NBA Challenge Rules Explained: How Many Challenges Are Allowed in the NBA?

Officiating has always been a bone of contention in the NBA where controversies revolving refereeing have taken over the post game storyline. As part of improving efficiency in the league, the NBA introduced Coach’s challenge which serves as a key review mechanism for on-court calls. Let’s deep dive further into the NBA Challenge Rules.

With calls growing over to improve the officiating of the game, NBA through a trial introduced the challenge system in the 2018-19 season. The success of the trial phase pushed the NBA toward full-time implementation from the 2019-20 season.

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What Are the NBA Challenge Rules?

The NBA has allowed on-court decisions to be challenged through its Coach’s Challenge mechanism. Under Rule No. 14 of the NBA, it is clearly mentioned in what cases a review can be taken. The rule reads, “A team may utilize a Challenge to trigger instant replay review of only the following three events: (1) a called personal foul charged to its own team, (2) a called out-of-bounds violation, or (3) a called goaltending or basket interference violation.”

What Challenges Are Not Allowed by the NBA?

The NBA has specified only three instances where a challenge can be called by the coach that includes personal foul, out-of-bounds violation, and goaltending or basket interference violation. Any other reviews, like in the case of technical foul calls, continuation calls, or calls in the favor of opposing teams, are not allowed according to the NBA challenge rules. Coaches also cannot challenge calls in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime.

How Many Challenges Are Allowed in the NBA?

NBA Challenge Rules has clearly mentioned that a team will receive one challenge per game. However, if a team wins the challenge then they are liable for a second challenge as well. In times of a failed challenge, the team exhaust their right to review.

The team also loses one of its timeouts as well. Hence, sides in the NBA carefully exercise the coach’s challenge and only use it when they are confident of overturning it. This rule ensures that challenges don’t disrupt the game flow excessively and maintain pace and fairness.

What Happens During a Challenge?

When the coach signals a challenge from the sidelines, officials stop the game, and the shot clock also freezes. The match officials then move to the Video panel to watch the review of the particular play. The Replay is watched multiple times from various angles to understand the whole play.

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After reviewing it, the referee announces their decision on the mic, alerting the players, staff, and fans about their take. Players during the review period generally move to the sidelines and take a rest for a couple of minutes. Some coaches also use the buffer time to pass instructions and strategies to their players. On average, a Coach’s Challenge lasts about 2–3 minutes, just enough time for a mid-game huddle.

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