As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver prepared to present LeBron James with the MVP trophy for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, he jokingly cautioned that the award does not come with a franchise ownership. James burst into laughter, but his desire to own an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas is no laughing matter.

Although he is serious about his post-career aspirations, James is content with the individual honor and tournament championship for now. He contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the final.

Speaking about his future plans, James expressed his enthusiasm for bringing a team to Las Vegas. He praised the city’s passionate fanbase and its array of sporting attractions, including a WNBA team, upcoming baseball team (the Athletics), NFL team, hockey team, and recent Formula One race. James believes that the NBA would be a fantastic addition to the city’s repertoire.

While James played exceptionally well in the final, his teammate Anthony Davis stole the show with 41 points and 20 rebounds, both of which would have been season highs if they counted towards regular-season statistics. This particular game in the tournament does not affect standings or individual player stats.

Davis shot an impressive 16 of 24 from the field, dished out five assists, and blocked four shots. Coach Darvin Ham praised the incredible duo of James and Davis, emphasizing their ability to elevate their game when it matters most.

The Lakers emerged as the first-ever champions of the In-Season Tournament, thanks to the support received from other players on the team. Austin Reaves scored 28 points, D’Angelo Russell added 13 points, and Cam Reddish made significant defensive contributions by limiting the impact of Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, who had been a standout player throughout the tournament. Alongside Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin contributed 20 points for the Pacers, while Aaron Nesmith chipped in with 15.

In addition to the trophy, Lakers players on standard contracts earned $500,000 each, while the Pacers received $200,000 per player. Those on two-way contracts received half of those amounts. The tournament and the title game provided an intense atmosphere reminiscent of both NBA playoffs and the one-and-done format of the NCAA tournament. The Pacers and Lakers played with a sense of urgency, as if their seasons were on the line.

The Lakers, playing in a city where they essentially had home-court advantage before a sellout crowd, were in their element. Meanwhile, the Pacers, still seeking to prove themselves as championship contenders, struggled to match the Lakers’ level of play.

Haliburton expressed frustration with the team’s performance, acknowledging their shortcomings in areas such as loose balls, rebounding, and defensive stops. Despite the tournament’s NCAA tournament-like feel, Haliburton humorously pointed out that most of the players are not graduating, as they have another game on Monday.

The Lakers maintained control of the game for most of its duration, with the Pacers keeping within striking distance. However, Los Angeles sealed the victory with a 15-3 run late in the fourth quarter, turning a 100-96 lead into a comfortable 115-99 advantage.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle emphasized the importance of the experience gained from this tournament, highlighting the intensity and the need for unity in conquering challenges. While the Pacers faced a steep challenge in the final, Carlisle acknowledged the team’s resilience throughout the tournament.