The NBA is looking at several rule changes for the 2023-24 season and beyond, according to Bleacher Report. Eric Pincus, a national NBA writer for the publication, maintains that next’s season most likely rule change will enable coaches to keep their challenge if it’s deemed successful. Though, that isn’t the most controversial of the proposed rulings.
Another potential change is that the NBA could reportedly implement a target score for overtime games. The G League has already experimented with this rule change in overtime during the regular and for the fourth quarter(s) during the Winter Showcase in Las Vegas.
The NBA could reportedly implement a target score for overtime games, per @EricPincus
“That would prevent overlong broadcasts and overloading player minutes, like Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard's playing 46 minutes in a double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings… https://t.co/CIDTJDrRUw pic.twitter.com/X91eAYb4QQ
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 27, 2023
It’s similar in a sense to the Elam Ending, which the NBA recently introduced to the All-Star Game. Rather than playing a 12-minute fourth quarter, teams would attempt to reach a target score.
The NBA appears to be following MLB’s recent rule changes, with the primary goal of keeping games at roughly two hours and 15 minutes, per Pincus. It’s no coincidence that this proposed rule change has surfaced following a double-overtime game, which saw Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard play 46 minutes in a 176-175 loss.
The NBA world reacted to the proposed change on social media.
“There is nothing wrong with teams playing in OT. It rewards the fans to see such amazing matchups that don’t even happen often,” said one fan.
There is nothing wrong with teams playing in OT. It rewards the fans to see such amazing matchups that don’t even happen often.
— Uriah Young (@uyoung76) February 27, 2023
“The NBA has a habit of taking perfectly good things and ruining them for some reason, like why are we trying to change overtime games, Kings vs Clippers was awesome,” wrote another fan.
The NBA has a habit of taking perfectly good things and ruining them for some reason, like why are we trying to change overtime games, Kings vs Clippers was awesome https://t.co/V09sMaWBNY
— The House that Kami Built (@KamitronPTW) February 27, 2023
“MLB and NBA keep solving problems that don’t exist,” wrote Patrick Daugherty, an NFL writer for NBC Sports.
MLB and NBA keep solving problems that don't exist https://t.co/z5P2iHg7WK
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) February 27, 2023
“Adam Silver is babying players again,” said another fan. “Now that Kawhi had to play back-to-back OT games the league is in shambles and wants to change the rules. Soft.”
Adam Silver is babying players again. Now that Kawhi had to play back-to-back OT games the league is in shambles and wants to change the rules. Soft. https://t.co/y1RVlYmXBP
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) February 27, 2023
“that’s just an atrocious idea,” another fan remarked.
that’s just an atrocious idea https://t.co/E47flnSgjR
— Tommy (@tommyob95) February 27, 2023
Wtf? Elam Ending? 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/G6onsljkLW
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 27, 2023
