Does the NBA Summer League have overtime? The summer session actually has a unique overtime quite different from the regular league.
Along with scratching that basketball itch during the offseason, the NBA Summer League can be a great opportunity to get a look at young prospects and NBA hopefuls hoping to prove themselves.
This year, all eyes will be on Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and others.
It can also give fans a look at what different kinds of rules would mean for the league as the NBA tests out all sorts of possible rule changes. For instance, new rules on transition take fouls will get an experiment this go around.
There is one particular Summer League rule that you probably shouldn’t expect to see adopted by the league anytime soon: Sudden death overtime.
Is there overtime in NBA Summer League?
That’s right, there is overtime in Sumer League action but it’s designed to be significantly shorter than you’d see if you were watching the Lakers go up against the Celtics in a regular-season game.
The first overtime lasts just two minutes. If the two teams can’t break the deadlock in that time, the second overtime commences in sudden death mode. The first team to score wins.
That’s a pretty wild and dramatic way to end a game but it makes sense since the league doesn’t want these games to drag out.