Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

NBA play-in tournament explained

The NBA logo is displayed at center court during an NBA first-round playoff game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder Sept. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

The NBA logo is displayed at center court during an NBA first-round playoff game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder Sept. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
By AJC Sports
May 4, 2021

The Atlanta Hawks, currently in possession of the No. 5 seed in the East, are attempting to be among the East’s top six teams May 16, when the regular season concludes.

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Top top six finishers in each conference are guaranteed a postseason spot. Finishing in the seven through 10 spots — according to the standings by winning percentage — means participating in the NBA’s play-in tournament to determine the final playoff berth in each conference.

This is how the three-game event works:

Game 1, May 18: The No. 9 team hosts the No. 10 team. The winner plays the losing team from Game 2 in Game 3. The loser is eliminated, entering the NBA draft lottery.

Game 2, May 19: The No. 7 team hosts the No. 8 team. The winner earns the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing team plays the winner of Game 1 in Game 3.

Game 3, May 20-21: The winner of Game 2 hosts the loser from Game 1. The winner advances to the first round of the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. The loser enters the draft lottery.

The first round of the playoffs begin May 22. The NBA Finals tip off Thursday, July 8.

About the Author

From the sports staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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