playoff run
Tournament elimination journey
A playoff run is a team's journey through postseason competition, especially one marked by momentum or success.
The term implies sustained effort across multiple rounds: The Celtics' playoff run ended in the conference finals.
A deep playoff run reaches the later stages; a magical or improbable playoff run exceeds expectations.
The phrase captures both the sequential nature of elimination tournaments and the intensity required to advance.
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- postseasonChampionship tournament period
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- conference finalsPre-championship elimination round
- second roundCompetition's subsequent phase
clutch · buzzer beater · elimination · do or die · game seven · make or break · finals · dynasty · contender · bracket · underdog · overtime · series · momentum · road warriors · home court · sweep · victory
- sports dramacomeback story, underdog story, rivalry, upset, buzzer beater
- MLB PlayoffsALCS, NLCS, NLDS, World Series, wild card
- NBA PlayoffsNBA Finals, conference finals, first round, second round, bracket
- sports teamsLakers, cricket team, Celtics, national team, football team
playoff runregular season
Standard competitive period before playoffs
preseason · exhibition games · spring training · training camp · offseason
playoff runone-and-done
Occurring just once
swept · tanking · collapse · knocked out · championship drought
playoff, run, play, off, playable, player, plays, played, playing