How Long Is An NBA Game and Other Basketball Variations
2 minutes
Last Updated: December 2, 2022
The average NBA game lasts between 120 and 150 minutes.
However, this time includes all the extra stops, timeouts and breaks so the actual play time is 48 minutes which are broken down into four quarters containing 12 minutes each.
This is a breakdown of how long is an NBA game for the most part:
- 1st quarter – 12 minutes
- Short break – 2 minutes
- 2nd quarder – 12 minutes
- Half-time break – 15 minutes
- 3rd quarter – 12 minutes
- Short break – 2 minutes
- 4rd quarter – 12 minutes
When we sum this up, we only have 67 minutes meaning that all of the extra pauses takes at least that much and sometimes even longer.
What Makes Basketball Games So Long
If you are wondering what makes the game clock stop and drastically extends the time of the game, we have you covered!
For the most part, the clock runs whenerver the ball is in play and is stoped in other situations.
For example, the clock will be stoped:
- After the foul
- When the ball goes out of bounds
- When players are shooting free throws
- After made shot during the last two minutes of the game
In other situations the time keeps running. Even when the player score points outside of the last 2 minutes of the NBA basketball game, the time is not stopped.
As you see, there aren’t many instances where when the time is stoped, but since these accures very often it does build up and drastically increase the length of basketball game.
Other interesting read: How Long Does A Baseball Game Lasts
How Long Are Basketball Games In Other Leagues
While the principal for counting times are identical in other basketball leagues and there isn;t a difined number, we can still know how long basketball games last on average under different rules.
How Long Does Euroleague and Other International Basketball Games Last
International basketball games usually lasts 40 minutes, which is divided in four 10 minute quarters.
Of course, this is just playing time and the game itself can last anywhere between 100 to 150 minutes exluding overtimes. These rules include Euroleague basketball games, as well as other major championships.
How Long Are NCAA Basketball Matches
Colleague league in USA is a serious competition, and it last just a bit shorter than NBA game.
On average, NCAA game lasts for 2 hours and 10 minutes with 40 minutes actual play.
This is very similar to international basketball leagues, but instead of playing four 10 minute quarters students play two 20 minutes parts.
Now you know how long basketball games actually are, and can plan your time accordingly to fully enjoy the matches!
Other interesting reads: Fastest Soccer Players In Thhe World
