NBA playoffs: Adam Silver to propose 22-team return, possible play-in for 8th seed

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is expected to propose a 22-team return to the Board of Governors following a series of consultation and surveys.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the development on Wednesday.

Silver is going propose bringing 22 teams — the 16 current playoff teams plus the next 6 in the league standings — to Orlando.

Play-in tournament in NBA's 22-team format would only be for 8th seed, per sources:

– If 9th seed is 4 or more games back, 8th seed earns spot
– If 9th seed is 4 or fewer games behind, play-in: Single-elimination for 9th seed, double-elimination for 8th.https://t.co/d7X3X6d1p8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2020

Sources: Joining the 16 current playoff teams in Orlando: New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Antonio in the West and Washington in the East. If the 9th seed is more than 4 games behind the 8th, No. 8 makes playoffs; Fewer than 4 games, a play-in tournament.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

The teams will play 8 games each to determine the final seeding for the playoffs.

If by the end of the regular season, the 9th seeded team in the conference is within 4 games or less of the 8th seed, there will be a play-in for the 8th and final seed of that conference.

The 8th seed will only need one win while the 9th seed will need 2 wins to secure the playoff spot.

Otherwise, the 8th seed will automatically advance to the playoffs.

The play-in format requires a double-elimination format for the 8th seed, a single-elimination for the 9th seed, per sources.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

The games will be played from July 31 to October 12.

The NBA draft combine and lottery shall be held around August.