NBA play-in tournament 2024: Schedule, projections, standings - ESPN

The NBA's play-in tournament is set to start at the conclusion of the regular season, adding another layer to this final stretch of games as teams try to position themselves for a potential postseason push.

Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA's postseason to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the 7- through 10-seeds enter the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.

This season's play-in tournament race is tight, as teams try to avoid the play-in altogether while others are hoping for at least one more shot at a playoff spot.

In the West, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are being chased down by the Houston Rockets, who are only two games behind the Dubs for the final play-in spot. In the East, the Brooklyn Nets still have a distant shot of cracking the top 10, while the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are trying to chase down the Indiana Pacers for the sixth spot to avoid the play-in entirely.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and potential matchups.

MORE: Players/coaches with the most to lose

Through games of March 31.

<inline1-left></inline1-left>

<inline1-right></inline1-right>

Nets at Pacers, 7 p.m. ET

Hawks at Bulls, 8 p.m. ET

Suns at Pelicans, 8 p.m. ET

Lakers at Raptors, 7 p.m. ET

Thunder at 76ers, 7:30 p.m. ET

Knicks at Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET

Rockets at Timberwolves, 8 p.m. ET

Clippers at Kings, 10 p.m. ET

Mavericks at Warriors, 10 p.m. ET

Here's a glance at how the 2024 play-in tournament would look if the season ended today.

Eastern Conference

No. 8 76ers