The 2023-24 season has come to an end and the postseason is here.
Before fully shifting focus to the NBA Playoffs, however, there is still seeding to be determined. For the fifth year, that will happen through the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Introduced in part during the NBA Restart in 2020, the Play-In Tournament evolved into its current iteration following the 2020-21 season. With six games played over four days, the tournament determines the 7 and 8 seeds in each conference to finalize the playoffs bracket.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work? Here is a look at the participating teams, schedule, and more information for this year's tournament.
MORE: TSN's Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held between the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season and the beginning of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The top six seeds in each conference automatically clinch a playoff berth. Teams seeded seven through 10 in each conference will enter the Play-In Tournament.
- Each conference's 7 seed hosts the 8 seed. The winner of that game earns the No. 7 seed in the NBA Playoffs. The loser has one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's 9 seed hosts the 10 seed. The winner of that game advances to face the loser of the 7-vs-8 game. The loser of the 9-vs-10 games is eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser from the 7-vs-8 game hosts the winner of the 9-vs-10 game, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in the NBA Playoffs. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.
- At the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament, the 2024 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format of best-of-seven series through the NBA Finals.
When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start?
- Play-In Tournament: April 16-19
- NBA Playoffs: April 20
The 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 16. The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs begins four days later on Saturday, April 20.
NBA Play-In Tournament bracket 2024
The @SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament schedule ⬇️
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 14, 2024
Dates: April 16-19
At stake: Seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference
Participants: Teams that finished seventh through 10th in each conference pic.twitter.com/Tfc79TpW4Y
NBA Play-In Tournament matchups 2024
Eastern Conference
(7) 76ers vs. (8) Heat
(9) Bulls vs. (10) Hawks
Western Conference
(7) Pelicans vs. (8) Lakers
(9) Kings vs. (10) Warriors
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
April 16
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Lakers at Pelicans | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Warriors at Kings | 10 p.m. | TNT |
April 17
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Heat at 76ers | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Hawks at Bulls | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
April 19
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| TBD | TBD | ESPN |
| TBD | TBD | TNT |
