play-offs
Championship tournament games
Play-offs are a series of games played after a regular season to determine a champion.
Teams that qualify based on their regular-season performance compete in elimination rounds: The team made the play-offs for the first time in a decade.
In British English, a play-off may determine promotion or relegation between leagues.
Also spelled playoffs.
Support or category
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
underdog · exit · ouster · decider · head-to-head · do-or-die · winner-takes-all · bye
Support or category
- seedingsPreliminary competition rankings
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- matchupsPaired competitive encounters
- postseasonChampionship tournament period
qualifiers · fixtures · draw · schedule · quarterfinals · semifinals · conference · division
Concluding tests or matches
- trophyAward for winning
- titleFormal honorific or name
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- championTop competitor, or advocate
dynasty · legacy · celebration · clinch · parade · rings · banner · MVP
Force upon contact
- tensionStretched or strained state
- crucialOf supreme importance
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
critical · nail-biter · showdown · thriller · cliffhanger · dramatic · momentous · high-pressure
Strength or force level
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
passion · fans · arena · spectacle · fervor · roar · sellout · atmosphere
bracket
Support or category
wildcard · underdog · exit · ouster · decider · head-to-head · do-or-die · winner-takes-all · bye · clinch
bracket
Support or category
- seedingsPreliminary competition rankings
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- matchupsPaired competitive encounters
postseason · qualifiers · fixtures · draw · schedule · quarterfinals · semifinals · conference · division · tiebreaker
finals
Concluding tests or matches
champion · dynasty · legacy · celebration · clinch · parade · rings · banner · MVP · coronation
pressure
Force upon contact
pivotal · critical · nail-biter · showdown · thriller · cliffhanger · dramatic · momentous · high-pressure · game seven
intensity
Strength or force level
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- anticipationState of awaiting something
drama · passion · fans · arena · spectacle · fervor · roar · sellout · atmosphere · electricity
play-offsregular season
Standard competitive period before playoffs
group stage · league play · qualifying rounds · preseason · round-robin
play-offsexhibition
Public display of items
friendlies · exhibition games · friendly match · scrimmages · scrimmage