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  • NBA Play-In 2025: How the Extra Tournament Once Again Rewrote the Playoff Script
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NBA Play-In 2025: How the Extra Tournament Once Again Rewrote the Playoff Script

Editor May 2, 2025
Basketball-Play-In-2025

THE 2025 NBA season gave us one of the most intense and unpredictable finishes in recent years –  and the Play-In format played a key role once again. Since its introduction, what started as a temporary experiment has become a real force that shapes the playoff picture and opens doors for new contenders.

The Play-In is now over, and it’s time to move beyond just explaining how it works. Now we can reflect on its results and ask the bigger question: how did this mini-tournament shake up the postseason and change the balance of power?

Experts at 1xBet have gathered the most important insights from the 2025 Play-In and how it is influencing the current playoffs.

What Is the Play-In? (Just in case)

The format was first introduced in 2020 and became a permanent part of the NBA postseason in 2021. It allows teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference to fight for the final two playoff spots.

  • The 7th and 8th seeds play each other. The winner takes the 7th spot.
  • The 9th and 10th seeds also play. The winner then plays the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game for the final 8th spot.

This gives the 7th and 8th seeds two chances to qualify, while the 9th and 10th seeds must win twice in a row.

Play-In 2025 Results: Who Made It Through

Eastern Conference:

  • Orlando Magic secured the 7th seed after a solid and disciplined performance. Their strong team play helped them lock in a playoff spot.
  • Miami Heat, despite a shaky finish to the regular season, came through in classic Heat fashion  –  beating both the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks to grab the 8th seed. This is becoming their trademark: showing up when it counts.

Western Conference:

  • Golden State Warriors proved they still have the fight. Their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies earned them the 7th seed and a place in the postseason.
  • Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Dončić, fought their way through Sacramento and then Memphis to claim the 8th seed — making the Western Conference bracket even more dangerous, despite losing Kyrie Irving to the Lakers in February.”

What Did the 2025 Play-In Show Us?

  • Motivation until the final game. Teams stay locked in until Game 82, knowing the 10th seed can still mean a chance at the playoffs.
  • A second life. Teams like Miami and Dallas proved that a couple of clutch wins can completely change the narrative of a season.
  • Tension and drama. Every Play-In game carries playoff-level pressure. It’s one shot  –  and everything’s on the line.

Is the Format Fair?

Some argue that a 7th-place team shouldn’t have to risk elimination in a single game, while others feel a 10th seed shouldn’t get a second chance. But one thing is certain: the Play-In keeps things exciting  –  for fans, for teams, and for the league.

What Happens Now?

The playoffs have started, and Play-In teams are already testing the top seeds. If one of them manages to make it to the second round  –  or even further  –  it won’t just be a “feel-good” story. It will be proof that the Play-In isn’t just extra games  –  it’s a real part of the competitive journey.

A format that once looked temporary is now part of the NBA’s identity. (PR)

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