play-in games

Tournament entry matches

Play-in games are preliminary contests that determine which teams qualify for the main bracket of a tournament or playoff.

Most associated with the NBA, where teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference compete for the final playoff spots: The Lakers need to win their play-in game to make the playoffs.

The format adds drama for borderline teams while giving higher seeds more rest.

tournamentMulti-round competitive event
bracketSupport or category
eliminationAct of removing entirely
wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
playoffsChampionship elimination series

qualifying · bubble · seeding · March Madness · bracket buster · overtime · sudden death · tiebreaker · underdog · Cinderella · upset · contender · postseason · NBA · single elimination · do-or-die · one and done · desperation

Opposites

postseason qualification security

play-in gamesbye

Parting utterance

number one seed · top seed · division title · conference championship

tournament stage

play-in gamesNBA Finals

Pro basketball championship series

conference finals · World Series · Super Bowl · championship series

season phase

play-in gamesregular season

Standard competitive period before playoffs

preseason · season opener · training camp

Family

play, in, game, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Mostly American · Concrete · Rated G