Pacers center Myles Turner’s dunk 19 seconds into Friday night’s game against the Cavs became the first basket scored in the NBA’s in-season tournament, which began with a slate of seven group-stage games.
Myles Turner will go into the NBA’s history books.
Turner’s dunk off a pass from Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton 19 seconds into Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first basket scored in the history of the NBA’s in-season tournament, which began with a slate of seven group-stage games.
After years of debate over the possibility of the NBA having a tournament — modeled off the ones that take place in European soccer and basketball leagues — the long-time pet project of commissioner Adam Silver became a reality Friday. The slate of seven games marked the first of seven days of group stage games across the month of November, including the next three Fridays along with Nov. 14, 21 and 28. The tournament will see all 30 NBA teams play four games against groups drawn together based off last year’s standings.
The Pacers and Cavs played the first game of the night, with Indiana winning 121-116 in an Eastern Conference Group A matchup. In keeping with the themed courts every team will be utilizing for the tournament, the game was played on a very bright blue court inside Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers triumphed after a seesaw affair for 48 minutes was ultimately swung in their favor with a late 12-1 run.
