The road to the 2026 NBA Finals begins not with the main playoff bracket, but with the high-stakes drama of the Play-In Tournament. Officially tipping off on Tuesday, April 14, this intense four-day event will see four teams' seasons end and four others earn the final coveted spots in the postseason.
Every single game of this win-or-go-home spectacle will be streamed live on Prime Video, ensuring you won't miss a moment of the action.
The tournament kicks off with a thrilling doubleheader on Tuesday night, followed by another on Wednesday. The format is simple yet brutal: the losers of the initial games for the No. 7 seeds face immediate elimination, while the winners move one step closer to securing their playoff destiny in a final showdown on Friday.
Tuesday's slate features two compelling matchups. In the East, the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat clash in a straight-up elimination game. Out West, the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers battle for the right to claim the No. 7 seed.
The drama continues Wednesday night. The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic square off for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors meet in a desperate fight for their postseason lives.
Mark your calendars and get ready for a basketball marathon. Here is the complete schedule for the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament:
Tuesday, April 14
Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET — Loser is eliminated.
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. ET — Winner gets No. 7 seed in the West.
Wednesday, April 15
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic, 7:30 p.m. ET — Winner gets No. 7 seed in the East.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors, 10:00 p.m. ET — Loser is eliminated.
Friday, April 17
76ers/Magic loser vs. Hornets/Heat winner, 7:30 p.m. ET — Winner gets No. 8 seed in the East.
Suns/Trail Blazers loser vs. Clippers/Warriors winner, 10:00 p.m. ET — Winner gets No. 8 seed in the West.