NBA on ESPN – The 2024 NBA Playoff race begins this Wednesday April 17 when the NBA Play-In Tournament gets underway, as the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls fight to secure a place in the NBA post-season.
The final two NBA Playoff positions in the NBA Eastern and Western Conference go on the line LIVE on ESPN Wednesday April 17 and Thursday April 18.
Wednesday April 17 begins the Eastern Conference NBA Play-In portion, tipping off at 9.30am AEST LIVE on ESPN with the #8 New Orleans Pelicans meeting the #7 Los Angeles Lakers – where the winner will confirm a place in the NBA Playoffs.
The Pelicans and Lakers met on the final day of the NBA regular season, where New Orleans would have secured an NBA Playoff berth with victory. However, Los Angeles proved too strong and will be favored to advance.
Following at 12pm AEST Wednesday, the #9 Golden State Warriors and #10 Sacramento Kings clash in a single elimination game.
Sacramento made the NBA Playoffs last season for the first time since 2006 – but were eliminated by the Warriors in the first round.
It’s season over for the loser, but the winner will progress to face either the Pelicans or Lakers, for the final spot in the NBA Playoffs for the Eastern Conference, to be played on Saturday AEST.
Thursday April 18 follows the same formula in the NBA Western Conference Playoff race.
Starting at 9am AEST LIVE on ESPN, the #8 Miami Heat and #7 Philadelphia 76ers compete to secure direct passage into the NBA Playoffs, as part of another blockbuster high stakes double header.
The winner of the Miami-Philadelphia meeting will progress to face the #2 ranked New York Knicks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Last season the Heat became the first team who qualified from the NBA Play-In tournament to progress to the NBA Finals.
Then the #10 Atlanta Hawks and #9 Chicago Bulls clash at 11.30am AEST Thursday.
It’s the end of the season for the loser, with the winner progressing to a final single elimination showdown against either the Heat or 76ers on Saturday AEST.
NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament
Wednesday April 17
9.30am AEST, New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN
12pm AEST, Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings, ESPN
Thursday April 18
9am AEST, Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN
11.30am AEST, Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls, ESPN
Saturday April 20
Final Eastern Conference and Western Conference Play-In Elimination Games to be determined*
ESPN and ESPN2 is available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and SKY NZ
Media Release – ESPN
NBA on ESPN
Link to ESPN HERE
TV Central ESPN content HERE
