How many games are in the NBA season?

The regular season is a challenging marathon for everyone involved in the NBA. From weight training, rigorous practices, and meticulous film sessions to physical therapy, nonstop travel, and near-nightly media availability, there is limited time for players and staff to rest and recover. And that doesn't even account for the 82 games each team squeezes into their schedule from October to April.

While a routine regular season is 82 games, extenuating circumstances can significantly shorten that schedule. There were just 72 games during the 2019-20 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the NBA has expereinced a handful of lockouts over the years when players and the league office can't come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement within a suitable timeframe.

You may be wondering how the inaugural In-Season Tournament impacts the 2023-24 schedule, and that answer is fairly straightforward. Every game from the group stages and knockout rounds counts toward the 82 regular season matchups every organization has on its slate. The championship game, however, will not count in the standings for the two teams that compete for the NBA Cup.

The regular season is an arduous journey that leads to the Play-In Tournament and NBA Playoffs for a select few franchises. If a club participated in both rounds of the Play-In, had four consecutive seven-game series, and made it to the championship of the In-Season Tournament, they could suit up for as many as 113 games in a single campaign. That is some serious strain on the mind and body.

The San Antonio Spurs have gone on several prolonged postseason runs throughout the celebrated history of their franchise, but the 2002-03 season stands alone in the record books. Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich navigated the Silver and Black to a 60-22 record during the regular season and a 16-8 record in the playoffs en route to their second title, adding up to a whopping 106 games.