Since its introduction, the NBA Play-In Tournament has become one of the league’s most popular additions under commissioner Adam Silver.
Designed to combat tanking and add excitement to the postseason push, the Play-In format ensures that fans get high-stakes basketball before the traditional playoffs even begin.
With some of the league’s biggest stars and most storied franchises facing win-or-go-home scenarios, the Play-In has brought added intensity to the NBA calendar – and this year’s tournament promises more of the same.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament was created to address a long-standing concern in the NBA: teams at the bottom of the standings tanking games for better lottery odds. Adam Silver’s solution was simple – keep more teams in contention for longer.
Under the Play-In system, teams seeded 7 through 10 in each conference must fight for the final two playoff spots. This keeps the race for playoff positioning fierce all the way to the end of the regular season.
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
The Play-In Tournament features four teams per conference competing in a mini-bracket:
- The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds play a single game. The winner secures the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and faces the No. 2 seed in the first round.
- The No. 9 and No. 10 seeds also meet in a single-elimination contest. The loser is eliminated.
- The winner of the 9/10 game faces the loser of the 7/8 game in another elimination matchup. The winner grabs the final playoff spot as the No. 8 seed and takes on the top seed in the conference.
This format not only rewards higher seeds with a safety net but also gives lower seeds a chance to fight their way in. It has added meaningful games to the end of the regular season while increasing the urgency for teams to finish in the top six.
Historic Play-In Success: Miami’s 2023 Run
The Play-In Tournament has already produced unforgettable moments. The most famous example came in 2023 when the Miami Heat, after losing their initial play-in game, rallied to grab the No. 8 seed.
They then upset the Milwaukee Bucks and powered through the Eastern Conference to reach the NBA Finals – a testament to the Play-In’s potential to fuel postseason Cinderella runs.
NBA Play-In Tournament 2025 Schedule and Broadcast Information
Here’s a look at this year’s Play-In matchups, featuring some of the NBA’s most exciting stars and teams.
Eastern Conference Play-In Schedule
- Tuesday, April 15 – 7 vs. 8 Game: Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic – 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Wednesday, April 16 – 9 vs. 10 Game: Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Friday, April 18 – Final Play-In Game: Winner of 9/10 vs. Loser of 7/8 – Time TBD (TNT)
Western Conference Play-In Schedule
- Tuesday, April 15 – 7 vs. 8 Game: Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors – 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Wednesday, April 16 – 9 vs. 10 Game: Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings – 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Friday, April 18 – Final Play-In Game: Winner of 9/10 vs. Loser of 7/8 – Time TBD (ESPN)
How to Watch the NBA Play-In Tournament
Every game of the NBA Play-In Tournament will air live on TNT or ESPN. Fans can also stream the games via the TNT and ESPN apps or through NBA League Pass in select regions.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Bill Belichick’s UNC misses bowl eligibility after trick play by Duke
When Bill Belichick was introduced as UNC head coach 11 long months ago, he revealed, joked or lied that his first words as a child were "Beat Duke."His program fell short of that goal on Saturday, and the result is a disappointing season will officially end next weekend. The Tar Heels lost to Duke 32-25, pushing their record down to 4-7 and leaving them unable to reach bowl eligibility next week against NC State.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt wasn't just any loss to their biggest rivals either. At home, UNC had come back from down 24-10 to take a 25-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. That remained the score until the final three minutes, when the Blue Devils lined up for a go-ahead field goal that would have given the Tar Heels the ball back with more than two minutes left and a […]
Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC, NWSL Championship: Trinity Rodman’s status hangs over title match
Two star-studded teams in the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC will meet in San Jose for the NWSL Championship, a competitive match likely in store as each side chases their second league title, but the big question looms -- will Trinity Rodman play?The pair took contrasting roads to the NWSL Championship, the No. 2 seed Spirit advancing as the favorites in their matchups while Gotham played spoiler as the No. 8 seed, eliminating the runaway NWSL Shield winners in the Kansas City Current and last year's champions Orlando Pride. To describe this as a David vs. Goliath-type game would be a misnomer, though, Gotham have been inconsistent, but they won the Championship just two years ago and boast an MVP nominee in Esther Gonzalez.While Gonzalez and new Gotham recruict Jaedyn Shaw headline Juan Carlos Amoros' team, the attention will also […]
Bills RB Ty Johnson fined $10,777 for pelvic-thrust TD celebration in win over Bucs
The NFL has fined Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson $10,777 for "obscene gestures" as part of a crackdown on unsportsmanlike conduct. Johnson did a thrust-heavy celebration after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the Bills' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11.With less than a minute left in the first half, Johnson broke away on third-and-5 to sprint 52 yards for the touchdown. To celebrate, Johnson grabbed his leg, seemingly pretending to have sustained an injury (à la the Kansas City Current's Lo'eau LaBonta), and fell before grinding his pelvis against the ground twice.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBuffalo went on to win the game, 44-32, behind a six-touchdown night from quarterback Josh Allen.The fine comes a couple of weeks after Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was fined $14,491 for a similar celebration. Dowdle did "two pumps" (i.e., thrusted his pelvis twice) […]
Kyle Shanahan says Brandon Aiyuk’s guarantees were voided in July: ‘It takes a lot to get a contract voided’
The news that Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his last game for the San Francisco 49ers was a surprise on Friday, but the situation has apparently been simmering for months.Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan declined to say what specifically led to a falling out between team and player — there was a report of frustrations over Aiyuk failing to participate in team meetings and other activities — while claiming the contract battle was out of his hands:"I'm not going to get into the specifics of that. There were a number of things from July that, to me, is more of the business side, dealing with lawyers and stuff, and contracts. Stuff that is really not my area of expertise."Aiyuk has spent all season on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, which […]
Papers: Bayern Munich watching Konate’s contract situation
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...Premier LeagueBayern Munich are watching Ibrahima Konate's contact situation closely, with Liverpool putting pressure on the French defender to make a decision on his future, according to reports - Mail on Sunday. Sunderland's Wilson Isidor is weighing up his international allegiances ahead of next year's World Cup - Sun on Sunday. ChampionshipBirmingham City want to turn their £1.2bn new home into a lair for the Lionesses - by making Sarina Wiegman's side long-term tenants - Sun on Sunday. Scottish football Oscar Cortes could be set for an unexpected return to Rangers, with Sporting Gijon reportedly considering the possibility of cutting his loan short - Sunday Mail. Kevin Muscat's decision not to become the new Rangers manager has been rewarded with another Chinese Super League title - Sunday Mail. Spreaker This content is […]
What time is the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025? How to watch tonight’s F1 race
Tonight will be a late night for Formula 1 drivers. F1 is hitting the Las Vegas Strip Circuit for the Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix tonight at 11 p.m. ET. While that time is on the late side for East Coast viewers. it'll give fans in Europe a chance to start their day with a race where McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will continue their battle for first place. (You can check out all the latest standings here.)Tonight's Las Vegas Grand Prix will air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and F1 TV Pro. Here's everything you need to know about F1 this season, including how to watch this weekend's race, along with the full 2025 F1 grand prix schedule.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHow to watch the 2025 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix:Date: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025Time: 11 p.m. ETTV channels: ESPN, ESPN DeportesStreaming: […]
Related
Bill Belichick’s UNC misses bowl eligibility after trick play by Duke
When Bill Belichick was introduced as UNC head coach 11 long months ago, he revealed, joked or lied that his first words as a child were "Beat Duke."His program fell short of that goal on Saturday, and the result is a disappointing season will officially end next weekend. The Tar Heels lost to Duke 32-25, pushing their record down to 4-7 and leaving them unable to reach bowl eligibility next week against NC State.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt wasn't just any loss to their biggest rivals either. At home, UNC had come back from down 24-10 to take a 25-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. That remained the score until the final three minutes, when the Blue Devils lined up for a go-ahead field goal that would have given the Tar Heels the ball back with more than two minutes left and a […]
Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC, NWSL Championship: Trinity Rodman’s status hangs over title match
Two star-studded teams in the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC will meet in San Jose for the NWSL Championship, a competitive match likely in store as each side chases their second league title, but the big question looms -- will Trinity Rodman play?The pair took contrasting roads to the NWSL Championship, the No. 2 seed Spirit advancing as the favorites in their matchups while Gotham played spoiler as the No. 8 seed, eliminating the runaway NWSL Shield winners in the Kansas City Current and last year's champions Orlando Pride. To describe this as a David vs. Goliath-type game would be a misnomer, though, Gotham have been inconsistent, but they won the Championship just two years ago and boast an MVP nominee in Esther Gonzalez.While Gonzalez and new Gotham recruict Jaedyn Shaw headline Juan Carlos Amoros' team, the attention will also […]
Bills RB Ty Johnson fined $10,777 for pelvic-thrust TD celebration in win over Bucs
The NFL has fined Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson $10,777 for "obscene gestures" as part of a crackdown on unsportsmanlike conduct. Johnson did a thrust-heavy celebration after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the Bills' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11.With less than a minute left in the first half, Johnson broke away on third-and-5 to sprint 52 yards for the touchdown. To celebrate, Johnson grabbed his leg, seemingly pretending to have sustained an injury (à la the Kansas City Current's Lo'eau LaBonta), and fell before grinding his pelvis against the ground twice.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBuffalo went on to win the game, 44-32, behind a six-touchdown night from quarterback Josh Allen.The fine comes a couple of weeks after Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was fined $14,491 for a similar celebration. Dowdle did "two pumps" (i.e., thrusted his pelvis twice) […]
Kyle Shanahan says Brandon Aiyuk’s guarantees were voided in July: ‘It takes a lot to get a contract voided’
The news that Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his last game for the San Francisco 49ers was a surprise on Friday, but the situation has apparently been simmering for months.Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan declined to say what specifically led to a falling out between team and player — there was a report of frustrations over Aiyuk failing to participate in team meetings and other activities — while claiming the contract battle was out of his hands:"I'm not going to get into the specifics of that. There were a number of things from July that, to me, is more of the business side, dealing with lawyers and stuff, and contracts. Stuff that is really not my area of expertise."Aiyuk has spent all season on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, which […]
Papers: Bayern Munich watching Konate’s contract situation
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...Premier LeagueBayern Munich are watching Ibrahima Konate's contact situation closely, with Liverpool putting pressure on the French defender to make a decision on his future, according to reports - Mail on Sunday. Sunderland's Wilson Isidor is weighing up his international allegiances ahead of next year's World Cup - Sun on Sunday. ChampionshipBirmingham City want to turn their £1.2bn new home into a lair for the Lionesses - by making Sarina Wiegman's side long-term tenants - Sun on Sunday. Scottish football Oscar Cortes could be set for an unexpected return to Rangers, with Sporting Gijon reportedly considering the possibility of cutting his loan short - Sunday Mail. Kevin Muscat's decision not to become the new Rangers manager has been rewarded with another Chinese Super League title - Sunday Mail. Spreaker This content is […]
What time is the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025? How to watch tonight’s F1 race
Tonight will be a late night for Formula 1 drivers. F1 is hitting the Las Vegas Strip Circuit for the Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix tonight at 11 p.m. ET. While that time is on the late side for East Coast viewers. it'll give fans in Europe a chance to start their day with a race where McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will continue their battle for first place. (You can check out all the latest standings here.)Tonight's Las Vegas Grand Prix will air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and F1 TV Pro. Here's everything you need to know about F1 this season, including how to watch this weekend's race, along with the full 2025 F1 grand prix schedule.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHow to watch the 2025 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix:Date: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025Time: 11 p.m. ETTV channels: ESPN, ESPN DeportesStreaming: […]
Be the first to leave a comment