NBA Play-in Tournament 2022: Rules, Standings, Dates, And Schedule

Skip to main contentCome Fan with UsSunday, January 4, 2026SBNation.com homepageSB NationSB Nation logoNotificationsNotifications

• The Feed
• Breakaway
• Betting
  • FanDuel Sportsbook Odds
  • FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports
  • Betting Picks and Predictions
• NFL
  • Today's NFL Trivia
  • All NFL
  • Fantasy Football
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Chicago Bears
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Houston Texans
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • New England Patriots
  • New Orleans Saints
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Washington Commanders
• NBA
  • All NBA
  • WNBA
  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New York Knicks
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards
• MLB
  • Today's MLB Trivia
  • All MLB
  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Atlanta Braves
  • Baltimore Orioles
  • Boston Red Sox
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Chicago White Sox
  • Cincinnati Reds
  • Cleveland Guardians
  • Colorado Rockies
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Houston Astros
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Minnesota Twins
  • New York Mets
  • New York Yankees
  • Oakland Athletics
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Seattle Mariners
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
  • Texas Rangers
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Washington Nationals
• CFB
  • All CFB
  • View team list
• CBB
  • Men’s CBB
  • Men’s Bracketology
  • Women’s CBB
  • View team list
• WNBA
  • All WNBA
  • Swish Appeal
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • Minnesota Lynx
  • New York Liberty
  • Washington Mystics
• Soccer
  • Football Frenzy
  • All Soccer
  • English Premier League
  • Arsenal
  • Chelsea
  • Everton
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester City
  • Newcastle United
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Manchester United
  • German Bundesliga
  • Bayern Munich
  • Dortmund
  • Italian Serie A
  • AC Milan
  • Inter Milan
  • Juventus
  • AS Roma
  • Fiorentina
  • MLS
  • Spanish La Liga
  • Barcelona
  • Real Madrid
  • Atletico Madrid
  • Villarreal
  • Women’s Soccer
  • NWSL
  • Mexican Soccer
  • U.S. Soccer
  • Fantasy Soccer
  • View team list
• More

Navigation Drawer

• Login / Sign Up

closeCloseSearch

• VideoWatch
• PodcastListen
• In Five GamesPlay

• The Feed
• Breakaway
• BettingExpand
  • FanDuel Sportsbook Odds
  • FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports
  • Betting Picks and Predictions
• NFLExpand
  • Today's NFL Trivia
  • All NFL
  • Fantasy Football
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Chicago Bears
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Houston Texans
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • New England Patriots
  • New Orleans Saints
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Washington Commanders
• NBAExpand
  • All NBA
  • WNBA
  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New York Knicks
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards
• MLBExpand
  • Today's MLB Trivia
  • All MLB
  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Atlanta Braves
  • Baltimore Orioles
  • Boston Red Sox
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Chicago White Sox
  • Cincinnati Reds
  • Cleveland Guardians
  • Colorado Rockies
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Houston Astros
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Minnesota Twins
  • New York Mets
  • New York Yankees
  • Oakland Athletics
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Seattle Mariners
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
  • Texas Rangers
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Washington Nationals
• CFBExpand
  • All CFB
  • View team list
• CBBExpand
  • Men’s CBB
  • Men’s Bracketology
  • Women’s CBB
  • View team list
• WNBAExpand
  • All WNBA
  • Swish Appeal
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • Minnesota Lynx
  • New York Liberty
  • Washington Mystics
• SoccerExpand
  • Football Frenzy
  • All Soccer
  • English Premier League
  • Arsenal
  • Chelsea
  • Everton
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester City
  • Newcastle United
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Manchester United
  • German Bundesliga
  • Bayern Munich
  • Dortmund
  • Italian Serie A
  • AC Milan
  • Inter Milan
  • Juventus
  • AS Roma
  • Fiorentina
  • MLS
  • Spanish La Liga
  • Barcelona
  • Real Madrid
  • Atletico Madrid
  • Villarreal
  • Women’s Soccer
  • NWSL
  • Mexican Soccer
  • U.S. Soccer
  • Fantasy Soccer
  • View team list
• UFCExpand
  • MMA Fighting
  • MMA Fight Schedule
  • MMA Mania
• NHLExpand
  • All NHL
  • Boston Bruins
  • Carolina Hurricanes
  • Colorado Avalanche
  • New Jersey Devils
  • New York Islanders
  • Pittsburgh Penguins
• Golf
• F1
• Wrestling
• Boxing
• Secret Base Video
• Podcasts
• Newsletters
• Features
• Communities
• Product Updates & Ideas

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Threads
• Instagram
• Youtube
• RSS
• TikTok

SB NationSB Nation logoNBA play-in tournament 2022: Rules, standings, dates, and scheduleNotificationsNotifications

• NBA

NBA play-in tournament 2022: Rules, standings, dates, and schedule

Here’s what you need to know about the 2022 NBA play-in tournament.

by Ricky O'DonnellApr 6, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC

• Facebook
• Link

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesRicky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

The NBA debuted its play-in tournament in full force in 2021 with seeds No. 7 through No. 10 competing for the final two spots playoff spots in each conference. Despite the public objections of LeBron James, the play-in tournament felt like a rousing success that ended with the Golden State Warriors surprisingly missing the postseason by losing consecutive games despite finishing with the No. 8 seed in the regular season.

The play-in tournament is back again in 2022, running April 12-15. Once again, it’s shaping up to be a star-studded field that includes All-Stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Paul George, LaMelo Ball, and potentially a few more. With huge stakes and a slim margin for error, the play-in tournament promises to be a thrilling appetizer to the NBA playoffs once again.

Here’s what you need to know about the play-in tournament, including key dates, updated standings, and an explanation of how it all works.

Related

• Bet on the 2022 NBA Playoffs at DraftKings Sportsbook

How the NBA play-in tournament works

Here’s a graphic explaining the play-in tournament, via NBA.com:

In the old days, the No. 7 and No. 8 seed in each conference would automatically make the playoffs. Not anymore. Now the final two spots in both the East and West are determined by who wins in the play-in tournament.

Here’s how it works: the No. 7 seed and No. 8 seed at the end of the regular season play each other in each conference, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and a matchup with the conference’s No. 2. The No. 9 seed and the No. 10 seed also face-off. The winner of the 9-10 game advances to face the loser of the 7-8, while the loser of the 9-10 game is eliminated from the postseason.

The losing team from the 7-8 matchup and the winning team of the 9-10 matchup then play one game to determine who gets the No. 8 seed for the final playoff spot in each conference.

2022 NBA play-in tournament updated standings

Updated morning of April 9, 2022

Eastern Conference

Top six seeds have all clinched a playoff berth.

7. Brooklyn Nets | 44-38

8. Cleveland Cavaliers | 44-38

9. Atlanta Hawks | 42-39

10. Charlotte Hornets | 42-39

Everyone else is eliminated.

Western Conference

Top six seeds have all clinched a playoff berth.

***

7. Minnesota Timberwolves | 46-36

8. Los Angeles Clippers | 42-40

9. New Orleans Pelicans | 36-46

10. San Antonio Spurs | 34-48

When the does the NBA play-in tournament start in 2022?

April 12-15.

When do the 2022 NBA playoffs start?

April 16.

What would the NBA play-in tournament matchups be right now?

East: No. 8 Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 7 Brooklyn Nets

East: No. 10 Charlotte Hornets at No. 9 Atlanta Hawks

West: No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers at No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves

West: No. 10 San Antonio Spurs at No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans

We’ll update this post every day until the play-in tournament field is set.

See More:

• NBA

SB Nation Daily Roundup

A daily roundup of all your sports news

Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

More in NBA

Jan 2VJ Edgecombe’s blocked shot with each hand shows how special NBA rookie class isJan 1NBA MVP’s 10 best candidates for 2025-2026 season, ranked after Nikola Jokic’s injuryDec 30, 2025Nikola Jokic injury: Superstar out 1 month at least after hyperextended knee in accident with teammateDec 30, 2025Jordan Poole bricked the worst clutch shot ever to help Knicks winDec 29, 2025A Kawhi Leonard trade is the Clippers’ best way out of NBA hellDec 29, 2025I was so wrong about the CelticsNBAJan 2NBAJan 2VJ Edgecombe’s blocked shot with each hand shows how special NBA rookie class is

VJ Edgecombe’s chasedown blocks are art.

By Ricky O'DonnellNBAJan 1NBAJan 1NBA MVP’s 10 best candidates for 2025-2026 season, ranked after Nikola Jokic’s injury

Let’s rank NBA MVP candidates for the 2026 award.

By Ricky O'DonnellNBADec 30, 2025NBADec 30, 2025Nikola Jokic injury: Superstar out 1 month at least after hyperextended knee in accident with teammate

The Nuggets got good news on Nikola Jokic’s injury, but he’s still going to be out a while.

By Ricky O'DonnellNBADec 30, 2025NBADec 30, 2025Jordan Poole bricked the worst clutch shot ever to help Knicks win

This is peak Jordan Poole, and not in a good way.

By Ricky O'DonnellNBADec 29, 2025NBADec 29, 2025A Kawhi Leonard trade is the Clippers’ best way out of NBA hell

It’s time for the Clippers to trade Kawhi Leonard, and these three teams could be interested.

By Ricky O'DonnellNBADec 29, 2025NBADec 29, 2025I was so wrong about the Celtics

The Celtics are good and I was wrong.

By Oliver FoxAdvertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

The Latest

16 minutes agoNew Orleans Saints opponents 2026: Who’s on the schedule, how easy or hard will their schedule be25 minutes agoNFL Draft 2026: How the Raiders can clinch the No. 1 pick in Week 1825 minutes agoWhat the Seahawks schedule of opponents looks like for 202628 minutes agoWho the Bears will face in 2026 and what to make of its difficulty29 minutes agoWho the Colts will face in 2026 and what to make of its difficulty30 minutes agoWho the Chiefs will face in 2026 and what to make of its difficultyCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...