How Long Do NBA Games Last on TV?
The duration of a National Basketball Association (NBA) game on television usually takes two-and-a-half to three hours to complete. Depending on the game and its respective matchups, the number of commercial breaks and other factors, the game could end a bit longer.
Factors That Affect Game Length
Timeouts:
- Timeouts are not only taken by the coaches to tend to their players but also the referees when there is a need for a review
- Timeouts are most likely to be taken near the end of the game when teams need to strategize
Commercial Breaks:
- The number of commercial brakes per quarter usually depends on which network the game is being televised on
- Large networks, such as ESPN, typically have more commercial brakes per quarter
Average Length of a Broadcasted NBA Game
The average broadcasted NBA game from start to finish lasts two-and-a-half to three hours. The time for the game itself, without commercial brakes and timeouts, tends to remain around two hours or less. It is not uncommon for an NBA game to exceed its total broadcast time, especially when there is overtime.
In Review
In conclusion, an NBA game televised on television generally lasts two-and-a-half to three hours, depending on commercial breaks and timeouts. Timeouts and commercial brakes tend to dominate a lot of the extra time added on to the total game length.
