The 2024-25 NBA play-in tournament tips off Tuesday and runs through Friday, with four spots in the playoffs up for the grabs.
Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA’s postseason field to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualified for the playoffs, while the 7-seeds through 10-seeds compete in the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
In the East, the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks will travel to the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic on Tuesday with the winner advancing to face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. The loser of the Atlanta-Orlando game then awaits the winner of the game between the 9-seed Chicago Bulls and the 10-seed Miami Heat on Wednesday. That matchup will be played Friday for a chance to face the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
In the West, the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies will travel to the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors on Tuesday with the winner advancing to face the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in the first round. The loser of the Memphis-Golden State game then takes on the winner of the game between the 9-seed Sacramento Kings and the 10-seed Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. That matchup will be played Friday for a chance to face the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and matchups.
MORE: Which teams are in the 2025 playoffs?
Play-in matchups
*all times Eastern
Eastern Conference
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No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Orlando Magic (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., TNT)
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No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Chicago Bulls (Wednesday, 10 p.m., ESPN)
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Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8 (Friday, Time TBD, TNT)
Western Conference
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No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies at No. 7 Golden State Warriors (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., TNT)
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No. 10 Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 Sacramento Kings (Wednesday, 10 p.m., ESPN)
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Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8 (Friday, Time TBD, ESPN)
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 top six teams in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while teams Nos. 7 through 10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the NBA draft lottery.
The 2024-25 NBA regular season concluded Sunday, with all 30 teams playing. The play-in tournament will then take place Tuesday through Friday, before the first round of the playoffs.
Here’s how the games will work:
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Game 1s: 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 their respective conference’s Game 3.
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Game 2s: 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: 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.