play
ESPN
Apr 19, 2025, 12:16 AM ET
The 2024-25 NBA play-in tournament wrapped up with the last teams clinching the spots for the first round of the playoffs.
Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA's postseason field to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualified for the playoffs, while the 7-seeds through 10-seeds compete in the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
In the East, the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic defeated the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks to clinch a first-round series clash with the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics. But the Hawks succumbed in overtime to the 10-seed Miami Heat (who previously eliminated the 9-seed Chicago Bulls) on Friday. The Heat will now take on the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
In the West, the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors defeated the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies to clinch a first-round series clash with the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies then ousted the 10-seed Dallas Mavericks (who previously eliminated the 9-seed Sacramento Kings) to set up a first-round clash with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. .
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 play-in tournament, including how it works and final results.
MORE: Which teams are in the 2025 playoffs?
Play-in results
*all times Eastern
Eastern Conference
No. 7 Magic 120, No. 8 Hawks 95 (Orlando clinch playoffs to face No. 2 Boston)
No. 10 Heat 109, No. 9 Bulls 90 (Miami advances; Chicago eliminated)
No. 10 Heat 123, No. 8 Hawks 114 (OT) (Miami clinch playoffs to face No. 1 Cleveland; Atlanta eliminated)
Western Conference
No. 7 Warriors 121, No. 8 Grizzlies 116 (Warriors clinch playoffs to face No. 2 Houston)
No. 10 Mavericks 120, No. 9 Kings 106 (Dallas advances; Sacramento eliminated)
No. 8 Grizzlies 120, No. 10 Mavericks 106 (Memphis clinch playoffs to face No. 1 OKC; Dallas eliminated)
Davion Mitchell buries dagger 3 in OT to clinch 8-seed for the Heat
Davion Mitchell silences the Atlanta crowd after missing a 3-pointer, then getting his own rebound and draining the shot.
How does the NBA play-in tournament work?
There will be six total games involving eight teams as part of the play-in tournament, split up between the two conferences.
The top six teams in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while teams Nos. 7 through 10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the NBA draft lottery.
The 2024-25 NBA regular season concluded on April 13, with all 30 teams playing. The play-in tournament will then take place April 15-18, before the first round of the playoffs.
Here's how the games will work:
Game 1s: Each conference's No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing teams get another chance in their respective conference's Game 3.
Game 2s: Each conference's No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The losers are eliminated and enter the NBA draft lottery.
Game 3s: The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups, with the victors grabbing each conference's No. 8 seed in the postseason. The losers of Game 3 enter the NBA draft lottery.
Under the format, teams with the seventh- and eighth-highest winning percentages will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while the teams with the ninth- and 10th-highest winning percentages need to win two straight games to advance.
