{{short description|Professional basketball post-season games}} {{for-multi|the NBA tournament played during the regular season|NBA Cup}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox tournament | name =<!--inherited from page name--> | image = NBA_play-in_tournament_logo.svg | image_size = 300px | caption = The logo used from 2020 to 2022. SoFi later took over sponsorship rights from AT&T. | sport =Basketball | established = 2020 | defunct = | teams = 8 total; 4 per conference | format = Page playoff system | broadcast = {{unbulleted list | '''United States:''' | Amazon Prime Video | '''Canada:''' | TSN | Sportsnet }} }} The '''NBA play-in tournament''' is the preliminary National Basketball Association (NBA) postseason tournament. It determines the final two playoff seeds in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference and is played immediately prior to the NBA playoffs, which is the main tournament of the postseason and regarded by the league as separate from the play-in tournament. Teams finishing the regular season in positions 7 through 10 in the standings for each conference compete to determine the number 7 and 8 seeds in each conference's bracket tournament.
==Format== ===Original format=== On June 4, 2020, the NBA Board of Governors approved the first ever play-in game for the 2019–20 season. The game was part of the NBA's plans for a bubble as part of its return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic. If the 8 and 9 seeds in either conference were within four games of each other, the two seeds would play each other in up to two play-in games. If the 8 seed won the first game, it would advance to the playoffs. If the 9 seed won the first game, a second game would be played. The winner of the second game would advance to the playoffs.<ref name="2020 struct">{{cite magazine|title=Which Team Can Snag the Eighth Seed Before the 2020 NBA Playoffs?|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2020/06/05/nba-season-return-eighth-seed-tournament|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=5 June 2020 |access-date= April 3, 2022}}</ref>
===Current format=== On November 19, 2020, the NBA Board of Governors approved a format for the 2020–21 season to have a playoff play-in tournament involving the teams that ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. On July 22, 2022, the NBA Board of Governors made this format permanent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Tim |date=July 12, 2022 |title=NBA adopts Play-In Tournament on full-time basis {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-adopts-play-in-tournament-on-full-time-basis |access-date=2026-03-21 |website=NBA |language=en}}</ref>
The format is similar to the first two rounds of the Page–McIntyre system for a four-team playoff. The 9th-place team hosts the 10th-place team, with the loser being eliminated. The 7th place team hosts the 8th place team in the double-chance game, with the winner advancing as the new 7-seed. The loser of the 7/8 game hosts the winner of the 9/10 game, with the winner receiving the new 8-seed. The NBA's regular playoff format then proceeds as normal. Furthermore, the winner of the match between the loser of the 7/8 game and the winner of the 9/10 game always plays on day 2 of the NBA playoffs to allow that team at least a day of rest.<ref name="NBAschedule">{{cite web|title=NBA announces structure and format for 2020-21 season|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-announces-structure-and-format-for-2020-21-season|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
The current bracket structure in each conference is as follows: {{PagePlayoffBracket | RD1= '''Play-in games''' | RD2= '''No. 8 seed game''' | RD3= '''Final seeds''' | team-width= 200 | score-width= 75
| RD1-seed1=7th | RD1-team1=place team | RD1-score1=Home | RD1-seed2=8th | RD1-team2=place team | RD1-score2=Away | RD1-seed3=9th | RD1-team3=place team | RD1-score3=Home | RD1-seed4=10th | RD1-team4=place team | RD1-score4=Away
| RD2-seed1=7/8 | RD2-team1=Loser of 7/8 game | RD2-score1=Home | RD2-seed2=9/10 | RD2-team2=Winner of 9/10 game | RD2-score2=Away
| RD3-seed1=7/8 | RD3-team1=Winner of 7/8 game | RD3-score1=No. 7 seed | RD3-seed2=7/8/9/10 | RD3-team2=Winner of No. 8 seed game | RD3-score2=No. 8 seed }}
==Statistics== The Miami Heat have played seven play-in games, the most games played by a team in the play-in tournament, and also have the most wins, with four.
Due to the current structure of the NBA playoff system, one division winner is no longer guaranteed a playoff spot, let alone a top-four placing. To date, only two teams have qualified for the play-in tournament as division champions: the 2022–23 Miami Heat and the 2024–25 Orlando Magic, both from the Southeast Division. Both teams eventually qualified for the playoffs via the play-in tournament.
The 2022–23 Miami Heat had the best performance by any play-in team in the playoffs after reaching the 2023 NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum set the record for most points in a single play-in tournament game by scoring 50 points against Washington on May 18, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 19, 2021|title=Tatum lifts Celts to 7th seed with 50-point night|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31469676/jayson-tatum-explodes-50-boston-celtics-claim-7th-seed-nba-playoffs|access-date=May 19, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=en|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519094242/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31469676/jayson-tatum-explodes-50-boston-celtics-claim-7th-seed-nba-playoffs|url-status=live}}</ref>
Since the inception of the 7–10 seed Page–McIntyre play-in format in 2021, the 7 seed has always made it out of the play-in and into the playoffs, while only one 10th seed (the 2024–25 Miami Heat) has done so.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 12, 2024|title=Warriors play-in: Why Golden State should try to avoid 10th seed|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/warriors-playin-tournament/|access-date=April 21, 2024|website=sfchronicle.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Results by position=== The below table shows teams' results per their conference position entering the play-in tournament, since the NBA adopted the current format in 2021. {|class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan=2|Regular season position !! colspan=2|Record by game !! colspan=3|Resulting playoff seed |- ! Play-in game !! No. 8 seed game !! 7th seed !! 8th seed !! Did not advance |- | 7 || 9–3 || 3–0 || 9 || 3 || 0 |- | 8 || 3–9 || 5–4 || 3 || 5 || 4 |- | 9 || 7–5 || 3–4 || {{N/A}} || 3 || 9 |- | 10 || 5–7 || 1–4 || {{N/A}} || 1 || 11 |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2" |Eastern Conference !! colspan="2" |Record by game !! colspan="3" |Resulting playoff seed |- ! Play-in game !! No. 8 seed game !! 7th seed !! 8th seed !! Did not advance |- | 7 || 5–1 || 1–0 || 5 || 1 || 0 |- | 8 || 1–5 || 3–2 || 1 || 3 || 2 |- | 9 || 4–2 || 1–3 || {{N/A}} || 1 || 5 |- | 10 || 2–4 || 1–1 || {{N/A}} || 1 || 5 |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2" |Western Conference !! colspan="2" |Record by game !! colspan="3" |Resulting playoff seed |- ! Play-in game !! No. 8 seed game !! 7th seed !! 8th seed !! Did not advance |- | 7 || 4–2 || 2–0 || 4 || 2 || 0 |- | 8 || 2–4 || 2–2 || 2 || 2 || 2 |- | 9 || 3–3 || 2–1 || {{N/A}} || 2 || 4 |- | 10 || 3–3 || 0–3 || {{N/A}} || 0 || 6 |}
== Results == :''Note: Times are EDT (UTC−4) as listed by NBA. If the venue is located in a different time zone, the local time is also given.''
=== 2020 === The only play-in game was in the Western Conference, between ninth-place Memphis (34–39) and eighth-place Portland (35–39), who finished the season a half game ahead of Memphis. Because ninth-place Washington (25–47) finished {{frac|7|1|2}} games behind eighth-place Orlando (33–40), there was no Eastern Conference play-in game. {{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=August 15 |time=2:30 PM |place=HP Field House, Bay Lake, FL |TV=ABC |team1=(9) Memphis Grizzlies |score1=122 |team2=(8) '''Portland Trail Blazers''' |score2='''126''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-por-0051900111 Recap] |Q1=19–'''31''' |Q2='''33'''–27 |Q3='''42'''–31 |Q4=28–'''37''' |points1=Ja Morant 35 |points2=Damian Lillard 31 |rebounds1=Jonas Valančiūnas 17 |rebounds2=Jusuf Nurkić 21 |assist1=Kyle Anderson 9 |assist2=Damian Lillard 10 |attendance= |referee=James Capers, Pat Fraher, Tony Brown }}
=== 2021 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2020–21 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2020–21 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=May 18 |time=6:30 PM |place=Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |TV=TNT |team1=(10) Charlotte Hornets |score1=117 |team2=(9) '''Indiana Pacers''' |score2='''144''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/ind-vs-cha-0022100230 Recap] |Q1=24–'''40''' |Q2=21–'''29''' |Q3=33–'''39''' |Q4='''39'''–36 |points1=Miles Bridges 23 |points2=Oshae Brissett 23 |rebounds1=Bridges, Rozier 8 each |rebounds2=Domantas Sabonis 21 |assist1=Terry Rozier 6 |assist2=Domantas Sabonis 9 |attendance= |referee=Tony Brothers, Eric Lewis, Curtis Blair, Derrick Collins }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=May 18 |time=9:00 PM |place=TD Garden, Boston, MA |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Washington Wizards |score1=100 |team2=(7) '''Boston Celtics''' |score2='''118''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/was-vs-bos-0052000101 Recap] |Q1=21–'''27''' |Q2='''33'''–25 |Q3=26–'''38''' |Q4=20–'''28''' |points1=Bradley Beal 22 |points2=Jayson Tatum 50 |rebounds1=Russell Westbrook 14 |rebounds2=Tristan Thompson 12 |assist1=Russell Westbrook 9 |assist2=Marcus Smart 6 |attendance=4,789 |referee=Rodney Mott, Scott Foster, James Williams }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=May 19 |time=7:30 PM<br>{{small|(6:30 PM CDT)}} |place=FedExForum, Memphis, TN |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) San Antonio Spurs |score1=96 |team2=(9) '''Memphis Grizzlies''' |score2='''100''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-mem-0052000131 Recap] |Q1=19–'''38''' |Q2='''30'''–18 |Q3=16–16 |Q4='''31'''–28 |points1=DeRozan, Gay 20 each |points2=Dillon Brooks 24 |rebounds1=Dejounte Murray 13 |rebounds2=Jonas Valančiūnas 23 |assist1=Dejounte Murray 11 |assist2=Ja Morant 9 |attendance=7,019 |referee=Marc Davis, Mark Lindsay, Sean Wright, Karl Lane }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=May 19 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA |TV=ESPN |team1=(8) Golden State Warriors |score1=100 |team2=(7) '''Los Angeles Lakers''' |score2='''103''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/gsw-vs-lal-0052000121 Recap] |Q1='''28'''–22 |Q2='''27'''–20 |Q3=24–'''35''' |Q4=21–'''26''' |points1=Stephen Curry 37 |points2=Anthony Davis 25 |rebounds1=Kevon Looney 13 |rebounds2=Anthony Davis 12 |assist1=Draymond Green 8 |assist2=LeBron James 10 |attendance=6,022 |referee=Josh Tiven, Brian Forte, John Goble, Tre Maddox }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=May 20 |time=8:00 PM |place=Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. |TV=TNT |team1=(9) Indiana Pacers |score1=115 |team2=(8) '''Washington Wizards''' |score2='''142''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/ind-vs-was-0052000201 Recap] |Q1=29–'''30''' |Q2=23–'''36''' |Q3=31–'''48''' |Q4='''32'''–28 |points1=Malcolm Brogdon 24 |points2=Bradley Beal 25 |rebounds1=Domantas Sabonis 11 |rebounds2=Daniel Gafford 13 |assist1=Domantas Sabonis 10 |assist2=Russell Westbrook 15 |attendance= |referee=Courtney Kirkland, David Guthrie, Ben Taylor, Michael Smith }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=May 21 |time=9:00 PM<br>{{small|(6:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |TV=ESPN |team1=(9) '''Memphis Grizzlies''' |score1='''117''' |team2=(8) Golden State Warriors |score2=112 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-gsw-0052000211 Recap] |Q1='''30'''–29 |Q2='''32'''–20 |Q3=16–'''24''' |Q4=21–'''26''' |OT='''18'''–13 |points1=Ja Morant 35 |points2=Stephen Curry 39 |rebounds1=Jonas Valančiūnas 12 |rebounds2=Draymond Green 16 |assist1=Anderson, Morant 6 each |assist2=Draymond Green 10 |attendance=7,505 |referee=James Williams, Scott Foster, Karl Lane, Eric Lewis }}
=== 2022 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2021–22 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2021–22 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 12 |time=7:00 PM |place=Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=108 |team2=(7) '''Brooklyn Nets''' |score2='''115''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/cle-vs-bkn-0052100101 Recap] |Q1=20–'''40''' |Q2='''23'''–17 |Q3='''30'''–28 |Q4='''35'''–30 |points1=Darius Garland 34 |points2=Kyrie Irving 34 |rebounds1=Kevin Love 13 |rebounds2=Brown, Claxton 9 each |assist1=Rajon Rondo 9 |assist2=Kyrie Irving 12 |attendance=17,732 |referee=JB DeRosa, Curtis Blair, Kane Fitzgerald, Tyler Ford }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 12 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Los Angeles Clippers |score1=122 |team2=(7) '''Minnesota Timberwolves''' |score2='''126''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/lac-vs-min-0052100121 Recap] |Q1='''26'''–20 |Q2=25–'''33''' |Q3='''33'''–25 |Q4=20–'''31''' |points1=Paul George 34 |points2=Anthony Edwards 30 |rebounds1=Ivica Zubac 9 |rebounds2=Patrick Beverley 11 |assist1=George, Jackson 5 each |assist2=Beverley, Towns 3 each |attendance=17,136 |referee=Scott Foster, Tom Washington, Ed Malloy, Justin Van Duyne }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 13 |time=7:00 PM |place=State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) Charlotte Hornets |score1=103 |team2=(9) '''Atlanta Hawks''' |score2='''132''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/cha-vs-atl-0052100111 Recap] |Q1=23–'''32''' |Q2='''29'''–28 |Q3=24–'''42''' |Q4=27–'''30''' |points1=LaMelo Ball 26 |points2=Trae Young 24 |rebounds1=Martin, Washington 6 each |rebounds2=Clint Capela 17 |assist1=LaMelo Ball 8 |assist2=Trae Young 11 |attendance=18,137 |referee=James Capers, James Williams, Jacyn Goble }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 13 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) San Antonio Spurs |score1=103 |team2=(9) '''New Orleans Pelicans''' |score2='''113''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-nop-0052100131 Recap] |Q1=22–'''26''' |Q2=28–'''35''' |Q3=25–'''31''' |Q4='''28'''–21 |points1=Devin Vassell 23 |points2=CJ McCollum 32 |rebounds1=Murray, Poeltl 9 each |rebounds2=Jonas Valančiūnas 14 |assist1=Dejounte Murray 5 |assist2=CJ McCollum 7 |attendance=18,610 |referee=Bill Kennedy, David Guthrie, Sean Wright }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 15 |time=7:30 PM |place=Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |TV=ESPN |team1=(9) '''Atlanta Hawks''' |score1='''107''' |team2=(8) Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=101 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/atl-vs-cle-0052100201 Recap] |Q1=25–'''36''' |Q2='''26'''–25 |Q3='''33'''–23 |Q4='''23'''–17 |points1=Trae Young 38 |points2=Lauri Markkanen 26 |rebounds1=Onyeka Okongwu 9 |rebounds2=Markkanen, Mobley 8 each |assist1=Trae Young 9 |assist2=Darius Garland 9 |attendance=19,432 |referee=Zach Zarba, Eric Lewis, Tre Maddox, Ben Taylor }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 15 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |TV=TNT |team1=(9) '''New Orleans Pelicans''' |score1='''105''' |team2=(8) Los Angeles Clippers |score2=101 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-nop-0052100131 Recap] |Q1='''30'''–22 |Q2='''26'''–24 |Q3=18–'''38''' |Q4='''31'''–17 |points1=Brandon Ingram 30 |points2=Markieff Morris 27 |rebounds1=Larry Nance Jr. 16 |rebounds2=Nicolas Batum 10 |assist1=Brandon Ingram 6 |assist2=Reggie Jackson 6 |attendance=19,068 |referee=Marc Davis, Brian Forte, Mark Lindsay, Josh Tiven }}
=== 2023 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2022–23 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2022–23 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 11 |time=7:30 PM |place=Kaseya Center, Miami, FL |TV=TNT |team1=(8) '''Atlanta Hawks''' |score1='''116''' |team2=(7) Miami Heat |score2=105 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/atl-vs-mia-0052200101 Recap] |Q1='''36'''–27 |Q2='''29'''–23 |Q3=26–'''28''' |Q4=25–'''27''' |points1=Trae Young 25 |points2=Kyle Lowry 33 |rebounds1=Clint Capela 21 |rebounds2=Bam Adebayo 9 |assist1=Trae Young 7 |assist2=Jimmy Butler 9 |attendance=19,662 |referee=JB DeRosa, Sean Wright, John Goble }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 11 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Minnesota Timberwolves |score1=102 |team2=(7) '''Los Angeles Lakers''' |score2='''108''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/min-vs-lal-0052200121 Recap] |Q1='''28'''–22 |Q2='''32'''–27 |Q3=26–'''30''' |Q4=12–'''19''' |OT=4–'''10''' |points1=Karl-Anthony Towns 24 |points2=LeBron James 30 |rebounds1=Karl-Anthony Towns 11 |rebounds2=Anthony Davis 15 |assist1=Kyle Anderson 13 |assist2=D'Angelo Russell 8 |attendance=18,997 |referee=Michael Smith, David Guthrie, Tre Maddox, Tyler Ford }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 12 |time=7:00 PM |place=Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) '''Chicago Bulls''' |score1='''109''' |team2=(9) Toronto Raptors |score2=105 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/chi-vs-tor-0052200111 Recap] |Q1=23–'''28''' |Q2=24–'''30''' |Q3='''25'''–23 |Q4='''37'''–24 |points1=Zach Lavine 39 |points2=Pascal Siakam 32 |rebounds1=Nikola Vučević 13 |rebounds2=Fred VanVleet 12 |assist1=Coby White 5 |assist2=Fred VanVleet 8 |attendance=19,800 |referee=Kevin Scott, James Williams, Mitchell Ervin, Ray Acosta }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 12 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) '''Oklahoma City Thunder''' |score1='''123''' |team2=(9) New Orleans Pelicans |score2=118 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-nop-0052100131 Recap] |Q1='''32'''–29 |Q2=25–'''34''' |Q3='''39'''–24 |Q4=27–'''31''' |points1=Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 32 |points2=Brandon Ingram 30 |rebounds1=Josh Giddey 9 |rebounds2=Jonas Valančiūnas 18 |assist1=Josh Giddey 10 |assist2=Brandon Ingram 7 |attendance=18,715 |referee=Sean Corbin, Eric Lewis, Eric Dalen, Ben Taylor }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 14 |time=7:00 PM |place=Kaseya Center, Miami, FL |TV=TNT |team1=(10) Chicago Bulls |score1=91 |team2=(7) '''Miami Heat''' |score2='''102''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/chi-vs-mia-0052200201 Recap] |Q1=21–'''29''' |Q2='''23'''–20 |Q3='''24'''–18 |Q4=23–'''35''' |points1=DeMar DeRozan 26 |points2=Butler, Strus 31 each |rebounds1=Nikola Vučević 9 |rebounds2=Bam Adebayo 17 |assist1=DeMar DeRozan 9 |assist2=Tyler Herro 7 |attendance=19,678 |referee=Tony Brothers, Josh Tiven, Karl Lane }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 14 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) Oklahoma City Thunder |score1=95 |team2=(8) '''Minnesota Timberwolves''' |score2='''120''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/okc-vs-min-0052200211 Recap] |Q1=23–'''24''' |Q2=24–'''33''' |Q3=31–'''38''' |Q4=17–'''25''' |points1=Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 22 |points2=Karl-Anthony Towns 28 |rebounds1=Luguentz Dort 8 |rebounds2=Karl-Anthony Towns 11 |assist1=Jal. Williams 5 |assist2=Alexander-Walker, Edwards 6 each |attendance=19,304 |referee=Scott Foster, Courtney Kirkland, Brent Barnaky, Gediminas Petraitis }}
=== 2024 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2023–24 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2023–24 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 16 |time=7:30 PM<br>{{small|(6:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |TV=TNT |team1=(8) '''Los Angeles Lakers''' |score1='''110''' |team2=(7) New Orleans Pelicans |score2=106 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-nop-0052300121 Recap] |Q1=26–'''34''' |Q2='''34'''–16 |Q3=23–'''26''' |Q4=27–'''30''' |points1=LeBron James 23 |points2=Zion Williamson 40 |rebounds1=Anthony Davis 15 |rebounds2=Larry Nance Jr. 12 |assist1=LeBron James 9 |assist2=Jose Alvarado 7 |attendance=18,591 |referee=Scott Foster, Curtis Blair, Eric Dalen, Gediminas Petraitis }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 16 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |TV=TNT |team1=(10) Golden State Warriors |score1=94 |team2=(9) '''Sacramento Kings''' |score2='''118''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/gsw-vs-sac-0052300131 Recap] |Q1=22–'''31''' |Q2='''28'''–23 |Q3=26–'''27''' |Q4=18–'''27''' |points1=Stephen Curry 22 |points2=Keegan Murray 32 |rebounds1=Brandin Podziemski 8 |rebounds2=Domantas Sabonis 12 |assist1=Draymond Green 6 |assist2=Domantas Sabonis 7 |attendance=18,304 |referee=Mark Lindsay, Marat Kogut, James Williams, Aaron Smith }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 17 |time=7:00 PM |place=Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |TV=ESPN |team1=(8) Miami Heat |score1=104 |team2=(7) '''Philadelphia 76ers''' |score2='''105''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-phi-0052300101 Recap] |Q1='''23'''–22 |Q2='''28'''–17 |Q3=23–'''30''' |Q4=30–'''36''' |points1=Tyler Herro 25 |points2=Joel Embiid 23 |rebounds1=Bam Adebayo 12 |rebounds2=Joel Embiid 15 |assist1=Tyler Herro 9 |assist2=Hield, Maxey 6 each |attendance=19,788 |referee=Tony Brothers, Bill Kennedy, Mitchell Ervin }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 17 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=United Center, Chicago, IL |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) Atlanta Hawks |score1=116 |team2=(9) '''Chicago Bulls''' |score2='''131''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/atl-vs-chi-0052300111 Recap] |Q1=22–'''40''' |Q2='''45'''–33 |Q3=25–'''37''' |Q4='''24'''–21 |points1=Dejounte Murray 30 |points2=Coby White 42 |rebounds1=Clint Capela 17 |rebounds2=Nikola Vučević 12 |assist1=Trae Young 10 |assist2=DeMar DeRozan 9 |attendance=21,627 |referee=Sean Corbin, Marc Davis, Nick Buchert, Tyler Ford }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 19 |time=7:00 PM |place=Kaseya Center, Miami, FL |TV=ESPN |team1=(9) Chicago Bulls |score1=91 |team2=(8) '''Miami Heat''' |score2='''112''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/chi-vs-mia-0052300201 Recap] |Q1=17–'''34''' |Q2='''20'''–13 |Q3=23–'''35''' |Q4='''31'''–30 |points1=DeMar DeRozan 22 |points2=Tyler Herro 24 |rebounds1=Nikola Vučević 14 |rebounds2=Tyler Herro 10 |assist1=Nikola Vučević 5 |assist2=Tyler Herro 9 |attendance=19,600 |referee=Zach Zarba, Sean Wright, Justin Van Duyne }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 19 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |TV=TNT |team1=(9) Sacramento Kings |score1=98 |team2=(7) '''New Orleans Pelicans''' |score2='''105''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/sac-vs-nop-0052300211 Recap] |Q1='''24'''–22 |Q2=21–'''32''' |Q3=29–29 |Q4='''24'''–22 |points1=De'Aaron Fox 35 |points2=Brandon Ingram 24 |rebounds1=Domantas Sabonis 14 |rebounds2=Jonas Valančiūnas 12 |assist1=Domantas Sabonis 7 |assist2=Ingram, Murphy III 6 each |attendance=18,656 |referee=Courtney Kirkland, Josh Tiven, Karl Lane, J. T. Orr }}
=== 2025 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2024–25 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2024–25 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 15 |time=7:30 PM |place=Kia Center, Orlando, FL |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Atlanta Hawks |score1=95 |team2=(7) '''Orlando Magic''' |score2='''120''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/atl-vs-orl-0052400101 Recap] |Q1=17–'''32''' |Q2='''30'''–29 |Q3='''26'''–18 |Q4=22–'''41''' |points1=Trae Young 28 |points2=Cole Anthony 26 |rebounds1=Dyson Daniels 12 |rebounds2=Franz Wagner 13 |assist1=Dyson Daniels 7 |assist2=Paolo Banchero 7 |attendance=18,846 |referee=Sean Corbin, Pat Fraher, Karl Lane, James Williams }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 15 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |TV=TNT |team1=(8) Memphis Grizzlies |score1=116 |team2=(7) '''Golden State Warriors''' |score2='''121''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-gsw-0052400121 Recap] |Q1=25–'''31''' |Q2=30–'''36''' |Q3='''36'''–27 |Q4=25–'''27''' |points1=Desmond Bane 30 |points2=LeBron James 30 |rebounds1=Zach Edey 17 |rebounds2=Anthony Davis 15 |assist1=Scotty Pippen Jr. 5 |assist2=D'Angelo Russell 8 |attendance=18,064 |referee=Bill Kennedy, Josh Tiven, Nick Buchert }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 16 |time=7:30 PM<br>{{small|(6:30 PM CDT)}} |place=United Center, Chicago, IL |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) '''Miami Heat''' |score1='''109''' |team2=(9) Chicago Bulls |score2=90 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-chi-0052400111 Recap] |Q1='''39'''–20 |Q2='''32'''–19 |Q3=17–'''27''' |Q4='''21'''–16 |points1=Tyler Herro 38 |points2=Josh Giddey 25 |rebounds1=Bam Adebayo 12 |rebounds2=Josh Giddey 10 |assist1=Davion Mitchell 9 |assist2=Coby White 5 |attendance=21,380 |referee=Zach Zarba, Curtis Blair, Justin Van Duyne, Jacyn Goble }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 16 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) '''Dallas Mavericks''' |score1='''120''' |team2=(9) Sacramento Kings |score2=106 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/dal-vs-sac-0052400131 Recap] |Q1=27–'''29''' |Q2='''44'''–19 |Q3=28–'''33''' |Q4=21–'''25''' |points1=Anthony Davis 27 |points2=DeMar DeRozan 33 |rebounds1=Davis, Washington 9 each |rebounds2=Domantas Sabonis 13 |assist1=Danté Exum 6 |assist2=Zach LaVine 9 |attendance=17,939 |referee=JB DeRosa, Marc Davis, Brian Forte, Ben Taylor }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 18 |time=7:00 PM |place=State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA |TV=TNT |team1=(10) '''Miami Heat''' |score1='''123''' |team2=(8) Atlanta Hawks |score2=114 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-atl-0052400201 Recap] |Q1='''33'''–24 |Q2=29–29 |Q3=24–24 |Q4=20–'''29''' |OT='''17'''–8 |points1=Tyler Herro 30 |points2=Trae Young 29 |rebounds1=Bam Adebayo 11 |rebounds2=Onyeka Okongwu 12 |assist1=Andrew Wiggins 8 |assist2=Trae Young 11 |attendance=17,690 |referee=James Capers, Ed Malloy, Mitchell Ervin }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 18 |time=9:30 PM<br>{{small|(8:30 PM CDT)}} |place=FedExForum, Memphis, TN |TV=ESPN |team1=(10) Dallas Mavericks |score1=106 |team2=(8) '''Memphis Grizzlies''' |score2='''120''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/dal-vs-mem-0052400211 Recap] |Q1=24–'''39''' |Q2=25-'''27''' |Q3=29–'''30''' |Q4='''28'''–24 |points1=Anthony Davis 40 |points2=Jaren Jackson Jr. 24 |rebounds1=Anthony Davis 19 |rebounds2=Zach Edey 11 |assist1=Brandon Williams 7 |assist2=Ja Morant 9 |attendance=17,794 |referee=Courtney Kirkland, David Guthrie, Sean Wright, Ray Acosta }}
=== 2026 === {{col-float}} '''Eastern Conference bracket''' {{:2025–26 NBA season|transcludesection=Eastern Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-break}} '''Western Conference bracket''' {{:2025–26 NBA season|transcludesection=Western Conference Play-in}} {{col-float-end}}
{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 14 |time=7:30 PM |place=Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |TV=Prime |team1=(10) Miami Heat |score1=126 |team2=(9) '''Charlotte Hornets''' |score2='''127''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-cha-0052500111 Recap] |Q1=24–'''26''' |Q2='''30'''–26 |Q3=29–'''37''' |Q4='''31'''–25 |OT=12–'''13''' |points1=Davion Mitchell 28 |points2=LaMelo Ball 30 |rebounds1=Kel'el Ware 19 |rebounds2=Moussa Diabaté 15 |assist1=Jaime Jaquez Jr. 8 |assist2=LaMelo Ball 10 |attendance=19,698 |referee=Zach Zarba, Curtis Blair, Gediminas Petraitis, Natalie Sago }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 14 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM MST)}} |place=Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ |TV=Prime |team1=(8) '''Portland Trail Blazers''' |score1='''114''' |team2=(7) Phoenix Suns |score2=110 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/por-vs-phx-0052500121 Recap] |Q1=31–'''33''' |Q2='''34'''–29 |Q3=18–'''20''' |Q4='''31'''–28 |points1=Deni Avdija 41 |points2=Jalen Green 35 |rebounds1=Donovan Clingan 11 |rebounds2=Royce O'Neale 8 |assist1=Deni Avdija 12 |assist2=Oso Ighodaro 6 |attendance=17,071 |referee=James Capers, Nick Buchert, Ray Acosta, Eric Dalen }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 15 |time=7:30 PM |place=Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA |TV=Prime |team1=(8) Orlando Magic |score1=97 |team2=(7) '''Philadelphia 76ers''' |score2='''109''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/orl-vs-phi-0052500101 Recap] |Q1=24–'''28''' |Q2=31–31 |Q3=19–'''20''' |Q4=23–'''30''' |points1=Desmond Bane 34 |points2=Tyrese Maxey 31 |rebounds1=Wendell Carter Jr. 11 |rebounds2=V. J. Edgecombe 11 |assist1=Banchero, Suggs 4 each |assist2=Tyrese Maxey 6 |attendance=19,746 |referee=Tony Brothers, Tyler Ford, Andy Nagy }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 15 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM PDT)}} |place=Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA |TV=Prime |team1=(10) '''Golden State Warriors''' |score1='''126''' |team2=(9) Los Angeles Clippers |score2=121 |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/gsw-vs-lac-0052500131 Recap] |Q1=22–'''31''' |Q2='''31'''–30 |Q3='''30'''–28 |Q4='''43'''–32 |points1=Stephen Curry 35 |points2=Bennedict Mathurin 23 |rebounds1=Santos, Podziemski 7 each |rebounds2=John Collins 9 |assist1=Draymond Green 9 |assist2=Kris Dunn 10 |attendance=17,927 |referee=James Williams, Ben Taylor, Karl Lane, Sean Corbin }} {{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee |date=April 17 |time=7:30 PM |place=Kia Center, Orlando, FL |TV=Prime |team1=(9) Charlotte Hornets |score1=90 |team2=(8) '''Orlando Magic''' |score2='''121''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/0052500201 Recap] |Q1=16–'''38''' |Q2=21–'''30''' |Q3=34–34 |Q4=19–19 |points1=LaMelo Ball 23 |points2=Paolo Banchero 25 |rebounds1=Moussa Diabaté 8 |rebounds2=Bane, Wagner 7 each |assist1=LaMelo Ball 5 |assist2=Banchero, Suggs, Wagner 6 each |attendance=19,005 |referee=Marat Kogut, Marc Davis, Sean Wright, Justin Van Duyne }} {{Basketballbox collapsible |date=April 17 |time={{nowrap|10:00 PM}}<br>{{small|(7:00 PM MST)}} |place=Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ |TV=Prime |team1=(10) Golden State Warriors |score1=96 |team2=(7) '''Phoenix Suns''' |score2='''111''' |report=[https://www.nba.com/game/0052500211 Recap] |Q1=15–'''33''' |Q2='''30'''–17 |Q3=24–'''28''' |Q4=27–'''33''' |points1=Brandin Podziemski 23 |points2=Jalen Green 36 |rebounds1=Brandin Podziemski 10 |rebounds2=Jordan Goodwin 9 |assist1=Draymond Green 6 |assist2=Devin Booker 8 |attendance=17,071 |referee=Aaron Smith, Scott Foster, Mitchell Ervin, Tre Maddox }}
==Media coverage== In 2020, ABC aired the only play-in game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simmons-Winter |first=Shakeemah |date=2020-08-09 |title=NBA Western Conference Play-in Game to Air on ABC Saturday, Aug. 15 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/08/nba-western-conference-play-in-game-to-air-on-abc-saturday-aug-15/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S.}}</ref>
From 2021 to 2025, the tournament rights were split between TNT and ESPN. In 2021 and 2024, televised games were determined by which conference finals each network was airing. In 2022, 2023 and 2025, TNT aired both 7–8 games, and ESPN aired both 9–10 games, but the rights for the final seed game was still determined by which conference finals each network was airing.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA Play-In Tournament 2021: Rules, dates and TV schedule|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/nba-play-tournament-2021-rules-dates-and-tv-schedule|work=NBC Sports|date=17 May 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-11 |title=NBA Play-In Tournament: How to watch, matchups, schedule |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/nba-play-in-tournament-how-to-watch-matchups-schedule/207399/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=NBC Sports Boston}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=When are the NBA playoffs? Schedule, how to watch and things to know |url=https://www.nba.com/news/2024-nba-playoffs-schedule |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>
As part of the new 11-year media deals that began in the 2025–26 season, Amazon Prime Video will broadcast all NBA play-in tournament games beginning in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA announces new 11-year media agreements |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-media-agreements-2024 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref>
In Canada, the home market of the Toronto Raptors, coverage is split approximately equally between the Sportsnet and TSN. Under their rights, the two broadcasters are allowed to produce their own feeds of Raptors games, otherwise they generally simulcast the U.S. broadcaster's feed.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.nba.com NBA] official website
{{NBA}}
Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2020 play-in tournament