Andrew Pace
Basketball is a sport with a passionate following, and its rules can be a source of great debate. The rules regarding overtime, or 'OT', are a case in point. In the NBA, overtime rules are considered more complicated than in other leagues, with specific regulations governing fouls, timeouts, and replay reviews. In Olympic basketball, the rules are slightly different, with a focus on quarters and a different foul limit. With various overtime periods and strategies, the excitement and tension of basketball games can be heightened, providing a thrilling experience for both players and spectators alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overtime period duration | 5 minutes |
| Number of timeouts per overtime period | 2 |
| Jump ball at the start of overtime | Yes |
| Foul limit per overtime period | 3 |
| Foul limit per player | 5 or 6 |
| Shot clock duration | 24 seconds |
| Shot clock duration after offensive rebound | 14 seconds |
| Circumference of men's basketball | 749-780mm (FIBA) / 749.3-755.65mm (NBA) |
| Circumference of women's basketball | 736.6mm (FIBA) / 724mm (WNBA) |
| Distance of three-point line | 6.75m (FIBA) / 23.75 feet (NBA) |
| Number of overtimes in a game | Up to 6 |
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What You'll Learn
Overtime rules in the NBA
The NBA overtime rules are quite complicated, even for diehard fans. If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, there will be a 2:30-minute break, and then the play will resume for a five-minute overtime period. If the game remains tied after the first overtime, another five-minute overtime period will begin. This process will continue until one team has a lead at the end of an overtime period. All overtime periods are considered extensions of the second half, and there is no change of baskets.
Each team is allowed two timeouts during an overtime period. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt. During an overtime period, the first three common fouls committed by a team will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest to where play was interrupted. Common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalised by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt. During the last two minutes of overtime, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays.
A Coach's Challenge can be used to trigger an instant replay review of three events: a called personal foul charged to a team, a called out-of-bounds violation, or a called goaltending or basket interference violation. However, in the last two minutes of overtime, a Coach's Challenge cannot be used to trigger a review of a goaltending or basket interference violation. Instead, these events will be reviewed exclusively by the on-court game officials.
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Overtime periods in Olympic basketball
Overtime periods in basketball are additional periods of play to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring a match a tie or draw. In the case of Olympic basketball, if the game is tied after four quarters, a five-minute overtime period is played. Teams continue playing five-minute overtimes until a winner is decided.
Olympic basketball games are divided into four quarters lasting 10 minutes each, making them shorter than NBA games, which feature 12-minute quarters. The scoring system in Olympic basketball is the same as in the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and other leagues. Two points are awarded for a field goal made inside the 3-point arc, three points are awarded for a field goal made from beyond the 3-point arc, and one point is awarded for a free throw.
Overtime rules for Olympic basketball are similar to those in the NBA. Overtimes start with a jump ball in the center circle, and each team is allowed two timeouts. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt. In the case of fouls, the first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team. During any overtime period, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalized by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt.
In the 2018 Winter Olympics, the women's final between the USA and Canada went into a 20-minute overtime period, with the USA winning in a shootout. In the men's final, Kirill Kaprizov, playing for the Olympic Athletes from Russia, scored during the overtime period, resulting in a 4-3 win over Germany.
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How to trigger instant replay reviews in the NBA
The NBA introduced instant replay in 1997 to verify whether a shot was made before the clock expired at the end of quarters or games. Since then, the use of instant replay has been expanded to include a variety of scenarios.
Instant replay reviews can be triggered by referees, Replay Center Officials, or coaches.
Referees may trigger instant replay reviews in situations where they are uncertain about:
- Whether a successful field goal was scored correctly as a 2-point or 3-point field goal.
- Whether a 24-second violation occurred on a made basket or before a foul was called.
- Whether a foul meets the criteria of a clear-path-to-the-basket foul.
- Which player should attempt free throws on a called foul.
- Whether the ball touched the rim, and therefore, whether the shot clock was affected.
- Whether a player without the ball was fouled before a teammate's shot or release of the ball.
- Whether a team has an improper number of players on the court while the ball was in play.
Replay Center Officials may trigger instant replay reviews in situations where they are uncertain about:
- Whether a successful field goal was released before the shot clock expired.
- Whether a called foul was committed before the shot clock expired.
- Whether a personal foul meets the criteria for a clear-path-to-the-basket foul.
- Whether an 8-second backcourt violation occurred before the ball left the shooter's hand.
- Whether any unsportsmanlike acts or unnecessary contact occurred.
- Whether a called foul occurred before the expiration of time on the game clock.
- Whether a shooter released the ball before the expiration of time on the game clock.
- Whether a personal foul should stand or be ruled a flagrant foul penalty 1 or 2, or a technical foul.
- Whether any other players committed unsportsmanlike acts or unnecessary contact before or after the calling of the foul.
- The identity of all players, coaches, trainers, or team bench persons involved in an altercation and the action before and after the incident.
- The proper time on the game clock following a clock malfunction.
- Whether a successful field goal was released before the expiration of actual time.
- Whether a called foul occurred before the expiration of actual time.
- Whether a shooter released the ball before the expiration of actual time.
Coaches may trigger instant replay reviews of the following events:
- A called personal foul charged to its own team.
- A called out-of-bounds violation.
- A called goaltending or basket interference violation.
It is important to note that instant replay reviews can only be triggered by coaches during the first three minutes of any overtime period. During the last two minutes of overtime, instant replay reviews of goaltending or basket interference violations can only be triggered by on-court game officials.
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The number of timeouts in Olympic basketball
The number and length of timeouts in basketball vary depending on the league and the specific rules of the competition. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), teams are allowed seven timeouts, each of one minute and 15 seconds. In the Olympic Games, basketball games are divided into four quarters lasting 10 minutes each, and teams are limited to two timeouts in the first half and three in the second. Teams can only call a maximum of two timeouts in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, and each team will get one timeout per five-minute overtime period. Each timeout lasts 60 seconds, and timeouts do not carry over between halves or overtimes.
Timeouts are strategically important in basketball, allowing coaches and players to pause the game at crucial moments and alter the game's dynamics. They can be used to avoid delay-of-game violations, such as the five-second rule, or to substitute players. In the NBA, a timeout request made when none are remaining results in a technical foul against the offending team, and they may lose possession if the referees approve.
Olympic basketball operates under the rules set by FIBA, the governing body for international basketball. While the game largely resembles the NBA and WNBA versions, with the same scoring system, there are some differences. For instance, in Olympic basketball, players foul out after five personal fouls, compared to six in the NBA and WNBA. The FIBA rules also result in a faster-paced game, with fewer timeouts and quicker crunch times, making it highly entertaining for viewers.
In addition to the NBA and Olympics, other basketball leagues and competitions have their own rules regarding timeouts. For example, in the NCAA women's game, each team receives one 60-second and three 30-second timeouts per game, along with media timeouts. High school basketball allots five timeouts per game, with a combination of 60-second and 30-second timeouts. Baseball and soccer are other sports where timeouts may be used, but the rules and frequency differ significantly from basketball.
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The longest NBA games by the number of overtimes
NBA basketball games are the shortest of all professional sports, with a total time of 48 minutes. However, there are timeouts, fouls, and breaks that make the games last longer. In the event of a tie at the end of the fourth quarter, the game goes into overtime.
The longest NBA game in history was played between the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) on January 6, 1951. The game lasted a record 78 minutes and six overtimes, with the final score being 75-73 in favor of the Olympians. This game was played before the implementation of the shot clock, which has since propelled offense in basketball.
Another notable game that went into multiple overtimes was the one between the Hawks and the Bulls on March 1, 2019. This game lasted for over 3.5 hours and required four overtime periods, with Chicago ultimately winning 168-161.
The Hawks were also involved in two other long games, with all three taking place in Atlanta. On January 29, 2017, the Hawks defeated the New York Knicks in a game that required four overtimes, with a final score of 142-139.
While not as frequent, there have been a few other instances of NBA games going into five overtimes. One such game was played between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Seattle Supersonics on November 9, 1989, with the Bucks winning 155-154.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no set number of overtimes in basketball. If the game is tied after four quarters, a five-minute overtime period is played. The teams continue playing five-minute overtimes until a winner is decided.
Overtimes are started with a jump ball in the center circle. Each team is allowed two timeouts and three common fouls. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt.
If the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, play resumes after a 2:30 break without a change of baskets for any of the overtime periods required. The teams change baskets for the second half.
