Stars & Slam Dunks: Great Moments From NBA Cup Semifinals
By Melanie VanDerveer on December 15, 2024 at 4:15 PM EST
Updated on December 15, 2024 at 4:16 PM EST
The Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday was a whole vibe! And The Blast was there to capture some of the fun firsthand.
From the celebrity sightings to the excitement on the court, the day was one for the books. And the basketball excitement in Vegas isn't quite over yet!
On Sunday, the NBA Creator Cup and EYBL Scholastic Showcase will fill T-Mobile Arena with fans who want to keep the excitement going strong until the Championship game on Tuesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder battle it out for the title of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Champion.
Shaquille O'Neal Casually Walked Through Toshiba Plaza To The TNT Stage
We all know that Shaquille O'Neal is tall but when you see him in person, it's a "WOW" moment.
He casually walked from the arena through Toshiba Plaza to the TNT stage where Ernie Johnson was already sitting. The "NBA on TNT" crew - O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith - filmed their show right in the middle of all the NBA Cup action outside of the arena, surrounded by thousands of excited fans who wanted their chance at an up-close glimpse of the stars and a chance to be seen on the show.
Yup, that's Shaq locking eyes with me. It's undeniable, right?
He interacted with the fans who were standing right behind the stage many times. We were literally about three feet away from him and the other TNT guys, and many of us in the front row of the crowd were seen in the intro of their show. Talk about an adrenal rush for fans!
More 'NBA On TNT' Moments At The NBA Cup Semifinals In Vegas
Not too long after O'Neal made his entrance to the TNT stage, Barkley did, too. As he walked near the crowd of people by the stage, he smiled and greeted his fans.
After he got up on the stage, he interacted a bit more with people surrounding the stage. It wasn't long after that Smith also joined the crew on stage, and they began filming their show.
This was all an added bonus for anyone attending either game. It was a memorable experience and a lot of fun to be a part of.
Behind the TNT stage was the place to be for the closest view of the show being filmed. Yes, we were behind them, but way closer than if we were in the front of the stage. It gave a different perspective on the show and added to the excitement of the experience.
Smith arrived on the TNT stage a little while before filming the show. He briefly interacted with fans around the stage before taking his seat to get ready for some "NBA on TNT" fun.
ESPN also had a stage set up to film segments in front of fans. At one point, ESPN reporter Malika Andrews visited the TNT stage to greet the guys with hugs and laughter.
ESPN's stage was next to TNT's so the crews from both interacted quite a few times, giving fans some great chances to capture picture perfect moments.
Yup, that's Stephen A. Smith far right in the photo above! He was also seen chatting with the TNT crew between filming.
Toshiba Plaza Was The Place To Be For Some Off Court Fun!
While fans were waiting to go inside for the game, there was some fun to be had in Toshiba Plaza. And with the perfect 60-degree weather, it was a cool addition to all the fun inside the arena.
NBA Cup Red Carpet Moments
While The Blast couldn't make it to the early in the day red carpet arrivals, we were there for the afternoon.
Rapper Cam'ron was in Vegas for the NBA action and walked the red carpet before the Western Conference game.
John Jenkins and Christian Wilkins of the Las Vegas Raiders also walked the red carpet before the West game.
Special thanks go out to Lindsay Feldman and Alexis Kouser of BrandBomb PR for all their help throughout the NBA Cup and with other Vegas related stories. They truly are a dream team and The Blast appreciates all they do.
On The Court Action Inside T-Mobile Arena
The Blast attended the OKC vs. Rockets game and from the moment we entered the arena, the energy was contagious. Everyone was excited to see what team would be going against the Bucks on Tuesday night.
There was no shortage of excitement, screaming, and clapping the entire game.
A Good Time Was Had By All!
I brought my 18-year-old son Jesse to the game with me. He's a huge NBA fan and had a blast with the whole experience.
It appeared that whether you're a basketball fan or just there for the vibe and hype, everyone had a great time before and after the game. And with so many Instagram-worthy moments, it was a WIN for all!
The Emirates NBA Cup Championship game is Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET.
