Basketball Basics
The friendly guide to watching hoops.
The game moves fast. This page doesn't. Learn just enough to enjoy the next quarter, then come back for more whenever you want.
Rules by league
NBA, WNBA, or G League: what's different?
The Warriors, Valkyries, and Sea Dubs each play under their own league's rulebook. Most of the game looks the same, but the details matter when you're watching.
NBA
The league the Warriors play in.
- Game length
- 48 minutes, four 12-minute quarters.
- Shot clock
- 24 seconds to shoot after gaining possession.
- Court & ball
- Men's size 7 ball (29.5"). Three-point line is 23'9" from the top of the key.
- Roster size
- 15 players max; 13 can dress for a game.
Key rules to know
- 6 fouls and a player fouls out.
- Defensive 3-second rule: bigs can't camp in the paint.
- Goaltending: can't block a shot on its way down or above the rim.
- Overtime is 5 minutes; repeat if still tied.
Golden State Warriors at Chase Center: 48 minutes of high-speed, high-scoring action.
Technical fouls
Assessed for profanity, arguing with officials, taunting, or delays. Results in 1 free throw for the opposing team and possession retention or continuation of play. Two technicals result in automatic ejection.
Flagrant fouls
Divided into two levels. Flagrant 1 (FF1) is unnecessary contact (2 free throws plus possession). Flagrant 2 (FF2) is unnecessary and excessive contact, resulting in 2 free throws and an immediate ejection. Accumulating flagrant points leads to suspensions.
Glossary
The words people yell at the TV.
Assist
A pass that leads directly to a teammate's made basket.
Rebound
Grabbing the ball after a missed shot. Offensive if your team missed; defensive if theirs did.
Turnover
Losing possession without a shot, like a bad pass, a steal, or stepping out of bounds.
Foul
Illegal contact. Too many and you get benched; on a shooter, they go to the free-throw line.
Free throw
An uncontested shot from 15 feet, worth 1 point. Awarded for certain fouls.
On the floor
Who's who out there.
Point Guard
e.g. Steph Curry
Runs the show, tiny, quick.
Shooting Guard
e.g. Buddy Hield
Scores from the perimeter.
Small Forward
e.g. Jimmy Butler
Versatile wing.
Power Forward
e.g. Draymond Green
Physical, close to the rim.
Center
e.g. Al Horford
Tallest, anchors the paint.
Stats 101
The numbers on the screen, decoded.
Box scores can look like alphabet soup. Here's what the most common stats actually mean, with Bay Area examples.
PPG
ScoringPoints Per Game
How many points a player averages each night. A team's leading scorer usually sits between 20 and 30.
Steph Curry often leads the Warriors here, sometimes from threes, sometimes from clever layups.
RPG
ReboundingRebounds Per Game
How many missed shots a player grabs per game. Bigs usually lead this, but long wings can pile them up too.
Draymond Green and Al Horford clean the glass while also starting fast breaks.
APG
PlaymakingAssists Per Game
How many baskets a player sets up for teammates each game. High numbers mean they're running the offense.
A point guard like Veronica Burton or Steph lives in this column.
FG%
EfficiencyField Goal Percentage
The share of all shots (twos and threes combined) that go in. 50% is excellent; 45% is solid.
Centers and forwards often have higher FG% because they shoot closer to the rim.
3P%
EfficiencyThree-Point Percentage
The share of three-point shots that go in. League average hovers around 36%; 40% is elite.
Steph and Seth Curry both shoot north of 40%, so defenses panic when they catch the ball.
FT%
EfficiencyFree Throw Percentage
The share of uncontested 15-foot foul shots a player makes. 90% is automatic; 70% needs work.
Guards usually lead here. Bigs who get fouled a lot but shoot under 65% are 'hacked for a reason.'
SPG
DefenseSteals Per Game
How many times a player takes the ball from the other team per game. A sign of anticipation and hands.
Gary Payton II gets steals that turn into fast-break dunks. His dad would be proud.
BPG
DefenseBlocks Per Game
How many shots a player swats away per game. Rim protectors live in this stat.
Kristaps Porziņģis and Charles Bassey use length to alter or reject shots at the rim.
TO
PlaymakingTurnovers
How many times a player loses the ball for their team. More ball-handling means more turnover risk.
Point guards often have the most turnovers because they also have the ball the most.
MIN
AdvancedMinutes Played
How many minutes a player is on the floor. Starters usually play 30-36; bench pieces play 15-25.
A coach trusts a player with heavy minutes when the game is on the line.
+/-
AdvancedPlus/Minus
The point difference while a player is on the court. Positive means their team outscored the opponent.
Draymond Green might score 8 points but finish +18. His defense and passing changed the game.
PER
AdvancedPlayer Efficiency Rating
A single number that tries to capture a player's overall production. 15 is league average; 25+ is MVP territory.
Don't obsess over it, but it helps compare players across positions.
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