How Many Timeouts Are Allowed for Each Team in an NBA Game?

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Basketball is a fast-paced game where momentum can shift in seconds. In the NBA, timeouts aren’t just pauses in play, they are strategic lifelines. Coaches use them to stop an opposing team’s run, reset their defense, or draw up a game-winning play.

But there’s more to a timeout than just gathering the team and catching a breath. With modern rules, limited usage, and the impact of coaches’ challenges, timeouts now play a crucial role in determining the result of the game.

So, how many timeouts does an NBA team actually get? And how does a challenge affect that number?

Let’s break it down.

How Many Timeouts Are Allowed for Each Team in an NBA Game?

In the NBA, each team is allowed seven timeouts per game. These timeouts can be used to stop the game for strategy discussions, give players a break, or draw up important plays, especially during crunch time.

Also Read: Kyle Kuzma Joins NBA’s “Ghost Club” With 0-0-0-0-0 Performance in Bucks vs Pacers Playoffs Opener

How Are Timeouts Distributed in an NBA Game?

Each team starts with:

7 timeouts total per game

A maximum of 2 timeouts in the last 3 minutes of the 4th quarter

This means if a team has 3 or more timeouts left near the end of the game, they can only use 2 of them in the final 3 minutes.

What Is the Timeout Duration in the NBA?

NBA timeouts generally last:

75 seconds during regular play

Shorter between quarters or during media breaks

What Happens If a Team Uses a Coach’s Challenge?

When a team wants to challenge a call, like a foul, out-of-bounds, or goaltending decision, they must call a timeout to initiate the challenge.

If the challenge is successful, the team keeps the timeout.
If the challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses the timeout permanently.

Each team is allowed only one challenge per game, and you must have a timeout available to use it.

Can Timeouts Carry Over Into Overtime?

Yes, but with limits. In overtime, each team is given 2 timeouts, regardless of how many were left in regulation. Any unused regulation timeouts do not carry over to overtime.

Shweta B

Shweta is the founder of CrossSports Central — a creative nerd with a serious love for sports. When she's not breaking down game-winning plays, you’ll find her gaming, or hanging out with her dogs.

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