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The NBA’s Play-In Tournament: A Detailed Overview
The NBA’s play-in tournament, set to commence this week, will see eight teams vying for the final four spots in the coveted 2024 NBA playoffs. Initially introduced during the 2020-21 NBA season, this tournament expanded the postseason field to include a total of 20 teams, with 10 teams from each conference earning a shot at playoff glory. The top six teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, leaving the 7th through 10th seeds to battle it out in the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
This season’s play-in tournament race came down to the wire, with teams fiercely competing to either secure homecourt advantage in the play-in or to avoid it altogether. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic emerged victorious on Sunday, clinching top-six spots and relegating the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat to the play-in. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed, forcing the New Orleans Pelicans into the play-in and setting up an intense rematch between the two teams scheduled for Tuesday.
Key Details of the 2024 Play-In Tournament
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming play-in matchups, here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Eastern Conference:
- Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET: No. 8 Heat at No. 7 76ers
- Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET: No. 10 Hawks at No. 9 Bulls
- Friday: Winner of No. 9/10 matchup vs. loser of No. 7/8 matchup
Western Conference:
- Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET: No. 8 Lakers at No. 7 Pelicans
- Tuesday, 10 p.m. PT: No. 10 Warriors at No. 9 Kings
- Friday: Winner of No. 9/10 matchup vs. loser of No. 7/8 matchup
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Function?
The play-in tournament comprises a total of six games involving eight teams across both conferences. Teams that finish within the top six spots in each conference are guaranteed playoff berths, while those ranking from 7th to 10th enter the play-in rounds. Any team finishing lower than 10th place automatically enters the NBA draft lottery.
Here’s a breakdown of the game structure:
- Game 1s: The 7th-seeded team in each conference will host the 8th-seeded team, with the winner securing the No. 7 playoff seed. The losing teams receive a second chance in Friday’s Game 3 matchups.
- Game 2s: The 9th-seeded team in each conference hosts the 10th-seeded team, with the winner advancing to Game 3 while the losers face elimination, entering the NBA draft lottery.
- Game 3s (Friday): Losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups. The victors of these crucial matchups secure the No. 8 seed in the postseason, while the defeated teams enter the NBA draft lottery.
Under this format, teams ranked 7th and 8th in terms of winning percentages have two opportunities to win a single game in order to secure a playoff spot, whereas teams placed 9th and 10th must win two consecutive games to progress further in the competition.
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