Memphis Grizzlies: How does the 2021 NBA Play-in Tournament work?

The Memphis Grizzlies are not a contender quite yet, but they are in a position to be included in the NBA’s 2021 Play-In Tournament.

There was a play-in tournament last year, but the concept is still new to many NBA fans. In a normal year, the top eight teams in the NBA are in; it’s that simple.

This year, the NBA is going with a play-in tournament to make up for the fact that this is a shortened season. This will also help teams who have had games canceled, leading to an even shorter season.

But how does a play-in tournament work and how does it affect the Memphis Grizzlies?

For starters, the word “tournament” is being used slightly hyperbolically. The tournament will consist of three games. The 7th and 8th seeded teams will face off and the winner of that game will have a spot in the NBA Playoffs. The loser will still have an opportunity to earn a spot but will have to win the next game in the tournament.

The 9th and 10th seeds will then face off, but the winner of this game won’t automatically be in either. The winner of this game will play the loser of the game between 7th and 8th seeds, and whoever takes home the victory there will be in the playoffs.

Essentially, the 7th and 8th seeded teams will have two opportunities to win a game, while the lower seeded 9th and 10th place teams will be facing a single-game elimination.

So which teams are most likely to be in this play-in tournament?