Different rules in NBA Summer League: game length, overtime, flopping and coaches challenges

The NBA Summer League gives teams a chance to put their newest and youngest talent to the test, giving coaches and executives a first glimpse at their draft picks at the next level. There are plenty of differences in Summer League games and regular season games, including game length and overtimes.

Trail period for rule tweaks

The 2K24 Summer League starts on July 7th from Las Vegas and upcoming rookies get a first taste of the NBA while unsigned free agents will have a chance to impress with hopes of making a roster for the next season. Meanwhile the league will be using this 11 day tournament as a guinea pig period to measure how a potentially new flopping rule could work in the regular season and playoffs.

Flopping is just one of the things the league will try to improve upon during the 10 day period, another is the coaches challenge rule. In the Summer League coach will be awarded a second challenge if their first challenge is successful, unlike the current rule which is a one and done rule.

These are rule tweaks, but if you have watched any of the appetizer Summer Leagues in Salt Lake City or Sacramento over the last couple days, you know there are a few noticeable differences from NBA games. The first of which is the length of the game. Games are 40 minutes, four 10-minute quarters (like in FIBA and the WNBA) instead of the normal 48 minutes.

Summer league structure

There is also a slight variation to the overtime rules. In the end no one wants to play overtime in Summer League. It’s more time on the court for the players, which means more risk of injury. There is a two minute overtime session if the game is tied at the end of regulation, and if the game is still tied after that two minute session then there is a sudden death session in which the first team to score wins the game.

One of the biggest differences outside of game structure is foul allowance. Players are allowed up to an eye opening 10 fouls instead of the usual six, and teams don’t go into the bonus until the 10th foul in a quarter. This is because the idea is to get players on the court and keep them on the court, and avoid the game becoming a FT shooting contest.

While winning isn’t of the upmost importance, there will be a champion crowned in Vegas at the end of the tournament. Before 2013 there were no champions of the Summer League, but that has changed over the last decade with brings another level of competition to the 11 day period.

Big wigs to vote in late July

The most important thing for teams is evaluating their rookies and getting to know unsigned free agents that are looking for a roster spot while judging if they would be a good fit. If your team happens to be the one hoisting the trophy on the 17th of July, fantastic but it’s not something franchises will hold with much regard.

Once the Summer League in Las Vegas wraps up the league’s board of governors will meet to vote on the newly implemented rule and any other proposed rule changes for the upcoming season.