The 2025 NBA season delivered one of the most exciting and unpredictable finishes in recent memory — and once again, the Play-In Tournament was right at the center of it all. What started out as a temporary fix during unusual times has now become a permanent fixture in the NBA calendar, fundamentally altering the path to the postseason.

The Play-In doesn’t just add drama. It creates opportunity. It offers new lifelines to fringe teams, disrupts the expectations of higher seeds, and throws a wildcard into what used to be a more straightforward playoff picture. This year was no exception.

NBA Play-In 2025

Now that the Play-In Tournament has wrapped up, the conversation shifts from how it works to what it did. Which teams capitalized on the format? Which contenders stumbled? And how has this high-stakes mini-tournament affected the balance of power heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs?

Experts at 1xBet have crunched the numbers and broken down the biggest storylines emerging from this year’s Play-In. From surprise breakthroughs to postseason shakeups, here are the key insights into how this evolving format continues to change the game — literally and figuratively.

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.