NBA Playoffs 2025 Format Breakdown: From Play-In to Finals

The NBA’s 82-game regular season is already a test of endurance—but once the final buzzer sounds in April, the real grind begins. Welcome to the NBA Playoffs: a two-month showdown where the league’s best fight for basketball’s biggest prize.

With 16 teams (or 20 if you count the Play-In Tournament contenders), the postseason is packed with drama, strategy, and intense matchups. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the playoffs, here’s your complete guide to the NBA Playoffs 2025.

📅 When Do the NBA Playoffs Start?

The NBA regular season wraps up on April 13, 2025. The next day, teams must submit their finalized playoff rosters by April 14 at 3 p.m. ET.

Before the official playoffs tip off, there’s the Play-In Tournament, which runs from April 15–18. Then, the NBA Playoffs officially begin on April 19, 2025.

🔢 How Many Teams Make the Playoffs?

A total of 16 teams make it into the main playoff bracket—8 from the Eastern Conference and 8 from the Western Conference.

• The top 6 teams in each conference earn a direct spot based on their regular season record.

• The final two spots (No. 7 and No. 8 seeds) are decided through the Play-In Tournament involving teams ranked 7 through 10.

Once the 16 teams are locked in, each matchup in the first round is a best-of-seven series, and there are no byes.

📊 NBA Playoffs Format – How Does the Bracket Work?

The playoff structure follows a traditional bracket format, and it stays fixed throughout the postseason. Unlike the NFL, teams are not reseeded after each round.

Here’s how the first round matchups are set:

• 1st seed vs. 8th seed

• 2nd seed vs. 7th seed

• 3rd seed vs. 6th seed

• 4th seed vs. 5th seed

Each series follows the 2–2–1–1–1 home/away format:

• Higher-seeded team hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

• Lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6.

• Games 5, 6, and 7 are only played if necessary.

🏆 What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The Play-In Tournament decides the final two playoff spots (seeds 7 and 8) in each conference:

1. Game 1: 9th seed vs. 10th seed — loser is eliminated.

2. Game 2: 7th seed vs. 8th seed — winner gets the 7th seed.

3. Game 3: Loser of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 1 — winner gets the 8th seed.

This mini-tournament adds a wildcard element to the postseason and has quickly become a fan favorite.

📈 How Many Games Are in the NBA Playoffs?

Each playoff round is a best-of-seven series, so series can range from 4 to 7 games.

• Minimum games: 60 (if every series is a 4-game sweep)

• Maximum games: 105 (if every series goes to 7 games)

An individual team could play anywhere from 4 to 28 games, depending on how far they go and how competitive each series is.

Fun Fact:
The 2007–08 Boston Celtics played 26 games—the most in a single postseason—on their way to a championship.
In contrast, the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors dominated with a 16–1 playoff run, one of the most efficient in league history.

🧩 What Happens After the First Round?

Once the first round wraps up, the playoffs progress as follows:

➤ Conference Semifinals:

• Winner of 1 vs. 8 faces winner of 4 vs. 5

• Winner of 2 vs. 7 faces winner of 3 vs. 6

➤ Conference Finals:

• Two remaining teams in each conference face off for a spot in the NBA Finals

➤ NBA Finals:

• The East and West champions meet to determine the 2025 NBA Champion

🏠 Home-court advantage in the Finals goes to the team with the better regular season record, regardless of seeding.

📅 NBA Playoffs 2025 Schedule (Key Dates)

• April 13: Regular season ends

• April 14: Playoff rosters finalized (by 3 PM ET)

• April 15–18: Play-In Tournament

• April 19: NBA Playoffs begin

• May 5–6: Conference Semifinals begin

• Late May: Conference Finals begin

• June 5: NBA Finals begin

🗓️ If the Finals go to Game 7, the last possible game will be played on June 22, 2025.

📺 Where to Watch the NBA Playoffs

You can catch every game on:

• TV Networks: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV

• Streaming Services: Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling, DirecTV Stream

💸 Where to Bet on the NBA

If you’re in a state with legal sports betting and are of legal age, you can bet on the NBA through licensed sportsbooks and betting platforms.

Check out NBA futures, series odds, and game props. Some popular sites also offer live betting during games.

📚 New to betting? Learn more with beginner guides on how to bet on basketball!

Final Thoughts

The 2025 NBA Playoffs promise a thrilling ride from start to finish. Whether you’re cheering for a top seed or rooting for a Cinderella run from the Play-In Tournament, there’s no shortage of action ahead.

So grab your brackets, clear your calendar, and get ready—the road to the NBA Championship starts April 19. Let the madness begin.