NBA to Test Shorter Game Times

An NBA preseason game on the 19th between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets will only run 44 minutes, as the NBA test out a shorter game time.

A typical NBA game lasts 48 minutes which is broken down into four 12 minute quarters. The league announced Monday that teams will play four 11 minute quarters instead. In addition to the shortened quarters, each team will take three mandatory timeouts in both the second and fourth quarter of each game.

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The average NBA game runs about two hours and fifteen minutes, according to USA Today. Acting on a suggestion from several coaches, the league is using the contest at the Barclays Center to determine if the shortened game flows better. No long-term, permanent changes have been considered, but shorter games could improve player health as shortening the length of the NBA season itself is not seen as an option.

“I think it’s great that the league is open-minded and looking at everything and not just following the same path because it’s been done that way for however many years,” Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer stated. “I think it’s a real testament to Adam Silver and the league that they’re open [to change]. I think the positives could be substantial.”

A 44-minute game would help bring NBA game times closer to college and international play, where the games are 40 minutes long. It would also tally 328 less minutes played over the course of the 82 game NBA season, which translates to about seven fewer games of wear and tear on players’ bodies.

“I’m looking forward to gauging its impact on the flow of the game. Since there is a shorter clock, it affects playing time, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays into substitution patterns,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins said. Hollins went on to call it a “unique experience that was worth participating in,” while Celtics head coach Brad Stevens agreed.