When you settle in to watch an NBA game, you might expect it to last 48 minutes, divided into four quarters. However, the actual time you spend in front of the screen is much longer.
On average, NBA games clock in at around 2 hours and 14 minutes, with televised games stretching to about 2 hours and 19 minutes.
This extended duration isn’t just about the gameplay. Factors like commercial breaks, timeouts, and halftime shows contribute to the overall length. Interestingly, playoff games can last even longer, averaging 15 minutes more than regular-season matches.
Dive into the details to understand why your favorite sport takes up more time than you’d think.