The Evolution of the Play-in Tournament

The NBA Play-in Tournament, introduced in 2020, has revolutionized the end-of-season excitement in the league. Designed to determine the final playoff spots in each conference, this tournament has injected an extra dose of competitiveness and drama into the race for postseason berths. The 2024 iteration promises to be no different, featuring high-stakes games that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Structure of the Play-in Tournament

The tournament involves the teams that finish the regular season ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. Here’s a breakdown of the format:

1. Game 1: The 7th seed faces the 8th seed. The winner secures the 7th playoff spot in their conference.
2. Game 2: The 9th seed plays against the 10th seed. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.
3. Game 3: The loser of the 7th vs. 8th game goes head-to-head with the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game. The winner of this match clinches the 8th and final playoff position.