When do the NBA Playoffs start in 2022? Key dates, schedule, updated standings & more to know

Jordan Greer

When do the NBA Playoffs start in 2022? Key dates, schedule, updated standings & more to know image

The 2022 NBA Playoffs are here. While lottery teams are hoping to land one of the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, postseason contenders are ready to fight for the Larry O'Brien trophy.

The Suns are the team to beat in the Western Conference after they racked up 64 wins during the regular season. Phoenix could face formidable foes such as the Grizzlies and Warriors as it seeks to reach the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.

MORE: How 2022 NBA Playoffs can impact legacies of Chris Paul, James Harden and other stars

Over in the Eastern Conference, the Heat will enter the bracket as the No. 1 seed, but they are far from an overwhelming favorite. The Bucks, Celtics and 76ers all have talented rosters and are hoping to make deep runs.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

When do the NBA Playoffs start?

  • Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
  • NBA Playoffs: April 16

The 2021-22 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 10. The 2022 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 12. The first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 16.

How will the NBA Playoffs work?

  • The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
  • Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
  • Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
  • The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
  • Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.

NBA Playoff schedule 2022

April 16

Game Time (ET) National TV (US)
Jazz vs. Mavericks 1 p.m. ESPN
Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies 3:30 p.m. ESPN
Raptors vs. 76ers 6 p.m. ESPN
Nuggets vs. Warriors 8:30 p.m. ABC

April 17

Game Time (ET) National TV (US)
Hawks vs. Heat 1 p.m. TNT
Nets vs. Celtics 3:30 p.m. ABC
Bulls vs. Bucks 6:30 p.m. TNT
Pelicans vs. Suns 9 p.m. TNT

NBA standings 2022: Eastern Conference

Seed Team Record Games back
1. Heat* 53-29
2. Celtics* 51-31 2
3. Bucks* 51-31 2
4. 76ers* 51-31 2
5. Raptors* 48-34 5
6. Bulls* 46-36 7
7. Nets** 44-38 9
8. Cavaliers** 44-38 9
9. Hawks** 43-39 10
10. Hornets** 43-39 10
Knicks 37-45 16
Wizards 35-47 18
Pacers 25-57 28
Pistons 23-59 30
Magic 22-60 31

*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched NBA Play-In berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Knicks, Magic, Pacers, Pistons, Wizards

NBA standings 2022: Western Conference

Seed Team Record Games back
1. Suns* 64-18
2. Grizzlies* 56-26 8
3. Warriors* 53-29 11
4. Mavericks* 52-30 12
5. Jazz* 49-33 15
6. Nuggets* 48-34 16
7. Timberwolves** 46-36 18
8. Clippers** 42-40 22
9. Pelicans** 36-46 28
10. Spurs** 34-48 30
Lakers 33-49 31
Kings 30-52 34
Trail Blazers 27-55 37
Thunder 24-58 40
Rockets 20-62 44

*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched NBA Play-In berth

Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Kings, Lakers, Rockets, Thunder, Trail Blazers

 NBA Play-In Tournament, Playoff bracket 2022

NBA Playoff Bracket 2022
(NBA.com)

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.