How do NBA rules differ from FIBA rules?
Rule- Canada
- NBA
- Professional basketball
- Replay review
- Coach's challenge
- 2026-27
- Fans
Compared with the FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (used for FIBA competitions) and the 2026-27 Official NBA Playing Rules:
| NBA | FIBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Period length | 4 periods of 12 minutes; overtime 5 minutes | 4 quarters of 10 minutes |
| Fouls to disqualify a player | 6 personal fouls | 5 fouls |
| Team fouls before penalty | 4 per regulation period; the 5th and later common fouls give one free throw plus a penalty free throw | A team is in the penalty situation after 4 team fouls in a quarter; later personal fouls on a player not shooting give 2 free throws |
| Time-outs | 7 charged time-outs in regulation (maximum 4 in the fourth period); 2 in each overtime | 2 in the first half, 3 in the second half, 1 in each overtime |
| Shot clock | 24 seconds | 24 seconds |
| Three-point line | 22 feet in the corners, 23 feet 9 inches at the top | Arc radius 6.75 m |
Source: 2026-27 Official NBA Playing Rules (Rules 3, 5, 6, 7, 12) and FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (Articles 2, 8, 18, 29, 41, 42).
Updated 25 Oct 2026