Antes de que comenzará la postemporada, se disputó el mini torneo, Play-In, donde las franquicias sembradas desde el séptimo al décimo puesto se jugaban los últimos dos puestos para entrar a la fiesta grande. Este se jugó de la siguiente manera.
Este
-Boston Celtics (7mo) - Washington Wizards (8vo): Celtics ganó y avanzó a Playoffs
-Indiana Pacers (9no) - Charlotte Hornets (10mo): Pacers ganó y enfrentó a Wizards por el octavo boleto a Playoffs
*Washington Wizards (8vo) - Indiana Pacers (9no): Wizards ganó y avanzó a Playoffs
Oeste
-Los Angeles Lakers (7mo) - Golden State Warrios (8vo): Lakers ganó y avanzó a Playoffs
-Memphis Grizzlies (9no) - San Antonio Spurs (10mo): Grizzlies ganó y enfrentó a Warriors por el octavo boleto a Playoffs
*Golden State Warrios (8vo) - Memphis Grizzlies (9no): Grizzlies ganó y avanzó a Playoffs
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Kevin Durant #7, Mike James #55, and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets high-five during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on May 16, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Kevin Durant #7, Mike James #55, and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets high-five during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on May 16, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)](http://www.diez.hn/binrepository/1200x800/0c0/0d0/none/3014757/MGKL/063_1318364555_DZ1465614_MG94696298.jpg)
Milwaukee Bucks y Miami Heat son el enfrentamiento más parejo junto a Los Angeles Clippers y Dallas Mavericks. Utah Jazz, líder del Oeste, chocará contra Grizzlies, mientras que New York Knicks y Atlanta Hawks harán lo suyo. Portland Blazzers junto a Denver Nuggets cierran los cupos.
Knicks (desde 2013) y Suns (desde 2010) vuelven a los playoffs tras años de ausencia. Los Warriors, liderados toda la temporada por el candidato a MVP, Curry, fueron sorprendidos por los modestos Grizzlies en casa y eliminados previo a la postemporada por segundo año consecutivo.
![LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament on May 19, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Juan Ocampo / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP) LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament on May 19, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Juan Ocampo / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)](http://www.diez.hn/binrepository/1200x798/0c0/0d0/none/3014757/MILS/063_1232995684_DZ1465614_MG94696300.jpg)
Conferencia Este
Philadelphia 76ers (1) vs. Washington Wizards (8)
Brooklyn Nets (2) vs. Boston Celtics (7)
Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs. Miami Heat (6)
New York Knicks (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)
Conferencia Oeste
Utah Jazz (1) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8)
Phoenix Suns (2) vs. L.A. Lakers (7)
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (6)
LA Clippers (4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
*La franquicia que gane cuatro juegos avanzará a la siguiente ronda.