What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

14 min read
Jul 24, 2024, 9:05 AM
Author
Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2024, 1:39 PM

Definition and Purpose of the Tournament

Play-In Tournament

The New Orleans Pelicans have played in the Play-In Tournament in three consecutive seasons. Credit: Erik Drost/Flickr

The NBA Play-In Tournament is a competition introduced to determine the final two playoff spots in each conference. It involves teams ranked 7th through 10th in their respective conferences.

Those four teams battle each other to see who can earn the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference. Those guaranteed playoff spots give those squads the right to participate in seven-game series against the conference's top teams.

This guide will give you an outline of how the NBA Play-In Tournament works.

Brief History of the Tournament's Introduction

The Play-In Tournament was first implemented in the 2020 NBA Bubble and the NBA governors approved the current format for the 2020-21 season.

The first edition of the NBA Play-In Tournament in 2020 was a single game in each conference. The only time that play-in game format was used the Portland Trailblazers and Orlando Magic successfully reached the playoffs.

Ja Morant produced 35 points in the first ever play-in game, announcing himself as an emerging NBA star in the process.

Since then, the schedule has been expanded to include three games. You can find an explanation of the current format below.

Tournament Format

The Play-In Tournament consists of six games total, three in each conference. The format is as follows:

  • Game 1: 7 seed vs. 8 seed
  • Game 2: 9 seed vs. 10 seed
  • Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2

Schedule and Timeline

The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament is scheduled to take place from April 15-18, 2025. This is similar to the schedule from the 2024 NBA playoffs.

When do the 2025 NBA Playoffs start?

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are set to begin on April 19, 2025, immediately following the Play-In Tournament.

Key matchups and games to watch

While specific matchups are not yet determined, potential high-profile games could involve teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, or Miami Heat who have floated in the middle of the standings in recent years.

It wouldn't be a shock to see the New Orleans Pelicans make an appearance considering they've been in the mix in each of the last three seasons, and the Chicago Bulls have consistently been in the mix in recent seasons, too.

Play-In Tournament Lavine

Sometimes conference favorites like the Philadelphia 76ers also fall into the play-in due to injuries.

Teams to Watch in the Play-In Tournament

The teams can vary significantly from season to season, but in recent years many of the same clubs have found themselves battling for the seventh and eighth seeds.

Western Conference teams

The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and New Orleans Pelicans have been frequent participants in recent NBA Play-In Tournaments. The New Orleans Pelicans, in particular, have been mainstays, playing in each of the last three and earning a playoff spot twice.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had the most success after the NBA Play-In Tournament in the West, reaching the conference finals in 2022-23.

Eastern Conference teams

Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat have been involved in recent Eastern Conference tournaments. The Heat are the success story of that group as they reached the NBA Finals in 2022-23 after winning their play-in game against the Bulls.

Play-In Tournament Heat

Each team that escaped the 2024 Play-In Tournament failed to reach the conference semifinals, losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs. No club has won the NBA Finals after participating in play-in games.

How to Watch the NBA Play-In Tournament

TV channels and streaming options

NBA Play-In Tournament games are typically broadcast on ESPN and TNT.

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TNT's broadcast rights expire following the 2024-25 NBA season, which means things could change on this front. ESPN may claim more of the rights or a new broadcaster could emerge.

Streaming options may include ESPN+ and NBA League Pass.

Live scores and updates

Live scores and updates can be found on the official NBA website, app, and various sports news platforms.

Impact on NBA Playoffs

The tourney directly impacts the playoffs by determining the final two seeds in each conference. This can lead to unexpected matchups in the first round of the playoffs.

These lower-ranked teams have reached the NBA Finals and NBA conference finals, but no franchise has appeared in play-in games on the way to a title.

Criticism and Controversy

Some players and coaches have expressed concerns about the additional games and potential for injuries.

The most famous criticism of the new format came from LeBron James in 2021, who was blunt in his assessment speaking to media at the time.

Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired

However, the NBA maintains that the tourney increases competitiveness and fan interest, and James has often needed the NBA Play-In Tournament to reach the playoffs in recent years.

Historical Performance

Since its introduction, the tournament has seen both higher and lower seeds advance.

For example, the Miami Heat lost their first game to the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, before recovering against the Chicago Bulls and launching a deep playoff run and topping the Eastern Conference field.

The greatest beneficiary of the NBA Play-In Tournament have been the Los Angeles Lakers, who have used it to appear in the playoffs three times since the current format came into use.

Betting Implications

The addition of three play-in games per season has created new NBA betting opportunities. Basketball sportsbooks like BetMGM and BetRivers offer various wagers on play-in games and outcomes.

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The play-in tournament adds a new layer of excitement and unpredictability to NBA betting markets.

Because more teams reach the postseason, the futures markets are expanded, but it's worth remembering that any team that finishes between seventh and eighth in the standings during the regular season needs to be considered a true dark horse.

Future of the Play-In Tournament

The NBA continues to evaluate the play-in's impact and effectiveness.

Future changes to the format or schedule remain possible based on league and team feedback. 

The NBA has shown a willingness to tinker in recent seasons with the In-Season Tournament standing as a recent example of the league's tendency to innovate.

Media Coverage

The play-in has generated additional media coverage and analysis, extending the NBA's presence in sports news cycles.

By expanding the postseason field, the tournament also increases interest for more teams late in the regular season as a higher percentage of the NBA has hope in the latter months of any campaign.

NBA Play-In Tournament FAQ

Participating Teams
Which teams participate in the Play-In Tournament?
Advancing to the Playoffs
How many teams advance from the Play-In Tournament?
Scheduling
When is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
Seeding
How does seeding work in the Play-In Tournament?
Single Elimination
Can a team be eliminated after one game in the Play-In Tournament?

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.

In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content. 

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Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.

 

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Sol Fayerman-Hansen
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Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG.org, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG.org prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG.org as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.

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Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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