NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed support for shortening NBA games to 40 minutes, a shift from the traditional 48-minute format, citing potential benefits for television audiences and player health.
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, Silver highlighted the NBA’s uniqueness in maintaining four 12-minute quarters, unlike most international leagues, which follow a 40-minute structure.
“I am a fan of four 10-minute quarters,” Silver said.
“Olympic basketball is two hours, college basketball is 40 minutes. As a television program, I think a two-hour format is more consistent with modern viewing habits. While fans in arenas aren’t asking for shorter games, it’s something to consider.”
Major Impact on Player Workload
Silver acknowledged that reducing each game by eight minutes would be a “dramatic change” requiring careful consideration. However, he pointed out that over the course of an 82-game season, the adjustment would reduce 656 total minutes of play—equivalent to 13.6 full games under the current format.
“It could be an excellent compromise,” Silver noted, addressing concerns from those who believe the season is too long while also maintaining total game revenue for team owners.
Load management and player injuries remain pressing issues, despite recent league efforts to ensure star players appear in more games. While some players may resist a reduction in playing time, others—especially those prone to injuries—could welcome the change as a way to reduce wear and tear.
NBA’s Continued Openness to Change
The NBA has already introduced innovations like the Play-In Tournament and the in-season Emirates NBA Cup, demonstrating a willingness to experiment with format changes. However, those adjustments were additions rather than fundamental alterations to the game’s structure.
Silver also emphasized his desire for a more uniform set of rules across global basketball leagues, with the 40-minute format aligning with international standards.
While a change of this magnitude remains speculative, Silver’s comments indicate that the conversation about shortening NBA games could gain traction in the future.
