🏛️Official — NBA
Loading OpenSourceSports…
Team Sports
5 players
indoor
ball, basket
10 essential rules
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the world, featuring 30 teams divided into two conferences — the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference — each comprising three divisions of five teams. The NBA is widely regarded as the highest leve...
Scorer: Maintains the official score, records all field goals, free throws, fouls, and timeouts; Timer: Operates the game clock, starting and stopping it as directed by the officials; Shot clock operator: Operates the 24-second shot clock, resetting it as required by the rules
Any player who leaves the bench area during an altercation on the court is subject to automatic suspension and fine, even if they do not participate in the altercation; Players involved in fighting are subject to ejection, fines (minimum $50,000), and suspension (minimum one game); The "Malice at...
Backboard: Rectangular, 6 feet (1.83 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.07 m) tall, made of transparent tempered glass or polycarbonate with a 2-inch (5.08 cm) white border; Rim (basket): 18 inches (45.7 cm) in internal diameter, made of 5/8-inch (1.59 cm) diameter steel rod, painted orange; Rim height: 10 f...
The offensive team must advance the ball past the half-court line within 10 seconds of gaining possession in the backcourt (8-second rule in FIBA; NBA uses 10 seconds as of the current rules); Once the ball has been established in the frontcourt (both feet of the ball-handler and the ball are pas...
Traveling: Moving one's pivot foot or taking more than two steps without dribbling the ball. The NBA allows a "gather step" — once a player gathers the ball (picks up the dribble or catches a pass), they may take two additional steps before stopping, passing, or shooting.; Double dribble: Dribbli...
Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on their team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.
The NBA maintains a comprehensive concussion management program developed in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
All court boundary lines and markings are 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and painted in a contrasting color to the floor surface. Key markings include: Sidelines: The two longer boundary lines running the length of the court (94 feet); Baselines (end lines): The two shorter boundary lines running the wi...
The player who last controls the ball on a successful shot attempt is credited with the field goal or free throw. If a player tips in a teammate's missed shot, the tipping player is credited with the basket.
Two-point field goal (2 points): A basket made from inside the three-point arc (within 23 feet 9 inches of the basket, or 22 feet in the corners). This includes layups, dunks, hook shots, floaters, and mid-range jump shots.; Three-point field goal (3 points): A basket made from beyond the three-p...
No Shooting Threes Late in a Decided Blowout
When a team leads by a commanding margin with minimal time remaining, continuing to shoot three-pointers is widely viewed as running up the score and disrespecting the opponent. The expectation is to dribble out the clock and let the outcome stand with dignity.
Became a major flashpoint in the 2021–22 NBA season. Draymond Green and Chris Paul publicly criticized teams (notably the OKC Thunder) for shooting threes up 20+ late in games, sparking a league-wide debate.
Pull Starters and Run Clock in Garbage Time
Teams with a commanding late lead are expected to substitute out starters, abandon pressing defense, and run down the shot clock rather than compete at full intensity. Pressing hard in a decided game is considered poor sportsmanship toward the other team.
Keep Criticism of Teammates Inside the Locker Room
Grievances about teammates — effort, playing time, decisions — are expected to be resolved internally. Players who air criticism through media or social media are viewed as disloyal regardless of whether the criticism is accurate.
High-profile violations consistently generate peer backlash. Kevin Durant's agent-attributed social media criticism of teammates and various anonymous-source complaints are documented examples of this norm being broken.
No Unnecessary Hard Fouls When the Outcome Is Decided
Delivering physically aggressive or dangerous fouls in a decided game — especially on uncontested plays — is considered reckless and unsportsmanlike. Both teams are expected to keep physical intensity within acceptable limits once the result is not in doubt.
In the NBA, hard fouls in garbage time have been the catalyst for multiple brawls, ejections, and multi-game suspensions across the league's history.
Respect the Post-Series Handshake Line
After a playoff series concludes, players from both teams are expected to shake hands — a ritual acknowledging mutual competitive respect. Refusing to participate or leaving the court without engaging is considered a serious breach of sportsmanship.
High-profile players who have visibly skipped or rushed through the handshake line after elimination have received consistent peer and media criticism.
Ready to dive deeper?