NBA Weighs 40-Minute Games Amid Injury Spike

Adam Silver reportedly likes shortening games as star injuries mount early in the 2026-27 season.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball

NBA Weighs 40-Minute Games Amid Injury Spike

Live Poll

Would you support shortening NBA games from 48 minutes to 40 minutes?

Insider reporting says NBA commissioner Adam Silver is receptive to the idea of 40-minute games, a change from the current 48-minute format. The proposal comes as several star players have been sidelined by injuries in the third week of the 2026-27 regular season.

Why it matters

The NBA has faced growing pressure to address injury concerns, and shortening games is one of several ideas under discussion alongside a shorter regular season and reduced preseason. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix has questioned whether the change is financially feasible.

The proposal would cut game length from 48 minutes to 40 minutes, an 8-minute reduction per game. Mannix argues the change would marginalize bench players and lead teams to carry fewer roster players.

The players

Adam Silver

NBA commissioner who oversees league policy, including rules governing game length and schedule.

Chris Mannix

Sports Illustrated reporter who questioned the financial feasibility of 40-minute games.

The details

Reporter Chris Mannix relayed that Adam Silver likes the idea during a segment with Rachel Nichols. Mannix himself said he does not see 40-minute games as financially feasible, and that reducing the number of games is not considered realistic.

The 2026-27 regular season is in its third week when the injury concerns and proposals surfaced.

Season Trajectory

The 40-minute proposal sits alongside discussions of a shorter regular season and reduced preseason, reflecting a league-wide effort to manage player workload. Mannix's objections point to how roster construction and bench depth would shift if games were shortened.

Any change to game length would reshape rotations, as bench minutes and roster depth would be directly affected. Fantasy managers would need to reassess player minute projections if the format changes.

The takeaway

Player availability and league workload concerns are driving changes being considered for the NBA schedule. Any final format decision would affect how much time players spend on the court and how teams build their rosters.