While the format is straightforward, it will probably be confusing to many NBA fans at first because it’s a new concept to the league.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the play-in tournament, including the format and rules to fill out the NBA’s playoff picture:
NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:Series-by-series breakdowns & NBA Finals picks
NBA play-in format, explained
There are two things we need to explain about the play-in format for the Western Conference 8-seed: how teams get into the tournament, and how they advance to the actual playoffs.
The No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the West make it to the play-in round. Those spots were clinched Thursday night by the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies, respectively.
The play-in tournament itself is pretty simple. The No. 9 seed will need to win twice to make the playoffs. The No. 8 seed will need just a single victory. So, if the Trail Blazers win Saturday, then the tournament will end there. If the Grizzlies win Saturday, then that will set up a winner-take-all scenario Sunday.
If you’re wondering why there isn’t a play-in for the Eastern Conference, it’s because no one finished within four games of the No. 8 Magic. That’s the margin that activated the format.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
Game 1: Saturday, Aug. 15 Game 2 (if necessary): Sunday, Aug. 16
The NBA play-in tournament will wrap up this weekend in Orlando and finalize the league’s 2020 playoff bracket. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15. Should the lesser seed win that contest, Game 2 would take place Sunday, Aug. 16, to settle the Western Conference’s last postseason spot.
TV coverage for Game 1 begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC with Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters on the call. Game 2, if necessary, will be shown on ESPN starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.
- if necessary
Western Conference 8-seed standings
Four teams battled for two play-in tournament spots Thursday. The season ended for the teams that finished 10th and 11th.
Here’s how the standings shaped up after each team’s final seeding game:
The Grizzlies are the ninth seed by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Suns. Memphis won the season series 3-1.
When do the NBA playoffs start?
Date: Monday, Aug. 17
Following the play-in tournament this weekend, the first round of the NBA postseason will begin on Monday. Matchups and schedules were determined by Thursday’s results.
