The NBA’s 2025 Play-In Tournament tips off on April 15, determining the final playoff spots in both conferences. With tight standings, teams will battle for seeding, while top contenders await their first-round matchups.
The NBA has officially unveiled the schedule for the 2025 Play-In Tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the final postseason spots. The tournament will take place from April 15 to April 18, determining the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The action kicks off on April 15 with the 7 vs. 8 matchups. The winners of these games will automatically secure the No. 7 seed in their respective conferences. On April 16, the 9 vs. 10 matchups take place, with the losers eliminated from playoff contention and the winners advancing to a final play-in game.
On April 18, the winners of the 9 vs. 10 matchups will face the losers of the 7 vs. 8 games, with the last two postseason spots at stake. The victorious teams will earn the No. 8 seed and advance to the first round of the NBA Playoffs, which begins on April 20.
As of now, the Eastern Conference’s Play-In race is highly competitive. The Orlando Magic (37-40) and Atlanta Hawks (36-40) currently hold the 7th and 8th seeds, respectively. However, their positioning remains fluid with a razor-thin margin between them. The Miami Heat (35-41) and Chicago Bulls (34-42) round out the 9th and 10th spots, holding onto the final Play-In berths.
At the top of the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15) and Boston Celtics (56-20) have already secured home-court advantage in the playoffs. They await the results of the Play-In Tournament to determine their first-round opponents.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves (44-32) and Los Angeles Clippers (43-32) occupy the 7th and 8th seeds, separated by just half a game. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks (38-39) and Sacramento Kings (36-40) sit in the 9th and 10th spots, fighting to hold onto their postseason hopes. The Phoenix Suns (35-41) remain just one game behind the Kings, still in the hunt for a Play-In berth.
The Portland Trail Blazers (33-43) and San Antonio Spurs (32-44) also remain mathematically alive but face an uphill battle. Meanwhile, at the top of the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-12) and Houston Rockets (50-27) have secured their playoff positions and will closely monitor the Play-In results to see who they will face in the first round.
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