The NBA playoffs will kick off with the fifth iteration of the play-in tournament, which will determine the final two qualifiers in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are both participating in the play-in games and are strong contenders for another title. The pairings for the play-in tournament were not finalized until the last game of the regular season, due to congestion at the top and bottom of both conferences.
The play-in schedule for the Western Conference includes the LA Lakers facing off against New Orleans, while Golden State will take on Sacramento on April 16. The winners of these games will then compete for a playoff spot. In the Eastern Conference, Miami will play against Philadelphia and Atlanta will go up against Chicago on April 17. The winners of these matchups will then face off for the final playoff spot.
The play-in format was adopted in the 2020 COVID season due to scheduling irregularities caused by the pandemic. Initially met with skepticism, the format was adjusted to its current form in 2021 and made a permanent fixture in 2022. While most No. 7 seeds have advanced to the playoffs, there have been exceptions, with three No. 9 seeds winning play-in games to move on in the postseason.
In the Eastern Conference, tiebreakers involving Orlando, Indiana, and Philadelphia determined the seeding for the play-in matchups. Orlando secured the No. 5 seed as the division winner, Indiana claimed the No. 6 seed, and Philadelphia was relegated to the play-in round. The Sixers will play against Miami in the first round, with the winner facing the New York Knicks in a best-of-seven playoff series. A loss for the Sixers will see them playing against the winner of the Chicago-Atlanta game for the final playoff spot.
In the Western Conference, Phoenix avoided the play-in by beating Minnesota, securing the No. 6 seed and dropping the Pelicans into a play-in game against the Lakers. Sacramento will host Golden State in another play-in game. Both the Lakers, the 2020 champions, and the Warriors have a chance to advance to the playoffs. With Golden State reaching the NBA Finals six times since 2015, they are strong contenders in the play-in tournament.
The NBA playoffs are set to be an exciting and competitive event, with teams vying for the final spots in the Eastern and Western Conferences. The play-in format has added a new level of intensity and drama to the postseason, creating opportunities for lower-seeded teams to make a run for the title. As the play-in tournament kicks off, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and fierce competition as teams battle for their spot in the playoffs and a chance at championship glory.
