Kings’ Domantas Sabonis Expresses Excitement for NBA In-Season Tournament

The introduction of the NBA In-Season Tournament has been met with mixed reviews, but Kings star Domantas Sabonis cannot wait to compete.

Last month, the NBA unveiled the new In-Season Tournament beginning in the 2023-24 season. This tournament occurs throughout November and early December of the regular season, giving all 30 teams a chance to win the first annual NBA Cup.

Many NBA fans have expressed mixed feelings about this In-Season tournament. Some fans feel it is unnecessary, while others are excited about the change.

Similar to many fans, Sacramento Kings All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis has expressed his excitement for the In-Season Tournament (via Sporting News):

"I’m very excited. We’ve actually been talking about it for the last three or four years during the season and it finally happened... It’s another chance to win something. In international basketball, these cups in the middle of the season are big. They mean something. And then history happens and it’s important."

Domantas Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, is excited to help the Kings win a championship, even if it is not the NBA Finals. 

Each player on the winning team will receive $500,000, but the impact of winning the In-Season Tournament could be much greater than a cash prize. As Sabonis said, these tournaments mean something.

Sabonis compared the neutral-site semi-finals and championship to other major tournaments:

"It’s in Vegas, a great location. It’s like the Final Four in EuroLeague or the Final Four in college. Can you imagine, you’re in Vegas and half the arena is purple for the Kings and the other half is this color for this team? It’s like a Final Four environment for NBA teams. I think it’s going to be amazing. It’s going to be really fun."

Domantas Sabonis has experience in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen in his two years as a Gonzaga Bulldog. 

The Sacramento Kings should be looking forward to making a statement in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament. Led by the All-NBA duo Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings have a great opportunity to win the NBA Cup.

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