After witnessing a handful of tiebreaker-based blowouts, some dramatic finishes and a highly controversial call in the quarterfinals, we've finally reached the in-season tournament's semifinal stage -- the Vegas stage -- where some of the league's best talent will battle for the inaugural in-season tournament crown.
We all had questions about just how much the players would care about a tournament that, on its face, has no real bearing on the rest of the season or the playoffs. But we saw the emotion from a young Pacers team -- and their fans! -- and their franchise player saying this is the most intense basketball he has played. We saw Austin Reaves' gamebreaking triple on Tuesday night, and the delirious Laker crowd in Los Angeles. It's clear the players are into this, and the Las Vegas atmosphere and NCAA tournament treatment should only heighten the excitement.
With the semifinals kicking off Thursday evening, here are the 25 best players still playing in the tournament, all battling for a tidy $500,000 check -- and the first-ever NBA Cup.