The NBA Play-In Tournament is officially underway, and the excitement is at an all-time high. The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament tips off on April 14, 2026, after which eight teams will compete to secure the last two spots in the playoff in each conference, with the most pressure-filled basketball of the entire season. There is no room to lose after all, as in the regular season, a single bad evening can shatter all postseason aspirations of a team.
The NBA Play-In Tournament being held this year has interesting storylines on both ends of the bracket, with LaMelo Ball and the up-and-coming Charlotte Hornets riding a nine-year playoff drought, or Devin Booker leading a strong Phoenix Suns team that defied all odds this season. With all games streaming exclusively on Prime Video, fans won’t want to miss a single tip-off. This is all you need to know about the dates, games, and the stakes of this year NBA Play-In Tournament.
What Is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA Play-In Tournament is a single or double-elimination mini-tournament featuring the teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference at the end of the regular season. The No. 7 vs. No. 8 game gives the winner a guaranteed playoff spot as the 7 seed. The loser of that game gets a second chance, facing the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game. The winner of that second round earns the 8 seed, while the loser goes home. It’s a high-pressure format where every possession counts.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
All games air on Prime Video.
Tuesday, April 14
- (10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets – 7:30 p.m. ET
- (8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns – 10:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 15
- Western Conference: (9) Golden State Warriors vs. (10) LA Clippers
Friday, April 17
- Eastern Conference: Second-chance game (loser of ORL-PHI vs. winner of MIA-CHA)
- Western Conference: Second-chance game
The NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, April 18, immediately following the conclusion of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Tuesday’s Key Matchups
East: Heat vs. Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets host the Miami Heat in what could be a breakout moment for one of the league’s youngest rosters. LaMelo Ball and rising star Kon Knueppel (42.5% from three) give Charlotte serious firepower from the perimeter, while Bam Adebayo – coming off an 83-point performance against Washington – leads Miami’s charge. The Heat hold a 3-1 edge in the regular-season series, but the Hornets have been among the NBA’s hottest teams since January, winning 33 of their last 56 games. Charlotte, playing at home and hungry to snap a nine-year playoff drought, carries serious momentum into this NBA Play-In Tournament opener.
West: Blazers vs. Suns
In the late game, the veteran Phoenix Suns host a young and energetic Portland Trail Blazers squad. Devin Booker (26.1 points per game) leads a Phoenix team that remarkably won 45 games despite losing Kevin Durant and dealing with major injuries. Portland counters with youth, speed, and a top-tier defense anchored by Toumani Camara. The Jrue Holiday vs. Devin Booker matchup adds a fascinating Finals callback to this NBA Play-In Tournament clash.
FAQs
How many teams make the NBA Play-In Tournament?
Four teams from each conference – seeds 7 through 10 – compete, making it eight teams total across both conferences.
How does a team reach the NBA Playoffs from the Play-In?
The winner of the 7 vs. 8 game earns the 7 seed directly. The loser plays the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game, and that winner takes the 8 seed.
Where can I watch the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament?
All NBA Play-In Tournament games this year are broadcast exclusively on Prime Video.
When does the NBA Play-In Tournament end?
The NBA Play-In Tournament concludes on Friday, April 17, with the NBA Playoffs beginning the very next day on April 18.
Don’t miss a moment – the NBA Play-In Tournament is where playoff destinies are decided.
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