Four NBA teams compete Wednesday in a high-stakes play-in tournament that determines the final entries into the league’s playoff brackets. The schedule features two critical matchups: the Orlando Magic against the Philadelphia 76ers in the East and the Golden State Warriors against the LA Clippers in the West.
The Magic and 76ers enter the contest with identical 45-37 records. Philadelphia holds the season series advantage, though the two teams haven’t played since January. Orlando arrived at the tournament on a five-game winning streak before a regular-season finale loss to the Boston Celtics.
Winning this game grants an immediate path to face the second-seeded Boston Celtics. The losing team doesn’t exit immediately; they’ll play the Charlotte Hornets this Friday to fight for the No. 8 seed. The Hornets advanced Tuesday after a 127-126 overtime victory over the Miami Heat.
How the Warriors and Clippers matchup affects the West
The Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers face off in the night’s final game. The winner advances to a Friday clash with the Phoenix Suns for the final No. 8 seed. The Suns already suffered a 114-110 loss Tuesday to the Portland Trail Blazers, who now face the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs.
For more on this story, see NBA Play-In Tournament Determines Final Playoff Berths for Four Teams.
This matchup marks the first time two former NBA Finals MVPs, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard, meet in a play-in game. The Clippers dominated the regular-season series 3-1. Leonard enters the game coming off a career-high 27.9 points per game, although Curry’s output was limited to 43 games due to a knee injury.
Curry averaged 26.6 points during his limited appearances, his lowest game count since the 2019-20 season. The Warriors‘ ability to secure a berth depends on overcoming a Clippers team that has proven more consistent in their head-to-head matchups this year.
What the winners face in the next round
The tournament structure forces teams into immediate, high-pressure adjustments. The Eastern Conference winner faces the Celtics, a team that recently defeated Orlando despite resting key players. This suggests a significant talent gap that the Magic or 76ers must bridge quickly.
Western Conference survivors face a volatile path. The winner of the Warriors-Clippers game must pivot immediately to face the Phoenix Suns. Because the Suns are already battle-tested from their Tuesday loss, the winner of Wednesday’s game may face a more desperate and prepared opponent on Friday.
Who do the Magic and 76ers play if they lose?
The loser of the Magic-76ers game will play the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for the No. 8 seed.
What is the prize for the Warriors-Clippers winner?
The winner advances to play the Phoenix Suns on Friday to compete for the No. 8 seed.
