How the NBA's Last-Two-Minute Review Process Works Explainer
The NBA has special replay provisions for the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and the final two minutes of each overtime. Officials may initiate reviews for defined situations, such as certain out-of-bounds decisions, successful field goals involving timing or boundary questions, and whether a shot-clock violation occurred.
The process is not a general second look at every judgment call. Rule 13 lists the triggers and what each review may examine. The on-court crew communicates with the Replay Center, reviews the available angles, and announces whether the ruling stands, is confirmed, or is changed.
Coach's challenges operate under a related but separate procedure and can reach some calls that officials would not automatically review. Dead-ball timing and possession must also be restored correctly after any change. If evidence is not clear and conclusive, the original ruling remains.
The league's Last Two Minute Report is different. Published after qualifying close games, it evaluates officiating decisions in the final two minutes but does not change the score or the live result. Replay is an in-game correction system; the report is a later transparency and accountability review.
No. Only the situations authorized by the instant-replay rule are reviewable.
Replay must provide clear and conclusive evidence for a change.
No. It is a postgame evaluation and cannot alter the result.
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