The 2022-23 NBA season has come to a close and the NBA Playoffs are on deck.
Before we get to the NBA Playoffs, the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds are still to be determined in both conferences as teams duke it out in the Play-In Tournament.
The NBA introduced the current version of the Play-In Tournament back in 2021, making this the third-annual postseason event.
In its inaugural season, we saw one upset in the Play-In Tournament with the No. 9-ranked Grizzlies claiming the No. 8 seed in the West over the No. 8-ranked Warriors.
In last year's Play-In Tournament, we saw two upsets, with the No. 9-ranked Hawks defeating the No. 8-ranked Cavaliers and the No. 9-ranked Pelicans defeating the No. 8-ranked Clippers to grab the No. 8 seeds in their respective conferences.
Are you still trying to understand how the new NBA Play-In Tournament works? The Sporting News has you covered with answers to your questions below.
MORE: Standings, seeding scenarios ahead of 2023 NBA Playoffs, Play-In Tournament
How many rounds are in the NBA Play-In Tournament?
There are a maximum of two rounds in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Only the winner of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 Game will play one round. The loser of that game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 Game will face off in a second round for the No. 8 seed.
You can find the full breakdown of how the NBA Play-In Tournament works below.
- 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
When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start?
- Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
- NBA Playoffs: April 15
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 matchups 2023
Eastern Conference
(7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
(9) Raptors vs. (10) Bulls
Western Conference
(7) Lakers vs. (8) Timberwolves
(9) Pelicans vs. (10) Thunder
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
Tuesday, April 11
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Heat vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Lakers vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Wednesday, April 12
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Raptors vs. Bulls | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Pelicans vs. Thunder | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Friday, April 14
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Loser of ATL-MIA vs. Winner of TOR-CHI | 7 or 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Loser of LAL-MIN vs. Winner of NOP-OKC | 9:30 or 10 p.m. | ESPN |
