Before the 2024 NBA playoffs officially start on April 20, four teams from each conference will participate in a play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seeds in their respective conferences.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament:
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA Board of Governors approved the adoption of the NBA Play-In Tournament on a full-time basis back in July 2022. In the 2023-24 NBA season, the Play-In Tournament will take place April 16-19, 2024, between the last day of the regular season on April 14 and the start of the playoffs on April 20.
The tournament includes the four teams with the seventh to tenth best winning percentages in the Eastern and Western Conferences. After six games, the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference will be determined for the NBA Playoffs.
When is the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament?
The 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Friday, April 19.
2024 NBA Play-In Tournament Standings
Here’s how the NBA Play-In Tournament race looks today*:
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Check out our NBA standings for up-to-the-minute updates.
* As of 2/27/2024
2024 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
April 16
- Play-In Game 1: East 7 seed vs. East 8 seed
- Play-In Game 2: West 7 seed vs. West 8 seed
April 17
- Play-In Game 3: East 9 seed vs. East 10 seed
- Play-In Game 4: West 9 seed vs. West 10 seed
April 19
- Play-In Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 3
- Play-In Game 6: Loser of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 4
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
The seventh and eighth seeds in each conference will play in the first play-in games on April 16, and the ninth and tenth seeds in each conference will play on April 17. The winners of the 7-8 games will advance to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. The losers of the 7-8 games will face the winners of the 9-10 games on April 19, with the No. 8 seed on the line. The team that loses will be disqualified from playoff contention.
The losers of the 9-10 games are disqualified from playoff contention.
Essentially, the teams that finish seventh and eighth in their conference after the NBA season get two chances to earn a spot in the NBA playoffs.
How can I watch the NBA Play-In Tournament?
All six games of the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT.
When are the 2024 NBA Playoffs?
- April 16-19: NBA play-in tournament (ESPN, TNT)
- April 20: NBA playoffs 2023 first round begin (ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV)
- May 6-7: NBA conference semifinals begin (ABC, ESPN, TNT)
- May 21-22: NBA conference finals begin (ABC, ESPN, TNT)
- June 6: NBA Finals begin (ABC)
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