NBA Exhibition Games to Feature 10 Minute Quarters Instead of 12

As part of the league’s ramp-up period prior to its July 30th restart, the NBA has made a slight adjustment to its scrimmage game.

Starting this week, each team is slated to play three scrimmage games which will feature shortened 10 minute quarters instead of the usual 12 minutes. As players return to play for the first time in over four months, the league hopes to continue to gradually build player workloads in an attempt to limiting injuries stemming from improper ramp up.

“This is a different situation. In all areas, really. … I do think that there’s some latitude to do some different things,” said Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle.

The @NBA is tweaking the rules for the first exhibition games of the league's restart, going with 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 minutes. https://t.co/Y1MM9FdZyq

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 18, 2020

There appears to be complete support throughout the league.

“I believe that it’s done just trying to get safety first for the players,” Orlando coach Steve Clifford said. “I think most teams are like us, where everybody is just feeling their way and guys aren’t in the type of condition they would normally be in a training camp situation.”

At this point, it has yet to be determined whether players will wear their game uniforms or practice jerseys for scrimmage games.