With the 2024-25 NBA regular season nearing its end, the final stretch is here. After 23 weeks, the last week of the regular season is poised for chaos as teams battle for positioning before the playoffs begin.
Eight playoff spots have already been claimed, with more likely to be locked in as the week progresses. But perhaps the most intriguing element of this final stretch is the fight for seeding. In the Western Conference, for example, the gap between the No. 3 and No. 8 seeds is just two games, with seven teams still in contention for the third spot. This means each game in the final week could dramatically affect a team’s path—securing home-court advantage in the first round or being pushed into the play-in tournament, where they could lose their playoff spot entirely.
In the Eastern Conference, all playoff and play-in spots have been settled, but teams are still jockeying for position. With so much still in play, it’s clear that the final week will be critical, and every game counts toward shaping the playoff picture.
When Is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The play-in tournament will run from April 15 to April 18, with the No. 7 through No. 10 seeds in each conference fighting for their playoff berths.
The first games of the play-in will feature the No. 7 seed hosting the No. 8 seed. The winner will secure the No. 7 seed in their conference, while the loser will face another must-win game. In the second matchups, the No. 9 seed will host the No. 10 seed, with the winner moving on to the next round and the loser being eliminated.
The final game of the play-in will see the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup hosting the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game. The victor will clinch the No. 8 seed and a spot in the NBA playoffs, while the loser will be sent home.
Who Has Clinched a Playoff Spot?
The top six teams in each conference automatically secure a playoff spot. The winners of the play-in tournament will round out the field, advancing to the first round of the playoffs, which starts on Saturday, April 19.
