2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule and how does it work?

ByRocky Guha Updated on

The 2025 NBA play-in tournament is scheduled to begin on April 15 to 18 host on ESPN, and TNT TV channel then the playoffs first round begin on April 19. The league has not made any changes from last year’s Play-In Tournament rules. Here is everything you can watch.

What is the play-in tournament?

The NBA play-in tournament is a new tournament for the 7th through 10th seeded teams to earn the 7th and 8th seed in the playoffs. The 7th vs 8th seed winner will earn the 7th and the loses will play against the 9th vs 10th seeded team to clinch the 8th seed in each conference.

When is the 2025 NBA’s play-in tournament?

The 2025 SoFi NBA play-in tournament is scheduled to begin after the regular season on Tuesday, April 15, and ends on Friday, April 18.

2025 NBA play-in tournament’s seeds

Eastern Conference:

  1. Orlando Magic
  2. Atlanta Hawks
  3. Miami Heat
  4. Chicago Bulls

Western Conference:

  1. Dallas Mavericks
  2. Minnesota Timberwolves
  3. Sacramento Kings
  4. Phoenix Suns

2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule

Tuesday, April 15

TBD at TBD
TBD at TBD

Wednesday, April 16

TBD at TBD
TBD at TBD

Thursday, April 17

TBD at TBD
TBD at TBD

Friday, April 18

TBD at TBD
TBD at TBD

How does the 2025 NBA play-in tournament format work?

The top 1-6 ranked NBA teams in each conference that finish with the highest winning percentages in the regular season games will directly earn the playoff spot. And 7-10th No. teams in each conference need to stay for the play-in to earn the playoff spot.

The 7th spot team by winning percentage in each conference will host the 8th seed and the winner will earn the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and the losing team will have another opportunity again against the winner of the 9th vs 10th seed team.

The 9th spot team by winning percentage in each conference will host the 10th seed. The losing team will be eliminated and the winner has to play game 3 against the loser of the 7th vs 8th spot.

The loser of the 7th spot vs 8th spot will play game 3 against the winner of the 9th spot vs 10th spot team of both conferences and the losing team will be out of the playoffs race and enter the lottery. The 9th/10th spot team needs to win two straight games to earn the postseason.

It means the losing team from the 7th vs 8th matchup of both conferences will not be eliminated directly from the playoffs race. The winner of the 7th vs 8th will clinch the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and the loser of the 7th/8th team vs the winner of the 9th/10th team will earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.

When will the 2025 Playoffs begin?

The 2025 NBA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 19, and end tentatively on June 22.