NBA playoffs 2021: Teams that have qualified for playoffs and those in play-in tournament

As of Tuesday (Wednesday IST), four teams from each conference have qualified for the NBA playoffs 2021. That means, before the play-in tournament later this month, only two more teams will be able to secure their postseason spot. As per NBA's new rule, the No. 7 and No. 8 seed will have to take part in the play-in tournament to clinch their playoff spot.

Teams qualified for NBA playoffs 2021

• Western Conference – Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers
• Eastern Conference – Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat

As of now, eight teams have secured their place in the upcoming NBA playoffs. Keeping in mind the new play-in tournament, only two more teams from each conference can secure a place. In the West, we have the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers in fifth and sixth place. However, the Los Angeles Lakers are one game behind both teams, still having a chance to escape the play-in situation. 

In the East, the No, 9 seeded Indiana Pacers have the same record with the No. 8 seeded Charlotte Hornets. The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks are placed fifth and sixth, both teams three games over the No. 7 seeded Boston Celtics. 

What are the NBA play-in tournament teams?

Western Conference

• No. 7 – Los Angeles Lakers vs No. 8 – Golden State Warriors
• No. 9 – Memphis Grizzlies vs No. 10 – San Antonio Spurs

Eastern Conference

• No. 7 – Boston Celtics vs No. 8 – Charlotte Hornets
• No. 9 – Indiana Pacers  vs No. 10 – Washington Wizards

NBA playoffs picture: The current NBA playoffs bracket

Eastern Conference

• (Q) Philadelphia 76ers (No.1) vs Charlotte Hornets (No. 8)
• (Q) Brooklyn Nets (No. 2) vs Boston Celtics (No. 7)
• (Q) Milwaukee Bucks (No. 3) vs New York Knicks (No. 6)
• (Q) Miami Heat (No. 4) vs Atlanta Hawks (No. 5)

Western Conference

• (Q) Utah Jazz (No. 1) vs Golden State Warriors (No. 8)
• (Q) Phoenix Suns (No. 2) vs Los Angeles Lakers (No. 7)
• (Q) Los Angeles Clippers (No. 3) vs Dallas Mavericks (No. 6)
• (Q) Denver Nuggets (No. 4) vs Portland Trail Blazers (No. 5)

NBA play-in tournament date and remaining schedule

• Second half of the NBA regular season ends – May 16 EST (May 17 IST)
• Play-in tournament – May 18 to 21 EST (May 19 to May 22 IST)
• NBA playoffs date – May 22 to July 22 EST (May 23 to July 23 IST)

(Image credits: AP)