Editorial guide · Rules Explained
NBA Overtime Rules: What Happens When the Clock Hits Zero on a Tie
How NBA games handle a tied score at the end of regulation, including overtime length, fouls, timeouts and what happens if multiple overtimes are needed.
NBA games cannot end in a tie. When the score is level after four quarters, the teams play overtime until a winner emerges. Here is how it works.
Overtime basics
Each overtime period is five minutes long with a jump ball to start. If the score is still tied after five minutes, another overtime period begins. There is no limit to the number of overtimes, though games requiring more than two are rare.
Foul situation
Team fouls do not reset for overtime. The foul count carries over from the fourth quarter, which means teams are often in the bonus immediately. This leads to more free throws and a different tactical dynamic than regulation play.
Timeouts
Each team receives two additional timeouts for each overtime period, but unused timeouts from regulation do not carry over. The mandatory TV timeouts that occur during regulation quarters are not used in overtime.
What to watch on the tracker
When you see OT on a game card, the game is in its first overtime. OT2, OT3 and so on indicate additional periods. The score in overtime is cumulative, not separate, so the total reflects the entire game including regulation.