The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament is officially set to begin on Tuesday, April 14, and will conclude on Friday, April 17. In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers (7) host the Orlando Magic (8), while the Charlotte Hornets (9) host the Miami Heat (10). In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns (7) will host the Portland Trail Blazers (8), while the Los Angeles Clippers (9) host the Golden State Warriors (10). Winners of the 7/8 matchups secure the #7 seed, while the losers face the winners of the 9/10 games to determine the final #8 seed in each conference.
Last Updated: April 12, 2026
Eastern Conference Play-In Schedule 2026
Here are the NBA Eastern Conference play-in matchups now that the season is over.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
| 9/10 Game | (10) Miami Heat @ (9) Charlotte Hornets | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 PM | Prime Video |
| 7/8 Game | (8) Orlando Magic @ (7) Philadelphia 76ers | Wednesday, April 15 | 7:30 PM | Prime Video |
| 8-Seed Game | Winner 9/10 @ Loser 7/8 | Friday, April 17 | 7:30 PM | Prime Video |
Western Conference Play-In Schedule 2026
The winner of the 7/8 game advances to face the San Antonio Spurs (#2). The final #8 seed will advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder (#1).
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
| 7/8 Game | (8) Portland Trail Blazers @ (7) Phoenix Suns | Tuesday, April 14 | 10:00 PM | Prime Video |
| 9/10 Game | (10) Golden State Warriors @ (9) LA Clippers | Wednesday, April 15 | 10:00 PM | Prime Video |
| 8-Seed Game | Winner 9/10 @ Loser 7/8 | Friday, April 17 | 10:00 PM | Prime Video |
NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
- Tuesday, April 14: Eastern & Western 7/8 Games (TNT/ESPN)
- Wednesday, April 15: Eastern & Western 9/10 Games (ESPN/TNT)
- Friday, April 17: Play-In Finals (Game 3s)
- Saturday, April 18: NBA Playoffs Round 1 Begins
NBA Postseason Resources
- NBA PLAY-IN BRACKET: Printable PDF & Official Dates – Download the 2026 bracket once seeds are locked on April 16.
- 2026 NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: Matchups & TV Broadcasts – See who the Play-In winners will face in the first round.
FAQ (NBA Play-In 2026)
Question: When does the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament start? Answer: The tournament begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and concludes on Friday, April 24, 2026, with the winning teams advancing to the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Question: How many teams are in the NBA Play-In? Answer: Eight teams total (four from each conference). Teams finishing seeds 7 through 10 qualify for the tournament.
Question: Does the 10th seed ever make the playoffs? Answer: Yes, but it is difficult. The 10th seed must win two consecutive elimination games on the road to secure the 8th and final playoff spot.
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