As the NBA regular season concludes on April 13, 2025, attention turns to the Play-In Tournament, scheduled from April 15 to April 18. This tournament will determine the final two playoff spots in each conference, adding an extra layer of competition before the playoffs commence on April 19.

The Play-In Tournament features teams ranked 7th through 10th in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The format is as follows:

• Game 1: The 7th seed hosts the 8th seed; the winner secures the 7th playoff spot.
• Game 2: The 9th seed hosts the 10th seed; the loser is eliminated.
• Game 3: The loser of Game 1 hosts the winner of Game 2; the winner claims the 8th playoff spot, while the loser is eliminated.

This structure ensures that teams finishing the regular season in 7th and 8th positions have two opportunities to secure a playoff berth, while teams in 9th and 10th must win consecutive games to advance.

As of April 9, 2025, the standings and projected matchups for the Play-In Tournament are:

Eastern Conference:

• (7) Atlanta Hawks (32-36) vs. (8) Orlando Magic (32-37): The winner secures the 7th seed.
• (9) Chicago Bulls (29-39) vs. (10) Miami Heat (29-39): The loser is eliminated; the winner advances to face the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game for the 8th seed.

Western Conference:

• (7) Minnesota Timberwolves (40-30) vs. (8) LA Clippers (38-30): The winner secures the 7th seed.
• (9) Sacramento Kings (34-33) vs. (10) Dallas Mavericks (33-36): The loser is eliminated; the winner advances to face the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game for the 8th seed.

These standings are subject to change as the regular season concludes.

The Play-In Tournament was permanently adopted by the NBA Board of Governors in July 2022, following its initial implementation during the 2020 NBA Restart. It has since added a layer of excitement and competition to the postseason qualification process. Notably, in 2023, the Miami Heat advanced from the Play-In Tournament to reach the NBA Finals, underscoring the tournament's potential impact.

The Play-In Tournament offers teams on the playoff bubble a second chance to secure a postseason berth, thereby maintaining fan engagement and competitive intensity late into the regular season. For players, it provides an additional platform to showcase their talents under high-stakes conditions, potentially influencing contract negotiations and career trajectories.

As the tournament approaches, sportsbooks will release betting odds for each matchup, reflecting team performances and public sentiment. Historically, teams with strong finishes to the regular season have been favored, but the single-elimination nature of parts of the tournament introduces a level of unpredictability.

The Play-In Tournament has been instrumental in sustaining fan interest throughout the regular season, as more teams remain in contention for postseason play. Economically, it generates additional revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights, benefiting the league and its stakeholders.

All six games of the Play-In Tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT, providing fans with comprehensive coverage of the event.

The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament not only determines the final playoff spots but also adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the postseason narrative.