It’s exhausting hearing about coronavirus, but since it’s now a part of everyday life we might as well find the silver lining. Imagine a world where fans can watch their favorite athletes from every sport compete on the signature video games that complement a fan’s sports experience. Well, that world is here.
Some of the NBA’s top players are doing their part to make the new normal more purposeful. With sports being on hiatus due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the players are helping the nation get back on its feet through an entertaining livestream NBA 2k tournament.
Fans can see players from different teams compete for the winner title. The winner of the tournament receives a $100,000 charity donation in their name to help support coronavirus relief efforts.
The tournament kicked off on April 3 with 16 total professional players. The seeding was based on player ratings from the actual NBA 2k game itself. The first two rounds of the tournament will be single game elimination, with the semi-finals and finals being a best 2 out of 3 scenario.
In the first round, No. 1 seed Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets was upset by No. 16 seed Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat. Former two-time Slam Dunk Champion and No. 7 seed Zach Lavine of the Chicago Bulls also exited in the first round with a defeat by Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns.
More first round action involved No. 3 seed Hassan Whiteside of the Portland Trailblazers who was defeated by Los Angeles Clipper’s guard Patrick Beverly.
The best game of the first round belong to No. 4 seed Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and No. 13 Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards. It was a nail biter that came down to the last shot. Hachimura was playing with the Los Angeles Lakers and Mitchell was playing with the Brooklyn Nets.
With five seconds left on the game clock, Danny Greene of the Lakers was at the free throw line for a crucial shot in which he missed and this in turn allowed Mitchell to throw the ball up court to Spencer Dinwiddie who had a wide open look from three.
As the clock expired, the shot fell short and Hachimura’s Lakers prevailed 74-71 over Mitchell’s Nets. This tournament is certainly the wave of the future.
With the first round concluded, round 2 was originally supposed to broadcast on Tuesday, April 7. Now, the quarterfinal round is scheduled for Thursday, April 9. The semi-finals and championship is scheduled for Saturday.
You can tune in on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN App, NBA.com, NBA App and social media websites, such Twitter, Twitch, Youtube and Facebook.
