Playoffs Showdown: Lakers, Warriors Face Decisive Play-In Battles
The NBA postseason is nearly upon us, but before the playoffs tip off on April 20, eight teams will battle it out in the intense Play-In Tournament for the coveted final two spots in each conference. While initially met with skepticism, the Play-In has undoubtedly added extra intrigue and drama to the regular season’s closing stretch.
Teams further down the standings now have a genuine shot at playoff qualification, injecting new life into games that may have previously held little consequence. And as the Miami Heat demonstrated last year with their miraculous run to the NBA Finals, these Play-In squads are far from mere pushovers destined for an early postseason exit.
As we eagerly anticipate whether another dark horse can emulate Miami’s fairy-tale journey, several marquee franchises find themselves entangled in the Play-In melee, desperately vying to extend their seasons. Here’s a closer look at the format, schedule, and television coverage for this year’s tantalizing tournament.
The Play-In Primer
Introduced in 2020, the Play-In Tournament kicks off before the traditional playoff bracket, pitting the teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference in a high-stakes showdown. The 7th and 8th seeds square off, with the winner claiming the 7th playoff spot. Meanwhile, the 9th and 10th seeds battle, and the victor faces the 7/8 loser to determine the final 8th seed.
Higher seeds host each game, amplifying the home-court advantage aspect. One poor performance, and a team’s season could abruptly end before even reaching the playoffs’ primary stage.
Playoff Implications for Lakers, Warriors
Two of the NBA’s most storied franchises find themselves embroiled in the Western Conference’s Play-In scrum. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by the venerable LeBron James, currently occupy the 7th seed and will face the 8th-seeded New Orleans Pelicans on April 16. A Lakers victory would secure their playoff berth, but a loss would pit them against a familiar foe - Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
The defending champions have endured an injury-riddled campaign but could still snatch a postseason spot. First, they’ll need to get past the 9th-seeded Sacramento Kings on April 16 to earn a crack at the 7/8 loser. A potential Warriors-Lakers showdown would be a tantalizing prospect, pitting James against his former Olympic teammate Curry on basketball’s biggest stage.
In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat hold the 7th and 8th seeds, respectively, setting the stage for a potential grudge match. Should either falter, the Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks could capitalize and extend their seasons.
Play-In Schedule and TV Info
The Play-In action kicks off on April 16, with a TNT doubleheader featuring the Lakers-Pelicans and Warriors-Kings clashes out West. On April 17, ESPN will air the 76ers-Heat and Bulls-Hawks Eastern Conference tilts.
The winners of the 7/8 matchups will advance straight to the playoffs, while the losers get a second life against the respective 9/10 victors on April 19. Those decisive showdowns will be broadcast on ESPN (East) and TNT (West), determining the final two playoff entrants from each conference.
With playoff dreams hanging precariously in the balance, the 2023 Play-In Tournament promises unparalleled drama and intensity right out of the gates. From Hollywood’s Lakers to the Bay Area’s Warriors, each contender will leave everything on the hardwood in their quests to keep championship aspirations alive and punch a postseason ticket.