NBA Play-In Tournament: Everything You Need to Know

• Eight teams compete for their place in the NBA post-season
• The NBA Play-In Tournament will occur from April 11th to April 14th
• The NBA Playoffs will begin on April 15th

The NBA regular season is coming to a close, but it's not quite time for the NBA Playoffs. Eight teams, four from each conference, will compete for a place in their respective conference's post-season. Implemented in 2020, the NBA Play-In Tournament has provided some of the season's most exciting games, as the single-elimination format leaves no room for error.

Let's explain everything you need about the NBA Play-In Tournament and how it will work!

Which Teams Are Playing in the NBA Play-In Tournament?

Here's a preview of the teams expected to compete in this year's NBA Play-In. The regular season will end on April 9th, and the participating teams are subject to change.

Keep an eye on our expert odds and predictions for when the NBA Play-In Tournament begins!

Eastern Conference

• #10 Chicago Bulls vs. #9 Toronto Raptors
• #8 Atlanta Hawks vs. #7 Miami Heat

Western Conference

• #10 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #9 Minnesota Timberwolves
• #8 New Orleans Pelicans vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers

When is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will occur between April 11th and April 14th.

How Does the Play-In Tournament Work?

The NBA Play-In Tournament showcases six games and involves eight teams, four from each of the NBA's conferences.

The top 6 seeds in each conference qualify for guaranteed playoff positions, while the teams that finish 7th through 10th participate in the Play-In. The teams that end with the 7th and 8th highest winning percentage during the regular season will have two opportunities to qualify for the NBA Playoffs.

Let's take a look at how the games will work:

• Game 1
  • The 7th seed will host the 8th seed. The winner of Game 1 will earn the 7th seed in their respective conference's playoff bracket. The losing team will compete in Game 3
• Game 2
  • The 9th seed will host the 10th seed. The winner of Game 2 will move on to compete in Game 3. The loser of Game 2 will be eliminated from the Play-In Tournament and playoff contention
• Game 3
  • The loser of Game 1 will host the loser of Game 2. The winner of Game 3 will be awarded the 8th seed in their respective conference's playoff bracket.

Past NBA Play-In Tournament Results

Bold denotes a team progressed to the NBA Playoffs

2022 NBA Play-In Tournament Results

• Participating teams
  • Eastern Conference
    • (7) Brooklyn Nets
    • (8) Cleveland Cavaliers
    • (9) Atlanta Hawks
    • (10) Charlotte Hornets
  • Western Conference
    • (7) Minnesota Timberwolves
    • (8) LA Clippers
    • (9) New Orleans Pelicans
    • (10) San Antonio Spurs

2021 NBA Play-In Tournament Results

• Participating Teams
  • Eastern Conference
    • (7) Boston Celtics
      
    • (8) Washington Wizards
    • (9) Indiana Pacers
      
    • (10) Charlotte Hornets
  • Western Conference
    • (7) Los Angeles Lakers
    • (8) Golden State Warriors
    • (9) Memphis Grizzlies
    • (10) San Antonio Spurs

2020 NBA Play-In Tournament Results

• Participating Teams
  • Eastern Conference
    • (8) Orlando Magic
    • (9) Washington Wizards
      
  • Western Conference
    • (8) Portland Trail Blazers
    • (9) Memphis Grizzlies