It's win-or-go-home time for the Pacers and Wizards.
The Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed will be on the line Thursday when Indiana and Washington meet at Capital One Arena. The Pacers are feeling good about their chances after crushing the Hornets in their first play-in game, while the Wizards are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing performance against the Celtics.
MORE: NBA play-in tournament, explained
Which team will earn the right to face the top-seeded 76ers in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs?
Here is everything you need to know to watch Pacers vs. Wizards, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Thursday's game.
What channel is Pacers vs. Wizards on?
- Date: Thursday, May 20
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Pacers vs. Wizards will be broadcast live on TNT. You can also live-stream the game via Watch TNT or the Watch TNT app.
Pacers vs. Wizards start time
- Date: Thursday, May 20
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Pacers vs. Wizards will be the only play-in game held on Thursday. The final Western Conference play-in game will be held Friday and broadcast on ESPN.
NBA play-in tournament format
- The play-in tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2021 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 2021 NBA playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
May 18
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wizards vs. Celtics | 9 p.m. | TNT |
May 19
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
May 20
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Pacers vs. Wizards | 8 p.m. | TNT |
May 21
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Grizzlies vs. Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
