The NBA Play-In Tournament and the NHL Regular Season’s Final Day are two of the most exciting events in professional sports. Both offer high stakes and thrilling action, making them must-see events for fans of basketball and hockey.
The NBA Play-In Tournament was introduced in 2020 as a way to give more teams a chance to make the playoffs. The tournament includes the teams that finish seventh through tenth in each conference. The seventh and eighth seeds play each other, with the winner earning the seventh seed in the playoffs. The ninth and tenth seeds also play each other, with the loser being eliminated from playoff contention. The winner of that game then plays the loser of the seventh and eighth seed game for the final playoff spot.
The tournament has already provided some memorable moments in its short history. In 2020, Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to a win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in game, scoring 31 points and hitting a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds. The Blazers went on to make a deep playoff run, thanks in part to their play-in victory.
In 2021, the tournament was even more exciting, with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers facing off against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a do-or-die game for the seventh seed. James hit a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds to secure the win for the Lakers, sending them to the playoffs and ending the Warriors’ season.
The NHL Regular Season’s Final Day is also full of excitement and drama. With only a few games left in the season, teams are fighting for playoff spots and positioning. Every point matters, and every game is a must-win.
In 2019, the final day of the regular season provided one of the most thrilling moments in recent NHL history. The Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues were both fighting for a playoff spot, with the Avalanche needing a win to secure their spot. The game went to overtime, and with just seconds left on the clock, Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog scored the game-winning goal, sending the Avalanche to the playoffs and eliminating the Blues.
The NBA Play-In Tournament and the NHL Regular Season’s Final Day are both examples of how sports can provide thrilling moments and high-stakes drama. Whether you’re a fan of basketball or hockey, these events are must-see TV for any sports fan. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for some heart-stopping action.
