A standard National Basketball Association game is structured into four distinct periods. These periods are known as quarters. Each of these periods is twelve minutes in duration. Therefore, a completed contest will comprise forty-eight minutes of play, excluding any overtime periods that may be necessary to resolve a tie score.
The standardized division of game time into these segments provides a framework for strategic play, allowing teams to adjust their tactics and personnel throughout the course of the contest. This structure impacts player stamina management, coaching decisions, and the overall flow of the competition. The establishment of this system contributes to the predictability and fairness of the game.
