NBA play-in tournament explained: How does the new playoff system work?

When the NBA play-in tournament got introduced in 2021, few people might have predicted it would attract the traction it does today. It is one of the most anticipated events in the National Basketball Association season, and many fans love it. Players and teams are equally thrilled to participate in the tournament.

The tournament is usually held before the NBA Playoffs. It is a perfect platform for players to showcase their skills and talents. However, many people still struggle to understand how the event works. So, how many games are in the NBA play-in? In this article, we have the NBA play-in tournament explained, including its importance, format, schedules, and what to expect in 2023.

How does the NBA play-in tournament work

The play-in event features eight teams (four from each conference) playing for a place in the playoff. The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed an automatic slot in the playoff, but the other four battle out in the play-in.

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When did the NBA play-in tournament start?

The tournament began in June 2020, following the disruption of the world's activities by the Covid19 pandemic. The first-ever matches were played in the 2019-2020 season. Since then, NBA has hosted the tournament.

How many games are in the NBA play-in tournament?

The play-in tournament consists of six games. While teams ranked 1-6 in the Eastern and Western Conferences are already granted a spot in the playoffs, the ones in position 7-10 are left to fight for the remaining slots. Meanwhile, playoffs consist of eight teams in each conference.

NBA play-in tournament seeds

According to the NBA play-in tournament bracket, teams seeded 7-10 based on their performance during a regular season meet to determine the two proceeding to the playoffs. Below is a breakdown of how the teams play in the pre-playoff event.

Game 1: No. 7 vs No.8

In the first game, the seventh-seeded team meets the eighth, with the winner automatically advancing to the playoffs. The winner then plays the second-seeded in their conference in the first game of the playoff.

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Game 2: No. 9 vs No. 10

In game two, the number 9 ranked team plays the tenth seeded. The loser automatically gets eliminated and heads into the NBA draft lottery, while the winner faces the loser in the first game.

Game 3: Loser of No. 7/8 vs Winner of No. 9/10

In game three, the loser in the first game meets the winner in the second fixture. The team that wins here proceeds to the playoffs and will meet the number 1 seed from their conference.

When does the NBA play-in tournament start?

The 2023 and third edition of the event is scheduled on 10 April and will end on 14 April. It will determine the final two playoff spots in the Eastern and Western Conference regions.

NBA play-in tournament 2023

According to the NBA standings as of 1 February 2023, the Boston Celtics (Eastern), and Denver Nuggets (Western) were top of their respective conferences. Teams expected to participate in the play-in event include Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, and the Utah Jazz.

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Is the NBA play-in tournament permanent?

The National Basketball Association Board of Governors declared the event permanent in July 2022 following a successful trial run. Previously, the tournament only got approved on a year-to-year basis. It will now be a permanent fixture in the calendar of the league.

NBA play-in tournament pros and cons

You probably may be wondering whether the pre-playoff tournament is a good idea. It is an event enjoyed by players, fans, and the NBA board. Here are the pros and cons of the event.

Pros

• It is an income-generating business for NBA.
• The event provides an exciting atmosphere as teams battle for a place in the playoff.
• It is a perfect platform for young talents to get exposed and showcase their talents.
• More matches are an advantage for fans who get entertained before the playoff.

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Cons

• Quite unfair because a team that finished seventh in a regular season could get knocked by a team that finished 10th.
• NBA teams battling to finish sixth or tenth in the league rarely rest players despite the crowded schedule. They aim to avoid falling below the positions.
• Often teams joining the playoffs from the play-in tournament get exhausted and face sides that have probably rested enough.

The advantages of the NBA play-in tournament outweigh the disadvantages. It is comparable to the UEFA Europa League of soccer, which hosts teams that fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League from their domestic competitions. Fortunately, the pre-playoff event will continue for many more years after the NBA board gave it a clean bill of health.

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