Here is all you need to know about the NBA Play-In Tournament 2023, format explained schedule, date, standings, when and where to watch and more
The lengthy NBA season is going ahead to its end soon. With around 20 games remaining on their schedules, teams who are still in the running for the playoffs are competing for seeds.
Because of how closely contested each conference’s standings are, a few wins or a losing streak might drastically alter a team’s prospects of qualifying for the postseason.
NBA Play In Tournament 2023 format explained, standings, bracket, schedule, date and live stream
When will the 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament begin?
The NBA Play-In tournaments are scheduled just ahead of the NBA Play-Offs.
The 2022–23 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 9. The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 11.
Four days later, on April 15, on Saturday, the opening round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will begin.
- Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
- NBA Playoffs: April 15
Schedule for the 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament: Where to watch?
The NBA has not yet made available the full broadcast schedule for the Play-In Tournament. ESPN and TNT each broadcast three games from the Play-In Tournament last year.
April 11
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
April 12
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
April 14
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN or TNT |
What’s the process for the NBA Play-In Tournament?
– The NBA Play-In Tournament will take place following the 2022–23 regular season and before the beginning of the 2023 NBA Playoffs’ first round.
There will be guaranteed playoff positions for the teams who place Nos. 1-6 in each conference’s standings. The Play-In Tournament is open to teams ranked 7 through 10.
– Each conference’s No. 7 and No. 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoff. The losing team will still be eligible to advance to the playoff.
– The No. 9 and No. 10 teams in each conference will play against, with the victor moving on to face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 match. The loser of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 match will not be capable of the playoffs.
– The winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game and the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game will then face off. The winner of that game will receive the eighth seed in the playoffs. The loser will not be eligible to advance to the playoffs.
– Following the Play-In Tournament, the NBA Playoffs in 2023 will have a complete best-of-seven series until the NBA Finals.
NBA Play-In Tournament fixtures 2023
Eastern Conference
- (7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
- (9) Raptors vs. (10) Wizards
Western Conference
- (7) Timberwolves vs. (8) Pelicans
- (9) Warriors vs. (10) Jazz
NBA standings 2023
Eastern Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Celtics | 43-17 | — |
| 2. | Bucks | 42-17 | 0.5 |
| 3. | 76ers | 39-19 | 3 |
| 4. | Cavaliers | 38-25 | 6.5 |
| 5. | Nets | 34-25 | 8.5 |
| 6. | Knicks | 34-27 | 9.5 |
| 7. | Heat | 32-28 | 11 |
| 8. | Hawks | 30-30 | 13 |
| 9. | Raptors | 30-31 | 13.5 |
| 10. | Wizards | 28-31 | 14.5 |
| — | Bulls | 27-33 | 16 |
| — | Pacers | 26-35 | 17.5 |
| — | Magic | 25-35 | 18 |
| — | Hornets | 18-43 | 25.5 |
| — | Pistons | 15-46 | 28.5 |
Western Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nuggets | 42-18 | — |
| 2. | Grizzlies | 35-23 | 6 |
| 3. | Kings | 34-25 | 7.5 |
| 4. | Suns | 33-28 | 9.5 |
| 5. | Clippers | 33-29 | 10 |
| 6. | Mavericks | 32-29 | 10.5 |
| 7. | Timberwolves | 31-31 | 12 |
| 8. | Pelicans | 30-30 | 12 |
| 9. | Warriors | 30-30 | 12 |
| 10. | Jazz | 30-31 | 12.5 |
| — | Thunder | 28-31 | 13.5 |
| — | Trail Blazers | 28-31 | 13.5 |
| — | Lakers | 28-32 | 14 |
| — | Spurs | 14-46 | 28 |
| — | Rockets | 13-46 | 28.5 |