The Spurs beat the Nuggets in Denver to advance to win their group and advance to the knockout stage of the Emirates NBA Cup. It’s a formidable achievement for a younger group lacking two starters, particularly since they confronted high quality opponents in all 4 of their video games.
Quickly, they’ll face a brand new problem, as they enter the quarterfinals in a win-or-go-home recreation towards the Lakers. So let’s check out what occurs subsequent.
When are the quarterfinals being performed and who will play whom?
The quarterfinals will happen between Dec. 9 and 10. The upper seed hosts the quarterfinals, so the Spurs, winners of group C, will go to the Lakers, winners of group B, on Dec. 10.
San Antonio will play the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Magic, Cavaliers, and Pelicans earlier than then, and will get one or each of Stephon Fortress and Victor Wembanyama again. The Lakers will face the Pelicans, Suns, Raptors, Celtics and 76ers and can head into the quarterfinals with an additional day of relaxation. The 2 groups haven’t confronted one another but within the season.
The opposite Western Convention quarterfinals recreation will pit the Thunder, winners of group C and homeowners of the very best report in group play, towards the Suns, the wildcard group that obtained in by having the very best report out of all of the West groups that completed second in group play. The 2 groups confronted one another in group C play, and to nobody’s shock, the Thunder prevailed. OKC is a powerful candidate to be there within the semis to face whoever advances between the Lakers and Spurs.
Within the East, the Magic dominated and can enter as the highest group, internet hosting the wildcard Warmth. The Raptors will host the Knicks in a battle of group winners. The Japanese Convention quarterfinals will happen on Dec. 9.
What occurs if the Spurs advance?
Beating the Lakers in Los Angeles received’t be straightforward. They at the moment have the second-best report within the West and boast a star-studded trio, that includes Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the rising Austin Reaves. That mentioned, they’ve an underwhelming level differential, which raises some skepticism about whether or not their report precisely displays how good they are surely. Nonetheless, each the Lakers and the Spurs will play 5 video games between now and the quarterfinals, so we’ll have a greater concept of how evenly matched they’re by Dec. 10.
Whoever wins the quarterfinal recreation will earn a visit to Las Vegas for the semifinals, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 13. That’s when the Cup begins to really feel particular, though for the Spurs getting out of the group stage for the primary time already seems like an accomplishment. The Lakers are Cup veterans, having received the primary version, however they missed the knockout stage final season.
If the Spurs advance, they’ll face the winner of the Thunder-Suns recreation within the semifinals, in search of a spot within the championship recreation, which can be performed on Dec. 16. In the event that they lose, they’ll face the loser of the opposite quarterfinal recreation. Each recreation apart from the championship recreation counts in the direction of the common season standings.
What do the Spurs get in the event that they win all of it?
For the franchise, the purpose is to win the Cup. Solely two different groups, the Lakers and Bucks, have received it, and whereas it isn’t essentially the most revered competitors proper now, it looks as if it’s going to proceed to be a staple of the NBA season. Having a cup banner won’t ever be as prestigious as a title one, however it will be a step in the fitting course within the Spurs’ return to relevance.
As for the gamers, they’ll get financial compensation for being within the knockout spherical. In the event that they lose within the quarterfinals, they’ll get round $50,000 every. In the event that they lose within the semifinals, they’ll get round $100,000 every. In the event that they lose within the finals, they’ll get round $200,000, and in the event that they win the championship recreation, they’ll obtain round $500,000 every. Gamers on two-way contracts get much less. If you wish to know the complete particulars, you will discover them right here.
The expertise of taking part in high-stakes video games is also a problem, but additionally a reward for a number of the gamers. Those who’ve been round for the rebuild, like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, would absolutely relish the chance to compete for a title. For a number of the older guys, it might be a possibility to reassert their significance in high-leverage moments. And the youthful guys could be getting a style of success whereas studying essential classes on learn how to win that might come in useful within the playoffs.
The primary purpose for San Antonio this yr is to return to the postseason, however getting far within the cup might be a short-term goal that prepares them for the remainder of the season.
The Spurs will go to the Lakers on Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. CST.
