Before the 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off in earnest, eight teams go head-to-head to determine the final spots in this week’s play-in tournament.
On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic dispatched the Atlanta Hawks, and the Golden State Warriors survived a close game against the Memphis Grizzlies. On Wednesday, the Miami Heat dominated the Chicago Bulls, while the Dallas Mavericks easily rolled the Sacramento Kings.
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Things wrap up Friday for the final No. 8 seeds in the postseason. In the first game, the Heat defeated the Hawks in overtime. The Grizzlies take on the Mavs in the nightcap. The losers of Friday night’s games will be eliminated.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament. Please scroll down for live updates of Friday’s action.
The Miami Heat nearly did it again. During the regular season, Miami lost 15 games after taking a lead into the third quarter. No other NBA team lost that many games under those circumstances.
Friday night’s NBA play-in tournament matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks almost became the 16th defeat after Miami took a an 86-77 into the fourth quarter.
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Atlanta began the final frame with a 14-2 run capped by a Trae Young 3-pointer that finally gave them the lead, 91-88. Before that, the Hawks had trailed for the entire game.
Five consecutive points by Onyeka Okongwu extended Atlanta’s lead to 98-92 with five minutes remaining in regulation and it appeared that Miami might blow the game.
However, the Heat regained the lead, 99-98, on a 3 by Davion Mitchell and two consecutive baskets by Tyler Herro. After twice failing to regain the lead, Young tied the score at 106-106 on a layup with 1.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Miami quickly took control on a 3 by Herro followed by Davion Mitchell hitting two more from long range. The Hawks countered with 3s from Okongwu and Young, but Herro sunk the dagger from behind the arc to give the Heat a 120-114 lead.
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Herro finished with 30 points to lead all scorers, followed by 20 from Andrew Wiggins and Mitchell adding 16. Young led the Hawks with 29, while Okongwu added 29. Georges Niang also contributed 20 points off the bench.
With the win, Miami made some NBA play-in tournament history on Friday. No team that was a No. 10 seed had ever advanced through the play-in to the regular playoffs. The Heat now move on to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
Friday, April 18
• Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Streaming: Max, DirecTV and more
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from the play-in tournament:
