Can Basketball End in a Tie?

What will happen if two teams play furiously against each other, scoring nake to neck, and suddenly the final buzzer shows up? Will it be a tie? Wait what? Can basketball end in a tie? 

Nah, it doesn’t. Even it can’t be real. Because right now, the basketball authorities don’t allow it. After a time travelling I found that before 1954 this ‘Tie’ thing used to happen in basketball.

The present-day rulebooks say directly no to ties and yes to overtime. Because overtime gives a clear winner and thrilling moments where fans get more attached to the game and enjoy every second of the dramatic climax.

And it doesn’t end here. You can learn more about the “Can Basketball End in a Tie” topic just by a quick reading of this blog. So, why wait let’s begin.

Can Basketball End in a Tie: Know the Facts

Nope! Basketball doesn’t end in a tie. NBA has the extra time option. In official words, you can call it overtime. And in the overtime, the two teams play against each other until one of them wins the war. 

However, the creator of basketball, Dr. Jmaes Naismith, in 1891, didn’t specify the prohibition that a game can’t end in a tie. But Rule 13 stated, “ The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.”

So, it seems ties can be possible under the original rules, but the game also cannot end without declaring a winner. And this contradictory part, and to keep the audience engaged in the game, rules have been changed. Therefore, basketball games don’t end in a tie. Not anymore.

How Overtime Works in the NBA?

It’s simple. Suppose the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are playing against each other, and when the final whistle rings, the two teams find that they scored the same points. What will happen? Will the fans accept the conclusion if the NBA ends the game right there? 

I guess not. It will be a disastrous situation. So, to not make this happen, the NBA allows overtime playing. There, teams will get 5 minutes extra to compete again. 

What if they tie again? Teams will get another 5-minute round and another until one team raises the winning flag. To get a more accurate idea, check the following table:

Overtime Rules in the NBA	Details
Overtime duration	5 minutes
Break between overtime periods	130 seconds
Number of timeouts per overtime period	2
Possession rule	Jump ball
Number of overtime periods	Unlimited

Why does Basketball Never End in a Tie?

NBA and FIBA strictly follow their rulebook. So, ‘No’ means ‘No’. Yes! They don’t allow a match that ends in a tie. Now, you might wonder why authorities made this rule. Let me tell you the possible reason. 

Basketball is a fast and high-scoring game where the audiences are really stubborn. The intensity of the game changes the psychology of the overall environment. And this is where the requirements of not having a tie come. 

Having an ending with a tie seems incomplete like you are seducing your partner but not giving a happy ending. So, adding an extra layer of time increases the tension among the fans

as well as proper ease when they got the final result.

Was a Tie Allowed in Basketball in the Past?

History says ‘Yes.’ In the past, professional and amateur basketball leagues like the NBA and NBL used to allow it.

The National Basketball League (NBL) allowed ties until 1951. And the National Basketball Association (NBA) continued with allowing tie rule until 1954 for regular games and until 1971 for playoff games.

But later, these two prominent leagues adopted the new rule that prohibited ending a game with a tie situation over time. 

Conclusion

So, I guess we have got an answer to the question, “Can Basketball End in a Tie?” And that is ‘No.’ Right? And how come we get this answer? Let’s take a recap.

The NBA and the FIBA have restricted ending a match in a tie to keep the excitement of the game to the fullest and also to get a clear winner. It not only engages the audiance properly but also doesn’t create any controversy. 

Though, in the past, games used to end in a tie. But with the evolution of the rule, people’s adaptations, and the NBA’s, along with the NBL’s regulation, not a single match has ended in a tie till now.