When Do NBA Playoffs Start 2022? (Dates for Play-In Tournament, Start of Postseason)
By Peter Dewey
The NBA’s regular season comes to an end on Sunday, April 10, which means it’s time for fans and bettors to gear up for some playoff basketball.
The Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns have clinched the top seeds in their respective conferences, but there is still some playoff seeding that needs to be decided on Sunday and in the league’s play-in tournament.
Here's everything you need to know about the NBA playoffs start date, and when you should be placing your bets at WynnBET Sportsbook:
When Is the NBA’s Play-In Tournament?
The NBA’s Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 12 and conclude Friday, April 15. It will feature three games for each conference in order to decide the two teams that will eventually make the final playoff field.
The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference will each have two games to earn a playoff spot, while the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds will need to win two games in a row in order to earn the No. 8 seed in the conference.
NBA Play-In Tournament Format
The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference will play one game for the chance to earn the No. 7 seed.
The loser of that game will play the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup for the right to be the No. 8 seed in the conference.
What Are the Play-In Tournament Matchups?
Eastern Conference:
Tuesday April 12: No. 8 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets
Wednesday April 13: No. 10 Charlotte Hornets vs. No. 9 Atlanta Hawks
Western Conference
Tuesday April 12: No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
Wednesday April 13: No. 10 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans
When Do the NBA Playoffs Start?
The 2022 NBA Playoffs officially begin on Saturday, April 16.
When Do the 2022 NBA Finals Start?
The playoffs will run through June, as the NBA Finals begin on Thursday, June 2 and will go until Sunday, June 19 if the series reaches Game 7.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the defending champions after they beat the Phoenix Suns in six games last season.