The NBA Play-In Tournament is set to tip off on April 15, 2025, determining the final two playoff spots in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The tournament provides a crucial opportunity for teams finishing between 7th and 10th place in their respective conferences to battle for postseason berths.
This year, high-profile teams such as the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks are among those expected to compete, hoping to secure their place in the playoffs. The Play-In Tournament has become an exciting part of the NBA calendar, offering lower-ranked teams a shot at making a deep playoff run—just like the Miami Heat did in 2023 when they advanced to the NBA Finals after winning the Play-In.
Play-In Tournament Format
The Play-In follows a three-game structure per conference:
- Game 1: The No. 7 seed faces the No. 8 seed, with the winner earning the No. 7 playoff spot. The loser gets another chance.
- Game 2: The No. 9 seed plays the No. 10 seed. The loser is eliminated, and the winner advances.
- Game 3: The loser of Game 1 faces the winner of Game 2, with the No. 8 playoff seed at stake. The loser is eliminated.
Current Play-In Standings (as of March 2025)
(These standings may shift as the regular season concludes.)
How to Watch the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The six Play-In games will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT. Fans can also stream the action via:
- ESPN App
- TNT App
The winners of the Play-In will advance to the NBA Playoffs, which begin on April 19, 2025, and will last for two months.
