NBA Playoffs 2021: Where Bulls finished in play-in race

The Chicago Bulls' slim playoff hopes have been put to bed.

The Bulls were officially eliminated from NBA Play-In Tournament contention after the Washington Wizards beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. With the win, Washington clinched the fourth and final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament spot. Entering Friday, the Bulls' only path to the Play-In Tournament was winning their final two games and the Wizards losing out.

This marks the fourth straight season without a playoff appearance for the Bulls, the franchise's longest drought since a six-year stretch spanning from 1998-99 to 2003-04.

What is the format for the 2021 NBA Playoffs?

This year's playoffs feature a new wrinkle: the NBA Play-In Tournament. Here's how it works: The No. 7 through No. 10 seeds in the Western Conference and Eastern Conference, respectively, qualify for the Play-In Tournament.

The tournament begins May 18 and consists of two rounds for each conference with the following format: 

Round 1

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No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed (winner earns No. 7 seed; loser to Round 2)

No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed (winner to Round 2; loser eliminated)

Round 2

Loser of 7-8 vs. Winner of 9-10 (winner earns No. 8 seed; loser eliminated)

Once the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds are decided for each conference, the first round will begin May 22 with the traditional format: seven-game series featuring the 1-8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5 matchups.

Where are the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings?

The Bulls currently are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and that's where they'll finish the season, holding a 3.5-game advantage over the 12th-place Toronto Raptors entering the final two days of the regular season:

What is the Bulls' remaining schedule?

The Bulls will close out their 2020-21 season this weekend with a back-to-back against Eastern Conference heavyweights -- one on the road and one at the United Center: