Introduced during the 2019/20 season due to the interruption in March for the health emergency, the NBA has continued to use the new Play-In Tournament format for the following seasons.
What is the NBA Play-In?
The NBA Play-In Tournament is a format used to determine the final playoff spots in each conference. It involves teams ranked 7th-10th in the standings competing for the last two spots in the NBA Playoffs.
Why are there Play-In games in NBA?
The NBA introduced play-in games starting in the 2019-2020 season as a way to increase excitement and competitiveness in the playoff race. The play-in games provide more teams with a chance to make the playoffs, even if they didn’t finish in the top eight in their respective conferences.
The play-in games have been well-received by fans and players alike, as they provide more meaningful games at the end of the regular season. Additionally, the play-in games have the potential to produce exciting matchups and upsets, which can generate more interest and viewership for the NBA.
Additionally, the play-in games have the potential to produce exciting matchups and upsets, which can generate more interest and viewership for the NBA, much like the thrilling experiences offered by platforms like Lemon Kasyno in the world of online gaming. The added excitement of these encounters has only increased the intensity and drama of the postseason race.
How does the NBA Play-In work?
The NBA Play-In Tournament involves teams ranked 7th-10th in each conference (8 teams in total) competing for the final two playoff spots and it is composed by 3 games for each conference:
- the 7th and 8th seeds play each other, with the winner clinching the 7th seed.
- The loser of that game then faces the winner of a game between the 9th and 10th seeds, with the winner of that game clinching the 8th seed.
The Playoffs then proceed as normal with 8 teams from each conference.
NBA Play-In 2025 Start Date
For the NBA 2024-25 season, the Play-In Tournament will take place from April 15th to 18th, 2025, between the last day of the Regular Season, April 14th, and the start of the playoffs. Infact, the day after the end of the Play-In Tournament, the NBA Playoffs 2025 will begin.
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NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule 2025
| Date | Event | Details |
| April 13 | Fine NBA Regular Season | |
| April 15 | Play-In Game 1 | East 7 (Orlando Magic) vs. East 8 (Atlanta Hawks) |
| April 15 | Play-In Game 2 | West 7 (Golden State Warriors) vs. West 8 (Memphis Grizzlies) |
| April 16 | Play-In Game 3 | East 9 (Chicago Bulls) vs. East 10 (Miami Heat) |
| April 16 | Play-In Game 4 | West 9 (Sacramento Kings) vs. West 10 (Dallas Mavericks) |
| April 18 | Play-In Game 5 | East Loser 7/8 vs. East Winner 9/10 |
| April 18 | Play-In Game 6 | West Loser 7/8 vs. West Winner 9/10 |
Who participates in the NBA Play-In?
The teams that finish the Regular Season ranked from 7th to 10th place in their respective conferences play in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The last four teams to qualify for the NBA Playoffs will come from the eight teams participating in the tournament.
Where to Watch the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA Play-In games will be available on ESPN and TNT, and directly on the NBA website or App through a League Pass subscription.
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Author: Martina Marangi
April 14, 2025 | 9:45 am
