The NBA Play-in Tournament has quickly become a staple in the league’s season structure. Initially introduced in the 2020 bubble season to add excitement and opportunity, the play-in tournament was officially adopted as a permanent feature in the subsequent seasons. For 2024, it continues to be a pivotal component, adding an extra layer of competition and entertainment. Here’s everything you need to know about the NBA Play-in Tournament for 2024.

Understanding the Play-in Tournament Format

The NBA Play-in Tournament takes place between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. It involves the teams that finish the regular season ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. This mini-tournament determines the final two playoff spots in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The 7th and 8th seeds play each other, with the winner earning the 7th seed in the playoffs. The loser of that game then faces the winner of the game between the 9th and 10th seeds. The winner of this second game secures the 8th and final playoff berth.

Rationale Behind the Play-in Tournament

The Play-in Tournament was created for several reasons