Quiz About NBA: 100 Ultimate Trivia Questions for NBA Fans

Are you a true NBA fan? Do you want to see how much you actually know about the world’s most prestigious basketball league? Our quiz about NBA will help you do just that!

Get ready to dribble your way through a challenging trivia, designed for both hardcore fans and casual observers of the National Basketball Association. Explore questions that span the rich history of the league, from its inception to the present day. 

Let’s get to it!

Table of Content

• Round 1: Quiz About The NBA History
• Round 2: Quizzes About The NBA Rules
• Round 3: NBA Basketball Logo Quiz
• Round 4: NBA Guess That Player
• Bonus Round: Advanced Level
• The Bottom Line

Round 1: Quiz About The NBA History

The NBA has made basketball the sport we all know and love nowadays. This first round of questions is designed to revisit the NBA’s glorious journey through time. Let’s put our gears in reverse to not only honor the legends who paved the way but also shine a light on pivotal points that have shaped the league into what it is today.

💡 Not an NBA fan? Try our Football quiz instead!

Questions

#1 When was the NBA founded?

• A) 1946
• B) 1950
• C) 1955
• D) 1960

#2 Which team won the first NBA Championship?

• A) Boston Celtics
• B) Philadelphia Warriors
• C) Minneapolis Lakers
• D) New York Knicks

#3 Who is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history?

• A) LeBron James
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• D) Kobe Bryant

#4 How many teams were in the NBA when it was first established?

• A) 8
• B) 11
• C) 13
• D) 16

#5 Who was the first player to score 100 points in a single game?

• A) Wilt Chamberlain
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Kobe Bryant
• D) Shaquille O'Neal

#6 Who was one of the first stars of the NBA?

• A) George Mikan
• B) Bob Cousy
• C) Bill Russell
• D) Wilt Chamberlain

#7 Who was the first African American head coach in the NBA?

• A) Bill Russell
• B) Lenny Wilkens
• C) Al Attles
• D) Chuck Cooper

#8 What team holds the record for the longest winning streak in NBA history?

• A) Chicago Bulls
• B) Los Angeles Lakers
• C) Boston Celtics
• D) Miami Heat

#9 When was the three-point line introduced in the NBA?

• A) 1967
• B) 1970
• C) 1979
• D) 1984

#10 Which player was known as "The Logo" of the NBA?

• A) Jerry West
• B) Larry Bird
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) Bill Russell

#11 Who was the youngest player to be drafted in the NBA?

• A) LeBron James
• B) Kobe Bryant
• C) Kevin Garnett
• D) Andrew Bynum

#12 Which player has the most career assists in the NBA?

• A) Steve Nash
• B) John Stockton
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) Jason Kidd

#13 Which team drafted Kobe Bryant?

• A) Los Angeles Lakers
• B) Charlotte Hornets
• C) Philadelphia 76ers
• D) Golden State Warriors

#14 What year did the NBA merge with the ABA?

• A) 1970
• B) 1976
• C) 1980
• D) 1984

#15 Who was the first European player to win the NBA MVP award?

• A) Dirk Nowitzki
• B) Pau Gasol
• C) Giannis Antetokounmpo
• D) Tony Parker

#16 Which player was known for his "Skyhook" shot?

• A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• B) Hakeem Olajuwon
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Tim Duncan

#17 What team did Michael Jordan play for after his first retirement?

• A) Washington Wizards
• B) Chicago Bulls
• C) Charlotte Hornets
• D) Houston Rockets

#18 What is the old name of the NBA?

• A) American Basketball League (ABL)
• B) National Basketball League (NBL)
• C) Basketball Association of America (BAA)
• D) United States Basketball Association (USBA)

#19 What team was originally known as the New Jersey Nets?

• A) Brooklyn Nets
• B) New York Knicks
• C) Philadelphia 76ers
• D) Boston Celtics

#20 When was the first appearance of the NBA name?

• A) 1946
• B) 1949
• C) 1950
• D) 1952

#21 Which team was the first to win three consecutive NBA Championships?

• A) Boston Celtics
• B) Minneapolis Lakers
• C) Chicago Bulls
• D) Los Angeles Lakers

#22 Who was the first NBA player to average a triple-double for a season?

• A) Oscar Robertson
• B) Magic Johnson
• C) Russell Westbrook
• D) LeBron James

#23 What was the first NBA team? (one of the first teams)

• A) Boston Celtics
• B) Philadelphia Warriors
• C) Los Angeles Lakers
• D) Chicago Bulls

#24 Which team ended the Boston Celtics' streak of eight consecutive NBA Championships in 1967?

• A) Los Angeles Lakers
• B) Philadelphia 76ers
• C) New York Knicks
• D) Chicago Bulls

#25 Where did the first NBA game take place?

• A) Madison Square Garden, New York
• B) Boston Garden, Boston
• C) Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto
• D) The Forum, Los Angeles

Answers

1. A) 1946
2. B) Philadelphia Warriors
3. C) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. B) 11
5. A) Wilt Chamberlain
6. A) George Mikan
7. A) Bill Russell
8. B) Los Angeles Lakers
9. C) 1979
10. A) Jerry West
11. D) Andrew Bynum
12. B) John Stockton
13. B) Charlotte Hornets
14. B) 1976
15. A) Dirk Nowitzki
16. A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
17. A) Washington Wizards
18. C) Basketball Association of America (BAA)
19. A) Brooklyn Nets
20. B) 1949
21. B) Minneapolis Lakers
22. A) Oscar Robertson
23. B) Philadelphia Warriors
24. B) Philadelphia 76ers
25. C) Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto

Round 2: Quizzes About The NBA Rules

Basketball isn’t the most complex game, but it sure has its share of rules. The NBA defines the guidelines for personnel, penalties, and gameplay that are applied worldwide. 

Do you know all the rules in the NBA? Let’s check!

Questions

#1 How long is each quarter in an NBA game?

• A) 10 minutes
• B) 12 minutes
• C) 15 minutes
• D) 20 minutes

#2 How many players from each team are allowed on the court at any time?

• A) 4
• B) 5
• C) 6
• D) 7

#3 What is the maximum number of personal fouls a player can commit before fouling out in an NBA game?

• A) 4
• B) 5
• C) 6
• D) 7

#4 How long is the shot clock in the NBA?

• A) 20 seconds
• B) 24 seconds
• C) 30 seconds
• D) 35 seconds

#5 When did the NBA introduce the three-point line?

• A) 1970
• B) 1979
• C) 1986
• D) 1992

#6 What is the regulation size of an NBA basketball court?

• A) 90 feet by 50 feet
• B) 94 feet by 50 feet
• C) 100 feet by 50 feet
• D) 104 feet by 54 feet

#7 What is the rule when a player takes too many steps without dribbling the ball?

• A) Double dribble
• B) Traveling
• C) Carrying
• D) Goaltending

#8 How long is halftime in the NBA?

• A) 10 minutes
• B) 12 minutes
• C) 15 minutes
• D) 20 minutes

#9 How far is the NBA three-point line from the basket at the top of the arc?

• A) 20 feet 9 inches
• B) 22 feet
• C) 23 feet 9 inches
• D) 25 feet

#10 What is the penalty for a technical foul in the NBA?

• A) One free throw and possession of the ball
• B) Two free throws
• C) Two free throws and possession of the ball
• D) One free throw

#11 How many timeouts are NBA teams allowed in the fourth quarter?

• A) 2
• B) 3
• C) 4
• D) Unlimited

#12 What is a flagrant foul in the NBA?

• A) An intentional foul with no play on the ball
• B) A foul committed in the last two minutes of the game
• C) A foul that results in injury
• D) A technical foul

#13 What happens if a team commits a foul but is not over the foul limit?

• A) The opposing team shoots one free throw
• B) The opposing team shoots two free throws
• C) The opposing team gets possession of the ball
• D) Play continues without free throws

#14 What is the 'restricted area' in the NBA?

• A) The area inside the 3-point line
• B) The area inside the free-throw lane
• C) The semi-circle area under the basket
• D) The area behind the backboard

#15 What is the maximum number of players allowed on an NBA team’s active roster?

• A) 12
• B) 13
• C) 15
• D) 17

#16 How many referees are there in an NBA game?

• A) 2
• B) 3
• C) 4
• D) 5

#17 What is 'goaltending' in the NBA?

• A) Blocking a shot on its way down
• B) Blocking a shot after it has hit the backboard
• C) Both A and B
• D) Stepping out of bounds with the ball

#18 What is the NBA's backcourt violation rule?

• A) Having the ball in the backcourt for more than 8 seconds
• B) Crossing half-court and then returning to the backcourt
• C) Both A and B
• D) None of the above

#19 How many seconds does a player have to shoot a free throw?

• A) 5 seconds
• B) 10 seconds
• C) 15 seconds
• D) 20 seconds

#20 What is a 'double-double' in the NBA?

• A) Scoring double figures in two statistical categories
• B) Two players scoring in double figures
• C) Scoring double figures in the first half
• D) Winning two games back-to-back

#21 What is the violation called when you slap at someone while they are dribbling the basketball?

• A) Traveling
• B) Double Dribble
• C) Reaching In
• D) Goaltending

#22 How many points are awarded for a score from outside the opposition's semi-circle in basketball?

• A) 1 point
• B) 2 points
• C) 3 points
• D) 4 points

#23 What is Rule 1 in basketball?

• A) The game is played by two teams of five players each
• B) The ball may be thrown in any direction
• C) The ball must stay within bounds
• D) Players must not run with the ball

#24 How many seconds can you hold a basketball without dribbling, passing, or shooting?

• A) 3 seconds
• B) 5 seconds
• C) 8 seconds
• D) 24 seconds

#25 In the NBA, how long can a defensive player remain in the painted area (key) without actively guarding an opponent?

• A) 2 seconds
• B) 3 seconds
• C) 5 seconds
• D) No limit

Answers

1. B) 12 minutes
2. B) 5
3. C) 6
4. B) 24 seconds
5. B) 1979
6. B) 94 feet by 50 feet
7. B) Traveling
8. C) 15 minutes
9. C) 23 feet 9 inches
10. D) One free throw
11. B) 3
12. A) An intentional foul with no play on the ball
13. C) The opposing team gets possession of the ball
14. C) The semi-circle area under the basket
15. C) 15
16. B) 3
17. C) Both A and B
18. C) Both A and B
19. B) 10 seconds
20. A) Scoring double figures in two statistical categories
21. C) Reaching In
22. C) 3 points
23. A) The game is played by two teams of five players each
24. B) 5 seconds
25. B) 3 seconds

Note: Some of the answers can vary depending on the context or the rulebook being referenced. This trivia is based on a general interpretation of fundamental basketball rules.

Round 3: NBA Basketball Logo Quiz

The NBA is where the best of the best compete. So, next on our list of quiz about NBA, let’s check out the logos of all 30 teams represented in the league. 

Can you name all 30 teams from their logos?

Question: Name That Logo!

#1 

• A) Miami Heat
• B) Boston Celtics
• C) Brooklyn Nets
• D) Denver Nuggets

#2

• A) Brooklyn Nets
• B) Minnesota Timberwolves
• C) Indiana Pacers
• D) Phoenix Suns

#3

• A) Houston Rockets
• B) Portland Trail Blazers
• C) New York Knicks
• D) Miami Heat

#4

• A) Philadelphia 76ers
• B) Brooklyn Nets
• C) Los Angeles Clippers
• D) Memphis Grizzlies

#5

• A) Phoenix Suns
• B) Toronto Raptors
• C) New Orleans Pelicans
• D) Denver Nuggets

#6

• A) Indiana Pacers
• B) Dallas Mavericks
• C) Houston Rockets
• D) Chicago Bulls

#7

• A) Minnesota Timberwolves
• B) Cleveland Cavaliers
• C) San Antonio Spurs
• D) Brooklyn Nets

#8

• A) Sacramento Kings
• B) Portland Trail Blazers
• C) Detroit Pistons
• D) Phoenix Suns

#9

• A) Indiana Pacers
• B) Memphis Grizzlies
• C) Miami Heat
• D) New Orleans Pelicans

#10

• A) Dallas Mavericks
• B) Golden State Warriors
• C) Denver Nuggets
• D) Los Angeles Clippers

Answers 

1. Boston Celtics
2. Brooklyn Nets
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Chicago Bulls
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Indiana Pacers
10. Golden State Warriors

Round 4: NBA Guess That Player

The NBA has produced more star players than any other basketball league. These icons are adored worldwide for their talents, some even redefine how the game is played. 

Let’s see how many of the NBA all-stars you know!

Questions

#1 Who is known as "His Airness"?

• A) LeBron James
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Kobe Bryant
• D) Shaquille O'Neal

#2 Which player is nicknamed "The Greek Freak"?

• A) Giannis Antetokounmpo
• B) Nikola Jokic
• C) Luka Doncic
• D) Kristaps Porzingis

#3 Who won the NBA MVP Award in 2000?

• A) Tim Duncan
• B) Shaquille O'Neal
• C) Allen Iverson
• D) Kevin Garnett

#4 Who is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history?

• A) LeBron James
• B) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• C) Karl Malone
• D) Michael Jordan

#5 Which player is known for popularizing the "Skyhook" shot?

• A) Hakeem Olajuwon
• B) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Wilt Chamberlain

#6 Who was the first player to average a triple-double for a season?

• A) Russell Westbrook
• B) Magic Johnson
• C) Oscar Robertson
• D) LeBron James

#7 Which player has the most career assists in the NBA?

• A) John Stockton
• B) Steve Nash
• C) Jason Kidd
• D) Magic Johnson

#8 Who is the youngest player to score 10,000 points in the NBA?

• A) Kobe Bryant
• B) LeBron James
• C) Kevin Durant
• D) Carmelo Anthony

#9 Who has won the most NBA Championships as a player?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) Bill Russell
• C) Sam Jones
• D) Tom Heinsohn

#10 Which player has won the most regular-season MVP awards?

• A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) LeBron James
• D) Bill Russell

#11 Who was the first European player to win the NBA MVP award?

• A) Dirk Nowitzki
• B) Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C) Pau Gasol
• D) Tony Parker

#12 Which player is known as "The Answer"?

• A) Allen Iverson
• B) Kobe Bryant
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Tim Duncan

#13 Who holds the NBA record for most points scored in a single game?

• A) Kobe Bryant
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) LeBron James
• D) Wilt Chamberlain

#14 Which player is known for his "Dream Shake" move?

• A) Shaquille O'Neal
• B) Tim Duncan
• C) Hakeem Olajuwon
• D) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

#15 Who was the first player to win back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) LeBron James
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) Larry Bird

#16 Which player was nicknamed "The Mailman"?

• A) Karl Malone
• B) Charles Barkley
• C) Scottie Pippen
• D) Dennis Rodman

#17 Who was the first guard to be drafted #1 overall in the NBA Draft?

• A) Magic Johnson
• B) Allen Iverson
• C) Oscar Robertson
• D) Isiah Thomas

#18 Which player has the most career triple-doubles in the NBA?

• A) Russell Westbrook
• B) Oscar Robertson
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) LeBron James

#19 Who was the first player to win the NBA Three-Point Contest three times?

• A) Ray Allen
• B) Larry Bird
• C) Steph Curry
• D) Reggie Miller

#20 Which player was known as "The Big Fundamental"?

• A) Tim Duncan
• B) Kevin Garnett
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Dirk Nowitzki

Answers

1. B) Michael Jordan
2. A) Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. B) Shaquille O'Neal
4. B) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. B) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
6. C) Oscar Robertson
7. A) John Stockton
8. B) LeBron James
9. B) Bill Russell
10. A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11. A) Dirk Nowitzki
12. A) Allen Iverson
13. D) Wilt Chamberlain
14. C) Hakeem Olajuwon
15. A) Michael Jordan
16. A) Karl Malone
17. B) Allen Iverson
18. A) Russell Westbrook
19. B) Larry Bird
20. A) Tim Duncan

Bonus Round: Advanced Level

Found the questions above too easy? Give the following ones a try! They’re our advanced trivia, focusing on lesser-known facts about the beloved NBA. 

Questions

#1 Which player holds the NBA record for highest career player efficiency rating (PER)?

• A) LeBron James
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Wilt Chamberlain

#2 Who was the first player to lead the league in both scoring and assists in the same season?

• A) Oscar Robertson
• B) Nate Archibald
• C) Jerry West
• D) Michael Jordan

#3 Which player won the most regular-season games in NBA history?

• A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• B) Robert Parish
• C) Tim Duncan
• D) Karl Malone

#4 Who was the first NBA player to record a quadruple-double?

• A) Hakeem Olajuwon
• B) David Robinson
• C) Nate Thurmond
• D) Alvin Robertson

#5 Who is the only player to win an NBA championship as both a player-coach and a head coach?

• A) Bill Russell
• B) Lenny Wilkens
• C) Tom Heinsohn
• D) Bill Sharman

#6 Which player holds the record for most consecutive games played in the NBA?

• A) John Stockton
• B) A.C. Green
• C) Karl Malone
• D) Randy Smith

#7 Who was the first guard to be drafted #1 overall in the NBA Draft?

• A) Magic Johnson
• B) Allen Iverson
• C) Oscar Robertson
• D) Isiah Thomas

#8 Which player is the NBA's all-time leader in steals?

• A) John Stockton
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Gary Payton
• D) Jason Kidd

#9 Who was the first player to be unanimously selected as NBA MVP?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) LeBron James
• C) Steph Curry
• D) Shaquille O'Neal

#10 Which player is known for his "fadeaway" shot?

• A) Kobe Bryant
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) Dirk Nowitzki
• D) Kevin Durant

#11 Who is the only player to have won an NBA title, an Olympic gold medal, and an NCAA Championship?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) Magic Johnson
• C) Bill Russell
• D) Larry Bird

#12 Which player was the first to win back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) LeBron James
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) Larry Bird

#13 Who holds the NBA record for most points scored in a single game?

• A) Kobe Bryant
• B) Michael Jordan
• C) LeBron James
• D) Wilt Chamberlain

#14 Which player has won the most NBA Championships as a player?

• A) Michael Jordan
• B) Bill Russell
• C) Sam Jones
• D) Tom Heinsohn

#15 Who was the first European player to win the NBA MVP award?

• A) Dirk Nowitzki
• B) Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C) Pau Gasol
• D) Tony Parker

#16 Which player has the most career triple-doubles in the NBA?

• A) Russell Westbrook
• B) Oscar Robertson
• C) Magic Johnson
• D) LeBron James

#17 Who was the first player to win the NBA Three-Point Contest three times?

• A) Ray Allen
• B) Larry Bird
• C) Steph Curry
• D) Reggie Miller

#18 Who is the youngest player to score 10,000 points in the NBA?

• A) Kobe Bryant
• B) LeBron James
• C) Kevin Durant
• D) Carmelo Anthony

#19 Which player is known as "The Answer"?

• A) Allen Iverson
• B) Kobe Bryant
• C) Shaquille O'Neal
• D) Tim Duncan

#20 Who won the NBA MVP Award in 2000?

• A) Tim Duncan
• B) Shaquille O'Neal
• C) Allen Iverson
• D) Kevin Garnett

Answers

1. B) Michael Jordan
2. B) Nate Archibald
3. B) Robert Parish
4. C) Nate Thurmond
5. C) Tom Heinsohn
6. B) A.C. Green
7. C) Oscar Robertson
8. A) John Stockton
9. C) Steph Curry
10. B) Michael Jordan
11. C) Bill Russell
12. A) Michael Jordan
13. D) Wilt Chamberlain
14. B) Bill Russell
15. A) Dirk Nowitzki
16. A) Russell Westbrook
17. B) Larry Bird
18. B) LeBron James
19. A) Allen Iverson
20. B) Shaquille O'Neal

The Bottom Line

We hope you enjoy our quiz about NBA trivia. It showcases the evolution of the game from its early days to the present, reflecting the changing dynamics and the constant pursuit of excellence in the sport. 

The questions above are designed to recall legendary performances and appreciate the diversity and skill that have defined the NBA. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer, we aim to deepen your appreciation for the league and its enduring legacy.

Down to play more trivia? Check out our sports quiz!