How Many Games Are in an NBA Season?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) typically runs an 82-game regular season followed by playoffs and other postseason tournaments. In 2020, the season was shortened due to the pandemic and only 72 games were played.
Regular Season
In a typical season, each team will play 82 games – 41 home games and 41 away games. Teams play within their own divisions four times each season, and the remaining games are evenly split between the other three divisions in their conference.
Playoffs
After the regular season is over, the top eight teams from each conference advance to the playoffs. This comprises 4 divisions with teams playing best-of-seven series to determine who will move onto the next round.
Postseason Tournaments
At the end of the playoffs, the two remaining teams in each conference will compete for the NBA championship in the Finals. These last playoffs series are best-of-seven games to determine who will be crowned the champions.
In addition to the playoffs and finals, there are a variety of other tournaments that take place throughout the year. The All-Star game, which occurs each February, is one of the most well-known. It features the best players from both the Eastern and Western conferences competing against each other in a single game.
Conclusion
Overall, an NBA season typically consists of 82 regular season games, plus playoffs and other tournaments. In 2020, the season was shortened due to the pandemic so there were only 72 games in the regular season. Whether the regular season remains at 72 games or moves back to 82 games in the future is yet to be seen.
