With one game left in the regular season, the Miami Heat officially locked up the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are looking to accomplish the unthinkable, winning two play-in games on the road–beginning with the Chicago Bulls, who swept the season series 3-0.
That begs the question: How have the other No. 10 seeds fared in the play-in since the format was fully implemented at the start of 2020-21? Let’s examine!
2020-21:
No. 9 Memphis Grizzlies 100, No. 10 San Antonio Spurs 96:
Despite losing 10 of their final 12 regular season games, the Spurs still clinched a play-in spot against Memphis, who was looking to snap a skid of three-straight seasons without a postseason berth. Despite leading with under seven minutes left, San Antonio couldn’t hang on to win despite Dejounte Murray’s 10-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, finishing 33-39 on the season.
No. 9 Indiana Pacers 144, No. 10 Charlotte Hornets 117:
The second of two 9-10 play-in games in 2020-21 wasn’t close from start-to-finish. Leading by as much as 39, the Indiana Pacers cruised past the Charlotte Hornets, shooting as good from 3-point range (45.7 percent, 16-35) than Charlotte did from the floor (45.7 percent, 43-94). The Pacers also had nine double-figure scorers, led by Oshae Brissett (23 PTS), Doug McDermott (21 PTS) and Domantas Sabonis (14 PTS, 21 REB).
2021-22:
No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans 113, No. 10 San Antonio Spurs 103:
Playing in their second play-in game in as many years, the Spurs still weren’t able to get over the hump. Both teams were at least 10 games below .500 to finish the regular season, with this game being the worst between two combined teams (70-94) in play-in history. Despite being without Zion Williamson due to injury, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram led New Orleans over San Antonio despite making only eight 3-pointers. It helps when you finish a plus-19 in the rebounding battle while shooting 59.0 percent from inside-the-arc, eh?
No. 9 Atlanta Hawks 132, No. 10 Charlotte Hornets 103:
Also competing in their second consecutive play-in game, the Hornets got bullied once again, losing by 29 to Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. Young didn’t shoot the ball well, but he still tallied 24 points and 11 dimes behind a dominant third quarter, where the Hawks outscored the Hornets 42-24. Oh, and Miles Bridges threw a mouthpiece at a fan after being ejected, in case anyone forgot.
2022-23:
No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder 123, No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans 118:
After Chicago’s remarkable comeback over Toronto (more on that below), the then-budding Oklahoma City Thunder squeaked past the Pelicans to become the second-ever No. 10 seed to advance past the 9-10 contest. Oklahoma City was buoyed by a very strong third quarter–where it outscored New Orleans by 15–hanging on down the stretch. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put a huge stamp on the game with 31 points; Josh Giddey was outstanding with a near 31-10-9 triple-double while Luguentz Dort, who shot just 33 percent from deep on the season, nailed four of the team’s 11 triples.
No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves 120, No. 10 Thunder 95:
The second game wasn’t as kind for the Thunder, who were simply outmatched by Minnesota’s overwhelming size in the frontcourt (Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns). The two combined for 49 points and 21 rebounds, finishing a plus-five on the glass. While OKC was slightly more efficient from deep, they shot just 36.0 percent from the floor, including just 38.8 percent from inside the arc in the losing effort.
No. 10 Chicago Bulls 109, No. 9 Toronto Raptors 105:
The Bulls looked buried in the dirt until they weren’t. Trailing by as many as 19 points with nine minutes left in the third quarter, Zach LaVine’s torrid second half helped the Chicago Bulls become the first No. 10 seed in NBA History to win a play-in game. LaVine scored 39 in the game–including 30 in the second half on 14 shots–with Chicago outscoring Toronto 48-28 over the final 15 minutes.
No. 7 Miami Heat 102, No. 10 Bulls 91:
Who could forget the Max Strus game?!? Chicago led with under three minutes to go, but Miami closed the game on a 15-2 run behind Strus’ 31-point effort, where the former Heat wing netted a game-high seven 3-pointers. All other Heat players made just three–one from Love, Caleb Martin and Lowry apiece. DeMar DeRozan was spectacular, but it ultimately wasn’t enough in the end.
2023-24:
No. 9 Sacramento Kings 118, No. 10 Golden State Warriors 94:
One year after losing in seven to the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento rolled past their Northern California foe in last year’s play-in. Heading into the break only up four, Sacramento dominated the second half, outscoring the Warriors 64-44 with four players knocking down at least two threes apiece. Klay Thompson threw up a donut while the Kings did a fairly good job limiting damage from Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga.
No. 9 Chicago Bulls 131, No. 10 Atlanta Hawks 116:
From wire-to-wire, Coby White was the best player on the floor from either side, notching a career-high 42 points on 15-of-21 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists. White was spectacular during the second half of last season, but he took it to another level. In general, the Bulls’ offense had its way, shooting 56.8 percent and 42.3 percent from 3-point range, finishing a plus-13 on the glass and winning the turnover battle. They would eventually lose to the Heat once again in the 8-9 game, but this was an unforgettable performance from White.
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