Main Story

The NBA’s 82-game schedule and back-to-backs leave stars sidelined and fans disappointed, while the physical toll keeps mounting. The proposed “Must-See 65” would cut each team’s season to 65 games, eliminate back-to-backs and use an expanded NBA Cup to help replace lost revenue. The goal: protect players, rebuild fan trust and make more games feel like must-see events.

By the Numbers
  • Teams would play 65 regular-season games, down from 82.
  • Stars have played in 73.5% of back-to-back games this season, versus nearly 80% of other games.
  • Stars missed an average of 27.4 games last season, compared with 10.6 per season in the 1990s.
  • The proposed NBA Cup would become a 32-team, single-elimination tournament after expansion.
Yes, But

Critics may argue that playing fewer games would reduce league revenue, and the proposal depends on owners and players agreeing to a major schedule change. The link between back-to-backs and injuries is also unclear. The plan’s backers argue that an expanded Cup, potential expansion fees and stronger demand for games featuring available stars could help offset the financial hit.

What's Next

With expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas on the horizon, the proposal calls for the NBA to rethink its schedule and competition format. Whether the league and players’ union embrace that overhaul remains uncertain.

Bottom Line

The case for 65 games is about making the games fans buy tickets to more reliably feature the stars they came to see. Fewer games could mean a more compelling product—but only if the NBA can replace the lost revenue without shifting too much of the cost to fans.