When Does the NBA Season End?

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When does the regular NBA season end? The regular NBA season of the 2023-2024 season already ended on April 14, 2024. However, the NBA Finals, which determine the league champion, are still ongoing. For people asking “When does the NBA Season start” refer to the chart below.

• Regular Season: October 24, 2023 - April 14, 2024

• Play-in Tournament: April 16-19, 2024

• Playoffs: April 20 - May or June 2024

• NBA Finals: June 6, 2024 (starts), with a potential Game 7 on June 23

Other than “When does NBA Season Start,” anything else you need to know about the 2023-24 NBA regular season, including top teams, format, and schedule, as well as how to buy cheap NBA regular season tickets is at TicketX, and don't forget your chance to get a promo code for a cheaper ticket!

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How Does the NBA Regular Season Work?

Now we’ve answered “when does the regular NBA season end” and "when does NBA season start," we should move on to “how does the NBA regular season work.” The NBA regular season has evolved through various iterations throughout its history as the league has changed and expanded. In its current form, each team plays a total of 82 games, with half at home and the other half away (on the road). Keep in mind that unlike some sports leagues in other countries, home and away games do not always alternate, due to the geographical size of North America. Instead, teams tend to go on road trips through several cities or have home stands when they host several different teams.

The NBA season start with 30 teams (29 from the United States, 1 from Canada) divided into 2 conferences (Eastern/Western) which are in turn divided into 6 divisions (Atlantic, Central, Southeast in the East; Northwest, Pacific, Southwest in the West). This makes figuring out who plays whom and how many times just a little bit tricky. In general, teams play each of the four opponents in their division four times over a season and teams from elsewhere in their own conference either three or four times. Teams also play each team from the opposite conference twice.

When the final buzzer sounds on the last games of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the top 6 teams from each conference will advance automatically to the 2024 NBA Playoffs and teams ranked 7th to 10th battling it out to join them. 7th faces 8th, with the winner entering the playoffs and the loser facing the winner of 9th vs 10th for the final playoff spot.

This year, the NBA regular season has been further complicated by the introduction of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament, a cup competition that runs concurrently to the 2023-24 NBA regular season. All in-season tournament matchups count as regular season games in the standings except the in-season tournament final (the NBA Cup Final).

Wait… What is the 2023-24 NBA In-Season Tournament?

Right, take a seat for a second. I’ll try to keep this short and sweet (for my own sanity as well as yours!).

The brand-new NBA in-season tournament is a cup competition that runs concurrently to the 2023-24 NBA regular season. It begins with a group stage with the league split into 6 inter-conference groups of 5 teams each, seeded by their 2023 regular season records.

Each team plays once against each group opponent for a total of 4 group matches. The 6 group winners advance to the quarterfinals along with the 2 second-place teams with the best records. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals, the winners of which move on to battle for the first-ever NBA Cup, a new trophy distinct from the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy awarded to the winners of the NBA Playoffs.

To ensure that teams will take the new competition seriously, all NBA in-season tournament games, except the NBA Cup Final will count as regular season games within the standings.

If you are interested in NBA in-season tournament, check out NBA in-season tournament courts at the official NBA website!

How the NBA All-Star Game Works

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game marks a return to tradition, abandoning the recent draft format and Elam Ending for a more familiar East vs. West showdown. Each team, composed of 12 players, represents their respective conference. The game unfolds across four standard 12-minute quarters, mimicking a regular season contest and prioritizing defensive intensity over the previously implemented target score format.

Fan involvement remains crucial, with their votes constituting 50% of the weight in selecting starters. Players and media each contribute 25% to the process. Head coaches then choose seven reserves per conference, excluding their own team members. The leading vote-getters in each conference become captains, empowered to make trades within the All-Star pool and finalize their rosters. This captaincy, however, is not tied to the new charity donation tradition, where each quarter's winner supports a cause of their choice.

This shift away from experimentation reflects a desire to revitalize the All-Star Game's competitive spirit. While the exhibition nature remains, the return to a traditional format and standard scoring aims to reignite the intensity and engagement often missing in recent years. The emphasis on conference rivalry and player selection through established channels also injects a sense of legitimacy back into the event.

Remember, this format applies specifically to the 2024 All-Star Game, and future iterations may introduce new elements. However, the current approach marks a deliberate return to the core principles that have made the All-Star Game a beloved tradition for decades.

How the NBA Playoffs Work

The NBA Playoffs transform the regular season's simmer into a boiling cauldron. Sixteen teams, the top six from each conference and two play-in tournament survivors, battle in a best-of-seven elimination format. Each round, the stakes rise as teams claw for four wins, with higher seeds holding home-court advantage.

This four-act drama unfolds with first-round clashes, conference semifinals, conference finals, and the climactic NBA Finals. Witness star power ignites, underdogs defy odds, and coaches strategize to outwit their rivals. Every game pulsates with intensity, pushing players to their limits. Injuries can rewrite narratives, adding an unpredictable twist to the already fierce competition. Read more about the champions for the last season in the link below!

Which Team Will Be NBA Champions at the End of the 2023-24 Season?

Read our predictions on which team will be NBA champions at the end of the 2023-24 season and get NBA tickets on TicketX now!

So, buckle up, choose your champion, and prepare to be swept away by the thrill of the chase for the ultimate prize.

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