The inaugural edition of the NBA Cup has reached its final stage. Both In-Season Tournament semi-finals took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday night and answered the question who will book their tickets for the trophy-deciding game.
In the first match-up the Pacers came up against the Milwaukee Bucks and triumphed 128-119. Tyrese Haliburton was once again the team’s best player, concluding the game with 27 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds. Center Myles Turner helped with 26 points and 10 boards for less than 32 minutes on the court. The Bucks were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who ended the night with 37 and 24 points respectively, but the team’s bench players were disappointing with their performances and combined for only 13 points, while the Pacers’ role players outscored them by 30 points.
TYRESE HALIBURTON, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
27 PTS, 15 AST 🤯
🏀 Pacers/Bucks on ESPN
🏆 Winner advances to Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/fr6PhgMj21— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023
Later in the night, the Los Angeles Lakers dismantled the New Orleans Pelicans, winning 133-89. LeBron James showed no signs of slowing down despite his 39 years and led the Lakers in scoring with 30 points. On top of that the King registered 8 assists and 5 rebounds. It is worth noting that coach Darwin Ham gave minutes to all players on the bench, and all 13 from the Lakers roster recorded points. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the two Pelicans stars were taught a lesson by the oldest active player in the NBA. They combined for as little as 22 points and let Trey Murphy III who came from the bench to finish as the team’s highest scoring player with 14 points.
LeBron James is ON FIRE, knocking down 3-straight triples in the 2Q 🔥
14 PTS, 5/6 FGM, 3/3 3PM midway through 2 👀
🏀 Pelicans/Lakers on TNT
🏆 Winner faces Pacers in Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/PSGSEhF15b— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023
History will be made on Saturday. Then the Indiana Pacers will come up against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first ever NBA Cup Final. Only time will tell whether the young Tyrese Haliburton will come of age and lead the Pacers to first trophy in franchise’s history. The other possible outcome is for LeBron James to solidify his legacy with a title that no one else has ever lifted.