The ‘play-in’ is a relatively new competitive playoff format that allows eight teams to compete for the last available playoff spots, the playoff cycle.
It takes place after the regular season but before the playoffs, with the aim of giving more excitement and competition to the final stretch of the season.
The NBA implemented this ‘play-in’ format provisionally in 2019-20, a season marked by the pandemic and the “bubble” created to continue with the championship. The ‘experiment’ was repeated for the next two seasons and is now fixed.
How does it work?
It is used to designate the last two playoff qualifiers from each of the conferences. It involves 8 teams: the 4 ranked between 7th and 10th place in the regular season of each of the conferences, competing separately in East and West.
The teams ranked between seventh and tenth place in the standings play. Two series are held before a direct elimination match. The first game is between the seventh and eighth; the second, between the ninth and the tenth.
The winner of the game between seventh and eighth place gets automatic qualification for the playoffs. The loser gets a second chance in another match against the winner of the 9th-10th place match. The winner of this last game becomes the eighth seed in the playoffs.
When is celebrated?
They will be held between Tuesday, April 11, and Friday, April 14, 2023. In four days we will know the teams that will complete the playoff draw.
The playoffs are the knockout tournament in the NBA. It will start on Saturday April 15 and will last until June.
The Miami Heat face the Atlanta Hawks and the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves. On the other side of the field, the Toronto Raptors are playing the Chicago Bulls and the Pelicans are vying for the pass with Oklahoma.
The entrance What is the ‘play-in’ of the NBA? It was first published in EFE Noticias.