Top 5 NBA Cities to Visit During the Play-In Tournament

Last April, I found myself sitting in Chase Center watching Steph Curry drain threes while the Warriors battled the Grizzlies in a nail-biting Play-In game. The energy was insane, the crowd was electric, and I realized something important: experiencing these high-stakes games in person takes NBA fandom to a whole new level.

The NBA Play-In Tournament has completely changed how we experience late-season basketball. Those few days between the regular season and playoffs create the perfect sweet spot for basketball travel – competitive games with playoff intensity but (usually) more accessible tickets than the later rounds.

As someone who’s blown way too much money following basketball around the country, I’ve got some thoughts about which cities deliver the best overall experience when you’re planning a Play-In Tournament trip. Sure, Jimmy Butler might be going off in Miami while the Hawks battle the Magic in Atlanta, but which cities give you the best total package of basketball culture, arena experience, and stuff to do between games?

Let me break down my top five NBA cities that absolutely crush it during Play-In Tournament time.

Table of Content

1. San Francisco, California – Where Warriors Basketball Meets World-Class Everything Else

The first time I visited Chase Center for a Warriors game, I almost missed tipoff because I was too busy taking in the Bay views from the outdoor plaza. Rookie mistake.

The Basketball Experience

There’s something special about Warriors basketball that just hits different in person. When you’re there watching Steph Curry stats getting padded in real-time with those ridiculous three-pointers, the whole arena seems to hold its breath for a split second before erupting. The Warriors vs Grizzlies matchups specifically have developed into one of those must-watch pairings that showcase contrasting styles.

What makes the Chase Center experience stand out:

• The arena manages to feel both massive and intimate simultaneously
• Warriors fans bring serious knowledge – these aren’t casual bandwagon supporters
• Their in-arena app lets you order food from your seat without missing Moses Moody’s breakout performance
• The pre-game hype videos alone are worth showing up early for

If the Warriors game today is sold out, don’t panic. The surrounding area has blown up with sports bars where GSW faithful gather to analyze every possession.

Beyond the Arena

After the final buzzer, San Francisco delivers with:

• Incredible food that ruins me for restaurants back home (seriously, I dream about the dim sum in Chinatown)
• Easy access to iconic spots like Golden Gate Park when you need to walk off the stress of a close game
• Neighborhoods with totally different vibes within minutes of each other
• Public transit that actually works, making it easy to explore without a rental car

My personal tip: Hit up Dumpling Time near Chase Center before the game. Get there 90 minutes early because the line gets crazy, but those soup dumplings are life-changing fuel for cheering.

2. Memphis, Tennessee – Where Basketball Feels Like Family

Memphis feels like the NBA’s best-kept secret as a basketball destination. When the Grizzlies schedule includes a Play-In matchup against Golden State Warriors or another contender, the whole city seems to rally around the team.

The Basketball Experience

FedExForum isn’t the newest or flashiest arena, but man, the vibe inside during a Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors matchup is something else:

• The “Grit and Grind” mentality isn’t just marketing – it’s visible in how the crowd celebrates hustle plays as much as highlight dunks
• Their BBQ nachos should be illegal they’re so good
• The Grizzlies coach strategizing from the sideline becomes a communal experience, with fans around me constantly discussing adjustments
• Between-quarter entertainment leans heavily into Memphis music heritage in the best way

What really stands out is how personally Memphis fans take Grizzlies vs Warriors prediction conversations. When national media dismisses them against glamour markets, the collective chip on their shoulder is palpable.

Beyond the Arena

Step outside FedExForum and you’re immediately connected to:

• Beale Street’s neon-lit blocks of live music just waiting to celebrate a win (or soften the blow of a loss)
• Some of the most genuinely friendly locals you’ll meet in any NBA city
• BBQ joints that will ruin all other barbecue for you forever
• Rich cultural history that gives context to everything else you’re experiencing

My personal tip: Skip the most famous BBQ spots with two-hour waits and ask arena staff for their personal favorites. I followed this advice and found myself at a tiny joint with the best ribs of my life where the pitmaster wanted to break down the entire GSW vs Memphis game with me.

3. Atlanta, Georgia – Where Basketball Meets Culture

When the Hawks take on the Magic or any Play-In opponent, Atlanta transforms into a basketball city in the most Atlanta way possible – by blending the sport with music, style, and southern hospitality.

The Basketball Experience

State Farm Arena doesn’t just host Hawks games; it delivers complete entertainment:

• The Hawks’ organist alone is worth the ticket price, improvising hip-hop tracks into game situations
• The celebrity row factor is strong without feeling forced like in some bigger markets
• Their “Heartbeat of the South” drumline brings an energy that hits you physically
• The Hawks vs Magic rivalry has developed an interesting edge that brings out vocal fans

What makes Atlanta special during Play-In time is how basketball seamlessly integrates into the city’s cultural identity. The team’s rebrand years ago to embrace the city’s vibrant aesthetic was more than marketing – it created a genuine connection.

Beyond the Arena

Atlanta rewards basketball travelers with:

• A food scene that ranges from high-end restaurants to legendary diners with equal excellence
• Neighborhoods like Little Five Points that offer complete cultural experiences
• Important historical sites that provide perspective between games
• Southern hospitality that makes solo basketball travel surprisingly social

My personal tip: Hit up Krog Street Market before the game for an amazing food hall experience just minutes from the arena – get there hungry and thank me later.

4. Miami, Florida – Where Basketball Becomes a Scene

When Jimmy Butler and the Heat are fighting for playoff position, Miami adds extra layers of intensity to an already vibrant basketball culture.

The Basketball Experience

Kaseya Center delivers a distinctly Miami basketball environment:

• The “white hot” playoff atmosphere starts early with their Play-In games
• Heat Culture isn’t just a hashtag – it’s evident in how fans react to hustle plays
• The stadium DJ creates transitions between game action that maintain energy
• The Jimmy Butler stats watch becomes a communal experience in crucial moments

What stands out is how Miami manages to make basketball simultaneously upscale and accessible. The constant Jimmy Butler trade rumors add another layer of investment from fans concerned about their team’s future.

Beyond the Arena

Miami offers NBA tourists:

• The unique ability to go from playoff basketball to beach relaxation within hours
• A diverse food scene that reflects the city’s multicultural identity
• Art districts like Wynwood that provide perfect daytime exploration
• Weather that makes you question why you live anywhere else

My personal tip: The best pre-game food spot isn’t in the touristy areas – head to Versailles in Little Havana for Cuban food that locals would riot if I didn’t recommend.

5. Los Angeles, California – Where NBA History Meets Hollywood

With both LA teams potentially in Play-In contention, Crypto.com Arena becomes the center of the basketball universe for those crucial days.

The Basketball Experience

The arena itself offers:

• A sense of basketball history that’s palpable when you look up at the rafters
• The chance to potentially catch two different team cultures in consecutive nights
• Celebrity spotting that sometimes rivals the on-court action
• The surreal experience of watching a Warriors game today against the Lakers in a building where Kobe once dominated

Los Angeles basketball has a reputation for “late-arriving crowds,” but Play-In games bring out the dedicated fans who create surprisingly intense atmospheres.

Beyond the Arena

LA provides endless options including:

• Neighborhoods with completely different personalities to explore between games
• Food that ranges from high-end sushi to the best taco trucks you’ll ever experience
• Basketball landmarks beyond the arena, from legendary streetball courts to Kobe murals
• Perfect weather for exploring when you need to decompress after tight games

My personal tip: Skip the overpriced arena district restaurants and grab street tacos from the vendors that set up a few blocks away – better food at a third of the price.

The Reality of Planning Your Play-In Basketball Trip

Let’s get practical about making this trip happen.

Timing Is Everything

The NBA Play-In Tournament typically runs for about a week in mid-April, which hits a sweet spot for travel:

• Post-spring break crowds have thinned out
• Weather is generally pleasant in most NBA cities
• Hotel rates haven’t yet hit summer peak season

The tricky part? You won’t know exactly which teams are playing until the very end of the regular season. I’ve learned to book refundable hotels in my top 2-3 potential cities and then finalize plans once the standings lock.

Ticket Strategy That Actually Works

After years of trial and error, here’s my Play-In ticket approach:

• Set ticket alerts the second the NBA announces potential matchups
• Be ready to buy instantly when they go on sale – Play-In Warriors vs Grizzlies tickets vanish fast
• If prices are outrageous, wait until 24-36 hours before tipoff when some season ticket holders dump their seats
• Consider splurging on lower bowl seats – the intensity of these games feels different up close

Where Real Fans Stay

City	Neighborhood	Why I Actually Stay Here
San Francisco	SoMa	Walking distance to Chase Center with better prices than tourist areas
Memphis	Downtown	Everything is walkable, and post-game Beale Street is steps away
Atlanta	Midtown	Better restaurant scene than Downtown but still easy arena access
Miami	Brickell	Feels like actual Miami (not tourist Miami) with quick arena access
Los Angeles	Downtown	Late-night options after the game without needing to drive

Being There vs. Watching the NBA Live Stream

Look, I love NBA League Pass as much as anyone. I’ve fallen asleep watching Warriors vs. Grizzlies streams on my iPad more times than I can count. But there’s something about being physically present for these Play-In games that changes how you experience basketball forever.

When you’re tracking a Grizzlies-Warriors prediction you made against friends, watching those crucial possessions unfold in person hits different. The tension in the building during a late fourth-quarter possession is something no broadcast can capture.

Plus, these cities each have basketball cultures you can only absorb by being there. The specific Warriors chants that never make it on TV. The Memphis BBQ vendor who breaks down the Grizzlies coach’s rotation decisions while serving you ribs. The Atlanta fans with their unique call-and-response traditions.

The Play-In Tournament: Your Perfect NBA Travel Opportunity

After hitting all five of these cities for basketball trips, I’ve become convinced that the Play-In Tournament provides the perfect formula for NBA travel:

• Games with genuine stakes and playoff intensity
• Slightly better ticket availability than actual playoff rounds
• Cities fully engaged with their teams’ fortunes
• The perfect conversation starter with locals everywhere you go

Whether you’re checking Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors match player stats from your hotel lobby or debating Stephen Curry’s legacy with strangers at a San Francisco sports bar, these basketball pilgrimages create memories that transcend the scores.

So which city are you hitting for the Play-In Tournament this year? Are you brave enough to wait until the last minute to see if your team makes it, or are you planning a basketball destination trip regardless of matchups? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking for new NBA travel buddies who understand why crossing these basketball experiences off your bucket list matters.

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