NBA 2K Players Tournament: Bucks proving to be unbeatable
The players-only NBA 2K tournament kicked off Friday with four first-round single-elimination matchups.
Participants were allowed to select any team but can only use them once during the tournament.
Meanwhile, seedings for the 16 competitors were based on their 2K rating and tenure.
Without further ado, here are the results from Friday's action:
Game 1: No. 1 Durant vs. No. 16 Jones
It wasn't necessarily an upset of UMBC proportions, but it was if you go by the seed pairing. Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones took out Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant in the first matchup by a score of 78-62.
Jones, who selected the Milwaukee Bucks, got 44 combined points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton as Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers were unable to keep pace.
🎮 @NBA2K Players Tournament 🎮@TheRea1DJones knocks down the corner triple with @Khris22m to extend his lead late against @KDTrey5!#NBA2KTourney on ESPN pic.twitter.com/hXwpPWY1L4
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2020
Game 2: No. 7 LaVine vs. No. 10 Ayton
The upsets continued into the second tilt, with Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton riding the small-ball Houston Rockets to a 57-41 victory over Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine and the Miami Heat.
We might have to cut LaVine some slack. Ayton is a seasoned vet, having played the 2K video game series since 2009, while LaVine says he hasn't taken part in a 2K contest since his rookie campaign in 2014-15.
🎮 @NBA2K Players Tournament 🎮
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2020
How long have you been playing 2K? @DeandreAyton's been playing since 2K9!#NBA2KTourney on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/SFNl5sMTtw
Game 3: No. 2 Young vs. No. 15 Barnes
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young also chose the Bucks and would not look back in a dominating 101-59 win over Harrison Barnes and the Toronto Raptors.
The Sacramento Kings forward was down 19 at halftime after the Greek Freak recorded 16 points and 16 assists in the first half alone.
🎮 @NBA2K Players Tournament 🎮
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2020
"Off to the races..." @TheTraeYoung rises up for the slam with @Giannis_An34 who has 16 PTS and 16 AST at the half! 😱#NBA2KTourney on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/6YFrPdlNlK
Game 4: No. 3 Whiteside vs. No. 14 Beverley
If tonight was an indicator of anything, it's that the Bucks are pretty much unstoppable in the virtual world.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley became the third player to win with Milwaukee after he destroyed Hassan Whiteside of the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 84-54.
Even with the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers, Whiteside was no match for Beverley, who proved to be just as vocal off the court as he is on it.
Patrick Beverley with the double-digit lead and now here comes the trash talk 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/x6kwqf036Z
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 4, 2020
What's next?
The remaining first-round games will take place Sunday evening, beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
Tuesday's quarterfinals are also single-elimination, while the semifinals and championship will be a best-of-three series. The final two rounds are scheduled for April 11.
The winning player will receive a $100,000 charity donation in their name to support coronavirus relief efforts.