2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Preview
The NBA’s postseason chaos is about to begin with the 2025 Play-In Tournament, where eight teams will battle for the final four playoff spots. This preview breaks down the play-in format, introduces the participating teams in each conference, outlines the brackets and matchups, and provides analytical insights into each game – including recent team trends and key player spotlights that could decide who moves on.
Play-In Tournament Format
The play-in tournament was introduced in 2020 and expanded to its current format in 2021, adding win-or-go-home drama before the first round of the playoffs. In each conference, the teams finishing 7th through 10th in the regular season standings advance to the play-in. The format is as follows:
- No. 7 vs No. 8: The 7th-place team hosts the 8th-place team. The winner clinches the conference’s 7th seed in the playoffs (earning a first-round matchup with the No. 2 seed). The loser gets one more chance in a do-or-die game for the 8th seed.
- No. 9 vs No. 10: The 9th-place team hosts the 10th-place team. The loser is eliminated, ending their season. The winner advances to face the loser of the 7/8 game for the 8th seed.
- No. 8 Seed Game: The loser of the 7/8 game hosts the winner of the 9/10 game. The victor of this last play-in contest secures the 8th seed and the final playoff spot, setting up a first-round series with the conference’s No. 1 seed. The loser is eliminated.
It’s a high-pressure, high-reward gauntlet: “You’re in the postseason, but not in the playoffs,” as Golden State coach Steve Kerr put it. History shows how critical seeding and home court can be – home teams are 17-7 in play-in games since the format’s inception, and thus all four hosts (the 7th and 9th seeds) have a statistical edge. Notably, every team that entered as a No. 7 seed in previous play-ins has successfully advanced to the playoffs so far. With that said, anything can happen in a single game. This year’s play-in field features a mix of seasoned play-in participants and newcomers: six of the eight teams have been here before (Atlanta, Memphis, Chicago, Miami, Golden State, Sacramento), while two – the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks – are making their play-in debuts.
Eastern Conference Play-In
The Eastern Conference play-in bracket features the #7 Orlando Magic, #8 Atlanta Hawks, #9 Chicago Bulls, and #10 Miami Heat. The opening matchups are No. 7 vs No. 8 (Orlando vs Atlanta) and No. 9 vs No. 10 (Chicago vs Miami). The stakes are clear: the winner of Magic-Hawks will claim the East’s 7th seed and move on to face the Boston Celtics (the East’s 2-seed) in the first round. The loser of the 7/8 game will still have a shot when they host the Bulls-Heat winner on Friday in a do-or-die battle for the 8th seed; the prize for that winner is a matchup with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 1. Below, we break down each play-in game in the East, including recent form and key players.
#7 Orlando Magic vs. #8 Atlanta Hawks
Bracket context: Winner clinches East #7 seed (faces Boston in Round 1); loser will play the winner of Bulls vs Heat for the #8 seed.
Orlando and Atlanta split their season series 2–2, fittingly illustrating how evenly matched these teams have been. The Magic finished the regular season 41–41, a record good enough to secure their second consecutive Southeast Division title. They closed strong, winning 7 of their final 10 games, and even had a four-game win streak in early April that helped clinch the #7 seed with room to spare. First-time All-Star forward Paolo Banchero and versatile wing Franz Wagner have been central to Orlando’s success – in fact, the duo each scored 20+ points in 11 straight games down the stretch, a franchise record streak for the Magic. Orlando’s identity is defense and deliberate play; they allowed just 105.5 points per game on the season – one of the stingiest marks in the league – and will look to slow the tempo and control the glass. As head coach Jamahl Mosley noted, his young team showed “toughness” and “resilience” through adversity to earn this opportunity. The Magic are new to the play-in stage, but having home court is a welcome advantage (as Mosley said, “the beauty of it is being at home, in front of our fans.”).
The Hawks took a rockier road to the same destination. Atlanta ended the season 40–42 after hovering around .500 much of the year, finally stringing together a crucial three-game win streak in the last week to edge Chicago by one game for the 8th seed. Offense has been Atlanta’s calling card – they averaged 118.2 points per game (among the NBA’s highest) but also gave up 119.3, resulting in a slight negative point differential despite their record. That dichotomy underscores Atlanta’s inconsistency and defensive lapses. However, in a one-game scenario, the Hawks’ firepower makes them dangerous. They are led by Trae Young, one of the league’s premier playmakers, who has a history of rising to the occasion in elimination games. Young is 3–1 in play-in games over the past two seasons and famously thrives in hostile environments – though this time he’ll be on the road trying to silence a raucous Orlando crowd. His running mate, Dejounte Murray, brings two-way impact as a secondary ball-handler and perimeter defender. Atlanta will try to push the pace and turn this into a track meet, in contrast to Orlando’s preferred grind-it-out style. It’s worth noting that in three of the four Hawks-Magic meetings this year (excluding a meaningless regular-season finale where both rested players), the games were decided by margins of 6, 6, and 7 points – expect another tight contest.
Player spotlights: For Orlando, the youthful duo of Paolo Banchero (20.0 points per game) and Franz Wagner (18.5 PPG) is the engine – both can create shots off the dribble and will be tasked with breaking down Atlanta’s defense. Banchero, in his first taste of postseason pressure, just saw his streak of twenty 20-point games snapped, but his ability to get to the free-throw line and finish inside remains crucial. Wagner’s shooting and all-around game complement Banchero perfectly, and he has experience from last summer’s FIBA World Cup that could prove valuable here. On the Hawks’ side, Trae Young (27.4 PPG, 10.2 APG) is the unquestioned star – Orlando will throw multiple defenders at him (including the length of 6’4” guard Markelle Fultz) to try to disrupt his rhythm. Young’s ability to hit deep pull-ups and floaters can ignite Atlanta’s offense at any moment. Dejounte Murray (20.5 PPG, 6.1 APG) is another key contributor, especially if Orlando sells out to trap Trae; Murray can punish the Magic with mid-range jumpers and opportunistic drives. A potential x-factor is Clint Capela in the paint – if the Hawks’ center can dominate the boards and deter the Magic’s forays to the rim, it could tilt the game. Likewise, keep an eye on Orlando’s veteran shooter Gary Harris (or Cole Anthony off the bench) – a timely three or two from a role player could swing momentum in what figures to be a close matchup. Ultimately, this game pits Orlando’s improved defense against Atlanta’s high-powered offense – whichever side imposes its style will likely prevail. The winner moves on as the 7th seed to face the defending champion Celtics, while the loser must quickly regroup for a do-or-die game Friday.
#9 Chicago Bulls vs. #10 Miami Heat
Bracket context: Winner advances to play the Magic-Hawks loser for the #8 seed (playoff berth on the line); loser is eliminated.
The 9-vs-10 game in the East is a showdown between two franchises with very different recent histories. The Chicago Bulls (39–43) clinched the 9th seed and home court for this play-in by winning their final three games and 7 of their last 10, a late surge that kept them just ahead of Miami. The Bulls actually swept the season series 3–0 against the Heat, including a comeback win just last week where Chicago erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat Miami at the United Center. That should give Chicago confidence, but they know better than to take the Heat lightly – one of those season victories came after Miami blew a big lead, something the Bulls can’t bank on happening again. Under head coach Billy Donovan, Chicago’s identity skews toward fast-paced, transition offense. “If it’s at Chicago’s faster pace, advantage Bulls. If it’s at Miami’s slower pace, advantage Heat,” an observer noted of this matchup. Indeed, the Bulls will try to speed things up and turn defense into offense. When Chicago is clicking, they can put up points in bunches (they averaged 117.8 PPG) but their defense has been suspect (119.4 allowed). In fact, Chicago had a -1.6 average point differential, reflecting their struggles in close games earlier in the year. Still, this is a veteran-laden team with playoff experience, and they are only a year removed from a similar play-in situation – last season, the Bulls won their 9-10 game on the road (in Toronto) before falling in a nail-biter to Miami for the 8th seed. They’ll be eager to turn the tables this time on their home floor.
Miami’s path to the 10th seed (37–45) was turbulent. This is the third straight year the Heat find themselves in the play-in, but unlike the past two seasons when they were the 7 or 8 seed with a double-elimination cushion, this time Miami has no margin for error. It’s win or go home for Erik Spoelstra’s squad, and “the road is tougher” than in years past – they’ll have to win back-to-back elimination games on the road to make the playoffs. The Heat underwent a significant midseason change when they traded franchise star Jimmy Butler in February, effectively pivoting to build around their younger core. (Butler, coincidentally, is now with Golden State and will be appearing in the West play-in.) In Butler’s absence, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have become the focal points. Miami actually outscored opponents by a razor-thin margin over the season (+0.6 average point differential), suggesting their record could have been better if not for late-game lapses. They also dealt with injuries and roster turnover; notably, guard Kyle Lowry missed time and Victor Oladipo (a key bench piece) has been out. Even so, the Heat’s famed culture of resilience kept them in the hunt. They went 6-4 in the final 10 games to fend off any late challenge from the 11th-place Wizards and clinch the final play-in spot . Few 10th seeds in history come with as much pedigree as Miami – this is a team that went from the play-in to the NBA Finals just two years ago (2023). Many of those core players are gone now, but coach Spoelstra and Adebayo remain from that run. It’s also worth noting Miami has play-in experience: they are 2–2 all-time in these games, including eliminating Chicago in last year’s play-in. That recent memory adds intrigue to this rematch of 2024’s decisive East play-in game.
Player spotlights: The Bulls boast a high-scoring wing tandem in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. LaVine (24.8 PPG) provides explosive athleticism and three-level scoring; if he gets hot from outside, Chicago’s offense becomes hard to contain. DeRozan (24.6 PPG) is the mid-range maestro and clutch closer – Miami learned that the hard way this season, as DeRozan repeatedly found his spots against the Heat’s defense in their meetings. Look for Miami to throw different defenders at DeRozan, possibly including Caleb Martin or even Haywood Highsmith, to force the ball out of his hands. Center Nikola Vucevic (17.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG) is another key Bull – his pick-and-pop shooting can pull Adebayo away from the rim, and he’ll need to hold his own on the boards. An X-factor for Chicago could be Alex Caruso, an elite perimeter defender who will likely hound Herro and also contribute the hustle plays (steals, charges, deflections) that swing momentum in a knockout game. On the Heat side, Bam Adebayo is the fulcrum. The All-Star big man averaged 21.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, and is capable of taking over a game defensively. His assignment will be twofold: orchestrate Miami’s half-court offense as a facilitator (especially if the Bulls trap Herro) and protect the paint on the other end. Tyler Herro, back from the injury that took him out of last year’s playoffs, has been the Heat’s leading scorer (around Twenty points per game). Herro’s shooting and creativity are vital for a Miami team that at times struggles to generate offense. He’s had some big games against Chicago before, but the Bulls will try to be physical with him. A wild card for Miami is Victor Oladipo’s replacement in the rotation – recently acquired guard Davion Mitchell (picked up via trade from Sacramento) could see significant minutes defending Chicago’s stars, given his reputation as a pesky on-ball defender (Mitchell was seen drawing instruction from Spoelstra in recent games). Ultimately, this game could come down to which team dictates the pace. Chicago will attempt to turn it into a transition game with quick outlets and early offense, leveraging their fresher legs and home crowd. Miami will prefer a grind-it-out affair, leaning on their playoff experience – after all, the Heat are aiming for a sixth consecutive playoff berth, whereas the Bulls are trying to reach the playoffs for just the second time in the last eight years . If it’s close in the fourth quarter, keep an eye on DeRozan vs. Adebayo/Herro in crunch time. The winner of this game lives to fight another day (traveling to Orlando or Atlanta for one more must-win), while the loser’s season comes to an abrupt end.
Western Conference Play-In
In the Western Conference, the play-in teams are the #7 Golden State Warriors, #8 Memphis Grizzlies, #9 Sacramento Kings, and #10 Dallas Mavericks. The bracket here mirrors the East: No. 7 hosts No. 8, and No. 9 hosts No. 10, with the various pathways to the 7th or 8th playoff seed at stake. The schedule opens with an eye-catching 7-vs-8 clash between Golden State and Memphis – a matchup loaded with star power and recent history – followed by the Kings vs Mavericks elimination game. The Warriors-Grizzlies winner secures the West’s 7th seed and will advance to play the Houston Rockets (the West’s 2-seed) in the first round. The loser of that game isn’t done yet; they will host the winner of Kings-Mavs on Friday for the 8th seed and the right to face the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder (the 1-seed, coming off a 68-win season) in Round 1. As in the East, the losers of the 9/10 games are immediately eliminated. Let’s dive into the matchups out West.
#7 Golden State Warriors vs. #8 Memphis Grizzlies
Bracket context: Winner clinches West #7 seed (faces Houston in Round 1); loser will host the Kings-Mavericks winner for the #8 seed.
This duel between Golden State and Memphis could easily pass for a playoff series matchup, given the caliber and recent pedigree of the teams. The Warriors and Grizzlies have developed a bit of a rivalry over the past few seasons – they collided in a heated 2022 playoff series (won by Golden State) and have traded barbs in the media since. In 2025, Golden State took the season series 3–1 over Memphis, giving the 7th-seeded Warriors a psychological edge and home-court advantage at Chase Center. However, Golden State arrives here with a mix of confidence and frustration. They finished 48–34, the same record as Memphis, but dropped to the play-in thanks to a dramatic overtime loss on the final day of the regular season. In that game, the Warriors fell 124-119 to the Clippers, a result that bumped L.A. up to the 5th seed and sent Golden State down to #7. Despite the disappointment, coach Steve Kerr is trying to keep the mindset positive: the Warriors viewed this week as “three home chances to win one game” to get into the playoffs. Indeed, Golden State’s prize for winning here is a return to the playoffs and a date with the Rockets; if they lose, they still get another home game Friday. The big question is health: the Warriors’ veteran stars have some knocks. Stephen Curry had his left thumb taped in that finale, and newly acquired forward Jimmy Butler was hobbling by the end of the game. The short turnaround means their status and effectiveness could be pivotal. On the bright side, Golden State has been revitalized since trading for Butler at the deadline – the team went on an 11–2 run shortly after his arrival, climbing from 10th place up to 6th/7th. Butler’s two-way play and intensity have given the Warriors a new dimension, taking some offensive pressure off Curry while bolstering the defense. Golden State’s playoff pedigree is unmatched (four titles in the past decade), but notably they have never won a play-in game (0–3 all-time), a sore point that Draymond Green and company are eager to erase. As Kerr wryly noted, “you had 82 games to do better – and we didn’t,” so now the Warriors must earn their way in.
The Memphis Grizzlies ended the regular season 48–34 as well, but their trajectory was almost the inverse of Golden State’s. Earlier in the year, Memphis was challenging for a top-four seed; a late-season slump (losing 6 of their last 10 games) dropped them into a tie with the surging Warriors. The Grizzlies did win their final game to stop the slide (and secure the tiebreaker for 8th), but consistency has been an issue. Off the court, Memphis had a comparatively drama-free season (a relief after star guard Ja Morant’s suspension in 2024). On the court, however, they had to weather injuries – starting center Steven Adams missed the entire season, and key reserve Brandon Clarke was out as well. Even so, the Grizzlies’ offense was electric, averaging 121.7 PPG (one of the top marks in the NBA). Morant, back at full strength, teamed with sharpshooter Desmond Bane to form a potent backcourt, and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. continued to anchor the defense while expanding his offensive game. If Memphis has an Achilles heel, it’s half-court execution in tight games – a problem that showed up during their recent skid. They actually performed better on the road (22–19 away) than at home this year, which bodes well for this trip to San Francisco. In fact, Morant has stated he “feeds off the negative energy” of road crowds, so he won’t shy away from the moment. This Grizzlies team is also battle-tested beyond its years; this will be their third play-in appearance (they are 2–1 in previous play-in games), and they famously knocked out the Warriors in the 2021 play-in. You can bet Memphis would love to repeat that feat and earn another playoff crack at a high seed.
Player spotlights: All eyes are on the stars in this matchup. For Golden State, Stephen Curry remains the heartbeat. The 37-year-old superstar led the league in scoring at 32.1 PPG and is no stranger to pressure games. Curry’s matchup against Memphis’ perimeter defense – likely drawing Dillon Brooks or a combination of defenders (if Brooks is still with Memphis; otherwise, perhaps rookie Marcus Sasser) – will be crucial. Curry has torched the Grizzlies before with his off-ball movement and deep shooting. Now he has a new running mate in Jimmy Butler, who brings championship experience of his own. Butler has averaged 18-5-5 for Golden State since the trade, and even on a sore ankle he’s a threat to get to the free-throw line and make clutch plays. Butler’s presence also frees up Klay Thompson to play more of a supporting sniper role – Thompson (who hit 41% from three this year) could be an X-factor if he catches fire for a quarter or two. Additionally, Draymond Green’s playmaking and defense will be vital in trying to contain Morant’s drives and orchestrating the Warriors’ offense when Curry sits. On the Memphis side, Ja Morant is the engine. The explosive point guard put up around 28 points and 9 assists per game, and he lives for the big stage. Morant will relentlessly attack the paint; how Golden State’s interior defense (Kevon Looney and Green) handles him could dictate the game. Desmond Bane is another key Grizzly – he averaged roughly 22 PPG and shot 40% from three, giving Memphis a perimeter punch. If the Warriors focus too much on Morant, Bane has the capability to punish them from outside. Don’t forget Jaren Jackson Jr., the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson’s matchup with the Warriors’ forwards is pivotal – he’ll need to avoid foul trouble while still protecting the rim from Curry’s floaters and Butler’s drives. Offensively, Jackson’s ability to hit the occasional three or post up smaller defenders can provide Memphis with valuable points. A wildcard here is the bench: Jordan Poole (Golden State) and Luke Kennard (Memphis) are two sharpshooters who can swing momentum with a barrage of points if they get hot. Poole, in particular, has had an up-and-down year and lost his starting spot after Butler’s arrival, but he’s fully capable of a 20-point night out of nowhere. In what’s expected to be a charged atmosphere and a close game, execution in the final minutes will matter most – this is where the Warriors hope their championship DNA gives them an edge, while the Grizzlies will lean on Morant’s fearless mentality. The winner moves directly into a series with the young Rockets, and the loser faces a sudden death two nights later. Given the competitive fire on both sides, this matchup has the makings of a play-in classic.
#9 Sacramento Kings vs. #10 Dallas Mavericks
Bracket context: Winner advances to play the Warriors-Grizzlies loser for the #8 seed; loser is eliminated.
The second Western play-in game features the Sacramento Kings hosting the Dallas Mavericks – two teams that have undergone major changes since last season. Sacramento claimed the 9th seed with a 40–42 record, while Dallas slipped in at 39–43 for 10th. The Kings had a roller-coaster season. After finishing 3rd in the West in 2024, they took a step back this year, struggling with consistency and some roster turnover. However, Sacramento found its footing late, winning 4 of its final 6 games to secure a play-in spot. They also dominated the season series 3–0 against Dallas, meaning they haven’t lost to the Mavs since last season’s Western Conference Finals (more on that in a moment). The Kings’ trademark high-powered offense is still in place – they averaged 115.7 PPG – but their defense remained a weakness (115.3 allowed). As a result, many of their games were shootouts. Coach Mike Brown’s squad knows how to score in bunches, led by their All-Star duo, but they’ve struggled to close out tight games, which is why they hover below .500 (their +0.4 point differential suggests they were essentially an average team statistically). One factor was a midseason trade that sent guard Davion Mitchell to Miami; while that move added some shooting in return, it cost Sacramento a bit of defensive grit. On the bright side, the Kings have home court and one of the best crowd atmospheres in the league – “Light the Beam” fever will be in full effect in Sacramento’s first play-in appearance (they were 1–1 in a play-in setting previously, back in the 2020 bubble). Historically, the Kings and Mavericks have playoff history: they met in the early 2000s three straight years, with Sacramento winning two of those series. Now, two decades later, they face off again with a lot on the line.
The Dallas Mavericks’ season was nothing short of tumultuous. They are the defending Western Conference champions (Dallas made a stunning run to the 2024 NBA Finals behind Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving), but the aftermath of that success saw dramatic changes. In the offseason, the Mavericks parted ways with franchise icon Luka Dončić, trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal. In return, Dallas received a package that included star big man Anthony Davis, who became the new centerpiece for the Mavs. Then, during this 2024-25 season, the team was hit by another blow when Kyrie Irving suffered an ACL tear, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Those two developments left Dallas without the two superstars who led them a year ago. Given that context, it’s actually an achievement that the Mavericks managed to secure the 10th seed at 39–43. However, they limped to the finish line – Dallas went just 4–6 in their final 10 games and lost their last outing, nearly opening the door for Phoenix to overtake them. Credit is due to coach Jason Kidd for keeping the team competitive and to the remaining veterans for stepping up. Anthony Davis has embraced a leadership role on this Mavericks squad. The 32-year-old former Laker averaged about 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks after joining Dallas (his presence is confirmed by images of him in a Mavs uniform late in the season). AD’s experience and championship pedigree (he won a title in 2020) have been invaluable for a team in transition. Dallas also integrated other pieces from the Lakers trade – forward Rui Hachimura and guard Jaden Hardy (acquired via a separate deal) have seen increased roles. The Mavericks’ identity shifted to a defense-first approach with Davis patrolling the paint, but they’ve had issues scoring without Luka and Kyrie, managing 114.2 PPG while giving up 115.4. That -1.2 differential indicates their margin for error is slim. Notably, Dallas was dreadful on the road (17–25 away), so winning in Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center will be a tall task. That said, this team has been through pressure situations – many players on the roster were part of the deep playoff run last year – and that experience could help in an elimination scenario. The Mavs have never been in the play-in before, so they are newcomers to this format, but they certainly understand high stakes games.
Player spotlights: The Kings’ catalyst is point guard De’Aaron Fox, one of the quickest players in the league and the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year in 2024. Fox’s status is worth monitoring – he missed a few games in March with a nagging ankle issue, but he appeared healthy in the final week and should be ready to go. When healthy, Fox (around 25 PPG and 6 APG) pushes the pace and is the go-to guy in crunch time (he led the league in clutch points last season). His dribble penetration will stress Dallas’s defense; expect the Mavs to assign defensive ace Frank Ntilikina or perhaps Josh Green to try to stay in front of Fox. The other pillar for Sacramento is Domantas Sabonis. The skilled center averaged 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, essentially acting as a point-center in Brown’s offense. Sabonis will have a heavyweight battle against Anthony Davis in the post. Sabonis led the NBA in rebounding and is adept at carving out space inside, but Davis is an elite rim protector – that matchup could determine which team controls the paint. If Sabonis gets going with his short hooks and kick-out passes, it opens up Sacramento’s plethora of shooters. One such shooter to watch is Malik Monk, who has embraced a sixth-man role and can ignite the Kings’ offense off the bench with streaky scoring. Also keep an eye on Keegan Murray, the second-year forward who broke the rookie 3-point record last year; his shooting will be important to stretch Dallas’s defense. For the Mavericks, Anthony Davis is the headliner. AD has been a force on both ends since coming to Dallas – he averaged roughly 25 and 12 against Sacramento in their meetings this year and will need to put up a similar line for the Mavs to win. The Kings aren’t a strong defensive team at the rim, so Davis will look to dominate inside with putbacks, post moves, and free throw attempts. With Irving out and Doncic gone, the secondary scoring falls to players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Wood (if Wood is still on the roster after the shakeups – assuming yes, he provides floor-spacing as a stretch big). Hardaway is a streaky shooter who had multiple 20+ point games this season; the Mavs could really use one of those nights from him to supplement Davis. Another factor is the playmaking of guard Jalen Brunson – however, Brunson departed Dallas in 2023, so the primary ball-handling duties have largely fallen to Spencer Dinwiddie, who returned to the Mavs in a midseason trade (Dinwiddie is a former Maverick who was brought back to help fill the void at point guard). Dinwiddie’s matchup with Fox will be critical; if he can’t contain Fox defensively, Dallas may have to switch bigger wings onto him. On offense, Dinwiddie can provide timely shooting and veteran poise. Lastly, defense and tempo will be key: Sacramento will attempt to run and gun, fueled by their home crowd. Dallas will try to grind the game down, dumping the ball to Davis and letting him work. The Kings know that as the 9th seed, history is on their side – home teams and 9-seeds have generally fared well in play-ins. But the Mavericks, though shorthanded, carry themselves with the confidence of a team that was in the Finals a year ago. It’s a classic contrast of styles and narratives. The winner will stay alive to challenge either Golden State or Memphis for the 8th seed, while the loser begins an offseason full of questions.
Bottom Line
The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament promises four high-intensity games, each with its own intriguing subplots. From young upstart teams like Orlando and Sacramento looking to prove they belong, to battle-tested stars on Golden State and Miami trying to will their squads into the playoffs, the stage is set for drama. By week’s end, we’ll know which four teams emerge as the 7th and 8th seeds in their conferences – and those teams will carry significant momentum (and perhaps a bit of fatigue) into their first-round series against the top seeds. In a win-or-go-home scenario, every possession matters, and unlikely heroes often emerge. Buckle up for a week of postseason play before the “real” playoffs begin – if recent years are any indication, the play-in will deliver heart-stopping moments and set the tone for the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The mantra for all these teams is simple: survive and advance. Let the games begin.
