How Many Games Are in an NBA Season? Regular Season vs Playoff Games
One of the most common questions from basketball fans is how many NBA games in a season, and the answer is not limited to a single number. While the regular season follows a fixed schedule, the total number of games can change once the playoffs are included, making each team’s season length different. Teams that fail to reach the postseason complete their year after the regular schedule, while those that advance deep into the playoffs can play many additional games. For this reason, the full length of an NBA season depends not only on league structure but also on team performance and postseason success.
An NBA season is divided into two main stages: the regular season and the playoffs, each serving a different purpose within the league structure. During the regular season, every team plays the same number of games under a standardized schedule designed to create competitive balance and determine the standings. These results decide which teams qualify for the postseason and how they are seeded. In contrast, playoff games are entirely performance-based and are only played by teams that earn a postseason spot. The number of playoff games a team plays can vary greatly depending on how far it advances, with early eliminations resulting in short runs and championship contenders playing significantly more games.
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Regular Season: A Fixed Number of Games
Each NBA team plays 82 games during the regular season. These games are typically scheduled from October through April and are split evenly between home and away contests.
The regular season serves as the foundation of the NBA calendar. Team records during these 82 games determine playoff qualification, seeding, and home-court advantage, making every matchup meaningful across the long schedule.
Playoffs: A Variable Game Structure
Unlike the regular season, playoff games are not guaranteed for every team. Only teams that qualify through their regular-season performance advance to the postseason.
The NBA playoffs are played in a best-of-seven series format across four rounds: the first round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and the NBA Finals. Each series can last anywhere from four to seven games, meaning the total number of playoff games depends entirely on results.
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Total Games in a Full NBA Season
When combining the regular season and playoffs, a team that reaches the NBA Finals could play more than 100 gamesin a single season. Teams eliminated earlier in the playoffs — or those that miss the postseason entirely — will play significantly fewer games overall.
This wide range in total games played is one of the reasons player workload and endurance are closely monitored throughout the year.
Why the NBA Season Is So Long
The NBA’s season structure balances competition, fairness, and entertainment. The 82-game regular season allows teams to face a wide variety of opponents multiple times, while the playoff format rewards consistency and performance under pressure.
Together, the regular season and playoffs create one of the longest and most physically demanding schedules in professional sports, ultimately leading to the crowning of the NBA champion.
