NBA play-in tournament 2022 - Schedule, projections and rules explained

As the NBA's 2021-22 regular season draws to a conclusion on April 10, teams near the middle of the standings are battling for postseason seeding with a special focus on the league's play-in tournament.

Held before the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the play-in tournament adds an exciting wrinkle to the end of the regular season. Teams were already less incentivized to tank games down the stretch because of the flattened lottery odds instituted in 2019. Now that the top 10 teams in the standings will finish the regular season with at least a chance to make the playoffs, more franchises will stay in the mix for longer.

The play-in tournament will be held April 12-15.

Here's everything you need to know about the setup this season.

MORE: Current NBA standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Entering Sunday, here's how the play-in standings look in the East:

5. Toronto Raptors: 45-32, 2.5 games ahead of 7th 6. Chicago Bulls: 45-33, 2 GA --- 7. Cleveland Cavaliers: 43-35, 2 games ahead of 8th 8. Atlanta Hawks, 41-37, 2 GB 9. Charlotte Hornets: 40-38, 3 GB 10. Brooklyn Nets, 40-38, 3 GB

All the teams below Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference (Washington, New York, Indiana, Detroit, Orlando) have officially been eliminated from play-in contention. Additionally, Charlotte and Brooklyn have been eliminated from contention for sixth place, meaning the Hornets and Nets will be in the play-in round. The Cavs and Hawks can get up to sixth and avoid the play-in round.

Here's how the play-in games would look if the season ended today:

No. 8 Hawks at No. 7 Cavaliers

No. 10 Nets at No. 9 Hornets

Here are the games Sunday with the potential to impact the play-in standings:

76ers at Cavaliers, 6 p.m. ET

Heat at Raptors, 7 p.m. ET

WESTERN