NBA Play-In Tournament stats, explained: Do Play-In performances impact regular season, NBA Playoff numbers?

Jordan Greer

NBA Play-In Tournament stats, explained: Do Play-In performances impact regular season, NBA Playoff numbers? image

The NBA introduced the Play-In Tournament just last year, but basketball fans have already seen quite a few impressive showings in a limited number of Play-In games.

LeBron James had a triple-double and hit a game-winning 3-pointer, and Jayson Tatum exploded for 50 points in 2021. On Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving drained his first 12 shots on his way to 34 points in the Nets' win over the Cavaliers. Cleveland guard Darius Garland matched Irving with 34 points of his own.

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And yet, when it comes to bookkeeping, the impressive statistics from these games are floating off to the side. Rather than falling under the regular season or postseason umbrella, Play-In numbers exist in their own category.

Why NBA Play-In Tournament stats don't impact regular season, NBA Playoff numbers

The NBA Play-In Tournament takes place "after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs," per NBA.com. Play-In Tournament stats can't be applied to the regular season because it has already concluded, but they also aren't added to postseason totals because Play-In teams haven't officially qualified for the NBA Playoffs.

So, where can one find Play-In Tournament statistics? On NBA.com, stats are broken down by "Season Type." Under that filter, numbers can be sorted by preseason, regular season, playoffs, All-Star and Play-In.

NBA Play-In Tournament stats 2022

(Current through April 12 games)

Points per game

Rank Player PPG
1. Darius Garland 34.0
2. Kyrie Irving 34.0
3. Paul George 34.0
4. Anthony Edwards 30.0
5. D'Angelo Russell 29.0

Rebounds per game

Rank Player RPG
1. Kevin Love 13.0
2. Patrick Beverley 11.0
3. Jarred Vanderbilt 10.0
4. Bruce Brown 9.0
5. Ivica Zubac 9.0

Assists per game

Rank Player APG
1. Kyrie Irving 12.0
2. Kevin Durant 11.0
3. Rajon Rondo 9.0
4. Bruce Brown 8.0
5. Caris LeVert 7.0

NBA Play-In Tournament all-time leaders

(per ESPN's Kevin Pelton)

Total points

Rank Player Points
1. Ja Morant 90
2. Stephen Curry 76
3. Dillon Brooks 58
4. Jonas Valanciunas 54
5. Jayson Tatum 50

Total rebounds

Rank Player Rebounds
1. Jonas Valanciunas 52
2. Domantas Sabonis 32
3. Draymond Green 25
4. Kyle Anderson 22
5. Russell Westbrook 22

Total assists

Rank Player Assists
1. Russell Westbrook 20
2. Ja Morant 20
3. Domantas Sabonis 19
4. Draymond Green 18
5. Kyle Anderson 17

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.