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 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 |
