Before the 2025 NBA playoffs tip off in earnest, eight teams face off head-to-head in this week’s play-in tournament to determine the final spots.
The Heat kept their season afloat Wednesday with a dominant win over the Bulls, and the Mavericks did the same against the Kings later in the night. On Tuesday night, the Magic dispatched the Hawks, and the Warriors survived a close game against the Grizzlies.
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The results set the slate for Friday night: the Heat at the Hawks and the Mavericks at Grizzlies.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NBA play-in tournament and scroll down for live updates of Wednesday’s action.
Mavericks 120, Kings 106
The Dallas Mavericks have spent the last two months getting lambasted from every corner of the internet for a certain trade one quiet February evening. The debate goes on, but Dallas made everything look like it was going according to plan for at least one night.
Behind a smothering defense and some hot shooting, the Mavericks played like the Anthony Davis-led contender that was promised, even with Kyrie Irving still sidelined with a torn ACL. They will advance to face the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday, with the winner claiming the No. 8 seed.
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With Grizzlies star Ja Morant possibly nursing an ankle injury, that could be an interesting matchup.
The win improves Davis’ record in the play-in tournament to 4-0, and he definitely made his mark on this one at both ends of the floor. The big man finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. He got a lot of help from Klay Thompson, who scored 16 of his 23 points in the decisive second quarter. Both were playing in their first postseason game as Mavericks.
As for the Kings, it’s a rough end to an awkward season, with the Golden 1 Center booing them at times.
An era ended for the franchise when point guard De’Aaron Fox requested and received a trade. Zach LaVine played as well as could be expected after landing in Sacramento via that deal, but this remained a team in need of a reset after also firing head coach Mike Brown.
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It appears the franchise is already getting started as ESPN reported after the game it is mutually parting ways with general manager Monte McNair.
Heat 109, Bulls 90
Chicago swept its three-game series against Miami in the regular season.
But there was no doubt about the the better team in Wednesday’s elimination game between the Heat and Bulls. It wasn’t Chicago.
The Heat punched the Bulls in the mouth in the first quarter and never looked back. With the win, Miami stayed alive for the playoffs and will face another elimination game on Friday against the Hawks.
The winner of that game will earn the No. 8 seed in the East. The loser’s season will be over.
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With Wednesday’s loss, Chicago’s season came to a crashing end in front of a home crowd that booed it off the court at halftime.
Miami raced out of a 39-28 first-quarter lead as Chicago offered little to no resistance on defense. By halftime, the Heat extended their lead to 71-47, sparked by a perfect first-half effort from Tyler Herro (23 points, 8-of-8 from the field, 3-of-3 from 3).
The Bulls showed their first signs of life in the third quarter while cutting 10 points off Miami’s lead. But it was too little too late. The Heat never let the Bulls within single digits and are now a win away from securing a playoff berth after entering the play-in as the No. 10 seed. Herro led the way on Wednesday night with 38 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Here’s how the play-in tournament action went down at Yahoo Sports:
