Anthony Edwards and the Wolves ousted the Thunder for the West’s final Play-In spot in 2023.
The Play-In Tournament was officially adopted as a full-time part of the NBA playoff picture in 2022. A version of the Play-In Tournament has been in place since the 2020 NBA season restart, and the NBA’s Board of Governors approved its return for the 2021-22 season as well.
Below is a season-by-season look at the Play-In Tournament.
2023 Play-In Tournament
Take a look back at the thrilling East bracket of the 2023 Play-In Tournament.
Tuesday, April 11:
- Game 1: (8) Hawks 116, (7) Heat 105
- Game 2: (7) Lakers 108, (8) Timberwolves 102 (OT)
Winners earn 7th seeds and advance to NBA playoffs
Wednesday, April 12:
- Game 3: (10) Bulls 109, (9) Raptors 105
- Game 4: (10) Thunder 123, (9) Pelicans 118
Winners challenge loser of 7/8 game
Friday, April 14:
- Game 5: (8) Heat 102, (10) Bulls 91
- Game 6: (8) Timberwolves 120, (10) Thunder 95
Winners earn 8th seeds and advance to NBA playoffs
First-round results:
Heat beat Bucks, 4-1
Celtics beat Hawks, 4-2
Nuggets beat Timberwolves, 4-1
Lakers beat Grizzlies, 4-2
2022 Play-In Tournament
The Hawks and Pelicans win thrilling Play-In games to lock up the No. 8 seeds in 2022.
Tuesday, April 12:
Winners earn 7th seeds and advance to NBA playoffs
Wednesday, April 13
- Game 3: (9) Hawks 132, (10) Hornets 103
- Game 4: (9) Pelicans 113, (10) Spurs 103
Winners challenge loser of 7/8 game
Friday, April 15
- Game 5: (9) Hawks 107, (8) Cavaliers 101
- Game 6: (9) Pelicans 105, (8) Clippers 101
Winners earn 8th seeds and advance to NBA playoffs
First-round results:
Heat beat Hawks, 4-1
Celtics beat Nets, 4-0
Suns beat Pelicans, 4-2
Grizzlies beat Wolves, 4-2
2021 Play-In Tournament
Ja Morant elevates Memphis to an overtime road win and a playoff berth by beating the Warriors in 2021.
Tuesday, May 18:
- Game 1: (7) Celtics 118, (8) Wizards 100
- Game 2: (9) Pacers 144, (10) Hornets 117
Celtics earn 7th seed and advance to NBA playoffs | Pacers play loser of 7/8 game (Wizards)
Wednesday, May 19
- Game 3: (7) Lakers 103, (8) Warriors 100
- Game 4: (9) Grizzlies 100, (10) Spurs 96
Lakers earn 7th seed and advance to NBA playoffs | Grizzlies play loser of 7/8 game (Warriors)
Thursday, May 20
- Game 5: (8) Wizards 142, (9) Pacers 115
Wizards earn 8th seed and advance to NBA playoffs
Friday, May 21
Grizzlies earn 8th seed and advance to NBA playoffs
First-round results:
76ers beat Wizards, 4-1
Nets beat Celtics, 4-1
Jazz beat Grizzlies, 4-1
Suns beat Lakers, 4-2
2020 Play-In Tournament
The Trail Blazers secured their spot in the West playoffs with a 126-122 win against the Grizzlies in 2020.
In the season restart due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA instituted the first edition of its Play-In Tournament, which was different from the current format.
If a team with the eighth-best record in its conference was more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, there would be no Play-In Tournament. But if the team with the eighth-best record in its conference was four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, then there was a Play-In Tournament of sorts. What was created was essentially a best-of-two series where the No. 9 seed had to win two head-to-head matchups to get the No. 8 spot.
Because Portland finished the restart 1 1/2 games ahead of Memphis, a two-game Play-In Tournament was triggered. The Grizzlies had to win both games to win the No. 8 spot, while Portland had to just win once to clinch No. 8.
Saturday, Aug. 15:
- Play-In Game 1: Blazers 126, Grizzlies 122
Blazers earn 8th seed and advance to NBA playoffs
First-round result:
Lakers beat Blazers, 4-1
