NBA play-in tournament 2024: Schedule, projections, standings
The NBA’s play-in tournament is set to start at the conclusion of the regular season, adding another layer to this final stretch of games as teams try to position themselves for a potential postseason push.
Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA’s postseason to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the 7- through 10-seeds enter the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
This season’s play-in tournament race is tight, as teams try to avoid the play-in altogether while others are hoping for at least one more shot at a playoff spot.
In the West, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers could be headed toward a 9/10 single-elimination game against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. In the East, the fifth-place Orlando Magic and eighth-place Miami Heat are separated by just two games as the season heads to its final days.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and potential matchups.
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Players/coaches with the most to lose
Current standings
The Bulls and Hawks have clinched spots in the 9-10 game.
The Lakers and Warriors are locked in the play-in. They cannot finish 6th.
Through games of April 5.
Wednesday’s results
Thursday’s games to watch
Projected matchups
Here’s a glance at how the 2024 play-in tournament would look if the season ended today.
Eastern Conference
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No. 8 Heat at No. 7 76ers
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No. 10 Hawks at No. 9 Bulls
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Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
Western Conference
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No. 8 Kings at No. 7 Suns
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No. 10 Warriors at No. 9 Lakers
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Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
How does the NBA play-in tournament work?
There will be six total games involving eight teams as part of the play-in tournament, split up between the two conferences.
The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while team Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the NBA draft lottery.
Here’s how the games will work:
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Game 1s (Tuesday, April 16): Each conference’s No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing teams get another chance in Friday’s Game 3s.
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Game 2s (Wednesday, April 17): Each conference’s No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The losers are eliminated and enter the NBA draft lottery.
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Game 3s (Friday, April 19): The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups, with the victors grabbing each conference’s No. 8 seed in the postseason. The losers of Game 3 enter the NBA draft lottery.
Under the format, teams with the seventh- and eighth-highest winning percentages will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while the teams with the ninth- and 10th-highest winning percentages need to win two straight games to advance.
