The NBA In-Season Tournament has been met with some skepticism since its announcement. However, it seems that players are taking the tournament seriously, and the prize money at stake is a big motivating factor. LA Lakers coach Darvin Ham has attributed his team's increased effort to the prize money, stating that "money speaks" when it comes to player motivation.

The Lakers, who went undefeated in the group stage, have already secured $50,000 for each player by reaching the quarterfinals. The prize money increases with each round, with $100,000 for reaching the semifinals, $200,000 for reaching the championship game, and a whopping $500,000 for winning the tournament. While this amount may not be significant for stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it could be life-changing for lower-tier players.

The incentive appears to be paying off, as players across the league have made it clear that they are aiming to win the tournament for their teammates. The playoff-like atmosphere and the chance for additional financial gain have created a competitive environment. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if this increased player involvement continues.

In other news, the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals of the tournament, securing their spot in the semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks' impressive 3-point shooting performance propelled them to victory, making 23 of their 38 attempts from beyond the arc. Julius Randle led all scorers with 41 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hot shooting from Milwaukee.