NBA Play-In Tournament schedule, how to watch

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are set to begin Saturday, April 19, but the final two postseason berths in each conference will first be decided through the Play-In Tournament.

The tournament opens Tuesday, April 15, and concludes Friday, April 18. Teams that finished the regular season in seventh through 10th place in each conference will compete for the final No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.

The top six teams in both the Eastern and Western Conference standings automatically advanced to the first round.

The format remains unchanged: the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds face off, with the winner claiming the No. 7 seed. The loser then plays the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup for the final spot in the playoffs. The remaining teams are eliminated.

Two years ago, the Miami Heat advanced through the Play-In Tournament before making a run to the NBA Finals, showing the potential for momentum to carry a lower seed deep into the postseason.

2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule

Dates: April 15–18

Tuesday, April 15

• East: No. 7 Magic vs. No. 8 Hawks – Time TBD, TNT
• West: No. 7 Timberwolves vs. No. 8 Grizzlies – Time TBD, TNT

Wednesday, April 16

• East: No. 9 Bulls vs. No. 10 Heat – Time TBD, ESPN
• West: No. 9 Kings vs. No. 10 Mavericks – Time TBD, ESPN

Friday, April 18

• East: 7/8 Loser vs. 9/10 Winner – Time TBD, TNT
• West: 7/8 Loser vs. 9/10 Winner – Time TBD, ESPN

TV and Streaming Information
Games will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and TNT, with three matchups apiece on each network.

Radio Coverage
All Play-In games can be heard live on SiriusXM. Channel details are available at siriusxm.com.

Projected 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
West matchups based on current standings; subject to change.

Eastern Conference
(1) Cavaliers vs. (8) TBD
(4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons
(2) Celtics vs. (7) TBD

Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs. (8) TBD
(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers
(3) Lakers vs. (6) Warriors
(2) Rockets vs. (7) TBD

(This post will be updated following the conclusion of the regular season.)