2024 NBA standings update and playoff race permutations after games on April 1

In anticipation of the NBA’s play-in tournament, which is set to kick off at the conclusion of the regular season, teams are ramping up their efforts to secure playoff positions or fight for a chance to extend their seasons.

Initially introduced during the 2020-21 NBA campaign, the play-in tournament expanded the league’s postseason to include 20 teams, with the top six from each conference earning automatic playoff berths. The 7th through 10th seeds from each conference enter the play-in tournament for an opportunity to secure the final playoff spots.

As the regular season draws to a close, the race for playoff positions intensifies, with teams vying to either secure their spots or avoid the play-in altogether.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, are feeling the pressure as they try to maintain their position against the Houston Rockets, who are closely trailing by only two games.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, teams like the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are pushing to surpass the Indiana Pacers and secure higher seeds to avoid the play-in tournament. The Brooklyn Nets, although facing an uphill battle, are still holding onto hopes of cracking the top 10.

Here’s a breakdown of the current standings in both conferences:

Eastern Conference Play-In Standings 6. Indiana Pacers

7. Miami Heat
8. Philadelphia 76ers
9. Chicago Bulls
10. Atlanta Hawks
11. Brooklyn Nets

Western Conference Play-In Standings 5. Dallas Mavericks

6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Phoenix Suns
8. Sacramento Kings
9. Los Angeles Lakers
10. Golden State Warriors
11. Houston Rockets

The play-in tournament will consist of six total games involving eight teams split between the two conferences. The tournament format offers teams multiple opportunities to secure playoff berths based on their regular-season performances.

Here’s a brief overview of how the NBA play-in tournament works:

• Game 1s: The 7th-seeded teams host the 8th-seeded teams in each conference. The winners earn the 7th seeds in the playoffs, while the losers get another chance in Game 3s.
• Game 2s: The 9th-seeded teams host the 10th-seeded teams in each conference. The winners advance to Game 3s, while the losers are eliminated.
• Game 3s: The losers of the 7th vs. 8th matchups host the winners of the 9th vs. 10th matchups. The victors secure the 8th seeds in the playoffs, while the losers enter the NBA draft lottery.

With the play-in tournament on the horizon, the stakes are high as teams battle for postseason berths and the chance to compete for an NBA championship.

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