Apr 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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How Do the NBA Playoffs Work? Format, Rules, and More Explained

The NBA Playoffs have been a crucial part of how the NBA works. The format has been consistent for years, but some fans may still find it confusing. With the 2024-25 season NBA Playoffs about to start, we look at various aspects of the competitive postseason phase that determines the NBA Champion through multiple rounds. It has the power to reshape and rejuvenate franchises.

What Are the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA Playoffs involve a post-regular-season set of fixtures that decide the winner of the NBA title round by round. To qualify for the fascinating phase of the league, a team has to finish inside the first six seeds of their respective conferences. Such teams directly qualify for the first round of the playoffs.

LeBron James has now faced 80% of NBA teams in the playoffs after the Lakers drew the Timberwolves in the first round 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CYPjvKH7Qx
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 14, 2025

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Teams who finish the regular season in positions 7 to 10 in both conferences fight for the 7th and 8th seed, which paves the way for playoffs qualification. These teams then face the top two seeded teams of their respective conference, and so begins the long journey to the pinnacle.

How Do the Playoffs Work?

The tournament is divided into multiple rounds, but remains the same for Eastern and Western Conference teams. All the matchups of every round will have a series of 7. The team performing best aggregate wins the playoffs series and moves ahead. The team with the higher seed in each matchup has home-court advantage.

This means they host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) in the best of 7 series format. It serves as a crucial advantage, especially in the Playoffs’ environment where crowd energy and travel schedules can shift momentum.

Round 1

Series 1 – 1st seed vs 8th seed
Series 2 – 2nd seed vs 7th seed
Series 3 – 3rd seed vs 6th seed
Series 4 – 4th seed vs 5th seed

Conference Semifinals

The winner of Series 1 faces the Winner of Series 4
While the Winner of Series 2 faces the Victor of Series 3

Conference Finals

The winners from each of the two semi-final series will clash in their respective Conference finals.

NBA Finals

The final round will witness a clash between the winner of the Eastern Conference and the winner of the Western Conference. This playoffs series will determine the NBA championship winner.

2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule

The schedule for Game 1s in the First Round of the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google ⬇️

More information will be provided as it is finalized. pic.twitter.com/vBIQMNYa3C
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 14, 2025

The first round of the NBA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 19, with the opening game taking place between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.

A full picture of the NBA 2025 Playoffs will arise after the conclusion of the Play-In tournament, which is set to begin on Tuesday night. The knockout tournament will see a conclusion on Friday, April 18. While teams that have qualified for the playoffs have a full week’s worth of rest, the teams coming out of the Play-In will see only a couple of days’ worth of rest.