NBA Split 2-Round Draft Into 2 Nights, Draining Second Round Atmosphere
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 25
NBA Split 2-Round Draft Into 2 Nights, Draining Second Round Atmosphere
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 25
Summary
The NBA’s second round has lost the loose, late-night energy that once made it a cult favorite since the league split the draft into two nights in 2024.
That change moved Round 2 from a packed, end-of-night Barclays Center crowd to a smaller separate setup—first in the afternoon, then in a concourse studio with fewer fans and a quieter feel.
The new format gives second-round prospects and families a more polished experience at their own tables, but as a TV product it has shed the oddball moments, obscure jerseys and diehard-fan buzz.
The shift reflects the league’s push for efficiency, revenue and extra broadcast inventory, turning what was once a niche tradition for devoted fans into a more conventional event.