The new NBA in-season tournament has left a lot of fans—and even players—confused about what’s really going on. Questions about the scheduling and organization of the tourney have constantly been raised, and it looks like everyone’s learning on the fly. This includes one of the game’s biggest names.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks surged past the Knicks on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the inaugural tournament. After the game, it appeared that the seven-time All-Star just learned that there’s a cash incentive involved.
“Are we getting money now? We got some money?” he said to TNT’s Jared Greenberg after Milwaukee’s 146–122 win over New York. “Hey, the rich get richer.”
Giannis didn't know about the In-Season Tournament prize money 🤣 pic.twitter.com/rzAiYjViLC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2023
Each player gets $500,000 for winning the tournament, $200,000 for making the final, $100,000 for reaching the semifinals, and $50,000 for making the quarterfinals. So far, Antetokounmpo has cashed in $150,000.
That money may be just a drop in the bucket for him, though. The two-time MVP signed a three-year max extension worth $186 million in October. The Bucks will play the Pacers on Thursday in the semifinals with tip-off set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.
