Basketball fans, get ready to dribble down memory lane and sink some trivia three-pointers! From jaw-dropping buzzer beaters to slam-dunk contests and legendary playoff performances, the NBA has delivered decades of electrifying moments. Whether you’re a casual fan or a basketball brainiac, NBA trivia is the ultimate way to test your hoops knowledge, challenge your friends, and relive the excitement of the game.
This high-energy trivia collection covers everything—from classic dynasties to modern-day MVPs. Organized into slam-dunk categories like NBA History, Legendary Players, Championship Moments, and more, each question comes with a clear answer so you can learn while you play.
So grab your virtual scorecard, channel your inner coach, and let the trivia tip-off begin!
NBA History
- When was the NBA founded?
1946 - What was the original name of the NBA?
Basketball Association of America (BAA) - Which two teams played in the very first NBA game?
Toronto Huskies vs. New York Knicks - Who was the first African-American player in the NBA?
Earl Lloyd - What team did the Minneapolis Lakers become?
Los Angeles Lakers - When did the NBA and ABA merge?
1976 - What franchise has the most NBA championships as of 2024?
Boston Celtics - What team drafted Dirk Nowitzki?
Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Dallas Mavericks) - Who was the first player to record a quadruple-double?
Nate Thurmond - Which team won the very first NBA championship?
Philadelphia Warriors
Legendary Players
- Who is known as “His Airness”?
Michael Jordan - What number did Kobe Bryant wear for most of his career?
8 and later 24 - Who was known as “The Big Fundamental”?
Tim Duncan - Which player is known for his signature “Sky Hook” shot?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Who is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer as of 2024?
LeBron James - What team did Shaquille O’Neal win his first NBA title with?
Los Angeles Lakers - Which player was nicknamed “The Answer”?
Allen Iverson - Who was Magic Johnson’s longtime teammate in the 1980s?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Who is the only player to record 100 points in a single NBA game?
Wilt Chamberlain - What country is Dirk Nowitzki from?
Germany
Championship Moments
- Who hit “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo in 1989?
Michael Jordan - What team did LeBron James beat in his first NBA Finals win?
Oklahoma City Thunder (2012) - Who was named Finals MVP in 2014 with the Spurs?
Kawhi Leonard - What team ended the Warriors’ 73-9 season in the 2016 NBA Finals?
Cleveland Cavaliers - Who made the famous “block” in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals?
LeBron James - Which team won the 2021 NBA Championship?
Milwaukee Bucks - Who was the Finals MVP for the Bucks in 2021?
Giannis Antetokounmpo - In what year did the Raptors win their first NBA title?
2019 - Who hit the buzzer-beating shot for Toronto vs. Philly in the 2019 playoffs?
Kawhi Leonard - What team won three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002?
Los Angeles Lakers
Records & Stats
- Who holds the record for most points in a single game?
Wilt Chamberlain (100 points) - What player has the most career assists?
John Stockton - Who has the most career triple-doubles in NBA history?
Russell Westbrook - Which player has the most career blocks?
Hakeem Olajuwon - Who holds the record for most 3-pointers made in a single season?
Stephen Curry - What player had the most rebounds in a single game?
Wilt Chamberlain (55 rebounds) - What player has the most steals in a single season?
Alvin Robertson - Who holds the record for most free throws made in a game?
Wilt Chamberlain (28) - Which team had the best regular season record ever?
Golden State Warriors (73–9 in 2015–16) - What’s the most overtime periods ever played in a single NBA game?
6 overtimes
Team Facts
- What team plays in Madison Square Garden?
New York Knicks - What is the home arena of the Golden State Warriors?
Chase Center - Which team has purple and gold as their official colors?
Los Angeles Lakers - What NBA team was formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics?
Oklahoma City Thunder - What team has a mascot named G-Man?
Washington Wizards - Which franchise is based in Salt Lake City?
Utah Jazz - What team is nicknamed “The Heat”?
Miami Heat - What team has a logo featuring a bull?
Chicago Bulls - Which team’s fans are known as the “Sixth Man”?
Sacramento Kings - What team shares the Crypto. com Arena with the Lakers?
Los Angeles Clippers
Rookie & Draft Trivia
- Who was drafted #1 overall in 2003?
LeBron James - What team drafted Stephen Curry?
Golden State Warriors - Who was the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?
Victor Wembanyama - Who won Rookie of the Year in 2021?
LaMelo Ball - What high school did Kobe Bryant attend?
Lower Merion High School (PA) - Which player won Rookie of the Year in 1985?
Michael Jordan - Who was the first foreign-born player to be drafted #1 overall?
Yao Ming (China) - What NBA legend was drafted 199th overall in 1978?
Manu Ginóbili - What player won Rookie of the Year in 2020 during the Bubble season?
Ja Morant - Which team selected Luka Dončić in the 2018 draft before trading him?
Atlanta Hawks
Modern NBA
- Who won MVP in the 2023 NBA season?
Joel Embiid - What team does Ja Morant play for?
Memphis Grizzlies - Who is known for the “Logo 3” shot range?
Damian Lillard - What team did Kevin Durant join in 2023?
Phoenix Suns - What position does Nikola Jokić primarily play?
Center - What team did Chris Paul play for in 2022–23 before joining the Warriors?
Phoenix Suns - Who is the head coach of the Miami Heat as of 2024?
Erik Spoelstra - What team drafted Zion Williamson?
New Orleans Pelicans - Who won the 2022 NBA Championship?
Golden State Warriors - What player became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023?
LeBron James
NBA History & Legendary Moments
- What NBA team was involved in the “Malice at the Palace” incident in 2004?
Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons - Which team did Larry Bird play for his entire NBA career?
Boston Celtics - Who was the first unanimous MVP in NBA history?
Stephen Curry (2016) - Which NBA player was famously drafted ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984?
Sam Bowie - What year did the Dream Team play in the Olympics?
1992 - Who was the commissioner of the NBA before Adam Silver?
David Stern - Which player won back-to-back dunk contests in 2000 and 2001?
Desmond Mason (2001), but Vince Carter won in 2000 - Which player won both NBA MVP and All-Star MVP in 2000?
Shaquille O’Neal - Which coach has the most wins in NBA history?
Gregg Popovich - Who did Magic Johnson replace at center in the 1980 NBA Finals as a rookie?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Records & Crazy Stats
- Who has the highest career scoring average in NBA history?
Michael Jordan (30.1 PPG) - Which player once recorded a triple-double without missing a shot or free throw?
Nikola Jokić - Which team holds the record for longest winning streak in a single season?
Los Angeles Lakers (33 games in 1971–72) - What is the most combined points in a regulation NBA game?
370 (Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets, 1983—after 3OT) - Who is the youngest player to score 10,000 career points?
LeBron James - Which player had the most assists in a single game?
Scott Skiles (30 assists) - Which two players were co-MVPs of the All-Star Game in 2009?
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant - What team had the worst regular season record in NBA history?
Charlotte Bobcats (7–59 in 2011–12) - Who has the most career playoff points in NBA history?
LeBron James - Which player has the most career technical fouls?
Karl Malone
Team & Player Connections
- Which NBA team was originally based in Vancouver?
Memphis Grizzlies - Which player famously shouted “Anything is possible!” after winning the Finals?
Kevin Garnett - Which team was coached by Phil Jackson before the Lakers?
Chicago Bulls - Who is known as “The Greek Freak”?
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Which player was involved in a famous trade for Charles Barkley in 1992?
Jeff Hornacek (part of the package from Philadelphia) - What team did Chris Bosh start his career with?
Toronto Raptors - Which player had the nickname “The Mailman”?
Karl Malone - Who is the all-time leading scorer for the Dallas Mavericks?
Dirk Nowitzki - What NBA Hall of Famer was also a U.S. Senator?
Bill Bradley - What team drafted Paul George?
Indiana Pacers
Whether you’re a courtside regular or a fantasy league expert, these 100 trivia questions are the perfect way to flex your basketball brainpower. Share this with your crew, challenge your rivals, and keep the NBA conversations alive.
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