NBA Play-In Tournament 2025: Full Schedule, Bracket, Standings & How It Works
The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament is almost here. Before the NBA Playoffs start, teams ranked 7th to 10th in each conference will fight for the last two spots. Every game will be a win-or-go-home battle, making this one of the most exciting events of the season.
The Play-In Tournament became a regular part of the NBA in 2022. It gives teams another chance to make the playoffs while adding more drama to the postseason race. Some teams will fight to keep their season alive, while others only need one win to advance.
This year’s tournament runs from April 15 to April 18, right after the regular season ends on April 13. The winners will join the top six teams in each conference in the NBA Playoffs, which begin on April 19. Here’s what you need to know, including the schedule, format, standings, bracket and how to watch.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA Play-In Tournament decides the final two playoff teams from each conference. The teams that finish 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th in the standings will compete for a spot in the postseason.
The 7th and 8th seeds get an advantage because they only need one win to make the playoffs. The 9th and 10th seeds must win two games to qualify. Teams that lose twice are eliminated.
This format keeps the playoff race alive until the last game of the season. It makes every matchup meaningful, giving fans intense, high-stakes basketball before the first round of the playoffs even begins.
When is the 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA Play-In Tournament takes place from April 15 to April 18, 2025. It starts right after the regular season ends on April 13 and wraps up just before the NBA Playoffs begin on April 19.
Four days of action will determine the final teams in the playoffs. Every game will be critical, with some teams fighting for survival and others just needing one win to advance.
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
Here’s the complete schedule for the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament:
| Date | Game | Matchup | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 15 | Game 1 | East 7 vs. East 8 | Winner gets No. 7 seed |
| April 15 | Game 2 | West 7 vs. West 8 | Winner gets No. 7 seed |
| April 16 | Game 3 | East 9 vs. East 10 | Loser is eliminated |
| April 16 | Game 4 | West 9 vs. West 10 | Loser is eliminated |
| April 18 | Game 5 | Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 3 (East) | Winner gets No. 8 seed |
| April 18 | Game 6 | Loser of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 4 (West) | Winner gets No. 8 seed |
By April 18, the final NBA Playoff teams will be set. The postseason will officially begin the next day.
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Standings
Here’s how the standings look as of March 10, 2025:
Eastern Conference
- Atlanta Hawks (30-34) – 7th seed
- Orlando Magic (30-35) – 8th seed
- Miami Heat (29-34) – 9th seed
- Chicago Bulls (26-38) – 10th seed
Western Conference
- Minnesota Timberwolves (37-29) – 7th seed
- LA Clippers (35-29) – 8th seed
- Sacramento Kings (33-30) – 9th seed
- Dallas Mavericks (32-33) – 10th seed
These rankings will change as teams play their final games in the regular season.
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket
If the season ended today (10/03/2025), the Play-In matchups would be:
Eastern Conference
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic – Winner gets No. 7 seed
- Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls – Loser is eliminated
- Loser of Hawks vs. Magic vs. Winner of Heat vs. Bulls – Winner gets No. 8 seed
Western Conference
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Clippers – Winner gets No. 7 seed
- Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks – Loser is eliminated
- Loser of Timberwolves vs. Clippers vs. Winner of Kings vs. Mavericks – Winner gets No. 8 seed
How Does the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
The seventh and eighth seeds in each conference play on April 15. The winners of these games secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losers get another chance to qualify.
On April 16, the ninth and tenth seeds face off. The losing teams are eliminated, while the winners move on to the next round.
The final Play-In games on April 18 decide the No. 8 seed in each conference. The losers of the 7-8 matchups take on the winners of the 9-10 matchups. The winners advance to the playoffs, and the losers are eliminated.
How to Watch the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament
Fans can watch the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament live on ESPN and TNT. Those with cable subscriptions can stream the games through the ESPN app and TNT app by logging in with their provider.
For cord-cutters, streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV offer both ESPN and TNT. Many of these services provide free trials, so fans may be able to watch without paying.
International viewers can follow the games on NBA League Pass. Canadian fans can watch on TSN and Sportsnet, while fans in the UK can tune in on Sky Sports. Australian viewers can stream the tournament on Kayo Sports.
When Do the 2025 NBA Playoffs Start?
The NBA Playoffs begin on April 19, just one day after the Play-In Tournament ends. The first round will start immediately. The conference semifinals begin on May 5-6, and the NBA Finals start on June 5.
When is the NBA Finals 2025?
The NBA Finals will begin on June 5, with all games airing on ABC. The series follows the best-of-seven format, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for June 23.
The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament will be a must-watch event. Some teams will fight to keep their season alive, while others will try to lock in their playoff spot with one win.