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NBA vs FIBA

AFirst Sport

NBA

Basketball

First Sport

Details

Players5

Settingindoor

SeasonOfficial 2025-26 NBA Playing Rules (PDF: cdn.nba.com/manage/2026/01/Official-2025-26-NBA-Playing-Rules.pdf)

CategoryTeam Sports

BSecond Sport

FIBA

3x3 Basketball

Second Sport

Details

Players3-6

Settingoutdoor

SeasonFIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (current edition — half-court, 12-second shot clock, 21-point target, Olympic-format)

CategoryTeam Sports

Shared Topics

Different Rules

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(13)

Free Throws

Different

NBA

Free throw (1 point each): Uncontested shots taken from the free throw line (15 feet from the backboard), awarded after certain fouls; The shooter must release the ball within 10 seconds of receiving it from the official; Other players line up in designated lane spaces during free throw attempts:...

FIBA

Each successful free throw is worth 1 point.

Concussion Protocol

Different

NBA

The NBA maintains a comprehensive concussion management program developed in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

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Rule-by-Rule Comparison(13)

Free Throws

Concussion Protocol

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Field Goals

Other Violations

Overtime

Personal Fouls

Section 2: Equipment

Section 3: Playing Area

Section 5: Rules of Play

Section 6: Scoring

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Team Composition

Timeouts