From Opening Tip-Off to Buzzer Beater: The Span of an NBA Season
Every year, basketball fans wait eagerly for the thrill of an NBA season, which extends roughly from October to June. The nine-month saga from the preseason through the playoffs is an exciting ride, filled with breathtaking highs and heart-breaking lows. The ninth month NBA season is 82 games total, not including the preseason our playoff games. It's a journey that sees the brightest stars of basketball competing for the ultimate honor – the NBA Championship.
NBA Preseason: Setting the Stage
In the NBA Preseason, teams usually play between four to six exhibition games over two weeks. Although the outcomes don't contribute to the regular season standings, these games are critical. They allow players to knock off rust, coaches to experiment with lineups, and rookies to get their first taste of NBA action.
How Many Basketball Games in an NBA Season?
The pulsating heart of the NBA season, the regular season, begins in late October and doesn't skip a beat until mid-April. This period serves as the arena for the most intense and frequent showdowns between the 30 teams in the NBA.
During the NBA regular season, each team dives headfirst into a grueling schedule. Players, coaches, and fans circle 82 critical dates on their calendars. These clashes, evenly split between their home court and on the road, will define their season and potentially their place in the NBA history books.
New to the 2023 season, is the NBA In-Season Tournament. The tournament begins in November and culminates in early December in Las Vegas, NV. While there is a new structure, all games will count toward the regular season and not expand the season duration.
How many regular season NBA games are there?
The NBA regular season is the proving ground, the stage where breakout stars emerge, where stalwarts demonstrate their consistency, and where epic rivalries unfold. Each match is a test of skill, strategy, and stamina, and the results here lay the foundation for the high-stakes drama of the playoffs. It's no understatement to say that the regular season is where the magic of the NBA truly comes alive.
- Each of the 30 NBA teams plays 82 games in total.
- The games are evenly split between home and away, with 41 games each.
How many NBA Playoff Games are there?
After the regular season comes the electrifying NBA Playoffs, usually starting in mid-April. The NBA playoff structure is a series of best-of-seven rounds. The number of games can vary based on how competitive the series is, but here's a rough idea:
- First Round (Conference Quarterfinals): Maximum of 7 games
- Second Round (Conference Semifinals): Maximum of 7 games
- Third Round (Conference Finals): Maximum of 7 games
- Last Round (NBA Finals): Maximum of 7 games
This means a team could play between 16 to 28 games in the playoffs, depending on how many games each series extends to.
The NBA Playoffs Participation: Who's In?
When the dust of the regular season settles, 16 teams (eight from each conference) earn the right to compete in the NBA Playoffs. For these teams, it's the chance to push their limits, to fight for glory, and, for the fortunate one, to lift the coveted Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
Wrapping Up: The NBA Season in Perspective
Depending on a team's performance and progress, they could play anywhere from 86 (minimum) to a maximum of 110 games in a single NBA season. This number encapsulates the drama, passion, sweat, and joy that make the NBA one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world. As a fan, every game is a new adventure, a fresh chance to witness greatness, and another opportunity to cheer on your favorite team.