NBA play-in tournament 2025: Schedule, standings, format - ESPN

Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA regular season on April 13, the play-in tournament will commence, starting on April 15 and ending on April 18, one day before the first round of the playoffs.

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

Every season since the play-in was first implemented, the race to the postseason has become even tighter.

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In the East, the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic are jostling for the No. 7 seed and the chance to host the first play-in game, while the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are neck and neck for the Nos. 9 and 10 seeds.

The West has been extremely competitive all season long, making every remaining regular-season game important. The Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and LA Clippers are locked in a race for two playoff spots. And with plenty of conference play remaining in the span of two weeks, postseason positioning seems to be anyone's to take.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and potential matchups.

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Through games of April 1.

Eastern Conference

April 8: Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. ET
April 9: Chicago Bulls vs.