We are around three weeks away from the NBA play-in tournament.
This is a new concept incorporated by the NBA last season. When it was first announced, some NBA stars criticized it, (in particular LeBron James), which is funny because he is the key player this season who will be glad of its’ conception considering the Lakers are in the 9th seed with no chance at making it to the 8th seed.
I think most NBA fans are in favor of the play-in tournament. It gives the NBA a ‘March Madness’ type feel that spices things up before heading into the actual playoffs.
The tournament can be sort of confusing, so here’s how it works:
NBA play-in tournament explained
First and foremost, the tournament is to take place right before the playoffs, April 12-15th, 2022. While the regular season ends on the 10th and the playoffs begin on the 16th.
- Teams that are numbers 1-6th in the rankings are guaranteed a playoff spot. Teams 7-10th will enter the play-in tournament.
- The number 7 seed will face the 8 seed and the winner gets the 7 seed. The loser of this game does still have a chance to make the playoffs though.
- The number 9 seed faces the 10 seed. The loser of this game is eliminated from playoff contention. The winner of this game then gets to play the loser of the 7-8 seed game for a chance at the final spot in the playoffs.
As we are approaching the end of the regular season, there is a battle going on for those final few spots in the play-in tournament…
In the Western Conference, you have the Los Angeles Lakers sitting nervously at the 9 seed with a 31-42 record. Then the New Orleans Pelicans close behind in the 10th spot with a 30-42 record. And the San Antonio Spurs at the 11th seed with a 29-44 record. With less than 10 games left in the regular season, it will be very interesting to see how this all plays out. Especially considering these teams are matched up multiple times before the season is over. (NOP vs SAS 3/26), (NOP vs LAL 3/27), (NOP vs LAL 4/1). The Lakers have the toughest schedule to finish the season.
As for the Eastern Conference, the 7-10 seeds are all guaranteed the play-in game, but the Brooklyn Nets somehow find themselves in the 8th seed with a 38-35 record (strongest 8th seed in NBA history?). Then there are the Charlotte Hornets right behind them in the 9th seed with a 37-35 record. And in the final spot, the Atlanta Hawks are 36-37. So this could change a bit before the play-in tournament is set.
There are some big games to finish off the 2022 season… get ready for some April Madness!
