The 2024 NBA play-in tournament will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Friday, April 19 to determine the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the NBA Playoffs in both conferences. The idea was first introduced in the Orlando bubble but modified beginning with the 2021 bracket. This will be the fourth edition of the play-in tournament, and the league has not suggested the format will be changed or removed so it looks like it’s here to stay.
NBA play-in tournament format
The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the regular-season standings in each conference will play each other at the home venue of the No. 7 seed. The winner of that game will be the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and face the No. 2 seed. The loser will play again in the second play-in game.
The No. 9 and No. 10 seeds will meet at the home venue of the No. 9 seed. The loser of that game is eliminated from playoff contention, while the winner will play against the loser of the 7-8 game in the second play-in game.
The second play-in game will be at the home venue of the loser from the 7-8 game. The winner of this game, played between the 7-8 loser and the 9-10 winner, will be the No. 8 seed in the postseason. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.