How Long is a WNBA Game?
The exciting WNBA season is up and running with 13 teams looking to get their hands on the championship. Addition of Paige Bueckers to the WNBA upped the tempo with another superstar name connected with the league alongside Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier, Brianna Stuart and Sabrina Ionescu. With excitement and hype, there is, so let’s dive deep into the WNBA games and how long a WNBA Game is and even how it compares to NBA games.
The Basics: Everything You Need to Know for WNBA Game Times?
At its core, a WNBA game consists of four quarters, and each quarter is 10 minutes long. So, in terms of pure game time on the clock, you’re looking at 4 quarters × 10 minutes = 40 minutes of regulation play. When compared to the male version of the game, the NBA, the quarter is 12 minutes long, making it a 48-minute game. The WNBA opted for 10-minute quarters to align with international play (FIBA rules), and it helps create a faster tempo and a more concise game.
For the shot clock – meaning the time for offensive side to attempt a shot is 24 seconds, just like that in NBA. It was actually 30 seconds till 2006, which is still used in the NCAA college basketball games.
Sadly, the game duration calculation is not that simple, though. It attributes many other aspects meaning there are a few rest minutes, and extended periods too. At the halfway point—after the second quarter—there’s a 15-minute halftime break. That gives players a breather, coaches a chance to regroup, and fans an opportunity to refill their popcorn buckets.
Also Read: WNBA 2025: Early Predictions for Championship, MVP & Rookie of the Year Winners.
Also, there is timeout option to coaches and layers to provide extra rest/plan out the play. Each team is allowed six timeouts throughout the game, and they’re often used strategically, especially in close games or at the end of quarters. These stoppages, generally 30 seconds long, can add a few minutes.
Another point that will affect the game time is the time in free throws and foul calls. If you’ve watched basketball before, you know how quickly things can slow down when the fouls start piling up. Free throws, reviews, and the bonus (when teams shoot free throws automatically after a certain number of fouls) all add time.
And finally, there is overtime to break the deadlock. If the game is tied at the end of regulation – 40 minutes of gameplay, you’re going into overtime. In the WNBA, overtime periods are 5 minutes long. And yes, you can have multiple overtimes if the score keeps staying even. Talk about edge-of-your-seat action!
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