Not every NBA team reaches the playoffs by finishing in the top six. The Play-In Tournament decides the last two spots in each conference, and it has become a regular part of the NBA season. Here is how it works.
Who plays in the Play-In Tournament?
Eight teams take part each year: the teams that finish seventh to tenth in the Eastern Conference and in the Western Conference. The top six in each conference qualify directly for the playoffs, and the remaining two spots per conference are decided by the Play-In.
How the games are played
The seventh seed hosts the eighth seed, and the ninth seed hosts the tenth seed. The winner of the 7 versus 8 game earns the seventh seed. The loser of the 9 versus 10 game is eliminated.
The final Play-In game
The loser of the 7 versus 8 game hosts the winner of the 9 versus 10 game. The winner of that game becomes the eighth seed, and the loser is eliminated. This means the teams that finish seventh and eighth get two chances to win one game, while the ninth and tenth seeds must win twice.
A simple example
Suppose a conference’s seventh seed loses to the eighth seed. The seventh seed is not out, because it still hosts the winner of the 9 versus 10 game. If it wins that game, it takes the eighth seed. If the tenth seed had to win its first game and then win again on the road, that shows how much harder the path is for lower seeds.
How long does it last?
The Play-In runs for four days right after the regular season ends, and all games are single-elimination. The 2026 edition ran from 14 to 17 April, with the first round of the playoffs starting the next day.
Where did the Play-In come from?
The idea was used in the 2020 bubble season and became permanent from the 2020-21 season. It was approved on a full-time basis ahead of 2022-23. The playoffs themselves still include 16 teams.
Why it matters
The format rewards a strong regular season, because higher seeds get an extra chance. It also keeps more teams in the race late in the year, so games in April carry more weight.
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