Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban: Play-In Tournament Is 'Enormous Mistake'

Mark Cuban is not a fan of the NBA's upcoming play-in tournament.

The Mavericks owner blasted the league's tournament, a new NBA rule where the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in each Conference must beat the Nos. 9 and 10 seeds to secure a playoff bid.

"In hindsight, our approach was an enormous mistake," Cuban told ESPN, particularly referring to the season's shortened schedule.

Even though the NBA's Board of Governors, of which Cuban is a member, unanimously approved the play-in tournament for this season, the Mavs owner is clearly having second thoughts.

"Rather than playing for a playoff spot and being able to rest players as the standings become clearer, teams have to approach every game as a playoff game," Cuban continued. "So players are playing more games and more minutes in fewer days." 

There has been increased scrutiny over the NBA's decision to shove so many games within a shortened timeframe just so they can finish the season relatively on time. But doing so has brought consequences.

On Monday, Jamal Murray devastatingly tore his ACL in the final quarter of the Nuggets' loss to the Warriors. Due to the tightened schedule, it's likely that created a higher risk for injury.

Cuban's own franchise player Luka Doncic is also not a fan of the play-in tournament.

Whether Cuban likes it or not, it's happening this season. The league can always revisit this rule down the line.

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