The NBA's play-in tournament concludes Friday, with four teams competing for the final spots in the postseason. The Phoenix Suns are hosting the Golden State Warriors in a decisive matchup. The outcome will determine which teams advance to the first round of the playoffs.
This tournament format, introduced in recent seasons, creates a high-stakes path for teams that finish just outside the top six seeds in each conference. It adds a dramatic layer to the end of the regular season, forcing contenders to fight for their postseason lives in single-elimination or win-or-go-home games.