The Evolution of the NBA Play-In Tournament

The NBA Play-In Tournament is a relatively recent addition to the NBA calendar but has quickly become an essential part of the league’s postseason framework. Introduced as a way to maintain competitive balance and keep more teams engaged towards the end of the regular season, the Play-In Tournament has undergone some tweaks since its inception. As we approach the 2024 season, it is crucial to understand how these rules work and what implications they might have on both teams and fans.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament is designed to determine the final two playoff spots in each conference. Instead of the traditional format where the top eight teams directly advance to the playoffs, the Play-In Tournament introduces a competitive mix among the 7th to 10th place teams in each conference. This setup ensures a higher level of excitement and gives more teams a fighting chance at making a postseason run.

The Format for 2024

As of the 2024 season, the Play-In Tournament involves the following steps:
1. **7th and 8th Seed Game**: The teams finishing 7th and 8th