The NBA playoffs are one of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated events in the sports world. They represent the culmination of the NBA season, showcasing the best teams as they compete for the championship. For 2024, the playoff structure retains the engaging format that captivates fans while introducing some minor adjustments to enhance competitiveness and viewership.
First, let’s revisit the basic structure of the NBA playoffs. The format features 16 teams—eight from each conference, the Eastern and Western. These teams consist of the top six teams in each conference based on their regular-season records, along with two additional teams from each conference that advance through the Play-In Tournament.
The Play-In Tournament, introduced in recent years, adds an extra layer of drama and excitement. It involves the 7th through 10th seeds in each conference, who compete in a mini-tournament to secure the final two playoff spots per conference. The 7th seed faces the 8th seed, with the winner clinching the 7th playoff spot. Meanwhile, the 9th and 10th seeds battle each other, with the winner of that game then facing the loser of the 7th vs. 8th seed game to determine the 8th and final