game theme during the TNT shows.
A 2K25 DataCast interface will be used for the backup broadcast.
It will have shot probability, player tracking, shot meters, and the official 2K camera viewpoint.
“This alternative telecast will be available during all of TNT Sports 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinal live game coverage and will blur the lines between the video game and the real NBA experience,” the organization stated in a press release.
“The telecasts will feature split-second game insights driven by Genius Sports GeniusIQ, such as player tracking, shot probability, and shot distance, along with NBA 2K25 overlays like the iconic Shot Meter, 2K Badges, official 2K camera angles, and more.
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“The first-of-its-kind alternative viewing experience will feature contributions from Vince Carter, Candace Parker, Channing Frye, Adam Lefkoe, Kirk Goldsberry, and others.”
On Saturday, December 14, TNT will also broadcast live from Las Vegas for the first semifinal.
On the same evening, ESPN will take over for the second semifinal, and on Tuesday, December 17, they will broadcast the final.
In American sports, simulcasts are becoming more widespread.
ESPN revealed a Mickey Mouse theme for their NBA programming on Christmas Day.
How the NBA Cup works
This year marked the return of the NBA Cup for a second season, with Las Vegas hosting the finals once more.
From November 12 to December 3, the 30 teams were divided into six groups of five teams each, and games were played on Tuesdays and Fridays.
On December 10 and 11, the top two wild cards and the six group winners move on to the quarterfinals.
Additionally, the last four will go to Las Vegas for the December 14 semifinals and December 17 final.
With the exception of the title game, every game counts toward the team’s regular-season record.
A younger audience is the target of the alternate broadcast from the San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
This week’s Monday Night Football game on ESPN is also utilizing the experiment.
The alternate broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys against. Cincinnati Bengals will include a Simpsons theme.
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Before Christmas, NBC also revealed an NFL game with a Madden theme.
On Saturday, December 21, the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Houston Texans, and Patrick Mahomes will be featured.
NBA Cup knockout rounds schedule
The quarterfinals
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic, Tuesday, December 10, 7 p.m. ET
The Dallas Mavericks will play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, December 10, at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks, Wednesday, December 11, 7 p.m. ET
The Golden State Warriors will play the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, December 11, at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Finals
At 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14 at SF1 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada)
At 8.30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, SF2
Lastly
At 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 17, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
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