Since the NBA adopted the current play-in format in the 2020-21 season, only two play-in teams have won at least one playoff series. In 2023, the Miami Heat advanced to the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed, while the Los Angeles Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals as the No. 7 seed.

While the East play-in field is set, three teams — the Hawks, Bulls and Heat — are still battling for position (the Magic have secured the No. 7 seed). The West, meanwhile, is still very much up in the air.