NBA Play-In Tournament: Who’s in and how to watch?

Apr 9, 2023, 5:05 PM

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 24: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat attempts a shot against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round at State Farm Arena on April 24, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Sactown Sports

Before the NBA playoffs can begin, several teams will have to survive the play-in tournament.

Beginning Tuesday, April 11, and lasting until Friday, April 14, eight teams — the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th seeds in both the Eastern and Western Conferences — will vie for spots in the playoffs.

How does the play-in tournament work?

The first games of the tournament will see the 7th and 8th-seeded teams in each respective conference face off. The winner automatically goes into the playoffs. The Eastern Conference winner will face off against the second-seeded Boston Celtics while the Western Conference winner will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The loser of that matchup still has a chance to make the playoffs, facing off against the winner of the 9th and 10 seed battle. The winner of this matchup will be the 8th seed in the playoffs, facing off against the one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the East or the Denver Nuggets in the West.

Which teams are playing in the tournament?

In the Eastern Conference:

Miami Heat (7 seed)
Atlanta Hawks (8 seed)
Toronto Raptors (9 seed)
Chicago Bulls (10 seed)

In the Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers (7 seed)
Minnesota Timberwolves (8 seed)
New Orleans Pelicans (9 seed)
Oklahoma City Thunder (10 seed)

What is the tournament schedule and how can you watch it?

Tuesday, April 11
Game 1 — Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat kicks off the tournament at 4:30 p.m. PST on TNT
Game 2 — Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers | 7 p.m. PST on TNT

Wednesday, April 12
Game 3 — Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors | 4 p.m. PST on ESPN
Game 4 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans | 6:30 p.m. PST on ESPN

Friday, April 14
Game 5 — Winner of Game 3 @ Loser of Game 1 on TNT
Game 6 — Winner of Game 4 @ Loser of Game 2 on ESPN

Times for games five and six will be announced after the conclusion of game four.