Let's look at some storylines hovering over each Eastern Conference play-in game.
The NBA play-in tournament has been a massive success in recent years. And now, basketball fans look set to enjoy another round of high-stakes basketball before the postseason truly gets underway.
Golden State still has one significant shortcoming: a lack of size in the middle of the floor.
The LeBron James and Luka Doncic duo has begun showing signs of an elite partnership — from one side of the court.
Where the NBA has begun leaning into skill and finesse, JB Bickerstaff's roster has become gritty and abrasive.
Jenkins showed Morant significant patience, and the All-Star guard should have done the same.
The Boston Celtics big man has enjoyed a career year and has established himself as a core part of Joe Mazzulla's rotation.
Over the last two months, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. Billy Donovan's young squad has found a rhythm, as Coby White and Josh Giddey have both taken their games to a new level.
Unfortunately for AEW, it seems everyone is out to get the company. Perhaps that's a sign that it's doing something right.
The Hornets sit 14th in the Eastern Conference and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Here are three potential options to fill the vacant seat.
After almost a year of struggle, AEW appears to be trending in the right direction again. The storylines are starting to make sense, the matches, for the most part, have a purpose, with either something on the line or a story being told.
Over the past 24 hours, two heavyweights in the NBA world have been taking shots at each other.
The Orlando Magic star has dropped 30 or more points in his last four games.
AEW perfectly fits that description, especially when pitted against the more family-friendly, PG-13-rated WWE.
During her tenure with the company, Saraya won her first world championship in almost nine years at Wembley Stadium in 2023.
On Saturday, Kristaps Porzingis returned to the Boston Celtics' rotation. The veteran big man had missed the previous eight games due to a mysterious illness.
The Boston Celtics have seldom been healthy this season. From Sam Hauser's intermittent back spasms, to Kristaps Porzingis' missing the opening month of the season as he recovered from surgery.
In truth, Booker was likely never in danger of being traded.
The Philadelphia 76ers season has been a disaster outside of one bright spot.
It's not too late for Williamson to become the star his old highlights predicted.
The Bulls would be making a mistake if they chose not to pay Giddey market value.
Redick has found a way to command a locker room full of elite talent, and the results have begun to manifest onto the court.
The Mavericks signed Thompson to help them win a championship. That goal hasn't changed. However, the path has become more difficult.
At what point is criticism classed as a personal attack?