The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament schedule will begin on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and conclude on Friday, April 17, 2026. The tournament features the teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. All games will be broadcast live on ESPN and TNT, with winners advancing to the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting Saturday, April 18.

2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule & TV Channels

The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament is set to determine the final two playoff spots in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The high-stakes, single-elimination (and double-elimination) format ensures that only the most resilient teams advance to the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Dates

• Start Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
• End Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
• NBA Playoffs Start: Saturday, April 18, 2026

2026 NBA Play-In TV Broadcast Schedule

Date	Game	Time (ET)	TV Channel
Tue, April 14	Eastern Conference 7/8 & 9/10 Games	7:00 PM / 9:30 PM	TNT
Wed, April 15	Western Conference 7/8 & 9/10 Games	7:30 PM / 10:00 PM	ESPN
Fri, April 17	East & West Final Eliminator Games	8:00 PM / 10:30 PM	ESPN / TNT

Current 2026 NBA Play-In Matchups (Projected)

Based on April 5 Standings. Final seeds lock on April 12.

Eastern Conference:

• Game 1 (7 vs 8): Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
• Game 2 (9 vs 10): Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference:

• Game 1 (7 vs 8): Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
• Game 2 (9 vs 10): Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

How the NBA Play-In Tournament Works

The Play-In Tournament involves the teams that finish the regular season ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. It is designed to give more teams a chance at postseason play while rewarding the higher-ranked seeds with a “double-elimination” cushion.

The Three-Game Format per Conference:

1. The Seven-Eight Game:
   • The Matchup: The 7th seed hosts the 8th seed.
   • The Stakes: The winner officially secures the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
   • The Second Chance: The loser does not go home; they move on to play the winner of the Nine-Ten game.
2. The Nine-Ten Game:
   • The Matchup: The 9th seed hosts the 10th seed.
   • The Stakes: This is an elimination game. The loser’s season is over immediately.
   • The Reward: The winner advances to play the loser of the Seven-Eight game.
3. The Final Eliminator (The Battle for No. 8):
   • The Matchup: The loser of the Seven-Eight Game hosts the winner of the Nine-Ten Game.
   • The Stakes: The winner officially secures the No. 8 seed and the final playoff spot in the conference. The loser is eliminated from postseason contention.

[FREE DOWNLOAD] 2026 NBA Play-In & Playoff Bracket (PDF)

Don’t wait for the final seeds! Download our “Fillable” 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket today and be ready the second the regular season ends on April 12.

Frequently Asked Questions for the NBA Playoffs

When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start in 2026? The tournament starts on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

What channel is the NBA Play-In Tournament on? Games are split between ESPN and TNT. You can stream them on Max (TNT games) or the ESPN App (ESPN games).

Does the 10th seed ever make the playoffs? Yes, but they must win two consecutive games on the road to secure the 8-seed.