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The NBA’s play-in tournament is set to start this week, as eight teams will battle to secure the final four spots in the 2024 NBA playoffs.
Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA’s postseason to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the 7- through 10-seeds enter the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
This season’s play-in tournament race was tight, going down to the final day of the season, as teams jockeyed to get homecourt advantage in the play-in, or avoid it altogether.
In the East, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic won on Sunday to secure a top-six spot, sending the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat to the play-in.
In the West, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers won to drop the New Orleans Pelicans into the play-in and set up a rematch between the two teams on Tuesday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and matchups.
MORE: Which teams are in the 2024 playoffs?
Eastern Conference
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Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET: No. 8 Heat at No. 7 76ers
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Wednesday: 9:30 p.m. ET: No. 10 Hawks at No. 9 Bulls
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Friday: Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
Western Conference
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Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET: No. 8 Lakers at No. 7 Pelicans
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Tuesday, 10 p.m. PT: No. 10 Warriors at No. 9 Kings
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Friday: Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
Sunday’s results
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 teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while team Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the NBA draft lottery.
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 Friday’s Game 3s.
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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 (Friday): 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.
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