NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has revived the idea of shortening regular-season games from 48 to 40 minutes, a proposal he first floated publicly in 2025. The suggestion comes amid an early-season injury crisis that has sidelined numerous star players.
Arguments for a shorter game
Proponents argue that reducing each game by eight minutes would cut total regular-season playing time by roughly 17%, lowering injury risk. A 40-minute format would also align the NBA with college basketball, the WNBA, and FIBA competitions. Silver has noted that a two-hour game fits modern television viewing habits, and a shorter contest could introduce more unpredictability, potentially increasing upsets.
Arguments against the change
Critics point out that star players already average well under 40 minutes per game, so a shorter game would likely concentrate playing time among a few elite athletes, diminishing the role of bench players and making the players' union unlikely to approve. The grueling schedule — including 41 road games and back-to-backs — would remain unchanged, and the faster, more athletic style of play would not be altered. Additionally, shortening games would reduce commercial inventory, hurting revenue, and would render historical statistical comparisons meaningless.
Alternative ideas, such as introducing a four-point line, have been suggested as lower-risk ways to address scoring and spacing concerns without altering game length.
