The NBA introduced the Play-In Tournament just last year, but basketball fans have already seen quite a few impressive showings in a limited number of Play-In games.
LeBron James had a triple-double and hit a game-winning 3-pointer, and Jayson Tatum exploded for 50 points in 2021. On Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving drained his first 12 shots on his way to 34 points in the Nets’ win over the Cavaliers. Cleveland guard Darius Garland matched Irving with 34 points of his own.
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And yet, when it comes to bookkeeping, the impressive statistics from these games are floating off to the side. Rather than falling under the regular season or postseason umbrella, Play-In numbers exist in their own category.
Why NBA Play-In Tournament stats don’t impact regular season, NBA Playoff numbers
The NBA Play-In Tournament takes place “after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs,” per NBA.com. Play-In Tournament stats can’t be applied to the regular season because it has already concluded, but they also aren’t added to postseason totals because Play-In teams haven’t officially qualified for the NBA Playoffs.
So, where can one find Play-In Tournament statistics? On NBA.com, stats are broken down by “Season Type.” Under that filter, numbers can be sorted by preseason, regular season, playoffs, All-Star and Play-In.
NBA Play-In Tournament stats 2022
(Current through April 12 games)
Points per game
| Rank | Player | PPG |
| 1. | Darius Garland | 34.0 |
| 2. | Kyrie Irving | 34.0 |
| 3. | Paul George | 34.0 |
| 4. | Anthony Edwards | 30.0 |
| 5. | D’Angelo Russell | 29.0 |
Rebounds per game
| Rank | Player | RPG |
| 1. | Kevin Love | 13.0 |
| 2. | Patrick Beverley | 11.0 |
| 3. | Jarred Vanderbilt | 10.0 |
| 4. | Bruce Brown | 9.0 |
| 5. | Ivica Zubac | 9.0 |
Assists per game
| Rank | Player | APG |
| 1. | Kyrie Irving | 12.0 |
| 2. | Kevin Durant | 11.0 |
| 3. | Rajon Rondo | 9.0 |
| 4. | Bruce Brown | 8.0 |
| 5. | Caris LeVert | 7.0 |
NBA Play-In Tournament all-time leaders
Total points
| Rank | Player | Points |
| 1. | Ja Morant | 90 |
| 2. | Stephen Curry | 76 |
| 3. | Dillon Brooks | 58 |
| 4. | Jonas Valanciunas | 54 |
| 5. | Jayson Tatum | 50 |
Total rebounds
| Rank | Player | Rebounds |
| 1. | Jonas Valanciunas | 52 |
| 2. | Domantas Sabonis | 32 |
| 3. | Draymond Green | 25 |
| 4. | Kyle Anderson | 22 |
| 5. | Russell Westbrook | 22 |
Total assists
| Rank | Player | Assists |
| 1. | Russell Westbrook | 20 |
| 2. | Ja Morant | 20 |
| 3. | Domantas Sabonis | 19 |
| 4. | Draymond Green | 18 |
| 5. | Kyle Anderson | 17 |