How Many Periods are in an NBA Basketball Game?

How Many Periods are in an NBA Basketball Game?
The answer may surprise you. The NBA has four 12-minute quarters in its regulation games.

Introduction

An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of play. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, there will be a five-minute overtime period. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the game will go into a second overtime period, and so on, until one team finally emerges with a victory.

The Length of an NBA Game

An NBA game is 48 minutes long, divided into four 12 minute quarters. There are usually a few minutes of rest between quarters, and a longer break at halftime. So, an NBA game typically lasts around 2 hours.

The Four Quarters

An NBA game is played in four quarters. Each quarter is twelve minutes long, for a total of 48 minutes of play. There is a halftime break after the second quarter. If the game is tied at the end of four quarters, overtime periods are played.

In the playoffs, each quarter is five minutes longer, for a total of 60 minutes of play. If the game is still tied at the end of regulation, overtime periods are played until one team has more points than the other at the end of an overtime period.

Timeouts

Each team is allowed 7 timeouts per game, with one 20-second timeout per half. There are also 2 minute mandatory timeouts at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. In the case of overtime, each team gets one additional timeout. So in theory, a game could have as many as 18 timeouts!

Halftime

In an NBA game, there are four 12-minute quarters. The clock does not stop during regular play, except for when time-outs are called by either team. There is a two-minute break between the first and second quarters, and a five-minute break between the third and fourth quarters. At halftime, there is a 15-minute intermission.

The Number of Periods in an NBA Game

NBA games are divided into four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of play. During the regular season, teams play 82 games, so each team plays about 41 quarter-long periods over the course of the season. There are a few exceptions to this rule.

The Four Quarters

An NBA game is divided into four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of game play. The game clock does not stop for fouls, timeouts, or other stoppages, so the total game time is usually somewhat shorter than 48 minutes.

Quarters are separated by a two-minute intermission at the end of the first and third quarters. If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, there will be a five-minute overtime period. If the score is still tied after overtime, the game will end in a tie.

The NBA and WNBA use a 24-second shot clock, which means that each team must attempt to score within 24 seconds of gaining possession of the ball.

Timeouts

In an NBA game, each team is allowed 7 timeouts. A timeout can last for no more than 100 seconds. There are 4 mandatory timeouts which must be called by the team in possession of the ball:
-After the 2nd and 4th period, if the leading team’s margin is under 10 points
-At the first dead ball under 3:00 in the 4th period, if the leading team’s margin is under 5 points
Teams are also allowed to call 3 full timeouts and 2 20-second timeouts per game.

Halftime

Between the first and second halves, there is a brief intermission, usually about 15 minutes long. During halftime, the players rest and receive instructions from their coaches. The coaches also use this time to make strategic changes to their lineup or game plan.

Conclusion

An NBA game has four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of play. There are also timeouts, which add up to around an additional 6-7 minutes. So, a typical NBA game lasts around 55 minutes.