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Is the NBA Play-In Tournament single elimination? Explaining format for Warriors, others to clinch final playoff spots
TL;DR
The NBA Play-In Tournament determines the final playoff spots for the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference, involving teams ranked Nos. 7-10. Unlike a single-elimination format, it provides advantages to higher seeds while allowing lower seeds opportunities for upsets.
Is the NBA Play-In Tournament single elimination? Explaining format for Warriors, others to clinch final playoff spots originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA playoffs are about to begin, but first, both the Eastern and Western conferences must decide their final two seeds. As has been the case for the past several seasons, the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference will be determined by a play-in tournament this week. The teams ranked Nos. 7–10 in both the East and the West still have a chance to make the playoffs, although they will need to do some extra work to get there.
The NBA Play-In Tournament is not the typical single-elimination format that leagues use to decide who moves on to the next round. Instead, the format gives the higher seeds advantages, while still allowing lower seeds a chance to pull off upsets.
Here's a look at how the NBA Play-In Tournament breaks down this year.
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Is the NBA Play-In Tournament single elimination?
The NBA Play-In Tournament is more complex than a simple single-elimination tournament. Four teams enter with a single-elimination mindset, while four others have more leeway under a double-elimination format.
In both conferences, the teams ranked Nos. 7 and 8 in the standings will play one game against each other, with the winner claiming the No. 7 seed. Additionally, the teams ranked Nos. 9 and 10 will face off, with the loser eliminated from playoff contention.
From there, the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game and the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game will play to decide the final playoff spot.
Overall, in each conference, there are three games — two of which are elimination games and two of which determine the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.
MORE: When do the NBA playoffs start?
NBA Play-In Tournament format
Eastern Conference
- No. 7 vs. No. 8
- No. 9 vs. No. 10
- No. 7/8 Loser vs. No. 9/10 winner
Western Conference
- No. 7 Suns vs. No. 8 Clippers/Blazers
- No. 9 Clippers/Blazers vs. No. 10 Warriors
- No. 7/8 Loser vs. No. 9/10 winner
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NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
No. 8 at No. 7
- **Date:**Tuesday, April 21
- **Time:**7:30 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
No. 10 at No. 9
- Date: Wednesday, April 22
- **Time:**7:30 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
- Date: Friday, April 24
- **Time:**7:30 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
Western Conference
No. 8 at No. 7 Phoenix Suns
- Date: Tuesday, April 21
- **Time:**10:00 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
No. 10 Golden State Warriors at No. 9
- Date: Wednesday, April 22
- **Time:**10:00 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8
- Date: Friday, 24
- **Time:**10:00 p.m. ET
- **Channel:**Amazon
Q&A
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament format work for 2023?
The tournament involves teams ranked Nos. 7-10 in each conference, where the higher seeds have advantages, allowing them to secure playoff spots through a series of games rather than a single elimination.
What teams are participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament this year?
The teams participating are the No. 7 to No. 10 seeds from both the Eastern and Western conferences, which will be determined as the regular season concludes.
What are the implications of the NBA Play-In Tournament for playoff seeding?
The tournament affects playoff seeding by determining the final two playoff spots in each conference, impacting which teams advance and their matchups in the first round of the playoffs.
