When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start in 2023? Date, TV schedule, format & updated standings

Jordan Greer

When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start in 2023? Date, TV schedule, format & updated standings image

The NBA's marathon season is about to become a sprint to the finish line.

With approximately 20 games remaining on each team's schedule, playoff hopefuls are jockeying for seeding. The standings are extremely tight in each conference, so a few wins or one losing streak could dramatically alter postseason odds.

Here's a breakdown of the NBA Play-In Tournament race, including the projected matchups in each conference and an explanation of the tournament format.

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When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start in 2023?

  • Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
  • NBA Playoffs: April 15

The 2022-23 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 9. The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 11.

The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 15.

NBA Play-In Tournament schedule 2023

The NBA has not yet announced the full TV schedule for the Play-In Tournament. Last year, ESPN and TNT each covered three Play-In Tournament games.

April 11

Game Time (ET) National TV
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT

April 12

Game Time (ET) National TV
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT

April 14

Game Time (ET) National TV
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT
TBD vs. TBD TBD ESPN or TNT

How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?

  • The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2023 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 2023 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.

NBA Play-In Tournament bracket 2023

NBA Play-In Tournament bracket 2022
(Getty Images)

NBA Play-In Tournament matchups 2023

(Current as of Feb. 25)

Eastern Conference

(7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks

(9) Raptors vs. (10) Wizards

Western Conference

(7) Timberwolves vs. (8) Pelicans

(9) Warriors vs. (10) Jazz

NBA standings 2023

(Current as of Feb. 25)

Eastern Conference

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Celtics 43-17
2. Bucks 42-17 0.5
3. 76ers 39-19 3
4. Cavaliers 38-25 6.5
5. Nets 34-25 8.5
6. Knicks 34-27 9.5
7. Heat 32-28 11
8. Hawks 30-30 13
9. Raptors 30-31 13.5
10. Wizards 28-31 14.5
Bulls 27-33 16
Pacers 26-35 17.5
Magic 25-35 18
Hornets 18-43 25.5
Pistons 15-46 28.5

Western Conference

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Nuggets 42-18
2. Grizzlies 35-23 6
3. Kings 34-25 7.5
4. Suns 33-28 9.5
5. Clippers 33-29 10
6. Mavericks 32-29 10.5
7. Timberwolves 31-31 12
8. Pelicans 30-30 12
9. Warriors 30-30 12
10. Jazz 30-31 12.5
Thunder 28-31 13.5
Trail Blazers 28-31 13.5
Lakers 28-32 14
Spurs 14-46 28
Rockets 13-46 28.5

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.