Recap Of NBA Cup Semifinals In Vegas; From Action On The Court To Celeb Sightings

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was the place to be for any NBA fan on Saturday. With two exciting games, interactive fun for fans, Vegas-style halftime performances, and tons of celebrities, the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals didn't disappoint!

The NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals delivered an unforgettable day and night of basketball and entertainment. On the court, high-stakes games showcased thrilling performances and dramatic finishes as teams battled for a coveted spot in the finals. Off the court, celebrities packed the stands, adding star power to the electrifying atmosphere.

Fans also joined in on the action with interactive experiences and exclusive merch drops, making the event a true celebration of sport and culture. It was a day where the excitement of the NBA extended far beyond the hardwood, leaving fans eager for the championship showdown on Tuesday night.

Saturday was a big day at T-Mobile Arena in the heart of Sin City!

The first game of the day had two Eastern Conference teams battling it out for the chance at the in season championship. The second game of the day was all about which Western Conference team would be advancing.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 110-102, and the Oklahoma City Thunder won over the Houston Rockets 111-96. Tuesday night, also at T-Mobile Arena, the Bucks and OKC will go head-to-head to see who's leaving Las Vegas as the NBA Cup Champions.

The Blast was at the OKC vs. Rockets game and the energy is the house was undeniable. Each person was handed a light-up bracelet as they entered the building. The bracelets lit up different colors at different points throughout the game, adding to the visual experience. There seemed to be a pretty equal number of OKC fans as there were Rockets fans and the excitement over who was going to advance to the championship game on Tuesday was apparent.

There were many amazing moments on the court as the two teams battled it out for their chance to advance to Tuesday night's championship game. The many dunks were impressive, and the fans were loving the heated competition. Lots of chanting was heard, from "OKC" to "MVP" to "Houston, we have a problem," the action didn't stop until the final moments.

Fans attending the Semifinals were able to have some basketball fun of their own prior to the start of each of the Saturday games. Fans were able to experience the TNT Sports' "Inside the NBA" and ESPN's "NBA Countdown" live and take photos with a life-sized Emirates NBA Cup trophy.

NBA ID members had the opportunity to participate in a "Heist II" themed experience that allowed fans to take part in activities inspired by the league's popular campaign. As fans entered the experience, they were able to enjoy Emirates NBA Cup trivia, after which they were challenged to shoot a basketball in a laser field similar to what NBA star Steph Curry navigated in the commercial. In the final room of the experience, fans got the chance to take photos with a replica NBA Cup and a chance to win some NBA merch.

The NBA Cup Semifinals brought star power both on and off the court, with celebrities packing the arena to witness the intense matchups.

The celebrity presence highlighted the growing significance of the NBA’s mid-season tournament, blending high-stakes basketball with pop culture. As the players battled it out for a spot in the final, the star-studded crowd only amplified the energy, making the semifinals as much a cultural spectacle as an athletic showdown.

Some of the celebs in attendance included Shaquille O'Neal, Floyd Mayweather, Gary Payton, Cam'ron, 2 Chainz, Charlie Day, Charles Barkley, many of the Las Vegas Raiders, as well as others.

The NBA fun in Vegas doesn't end on Saturday night.

On Sunday, fans can enjoy the NBA Creator Cup game, featuring top basketball creators in a fun and competitive 5-on-5 game. The game will be played on the official Emirates NBA Cup court at T-Mobile Arena and livestreamed on YouTube and the NBA App at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET.

The NBA Creator Cup game features social media stars Jesser, D'Aydrian Harding, YPK Raye, Cam Wilder, Tristan Jass, Carson Roney, and more. NBA shooting coach and creator Chris 'Lethal Shooter' Matthews and AND1 legend The Professor will serve as opposing head coaches.

Following the NBA Creator Cup game will be the EYBL Scholastic Showcase, a basketball competition and player development event for six top high school basketball programs in the country. Fans who attend the Creator Cup game will be able to stay for the EYBL Scholastic Showcase game between Link Academy and Long Island Lutheran beginning at 7 p.m. PT.

Who's leaving Vegas as a champion - Milwaukee Bucks or Oklahoma City Thunder?

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, a champion will be crowned. The game tips off at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on ABC.

The Blast will be there for all the fun - from the pre-game interactive fun in Toshiba Plaza to the red carpet to the exciting game that will determine who's leaving Vegas as the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Champions. Stay tuned...