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| A promotional image showing eight teams participating in the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, which begins on Tuesday, October 6. (NBA.com) |
| ⏵ Monday, October 5, 2026 (Press Release):
π Highlights:
- The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences will be determined in this week’s SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, marking the sixth year the event has been held.
- SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament games take place between Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 9.
- Prime Video to serve as the exclusive broadcaster for Play-In Tournament games for the first time ever, streaming six SoFi Play-In games over three days.
- After the Play-In Tournament, the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google get underway on Saturday, October 10, with games on ABC, ESPN, Prime Video, NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN.
- Marquee talent set to compete during the Play-In Tournament include 2022-23 Kia NBA MVP Joel Embiid, four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, five-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker, three-time NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo, and more!
With the regular season behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the postseason! Before the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google get going this weekend, we have a mini-postseason tournament forthcoming called the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament. 2026 is the sixth time that the Play-In Tournament has kicked off the NBA postseason schedule.
We have eight teams battling for the final two playoff seeds in each conference. Additionally, we have three nights of Play-In Tournament action to look forward to.
In this article, we will preview the Play-In Tournament from start to finish. Our friends over at Prime Video will have exclusive coverage of the Play-In Tournament for the first time ever.
The 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, October 6, with a doubleheader on Prime Video. First up, the 76ers (No. 7 seed) host the Magic (No. 8 seed) at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Trail Blazers (No. 8 seed) visiting the Suns (No. 7 seed) at 10:00 PM ET.
Pregame coverage starts at 7:00 PM ET with “NBA on Prime Pregame presented by CarMax,” as Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Udonis Haslem, and Chris Haynes hang out with you before the Play-In doubleheader. After the game, stay locked in for postgame coverage and analysis on “NBA Nightcap presented by Wayfair”, starting at 12:30 AM ET on Prime Video.
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (East) | 8 Magic vs. 7 76ers | Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video:
Two squads that had to deal with injuries and notable absences are back in the Play-In Tournament hoping to qualify for the NBA Playoffs as 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic (No. 8 seed) visit two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 7 seed) on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video. The winner will earn the No. 7 seed and will play the No. 2 seed Celtics in the First Round. The loser will then have a second chance to make the NBA Playoffs in the eighth-place game on Friday night.
Prime Video will televise Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament game, featuring commentary from Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Stan Van Gundy (analyst), & Cassidy Hubbarth (sideline reporter). Additionally, coverage can be found on ESPN Radio, with Jeff Levering (play-by-play) joined by 13-year NBA veteran CJ McCollum (analyst) and Aislinn Belinch (sideline reporter).
Orlando is quite familiar with the Play-In Tournament stakes, having played in it last year as the No. 7 seed and defeating the Hawks to advance to the NBA Playoffs. This year, the Magic will have to go to Philadelphia for this play-in game if they want to capture the No. 7 seed. Paolo Banchero (22.2 ppg) and offseason acquisition Desmond Bane (20.1 ppg) helped the Magic get through a regular season once again defined by injuries.
Philadelphia, which won this Play-In game as the No. 7 seed back in 2024, is built around rising star Tyrese Maxey. Maxey, who led the 76ers in scoring (28.3 ppg), assists (6.6 apg), and steals (1.9 spg), became the first 76er since Allen Iverson to average 28+ pts and 6+ ast in a single season.
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (West) | 8 Trail Blazers vs. 7 Suns | Tuesday, 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MST) on Prime Video:
Later in the evening, we have two of the best defensive clubs in the league, as Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers (No. 8 seed) take on Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (No. 7 seed) with the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference up for grabs on Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MST) on Prime Video.
Kevin Harlan delivers play-by-play for Tuesday’s Trail Blazers-Suns Play-In game on Prime Video alongside analyst Jim Jackson and courtside reporter Allie Clifton. Over on ESPN Radio, the broadcast team of Chancellor Johnson, Devin Harris, and Danielle Trotta will have the call.
NBA All-Star F Deni Avdija has fueled the Trail Blazers’ return to the postseason, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. He joins Nikola JokiΔ and Luka DonΔiΔ as the only players in the league to average 24/6/6 this season. Portland went 10-4 over their final 14 games, aided by the league’s best defensive rating during that span.
Devin Booker enters Play-In action scorching hot, with five games of at least 30 points in his final six regular-season games. Phoenix has a top-10 defense basically all season long.
The following night, Wednesday, October 7, the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament marches ahead with a pair of win-or-go-home games. The Hornets (No. 9 seed) welcome the Heat (No. 10 seed) in a little Southeast Division collision at 7:30 PM ET, before the Warriors (No. 10 seed) battle the Clippers (No. 9 seed) in a Pacific Division postseason showdown at 10:00 PM ET.
Prime Video sets up the doubleheader with “NBA on Prime Pregame presented by CarMax” at 7:00 PM ET featuring host Taylor Rooks, three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem, six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, and lead insider Chris Haynes. The crew returns for full postgame coverage on “NBA Nightcap presented by Wayfair” following the final game of the evening.
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (East) | 10 Heat vs. 9 Hornets | Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video:
To kick off Wednesday’s win-or-go-home doubleheader, NBA All-Star Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat (No. 10 seed) square off against fellow NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets (No. 9 seed) on Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video. Two of the league’s best offensive units meet, with both teams trying to keep their seasons alive. The Heat-Hornets winner will play in Friday’s 8th place game against the loser of Tuesday’s Magic-76ers game in Philadelphia.
Viewers can follow along with Wednesday’s Heat-Hornets Play-In Tournament game on Prime Video and ESPN Radio. The Prime Video broadcast will be called by Michael Grady (play-by-play), Brent Barry (analyst) & Kristina Pink (reporter). In contrast, play-by-play commentator Mike Monaco teams up with analyst and two-time NBA All-Star Antawn Jamison and reporter Alexis Davis to call ESPN Radio’s presentation of the contest.
The Hornets topped the league in three-point scoring, draining 16.4 3s per game at a 37.8% clip — the second-best percentage in the NBA. The Hornets take their time, checking in at No. 2 in field-goal frequency with 4 to 7 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
Miami hoops with pace and passion, averaging 120.9 ppg — only behind the Nuggets for the highest-scoring offense. Miami operates efficiently, ranking second in fastbreak points per game (18.4).
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (West) | 10 Warriors vs. 9 Clippers | Wednesday, 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT) on Prime Video:
In the nightcap, we take you out west, as four-time NBA champion Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors (No. 10 seed) tangle with 2021 NBA Champion Brook Lopez and the Los Angeles Clippers (No. 9 seed), with both teams trying to stay alive to advance to Friday’s 8th Place Game on Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT) on Prime Video. Time to lace ’em up. Make yourself some salty snacks. Tune in to watch the West 9 vs. 10 play-in game unfold before your eyes.
Wednesday’s Warriors-Clippers Play-In Tournament game is televised on Prime Video, with national audio coverage on ESPN Radio. On the television side, Eric Collins (play-by-play), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Candace Parker (analyst) & JayDee Dyer (reporter) will have the call for Prime Video. Fans who choose to listen to the game on ESPN Radio will hear from Chris Lewis, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings & Jacob Hardie.
The Warriors are quite familiar with these Play-In Tournament situations. In fact, Golden State finds itself in the Play-In Tournament for the third consecutive season. 11-time All-NBA selection Stephen Curry stirs the drink, as the 38-year-old tries to guide his team to another opportunity to compete in the playoffs. Last year, Golden State downed No. 8 seed Memphis in the play-in round to qualify for the 2025 NBA Playoffs, with Curry dropping 37 points in that game.
The unreal Clippers continue to shock the world π! Following a dismal 6-21 start, the Clippers turned things around, going 36-19 over the remaining 55 games. Clippers HC Tyronn Lue challenged his team to win at least 35 of the final 55 regular-season games. Mission accomplished there! If Los Angeles can make the playoffs, they would participate in it for the fourth consecutive season. “We always knew we were a better team than what we were showing,” said Brook Lopez. “But to go out there and prove it, it’s a nice little honor.”
The Play-In Tournament concludes on Friday, October 9 with two eighth-place games to determine the final playoff team from each conference. Prime Video will broadcast a Friday Play-In Tournament doubleheader, with a win-or-go-home mentality attached to each game. The Charlotte Hornets square off against the Orlando Magic at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors visiting the Phoenix Suns at 10:00 PM ET. The final playoff spot in each conference is up for grabs.
Start your basketball ⛹ evening with “NBA on Prime Pregame presented by CarMax” at 7:00 PM ET on Prime Video, as Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem, Blake Griffin, Steve Nash, and Chris Haynes set the lineup ahead of Friday’s must-see doubleheader. Once game coverage wraps up, stay tuned for NBA Nightcap as the team breaks down the biggest moments from Friday’s Play-In doubleheader.
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, 8th Place Game (East) | 9 Hornets vs. 8 Magic | Friday, 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video:
Moussa DiabatΓ© and the Charlotte Hornets (No. 9 seed) come surging into Orlando to face Jalen Suggs and the Orlando Magic (No. 8 seed) in the first half of Friday’s SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament doubleheader on October 9 at 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video. The winning team gets the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the Pistons. The losing side is eliminated from playoff contention.
There are two ways to follow along with Friday’s Hornets-Magic Play-In Tournament game. On the television side, Prime Video has assigned Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, & Cassidy Hubbarth to the matchup. On the radio side, ESPN Radio will have Jeff Levering (play-by-play) work alongside 13-year NBA vet CJ McCollum (analyst), with Aislinn Belinch patrolling the sidelines.
On Wednesday night, Coby White (a clutch three in the 4th qtr) and LaMelo Ball (a key layup in OT) stepped up in the biggest moments as this young Charlotte squad kept their season alive. Charlotte edged Miami, 126-127, in Wednesday’s #9 vs. #10 play-in game. Somehow, Charlotte found a way to get it done. “It just shows the character of the team,” said Hornets head coach Charles Lee postgame. “That’s where I’ve seen the most growth and maturity from our group – is just finding a way to respond.” The Hornets are on the verge of clinching their first NBA Playoffs berth since 2016, which would snap a ten-year playoff drought for this organization. Charlotte is the first team since 1997 to make a postseason run after a 11-22 or worse start.
Orlando, meanwhile, is looking to make the NBA Playoffs for the third consecutive year, which will be their longest streak since they made it six consecutive years (2007-12). If the Magic are to make the playoff field again, they need big-time performances from some of their players. Magic F Paolo Banchero loves elimination games, averaging 28 points and 11 rebounds in three prior elimination games. Magic G Desmond Bane aims to follow up his 34-point game vs. the 76ers on Tuesday night.
π SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, 8th Place Game (West) | 10 Warriors vs. 7 Suns | Friday, 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MST) on Prime Video:
De’Anthony Melton and the Golden State Warriors (No. 10 seed) continue their push towards the NBA Playoffs with this eighth-place matchup against two-time All-NBA member Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (No. 7 seed) on Friday, October 9 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM MST on Prime Video. The winner will secure the No. 8 seed in the West and will be paired against the top-seeded Thunder in Round 1. The team that falls short is done and will have to watch the playoffs unfold from their homes.
Friday’s Warriors-Suns SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament broadcast team on Prime Video features play-by-play announcer Michael Grady, analyst and two-time NBA champion Brent Barry, and courtside reporter JayDee Dyer. Over on ESPN Radio, the announcing team of Mike Monaco, two-time NBA All-Star Antawn Jamison, and Miles Thornton will broadcast the action.
The current-day Warriors dynasty seeks to add some Play-In tournament history to their rΓ©sumΓ©. With a win on Friday, Golden State will become just the second-ever No. 10 seed to successfully advance through the Play-In Tournament (and the first team in the West, after the Heat did it last season). Following another exhibition of clutch shooting and veteran leadership on Wednesday vs. the Clippers, four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry attempts to lead Golden State out of the Play-In for the second straight year, with the Warriors needing to win TWO road games to make the NBA Playoffs.
Dillon Brooks and the Suns look to return to the NBA Playoffs after missing the postseason in 2025. Phoenix tries to knock out Golden State in this matchup, after Golden State took three out of four games vs. Phoenix during the regular season series. Rewind to the 2024 NBA Playoffs, when Devin Booker poured in 49 points in a win-or-go-home game against the Timberwolves. Is Booker capable of doing something similar this time?
Here is a game-by-game breakdown for the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (view below π):
- 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament | Game-by-Game Breakdown | All Times Eastern and Subject to Change:
π³ Eastern Conference:
|| East Play-In (No. 7 vs. No. 8): (E8) Orlando Magic vs. (E7) Philadelphia 76ers — Winner gets #7 seed and loser plays in 8th Place Game
π
. Tuesday, October 6 - (E8) Magic at (E7) 76ers - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth
|| East Play-In (No. 9 vs. No. 10): (E10) Miami Heat vs. (E9) Charlotte Hornets — Winner advances to 8th Place Game and Loser is eliminated
π
. Wednesday, October 7 - (E10) Heat at (E9) Hornets - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Brent Barry, Kristina Pink
|| East 8th Place Game: (E9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (E8) Orlando Magic — Winner gets #8 seed and Loser is eliminated
π
. Friday, October 9 - (E9) Hornets at (E8) Magic - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth
π³ Western Conference:
|| West Play-In (No. 7 vs. No. 8): (W8) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (W7) Phoenix Suns — Winner gets #7 seed and loser plays in 8th Place Game
π
. Tuesday, October 6 - (W8) Trail Blazers at (W7) Suns - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Jim Jackson, Allie Clifton
|| West Play-In (No. 9 vs. No. 10): (W10) Golden State Warriors vs. (W9) Los Angeles Clippers — Winner advances to 8th Place Game and Loser is eliminated
π
. Wednesday, October 7 - (W10) Warriors at (W9) Clippers - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Eric Collins, Candace Parker, JayDee Dyer
|| West 8th Place Game: (W10) Golden State Warriors vs. (W7) Phoenix Suns — Winner gets #8 seed and Loser is eliminated
π
. Friday, October 9 - (W10) Warriors at (W7) Suns - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Brent Barry, JayDee Dyer
Here is the daily television/streaming schedule that will be implemented throughout the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (view below π):
- 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament | Daily Television/Streaming Schedule | All Times Eastern and Subject to Change:
|| ⯈ Tuesday, October 6:
. East Play-In: (E8) Magic at (E7) 76ers - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth
. West Play-In: (W8) Trail Blazers at (W7) Suns - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Jim Jackson, Allie Clifton
|| ⯈ Wednesday, October 7:
. East Play-In: (E10) Heat at (E9) Hornets - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Brent Barry, Kristina Pink
. West Play-In: (W10) Warriors at (W9) Clippers - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Eric Collins, Candace Parker, JayDee Dyer
|| ⯈ Friday, October 9:
. East 8th Place Game: (E9) Hornets at (E8) Magic - Prime Video, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth
. West 8th Place Game: (W10) Warriors at (W7) Suns - Prime Video, 10:00 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Brent Barry, JayDee Dyer
2026 NBA: Summer Series Postseason Articles Summary:
- SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament (you are now reading)
- Conference Semifinals (Second Round) (scheduled to be released later)
- Conference Finals (scheduled to be released later)
- 2026 NBA Finals (scheduled to be released later)
|| ↣ π Sources: SportsLogos.Net, NBA Summer Series Weekly Media Press Releases Center, 2026 NBA Summer Series Official Game Schedule, NBA Summer Series Playoffs Press Kit (Bracket, Index, Qualifications) ↢ ||
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