How the NBA Season Works: Complete Structure & Rules

1. Preseason & Training Camp

The NBA calendar kicks off in October with Training Camp followed by a 4-to-6 game Preseason schedule. Teams use these tune-up games to evaluate rookie talent, test tactical rotations, and integrate off-season trade acquisitions before official regular season records begin.

2. Regular Season (82 Games)

Running from late October through mid-April, each of the 30 NBA franchises plays exactly 82 games:

• 4 games against 4 division opponents (16 games)
• 4 games against 6 non-division conference opponents (24 games)
• 3 games against remaining 4 conference opponents (12 games)
• 2 games against all 15 non-conference opponents (30 games)

3. NBA Cup (In-Season Tournament)

Introduced to heighten early-season competition, group stage games count toward regular season standings while giving players a knockout bracket experience culminating in Las Vegas.

4. Play-In Tournament & NBA Playoffs

Seeds 1 through 6 in each conference automatically secure playoff spots. Seeds 7 through 10 compete in a high-stakes Play-In Tournament to claim the final 7th and 8th playoff seeds.

The Playoffs feature a best-of-7 series format through four rounds: First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and the NBA Finals.