The NBA has introduced a list of changes to the Coach’s Challenge rule earlier this year in July, find out more about the new changes and how it impacts the game below.
The NBA introduced the Coach’s Challenge back in the 2019-20 season and just recently made some changes to it.
NBA Coach’s Challenge rule meaning explained as league introduces new changes to the rules in 2023-24
NBA Board of Governors will vote on two changes for the 2023-24 season, per @ShamsCharania
– Technical foul free throw for a flop
– A second coach's challenge, if first challenge is successful pic.twitter.com/ciGtDTPQ2C
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2023
NBA is in serious discussions on awarding teams a second coach's challenge if the first challenge is successful beginning in 2023-24, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/lcEcFC0wqo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 26, 2023
The Coach’s Challenge initially started out as a one-year trial before it became an official rule in the 2020-21 season.
NBA announces changes in the Coach’s Challenge
Earlier this year in July, the NBA announced that the Board of Governors have approved two rule changes. Given below are the list of changes:
- A team will receive a second Coach’s Challenge if the first challenge is successful
- Teams cannot retain the timeout used for the second Coach’s Challenge irrespective of whether or not the challenge is successful
- Teams cannot changes the rules of the first Coach’s Challenge
Ever since its introduction the Coach’s Challenge has been somewhat controversial. However, the new changes will hopefully make the rules more receptive.
Original Coach’s Challenge rules
Given below is a list of the original rules under the Coach’s Challenge:
- A team only has one Coach’s challenge that they can use at any point throughout the game
- A coach can use the challenge by calling a timeout and asking the referees for an official replay review
- A team can keep the timeout if the challenge is successful
- A team loses the timeout if the challenge is deemed unsuccessful
- Coaches can only challenge personal fouls, out-of-bounds and goaltending calls
- A coach cannot challenge non-calls
Coach’s Challenge and its impact on NBA games
The Coach’s Challenge has had a major impact on NBA games. A prime example of this impact was seen last season during the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers. The match, which took place on March 16, saw Joel Embiid pick up five fouls, while Evan Mobley drew a charge with just four minutes left.
Doc Rivers, who was the then-Sixers head coach used his Coach’s Challenge which turned out to be successful. As a result, Embiid was not called for the offensive foul and eventually ended up helping the Sixers win. Although it was a fair assessment from the officials, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was unsurprisingly furious with the decision, Following the game, he stated:
He drew a hell of a charge to get Embiid his sixth foul. He did a hell of a job, it’s clear as day that’s a charge. There’s no doubt about it, the call was made on the floor. He stands in between him and the basket. They lower the shoulder.”