After a regular season that featured spectacular games, stunning trades and plenty of drama, basketball fans are ready for the NBA Playoffs. Before the first round begins, though, the NBA Play-In Tournament will determine which teams earn the final spots in the postseason bracket.
While the top six teams in each conference go straight to the first round, the squads that finished Nos. 6-10 in the East and West standings must fight their way out of the NBA Play-In Tournament. The winning teams will become the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds, while the losing teams will be eliminated.
Battling through the NBA Play-In Tournament could give a team the momentum to make a deep run, as the 2022-23 Heat went from the tournament all the way to the NBA Finals. Will we witness the start of another underdog story this year?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament, including TV and streaming options for each game.
NBA Play-In Tournament 2025 schedule
- Dates: Wednesday, April 16-Saturday, April 19
The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Wednesday, April 16, and conclude on Saturday, April 19. Once the postseason field has been finalized, the 2025 NBA Playoffs will start on Sunday, April 20.
| Date | Game | Time (AEST) |
| April 16 | No. 7 Magic 120, No. 8 Hawks 95 | — |
| No. 7 Warriors 121, No. 8 Grizzlies 116 | — | |
| April 17 | No. 10 Heat 109, No. 9 Bulls 90 | — |
| No. 10 Mavericks 120, No. 9 Kings 106 | — | |
| April 19 | No. 8 Hawks vs. No. 10 Heat | 9 a.m. |
| No. 8 Grizzlies vs. No. 10 Mavericks | 11:30 a.m. |
NBA Play-In Tournament 2025 TV channels, live streams
- TV channel: ESPN via Foxtel
- Live stream: Kayo
NBA Play-In Tournament games will air on ESPN via Foxtel. Viewers can also stream games on Kayo, which is currently offering a free trial for new users.
NBA Playoffs bracket 2025
Eastern Conference
- (1) Cavaliers vs. (8) TBD
- (4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks
- (3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons
- (2) Celtics vs. (7) Magic
East Play-In Tournament
- (7) Magic 120, (8) Hawks 95
- (10) Heat 109, (9) Bulls 90
- (8) Hawks vs. (10) Heat
Western Conference
- (1) Thunder vs. (8) TBD
- (4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers
- (3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves
- (2) Rockets vs. (7) Warriors
West Play-In Tournament
- (7) Warriors 121, (8) Grizzlies 116
- (10) Mavericks 120, (9) Kings 106
- (8) Grizzlies vs. (10) Mavericks
NBA standings 2025
Eastern Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cavaliers* | 64-18 | — |
| 2. | Celtics* | 61-21 | 3 |
| 3. | Knicks* | 51-31 | 13 |
| 4. | Pacers* | 50-32 | 14 |
| 5. | Bucks* | 48-34 | 16 |
| 6. | Pistons* | 44-38 | 20 |
| 7. | Magic** | 41-41 | 23 |
| 8. | Hawks** | 40-42 | 24 |
| 9. | Bulls** | 39-43 | 25 |
| 10. | Heat** | 37-45 | 27 |
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Raptors, Nets, 76ers, Hornets, Wizards
Western Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thunder* | 68-14 | — |
| 2. | Rockets* | 52-30 | 16 |
| 3. | Lakers* | 50-32 | 18 |
| 4. | Nuggets* | 50-32 | 18 |
| 5. | Clippers* | 50-32 | 18 |
| 6. | Timberwolves* | 49-33 | 19 |
| 7. | Warriors** | 48-34 | 20 |
| 8. | Grizzlies** | 48-34 | 20 |
| 9. | Kings** | 40-42 | 28 |
| 10. | Mavericks** | 39-43 | 29 |
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Suns, Trail Blazers, Spurs, Pelicans, Jazz
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