Topic Terms

What is Overtime in Basketball

Overtime in basketball is an additional period played when the score is tied at the end of regulation, used to determine a winner.

Overtime in basketball is an extra period of play used to break a tie at the end of regulation time. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, additional overtime periods are played until one team leads at the end of a full period.

Overtime Period Length

  • NBA: 5-minute overtime periods
  • NCAA college basketball: 5-minute overtime periods
  • FIBA (international): 5-minute overtime periods
  • High school: Typically 4-minute overtime periods (varies by state)

There is no limit to the number of overtime periods — games can have 2OT, 3OT, 4OT, or more.

Rules in Overtime

  • Each team's shot clock and team foul counts reset at the start of each overtime period (though NBA rules may differ slightly on fouls)
  • In the NBA, each team receives 2 timeouts in overtime
  • Possession at the start of overtime is typically determined by jump ball or possession arrow (depending on the level)

Longest NBA Overtime Games

  • 1951: Indianapolis Olympians vs. Rochester Royals — 6 overtimes (75–73)
  • Multiple games have gone 5+ overtimes throughout NBA history
  • The 1993 NBA Playoffs featured a 3-overtime Game 4 between the Suns and Bulls

Overtime in the Playoffs

Overtime is particularly dramatic in the playoffs because there is no tie option — games must be decided. Playoff overtime moments are among the most iconic in sports history.

Famous Overtime Moments

  • Michael Jordan's "The Shot" — While not an overtime situation, many Jordan buzzer beaters forced overtime in critical games
  • Kyrie Irving's 2016 Finals three — Sent Game 7 into tense final seconds; Cavaliers ultimately won regulation
  • NBA All-Star games — Frequently go to overtime due to minimal defense

Overtime vs. Sudden Death

Basketball overtime is not sudden death — the full period is played out, and the team with the higher score at the buzzer wins, even if they scored first. This differs from sudden death rules in some other sports.

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