NBA Schedule

Crucial Scheduling Elements

Understanding the NBA Schedule Formula

Before the 2023–2024 season, the NBA schedule featured 1,230 regular-season games, with each of the 30 teams playing 82 games (41 at home and 41 away). The breakdown typically followed this pattern:

• • 16 games against division opponents (4 games vs each of the 4 teams)

• • 36 games against other conference opponents (3 or 4 games vs each team)

• • 30 games against teams from the opposite conference (2 games vs each team)

That structure remains largely intact. However, with the introduction of the NBA In-Season Tournament, there’s a small but notable twist.

For the 2024–2025 and 2025-2026 seasons, the NBA again scheduled 82 regular-season games per team, but only 80 games were announced at the start of the season. The remaining two games depend on each team’s performance in the In-Season Tournament, which takes place in November and December.

Tournament group-stage games count toward the regular-season total, and only the teams that reach the championship game play an extra (83rd) game.

Court Availability and Scheduling Logistics

Roughly one month before the conclusion of the previous regular season, each franchise submits its arena availability to the NBA. This includes:

• • A list of around 50 available home dates

• • Notes on preferred weekdays and times for national broadcasts

The NBA then constructs the full league schedule based on these submissions, while balancing travel demands and fairness in back-to-back games.

Taking Breaks Seriously

Certain days traditionally feature no NBA games, such as:

• • Christmas Eve (a long-standing tradition)

• • The night of the NCAA Men’s Championship Game

• • The All-Star break, which provides several days of rest in mid-February

Addressing Conflicts

Some teams share arenas with NHL franchises or other major events, which can create scheduling challenges. These conflicts are resolved during the planning phase to ensure venue availability.

Balancing Broadcast Needs

Game times and matchups are often adjusted to meet the demands of the NBA’s national broadcast partners: ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
High-profile rivalries and star-studded games are strategically placed in prime-time slots to maximize audience reach, especially during weekends and holidays.