2025 NBA Play-In Tournament: schedule, matchups, and playoff format

The 2024–25 NBA regular season is entering its final stretch, and with it, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Several teams have already clinched their spots in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, while others are bracing for the high-stakes Play-in Tournament.

How does the NBA Play-in Tournament work?

The top six teams in each conference qualify directly for the playoffs. Teams ranked 7th through 10th enter the Play-in Tournament, where they’ll battle for the final two spots.

• The regular season ends April 13
• The Play-in Tournament runs from April 15 to April 18
• The first round of the playoffs begins April 19

This is how the playoffs would be played until April 7th, if the regular season ended today:

Western Conference playoffs

Western Play-In Tournament

Bracket 1: (8) Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers (7) | The winner of this key would advance directly to the playoffs as the definitive number 7, while the loser would face the winner of the 9th and 10th place keys

Bracket 2: (10)Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks (9) | The winner of this bracket would face the loser of the bracket between 7 and 8 (for the final 8th spot), while the loser is eliminated from the postseason

Western Conference Playoffs

(8) Play In Group 2 Game Winner | vs. | Oklahoma City Thunder (1)

(7) Play In Group 1 Game Winner | vs. | Houston Rockets (2)

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves | vs. | Los Angeles Lakers (3)

(5)Golden State Warriors | vs. | Denver Nuggets (4)

*The brackets will be updated as the results of each matchday become known.

Eastern Conference playoffs

Play-In Tournament in the East

Bracket 1: (8) Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic (7) | The winner of this key would advance directly to the playoffs as the final number 7, while the loser would face the winner of the 9th and 10th seed keys

Bracket 2: (10) Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls (9) | The winner of this bracket would face the loser of bracket 7-8 (for the final 8th spot), while the loser is eliminated from the postseason

Eastern Playoffs

(8) Play In Group 2 Game Winner | vs. | Cleveland Cavaliers (1)

(7) Play In Group 1 Game Winner | vs. | Boston Celtics (2)

(6) Detroit Pistons | vs. | New York Knicks (3)

(5)Milwaukee Bucks | vs. | Indiana Pacers (4)

Note: All matchups are based on current standings and will be updated as results come in during the final week of regular-season action.

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