The 2021 NBA playoffs are almost here. While tankers hope to land Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, playoff contenders are ready to fight for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
The postseason fields in each conference are now set after a wild end to the 2020-21 regular season. The play-in tournament clearly served its intended purpose, adding a new level of intrigue and drama down the stretch.
NBA STANDINGS: Seeding scenarios, breakdown for playoff spots
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 NBA playoffs, including the play-in tournament schedule.
When do the NBA playoffs start in 2021?
- Play-in tournament: May 18-21
- NBA playoffs: May 22
The 2021 NBA play-in tournament will begin on Tuesday, May 18. The first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, May 22.
July 22 is the latest possible date for an NBA Finals game.
How will the NBA playoffs work?
- The play-in tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the play-in tournament.
- Each conference’s Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference’s Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the play-in tournament, the 2021 NBA playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
NBA playoff schedule 2021
May 18
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wizards vs. Celtics | 9 p.m. | TNT |
May 19
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
May 20
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Loser | 8 p.m. | TNT |
May 21
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser | TBD | ESPN |
NBA standings 2021: Eastern Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
| 1. | 76ers* | 49-23 | — |
| 2. | Nets* | 48-24 | 1 |
| 3. | Bucks* | 46-26 | 3 |
| 4. | Knicks* | 41-31 | 8 |
| 5. | Hawks* | 41-31 | 8 |
| 6. | Heat* | 40-32 | 9 |
| 7. | Celtics** | 36-36 | 13 |
| 8. | Wizards** | 34-38 | 15 |
| 9. | Pacers** | 34-38 | 15 |
| 10. | Hornets** | 33-39 | 16 |
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*clinched playoff berth
**clinched play-in berth
Eliminated from playoff contention: Bulls, Cavaliers, Magic, Pistons, Raptors
NBA standings 2021: Western Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
| 1. | Jazz* | 52-20 | — |
| 2. | Suns* | 51-21 | 1 |
| 3. | Nuggets* | 47-25 | 5 |
| 4. | Clippers* | 47-25 | 5 |
| 5. | Mavericks* | 42-30 | 10 |
| 6. | Trail Blazers* | 42-30 | 10 |
| 7. | Lakers** | 42-30 | 10 |
| 8. | Warriors** | 39-33 | 13 |
| 9. | Grizzlies** | 38-34 | 14 |
| 10. | Spurs** | 33-39 | 19 |
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*clinched playoff berth
**clinched play-in berth
Eliminated from playoff contention: Kings, Pelicans, Rockets, Thunder, Timberwolves
NBA playoff bracket 2021
