How does the play-in tournament work in the NBA?what fans need to know

 

The NBA Play-In Tournament was introduced in the 2020-2021 season as a way to add excitement to the end of the regular season and give more teams a chance to compete in the playoffs. 

Here's how it works:

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  1. **Seeding:** The seventh through tenth ranked teams in each conference participate in the play-in tournament.  The team with the 7th best record faces the team with the 8th best record, while the team with the 9th best record faces the team with the 10th best record.

  2. **Format:** The play-in tournament consists of single elimination games.  The winner of the 7th vs. 8th seed matchup earns the 7th seed in the playoffs, while the loser gets another chance to compete for the 8th seed.  Likewise, the winner of the 9th vs. 10th seed matchup advances to play the loser of the 7th vs. 8th seed game for a chance at the 8th seed.

  3. **8th Seed Determination:** The loser of the 7th vs. 8th seed game will face the winner of the 9th vs. 10th seed game in a single elimination matchup.  The winner of this game earns the 8th seed in the playoffs for their conference.

  4. **Playoff Implications:** The seventh- and eighth-place teams in each conference have two chances to earn a playoff berth, while the ninth- and 10th-place teams have two chances to make the playoffs.  must win both of their play-in games.  .

  Overall, the play-in tournament adds a thrill factor to the end of the regular season, giving fans more meaningful games to watch and giving teams on the playoff bubble a shot at postseason success.  .