• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 10, 2025

NBA Play-In Tourney Sparks Drama On, Off Court

  • Big NBA stars are objecting to the new play-in tournament, but the league may be swayed by the revenue it brings.
  • The tournament is not guaranteed to be part of league rules past this season.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The NBA is expanding its playoff field, and while it’ll likely make for great TV ratings, it’s anything but a hit with some of its biggest stars. 

“Whoever came up with that s*** needs to be fired,” said LeBron James, referring to the league’s play-in tournament, which is in its second year. His fifth-seed Lakers could end up in the tournament.

Instead of the top eight teams in each conference making the playoffs, only six are guaranteed a spot. The next four play a series of single-elimination games for the final two seeds.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called the change “an enormous mistake.”

However, after the 2020 playoffs averaged 3.04 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV — down 37% from 2019 — it’s clear why a play-in is attractive to the NBA. It creates more games, more possible marquee matchups and that should, in turn, create better ratings.

“I do see this as something we would embrace going forward,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

The play-in tourney kicks off May 18, capping off a year where the league has tried to recover from a 2019-20 season that saw revenue drop 10% to $8.3 billion, per ESPN.

The NBA isn’t the only league adding more action to its schedule, either.

  • In March, the NFL changed the regular season schedule for the first time since 1978, adding a 17th game. In 2020, the league expanded its playoffs to 14 teams.
  • MLB expanded its playoffs from 10 to 16 teams in the shortened 2020 season, and team owners have asked to expand playoffs going forward in collective bargaining negotiations.

Per league rules, the NBA’s play-in tourney is only guaranteed to happen this season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.
exclusive

Amazon Adding Dell Curry to NBA Coverage Team

The 16-year NBA veteran has been a Hornets color commentator.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) defends Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the second half at United Center.

Why Are the NBA’s Biggest Restricted Free Agents Still Unsigned?

Draymond Green said the new CBA is responsible for ending free agency.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”
July 9, 2025

Jokić Declined a Contract Extension, but the Nuggets Shouldn’t Panic

Jokić still has three years remaining on his current contract.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates winning her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach Wimbledon Final, Clinches $2M

The American’s Wimbledon run will continue with her first major final.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.
July 8, 2025

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
Jonas
July 8, 2025

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

The Nuggets expect Valančiūnas to honor his NBA contract. 
July 8, 2025

Draymond Green Says He Should Be Union President in NBA CBA Rant

The NBPA president is CJ McCollum.
Enzo Fernandez
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Players Hawk Club World Cup Tickets on Instagram As Prices Plunge

The semifinals are set for weekday afternoons in New Jersey.