The annual National Basketball Association event preceding the traditional playoff format involves teams ranked seventh through tenth in each conference competing for the final two playoff seeds. This structure creates high-stakes matchups late in the regular season, providing additional opportunities for teams to vie for postseason contention. The games follow a single-elimination format for the lower seeds, heightening the intensity and drama for both participants and viewers.
This format significantly impacts the league by extending competitive relevance for more teams, increasing fan engagement, and generating substantial revenue through broadcast rights and ticket sales. Its introduction has altered strategic approaches to team building and regular-season performance, incentivizing teams to remain competitive even if a top-six seed seems unattainable. Moreover, the added excitement contributes to increased media coverage and public interest in the NBA during the crucial pre-playoff period. The event’s relatively recent implementation represents a significant shift in the NBA’s postseason qualification process.
