NBA Play-In Tournament Matchups Tip Off

Magic face 76ers, Clippers battle Warriors in high-stakes play-in games

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between two teams, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and drama of the play-in tournament.The high-stakes NBA play-in tournament matchups showcase the league's top talent in a winner-take-all format.Boston Today

The NBA play-in tournament continues on Wednesday with four teams vying for the final playoff spots. In the East, the Orlando Magic take on the Philadelphia 76ers, while in the West, the LA Clippers face off against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of these matchups will advance to face higher-seeded teams on Friday with a playoff berth on the line.

Why it matters

The play-in tournament has become an exciting addition to the NBA postseason, giving more teams a chance to compete for the championship. These high-stakes games feature star players and former NBA Finals MVPs going head-to-head, adding extra drama and intrigue as the regular season comes to a close.

The details

In the East, the 76ers won the regular season series against the Magic, though the teams haven't met since January. Both teams hold identical 45-37 records. The Magic were on a five-game winning streak before dropping their final game, while the 76ers won their last two after a three-game skid. In the West, the Clippers-Warriors matchup pits two former NBA Finals MVPs against each other in Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry. Leonard had a career-best season, while Curry's campaign was limited by injury. The Clippers won the season series 3-1 over the Warriors.

  • The NBA play-in tournament continues on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The Magic-76ers game tips off the night's action.
  • The Clippers-Warriors matchup is the final game of the evening.

The players

Orlando Magic

An Eastern Conference team that finished the regular season with a 45-37 record and is looking to secure a playoff berth through the play-in tournament.

Philadelphia 76ers

An Eastern Conference team that also finished the regular season with a 45-37 record and is aiming to advance to the playoffs by defeating the Magic.

LA Clippers

A Western Conference team led by former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who had a career-best season, and is facing the Warriors in a high-stakes play-in game.

Golden State Warriors

A Western Conference team featuring former NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry, who missed a significant portion of the regular season due to injury but is now healthy and looking to lead his team to the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“These play-in games are going to be must-watch TV. You have star power, high-stakes matchups, and teams fighting for their playoff lives. It's going to be an exciting night of basketball.”

— Jalen Rose, NBA Analyst

“The play-in tournament has really added an extra layer of drama and intensity to the end of the NBA season. These teams are leaving it all on the court, knowing their seasons are on the line.”

— Doris Burke, NBA Commentator

What’s next

The winners of Wednesday's matchups will advance to face higher-seeded teams on Friday, April 17, 2026, with a playoff berth on the line.

The takeaway

The NBA play-in tournament continues to provide thrilling, high-stakes basketball as teams fight for the final playoff spots. With star players and former champions going head-to-head, these games are must-see events that are adding extra excitement and drama to the end of the NBA season.