“Don’t like the idea of play-in tournaments”: Luka Doncic

“Don’t like the idea of play-in tournaments”: Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic

There have been many players who have called out NBA for keeping the play-in tournament for acquiring the last 2 teams from each conference for the payoffs. Now in that list add Dallas Mavericks’ superstar, Luka Doncic as well. 

The NBA board of governors unanimously approved a proposal to implement a play-in tournament for this season, after the league used it for the first time prior to the playoffs in the bubble last summer. 

The play-in concept features the teams that finish from seventh to 10th place in each conference. The structure, which the NBA announced in March, includes three games in each conference. 

Luka Doncic on not liking the play-in tournament 

“I don’t understand the idea of a play-in,” Luka Doncic said today after a 113-95 loss to the visiting Joel Embiid led Philadelphia 76ers, the Mavs’ third defeat in four games. “You play 72 games to get into the playoffs, then maybe you lose two in a row and you’re out of the playoffs. So I don’t see the point of that.” 

Dallas Mavericks who are 29-24, is in seventh place in the Western Conference standings, meaning they would have to participate in the play-in tournament if they can’t move up. The Dallas Mavericks are two games behind the Portland Trail Blazers, who own the tiebreaker between the teams due to beating Dallas in two of their three meetings. 

The seventh- and eighth-place teams play each other, with the winner earning the seventh seed. The ninth- and 10th-place teams also play each other, with the loser eliminated from playoff contention. The loser of the “Seven-Eight Game” and winner of the “Nine-Ten Game” then play, with the eighth playoff seed at stake.

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