This year’s postseason will tip off with the NBA Play-In Tournament, which first debuted last year. The play-in was such a hit that the NBA plans to incorporate it in every season from now on.
“As I’ve mentioned before, when we first were examining it, we were very focused on the actual Play-In games themselves,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters. “What we’re seeing is a far greater impact essentially on the last month of the season, where teams are either jockeying to get into the Play-In Tournament itself or jockeying to get out of the Play-In Tournament with a locked-in sixth seed.”
Even though there is a Play-in Tournament, when it comes down to the overall bracket, the mission is still the same: Win 16 games, and capture the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Here’s everything you need to know about watching the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
MORE: Watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)
How to watch NBA Playoff games
TV: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV Stream: Watch ESPN | Watch TNT | Sling TV Live scores: SN Scoreboard
NBA Playoff games will once again be split between ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. First- and second-round games are scattered across both networks. Every NBA Finals game will be shown exclusively on ABC.
The primary outlets for live streaming 2022 NBA Playoff games are Watch ESPN and Watch TNT, both available on desktop and by downloading the mobile apps.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Playoff game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament. Each conference’s Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs. Each conference’s Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs. -No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs. -No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention. The loser of the No. 7-vs. -No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs. -No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start?
Play-In Tournament: April 12-15 NBA Playoffs: April 16
The 2021-22 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 10. The 2022 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 12. The first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 16.
NBA Play-In Tournament, Playoff bracket 2022
NBA Play-In Tournament matchups 2022
Eastern Conference
(7) Nets vs. (8) Cavaliers
(9) Hawks vs. (10) Hornets
Western Conference
(7) Timberwolves vs. (8) Clippers
(9) Pelicans vs. (10) Spurs
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
April 12
April 13
April 15
NBA Playoff matchups 2022
Eastern Conference
(1) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Nets
(3) Bucks vs. (6) Bulls
(4) 76ers vs. (5) Raptors
Western Conference
(1) Suns vs. (8) Pelicans
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Timberwolves
(3) Warriors vs. (6) Nuggets
(4) Mavericks vs. (5) Jazz
NBA Playoff schedule 2022: First Round
(All times Eastern)
