A professional basketball contest at the highest level of competition consists of four regulation periods. Each of these periods, commonly referred to as quarters, is 12 minutes in duration. Therefore, the total scheduled playing time is 48 minutes. For example, if the first quarter ends with a score of 30-25, 12 minutes of the total regulation time have elapsed.
Understanding the standard length of a contest is fundamental for both players and spectators. It provides a framework for strategic planning, pacing, and overall game management. Historically, this structure has remained relatively consistent, allowing for reliable comparison of statistics and performance across different eras of the sport.