LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler headline the return of the NBA play-in tournament, offering a chance for redemption and playoff qualification for their respective teams.
The action kicks off Tuesday night with Western Conference matchups. The Los Angeles Lakers face the New Orleans Pelicans, vying for the No. 7 seed and a showdown with the defending champion Denver Nuggets in Round 1. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors take on the Sacramento Kings in an elimination game.
On Wednesday, the focus shifts to the Eastern Conference, where the Philadelphia 76ers clash with the Miami Heat to determine the No. 7 seed, while the Atlanta Hawks square off against the Chicago Bulls in another do-or-die matchup.
For the Lakers, their recent victory over the Pelicans set the stage for a playoff-like atmosphere, with LeBron James emphasizing the need for urgency. Meanwhile, Butler remains confident in the Heat’s abilities despite the changes from last year’s squad.
In the West, the Warriors and Kings aim to seize their opportunity, with both teams eager to rewrite their playoff narratives from the previous season.
