Have a look at the NBA 2022 tournament Play-In format, rules, games and everything else you need to know about the tournament
While many NBA teams are qualified for the Playoffs, some are locked for the Play-In, 17 times NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers are eliminated with their Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix Suns and San Antonio’s win over Denver.
The tournament will be held after the 2021-22 regular season and before the 2022 NBA Playoffs start. Let’s have a look at what is NBA Play-In and its format.
Explained NBA 2022 Play In Tournament Rules, Format, Games, Standings, Teams, Schedule And Date, Time
What Is The NBA Play-In Tournament?
The tournament officially called “Play-In” is a separate tournament that is held after the end of the regular NBA Season and the start of the NBA Playoffs. It includes the final two spots, the seventh and eighth seeds of the main playoff brackets and uses a four-team, three-game format.
Before the full best-of-seven series until the NBA Finals, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will be played after the 2021-22 NBA Play-In Tournament.
How Does The NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
The teams that end Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be grabbing the spot in the playoffs and the teams Now. 7-10 will come under the Play-In Tournament.
Nos. 7 and 8 teams from each conference will be in the clash against the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The team that loses will have one more chance to reach the playoffs.
The Nos. 9 and 10 teams from each conference will be fighting against the winner progressing to play the loser of the No. 7 vs No. 8 game. The team that loses between the No. 9 and No. 10 game will be knocked out of the playoff participants.
What Are The Teams That Are Eliminated?
Eastern Conference: New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic.
Western Conference: LA Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, OKC Thunder, Houston Rockets.
NBA Play-In Tournament Date, Time, Schedule
The Play-In Tournament will start after the NBA regular season ends. The 2021-22 NBA regular season ends on April 10 while the Play-In Tournament starts on April 12-15 before the NBA Playoffs began on April 16.
NBA Play-In Tournament matchups
Eastern Conference
(7) Cavaliers vs (8) Nets
(9) Hawks vs (10) Hornets
Western Conference
(7) Timberwolves vs (8) Clippers
(9) Pelicans vs (10) Spurs
April 12
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| East No. 8 vs. East No. 7 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Clippers vs. Timberwolves | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
April 13
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| East No. 10 vs. East No. 9 | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| West No. 10 vs. West No. 9 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
April 15
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TNT |
NBA Play-In Tournament Live Stream: When And Where To Watch?
All the games of the NBA Play-In Tournament 2022 will be live telecasted on the ESPN or TNT channels exclusively.
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