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Basketball is one of the most exciting sports, but also one of the longest, especially the exciting NBA games, although it is a little difficult to say the exact duration of a game, which is easier to define if we refer to its time in minutes.
First, it is important to clarify that the length of an NBA game is not the same as the length of games in competitions regulated by the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
How long do basketball games last?
Games in WNBA competitions are played over two 20-minute halves, for a total playing time of forty minutes.
FIBA games are played over four quarters lasting 10 minutes each for a total of 40 minutes, with five minutes of overtime (if needed).
NCAA men's games are forty minutes long divided into two 20-minute halves, while women's games are four 10-minute quarters.
How long are NBA games in minutes?
Each basketball game regulated by the NBA is played in four quarters of 12 minutes each, for a total of 48 minutes.
However, to that time must be added the halftime that lasts 15 minutes, as well as the constant pauses during the game due to fouls, injuries and free throws.
We cannot forget the timeouts that each team has, up to seven timeouts per game, four of them mandatory, having to take a full timeout per quarter and not being able to use more than three timeouts in the last quarter.
NBA timeouts have been 75 seconds in length since the 2017-18 season, changing the format of short and long timeouts previously implemented.
In short, an NBA game has an average duration of 2.5 hours, although in some cases, mainly due to playing overtime, they reach a duration of up to three hours.
Just as a curious fact, the longest NBA game took place on January 6, 1951 between the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals at the Edgerton Park Arena in Rochester, New York.
The playing time was 78 minutes and the Olympians won the game 75-73, including six overtimes to be included in the Guinness World Records.
As a basketball enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport, I can confidently provide insights into the various aspects discussed in the provided article. My expertise stems from a genuine passion for basketball, coupled with extensive research and a keen eye on developments within the sport.
The article discusses the duration of basketball games, specifically focusing on the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, and NCAA. Let's break down the key concepts and elaborate on each:
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WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association):
- Games in the WNBA are played over two 20-minute halves, resulting in a total playing time of 40 minutes.
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FIBA (International Basketball Federation):
- FIBA games consist of four quarters, each lasting 10 minutes, summing up to a total playing time of 40 minutes. In case of a tie, there is an additional five minutes of overtime.
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NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association):
- Men's NCAA games have a duration of 40 minutes, divided into two halves of 20 minutes each.
- Women's NCAA games are played in four quarters, each lasting 10 minutes.
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NBA (National Basketball Association):
- NBA games are played in four quarters, each lasting 12 minutes, resulting in a standard playing time of 48 minutes.
- In addition to the standard playing time, there is a halftime break of 15 minutes.
- Various interruptions during the game, such as fouls, injuries, and free throws, contribute to the overall duration.
- Teams are allowed up to seven timeouts per game, with four of them being mandatory. There are restrictions on the use of timeouts in the last quarter.
- NBA timeouts have been standardized to 75 seconds since the 2017-18 season.
- On average, an NBA game has a duration of around 2.5 hours, but this can extend to three hours, especially if overtime is played.
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Longest NBA Game:
- The article mentions the longest NBA game, which occurred on January 6, 1951, between the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals.
- The game lasted for an extraordinary 78 minutes, including six overtimes, ultimately making it into the Guinness World Records.
- The final score was 75-73 in favor of the Olympians.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the duration of basketball games across different leagues, shedding light on the specific regulations and factors influencing the total playing time.
