The 2024-25 NBA postseason is officially here – with play-in games set to tip off this week after a nail-biting contest in the West.
Entering the final week, there was a five-way tie in the Western Conference standings – almost unheard of.
The standings in the West went down to the absolute wire – an OT showdown between the Warriors and the Clippers. After a standout performance from both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, LAC won out and punched themselves a ticket to face the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
After Sunday, 12 teams have guaranteed playoff spots and four of the eight first-round matchups are already known. These are: Knicks vs. Pistons and Pacers vs. Bucks in the East and Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Nuggets vs. Clippers in the West. The Magic, Hawks, Bulls and Heat are competing in the East’s Play-In Tournament, whilst the Warriors, Grizzlies, Kings and Mavericks are the West’s Play-In teams.
Play-In Tournament Schedule
Tuesday
• (7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)• (7) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
The winners advance to the playoffs as the No. 7 seeds; the losers will play again on Friday.
Wednesday
• (9) Chicago Bulls vs. (10) Miami Heat (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)• (9) Sacramento Kings vs. (10) Dallas Mavericks (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The winners will play again Friday for a shot at the No. 8 seeds; the losers will be eliminated.
Friday
• East 7/8 loser vs. East 9/10 winner (Time TBD)• West 7/8 loser vs. West 9/10 winner (Time TBD)
The winners advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seeds; the losers will be eliminated.
How Does the Tournament Work?
The NBA says:
Each conference’s No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team. The winners secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losers will get another chance to earn a playoff spot.
Each conference’s No. 9 team in the standings will host the No. 10 team. The winners will advance to the final stage of the Play-In Tournament. The losers are eliminated.
The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups. The winners secure the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs for its conference. The losing teams are eliminated.
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