#NBAPlayIn NBAPlayoffs

[miongplus]

NBA Play-In 2025: How the Extra Tournament Once Again Rewrote the Playoff Script

The 2025 NBA season gave us one of the most intense and unpredictable finishes in recent years - and the Play-In format played a key role once again.

Since its introduction, what started as a temporary experiment has become a real force that shapes the playoff picture and opens doors for new contenders.

The Play-In is now over, and it’s time to move beyond just explaining how it works. Now we can reflect on its results and ask the bigger question: how did this mini-tournament shake up the postseason and change the balance of power?

Experts at 1xBet have gathered the most important insights from the 2025 Play-In and how it is influencing the current playoffs.

What Is the Play-In? The format was first introduced in 2020 and became a permanent part of the NBA postseason in 2021. It allows teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference to fight for the final two playoff spots.

The 7th and 8th seeds play each other. The winner takes the 7th spot.

The 9th and 10th seeds also play. The winner then plays the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game for the final 8th spot.

This gives the 7th and 8th seeds two chances to qualify, while the 9th and 10th seeds must win twice in a row.

Play-In 2025 Results: Who Made It Through

Eastern Conference:

Orlando Magic secured the 7th seed after a solid and disciplined performance. Their strong team play helped them lock in a playoff spot.

Miami Heat, despite a shaky finish to the regular season, came through in classic Heat fashion - beating both the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks to grab the 8th seed. This is becoming their trademark: showing up when it counts.

Western Conference:

Golden State Warriors proved they still have the fight. Their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies earned them the 7th seed and a place in the postseason.

Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Dončić, fought their way through Sacramento and then Memphis to claim the 8th seed — making the Western Conference bracket even more dangerous, despite losing Kyrie Irving to the Lakers in February."

What Did the 2025 Play-In Show Us?

Motivation until the final game. Teams stay locked in until Game 82, knowing the 10th seed can still mean a chance at the playoffs.

A second life. Teams like Miami and Dallas proved that a couple of clutch wins can completely change the narrative of a season.

Tension and drama. Every Play-In game carries playoff-level pressure. It's one shot - and everything’s on the line.

Is the Format Fair?

Some argue that a 7th-place team shouldn’t have to risk elimination in a single game, while others feel a 10th seed shouldn’t get a second chance. But one thing is certain: the Play-In keeps things exciting - for fans, for teams, and for the league.

What Happens Now?

The playoffs have started, and Play-In teams are already testing the top seeds. If one of them manages to make it to the second round - or even further - it won’t just be a "feel-good" story. It will be proof that the Play-In isn’t just extra games - it’s a real part of the competitive journey.

A format that once looked temporary is now part of the NBA’s identity.

[dalydose22]

Daly Dose 05-19-21 Previewing the NBA Playoffs and the top NFL games

[courtsideheat]

Both games/series are shaping up, one more calm and exciting while the other is stressful and really uninteresting; many mistakes happened with the Suns game, however, I’ll cover those in tomorrow’s video featuring the Suns. • • • #NBA #nbaplayoffs #NBAPlayIn #PlayIn #Tournament #PaulGeorge #KawhiLeonard #Kawhi #Clippers #LA #LosAngeles #Dallas #Mavs #MarkCuban #LeBronJames #kwamebrown #Instagram #Reels #IGTV #CourtSideHeat #Phoenix #Suns #DevinBooker #LakeShow #LeBron #LeBronJames #AnthonyDavis #TheBrow #MontyWilliams #nbadraft #nbaallstar https://www.instagram.com/p/CPUv5vUFCDk/?utm_medium=tumblr

[donizzoprime30]

So .. @kingjames You Mean To Tell Us You Activated Ya LeForest Whitaker Badge On This Shot 🤔🤔 CAUSE IDK WHO TF YOU THINK YOU IS B @forestwhitaker @lakers Kant Lie .. Folksnem Ah Cheat Code 💯 #lakers #lebronjames #lebronjamesmemes #nbamemes #nbamemesquad #basketballedits #lalakers #lakerswin #playin #nbabasketball #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayin #nbahighlights #explorepage @nbamemes @nbamemesquad @nbamemes_official @real_nbamemes @_nbamemes._ @nba_highlightss__ @nba @lakersalldayeveryday @lakersvshaters #viral #comedy #donizzo #hegotgame 🌊🏄🏽‍♂️ (at NBA World) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPIzoIQnfoM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[unfair-sports]

Warriors Come Out To Play

[mc-cards]

🏀 #midnightwildcard 👑 🪱 1993 Fleer League Leaders N°224 Dennis Rodman @detroitpistons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #vintagecards #90s #throwback #tradingcards #thehobby #rebound #rodman #theworm #badboys #detroit #detroitpistons #pistons #dennisrodman #chicagobulls #bulls #leagueleader #allstar #nbaplayoffs #fleer #mccards #nbaplayin #fleerbasketball #hof #nbahof #instagood #nbabasketball @nba @nikebasketball @jumpman23 @nbaontnt (at Detroit Pistons) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPUnSkJsxx-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thesportsgrail]

Most Underrated NBA Players Of All Time Ranked

Most Underrated NBA Players: Top Biggest Underrated Players in National Basketball Association of All Time #nba #nbaplayers #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayins #basketball #Jokic

Most Underrated NBA Players: Take a look at the top 5 most underrated players to have evr played in the NBA and get to know all about just why to they feature in this list. The sport of basketball has come a long since its inception in 1891. From an occupation just to keep athletes agile and fit, to becoming multi-million dollar sporting stars. It has all been accomplished due to the contribution…

[courtsideheat]

The red-hot Mavs win the game as Luka Doncic goes for an 31-point-triple-double. Even Kristaps Porzingis had a good game with 14/4/1. Also, Hardaway Jr went for an explosive game that put to sleep the Clippers. While you look at the stats for the Clip-Joint you may be able to say that they shouldn’t have lost, however, they were terrible from the 3-point line. George and Kawhi combined for 3/14 from the arc, and overall the team was just getting gassed by the Mavs during the end and in the second half. While it was a game, the Mavs just played better ball and executed more. • • • • #NBA #nbaplayoffs #NBAPlayIn #PlayIn #Tournament #PaulGeorge #KawhiLeonard #Kawhi #Clippers #LA #LosAngeles #Dallas #Mavs #MarkCuban #LeBronJames #kwamebrown #Instagram #Reels #IGTV #CourtSideHeat https://www.instagram.com/p/CPMahNylEUj/?utm_medium=tumblr

[courtsideheat]

This game was an amazing game, an amazing battle to witness. The Bucks were on point, through each quarter and OT. Same with the Heat. Jimmy Butler was amazing, Dragic showed great quality with the minutes given, and even Robinson was showing a huge bulk of the action this game. Also, Giannis and Middleton made some spectacular plays/shots this game as Middleton was legit on fire heading into OT. He caused them to go to OT. Something to keep in mind as the Bucks could be just be getting started. Full release of game review will be live tonight/tomorrow. • • • • #NBA #Basketball #Reels #nbaplayoffs #IGTV #Instagram #Bucks #FearTheDear #Miami #Heat #Florida #BreakingNews #basketball #playin #tournament #nbafinals #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayin #kwamebrown #JimmyButler https://www.instagram.com/p/CPMSjxVFQRP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mc-cards]

🏀 #nbaplayoffs 🐺 1996 Topps N°131 Kevin Garnett @timberwolves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #vintagecards #90s #throwback #tradingcards #thehobby #instagood #minnesota #timberwolves #minnesotatimberwolves #garnett #kevingarnett #instagood #nofilter #leagueleader #allstar #nbaplayoff #kg #topps #mccards #nbaplayin #nbachampionship #horacegrant #photobomb #nbachamps #toppsbasketball #nbaontnt #nbabasketball @topps @nba @nbaontnt @tic_pix (at Minnesota Timberwolves) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPW3T1vsgEf/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mc-cards]

🏀 #nbaplayoffs 🌹 1995 Upper Deck Premier Prospects N°22 Jalen Rose (rc) @nuggets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #vintagecards #90s #throwback #tradingcards #thehobby #instagood #espn #jalen #rose #denver #denvernuggets #nuggets #jalenrose #instagood #nofilter #leagueleader #allstar #nbaplayoff #getup #upperdeckbasketball #mccards #nbaplayin #upperdeck #michigan #michiganbasketball #nbaontnt #nbabasketball @nba @nbaontnt @jalenvseverybody @umichbball (at Denver Nuggets - NBA Basketball Team) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPWXhLYMONJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mc-cards]

🏀 #lategame 🕐 2003 Fleer Ultra N°122 Vince Carter @raptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #vintagecards #90s #throwback #tradingcards #thehobby #slamdunk #vincecarter #carter #vince #toronto #torontoraptors #raptors #vincecarterdunk #instagood #nofilter #leagueleader #allstar #nbaplayoffs #fleer #mccards #nbaplayin #fleerbasketball #hof #nbahof #nbaontnt #nbabasketball @nba @nbaontnt (at Toronto Raptors Basketball Club Inc) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPUoOeDMxfw/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thesportsgrail]

Richest NBA Player Currently: Top 10 Richest NBA Players

Richest NBA Player Currently: Top 10 Richest NBA Players #curry #jamorant #klay #nbaplayoffs #gsw #nbaplayin #nba

Richest NBA Player Currently: As the 2020-21 season is all set to reach its business end, take a look at the Top 10 Richest NBA players in 2021. The NBA is often regarded as the most elite sporting league in the world, where the best basketball players from all the globe compete against one another. Stating the same, its athletes earn substantially well because of their talent. In Forbes most…

[mc-cards]

🏀 #and1 #nbaontnt #nbaplayin 🏟 1996 Fleer Ultra N°66 Stephon Marbury (rc) @timberwolves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #star #90s #suns #tradingcards #thehobby #whodoyoucollect #brooklynnets #njnets #minnesota #suns #timberwolves #nets #stephonmarbury #marbury #stephon #starbury #nbaplayoffs #ultra #mccards #fleerultra #hof #nbahof #fleer #nbabasketball @nba @topps @nikebasketball @nbaontnt (at Rucker Park W. 155th St. Harlem, NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJIzsSs1HH/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thesportsgrail]

Top NBA Players Of All Time: Best NBA Players Name

Top NBA Players Of All Time: Best NBA Players Name #nba #nbaplayoffs #nbatv #nbastreams #nbaplayins

Top NBA Players Of All Time: Take a look at the top five greatest players of all time to ever play in the NBA based on career average of points, assists and rebounds. Who are the top five Greatest NBA Players of All Time? This is a question that has countless number of answers depending on person-to-person. With all sue respect to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, etc.,…

[mc-cards]

🏀 #ai #nbaontnt #nbaplayin 🏟 1996 Topps Stadium Club Shining Moments N°SM15 Allen Iverson (rc) 💠N°1 Pick @sixers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #basketball #basketballcards #sportscards #baseballcards #90s #tradingcards #thehobby #draftpick #philadelphiasixers #sixers #philadelphia #96topps #sixersbasketball #alleniverson #crossover #iverson #rookie #nbaplayoffs #stadiumclub #rookiecard #mccards #and1 #nbafinals #toppsbasketball #hof #nbahof #topps @nba @topps @nikebasketball @theofficialai3 @nbaontnt (at Wells Fargo Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPHn5PwsoIc/?utm_medium=tumblr