NBA 2024 Play-In tournament- Format and Schedule

The NBA Play-In Tournament is a postseason tournament right before the main NBA Playoffs. It was introduced in the 2020-2021 season to increase the competition for playoff spots among teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. This year, the Play-In Tournament runs from April 16 to April 19, 2024.

Format

The teams from each conference that finished the regular season in 7th place will play the 8th place team, and the 9th place team will play the 10th place team. 

The 7th vs. 8th seed game winner automatically secures the coveted 7th seed in the playoffs for their conference. The team that loses the 7 vs. 8th seed game gets a second chance to make the playoffs. They'll play the winner of the 9 vs. 10th seed game in another single-elimination matchup. The winner of this second game between the loser of the 7 vs. 8th seed game and the winner of the 9 vs. 10th seed game will claim the number 8 seed in the playoffs for their conference.

Schedule

Tuesday, April 16: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed in each conference (games played separately)

Wednesday, April 17: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed in each conference (games played separately)

By April 19th, the Loser of Game 1 vs the Winner of Game 3 and the Loser of Game 2 vs the Winner of Game 4.

Then, the NBA Playoffs officially begin with the remaining 16 teams. As of now, the lineup of only Game 3 is known- Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks

The Play-In Tournament adds drama to the NBA season's final stretch. Teams battling for 7th to 10th have a shot at the playoffs, making every game meaningful. It increases fan interest as more teams have a chance to make a run. For players, it creates a high-pressure situation with big stakes, showcasing their talent on a national stage.