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Trivia

100 Epic NBA Trivia Questions to Test Your Basketball IQ

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

Q: When was the NBA founded?

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1946

Q: What was the original name of the NBA?

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Basketball Association of America (BAA)

Q: Which two teams played in the very first NBA game?

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Toronto Huskies vs. New York Knicks

Q: Who was the first African-American player in the NBA?

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Earl Lloyd

Q: What team did the Minneapolis Lakers become?

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Los Angeles Lakers

Q: When did the NBA and ABA merge?

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1976

Q: What franchise has the most NBA championships as of 2024?

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Boston Celtics

Q: What team drafted Dirk Nowitzki?

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Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Dallas Mavericks)

Q: Who was the first player to record a quadruple-double?

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Nate Thurmond

Q: Which team won the very first NBA championship?

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Philadelphia Warriors

Legendary Players

Q: Who is known as “His Airness”?

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Michael Jordan

Q: What number did Kobe Bryant wear for most of his career?

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8 and later 24

Q: Who was known as “The Big Fundamental”?

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Tim Duncan

Q: Which player is known for his signature “Sky Hook” shot?

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Q: Who is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer as of 2024?

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LeBron James

Q: What team did Shaquille O’Neal win his first NBA title with?

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Los Angeles Lakers

Q: Which player was nicknamed “The Answer”?

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Allen Iverson

Q: Who was Magic Johnson’s longtime teammate in the 1980s?

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Q: Who is the only player to record 100 points in a single NBA game?

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Wilt Chamberlain

Q: What country is Dirk Nowitzki from?

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Germany

Championship Moments

Q: Who hit “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo in 1989?

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Michael Jordan

Q: What team did LeBron James beat in his first NBA Finals win?

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Oklahoma City Thunder (2012)

Q: Who was named Finals MVP in 2014 with the Spurs?

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Kawhi Leonard

Q: What team ended the Warriors’ 73-9 season in the 2016 NBA Finals?

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Cleveland Cavaliers

Q: Who made the famous “block” in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals?

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LeBron James

Q: Which team won the 2021 NBA Championship?

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Milwaukee Bucks

Q: Who was the Finals MVP for the Bucks in 2021?

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

Q: In what year did the Raptors win their first NBA title?

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2019

Q: Who hit the buzzer-beating shot for Toronto vs. Philly in the 2019 playoffs?

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Kawhi Leonard

Q: What team won three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002?

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Los Angeles Lakers

Records & Stats

Q: Who holds the record for most points in a single game?

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Wilt Chamberlain (100 points)

Q: What player has the most career assists?

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John Stockton

Q: Who has the most career triple-doubles in NBA history?

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Russell Westbrook

Q: Which player has the most career blocks?

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Hakeem Olajuwon

Q: Who holds the record for most 3-pointers made in a single season?

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Stephen Curry

Q: What player had the most rebounds in a single game?

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Wilt Chamberlain (55 rebounds)

Q: What player has the most steals in a single season?

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Alvin Robertson

Q: Who holds the record for most free throws made in a game?

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Wilt Chamberlain (28)

Q: Which team had the best regular season record ever?

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Golden State Warriors (73–9 in 2015–16)

Q: What’s the most overtime periods ever played in a single NBA game?

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6 overtimes

Team Facts

Q: What team plays in Madison Square Garden?

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New York Knicks

Q: What is the home arena of the Golden State Warriors?

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Chase Center

Q: Which team has purple and gold as their official colors?

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Los Angeles Lakers

Q: What NBA team was formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics?

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Oklahoma City Thunder

Q: What team has a mascot named G-Man?

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Washington Wizards

Q: Which franchise is based in Salt Lake City?

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Utah Jazz

Q: What team is nicknamed “The Heat”?

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Miami Heat

Q: What team has a logo featuring a bull?

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Chicago Bulls

Q: Which team’s fans are known as the “Sixth Man”?

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Sacramento Kings

Q: What team shares the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers?

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Los Angeles Clippers

Rookie & Draft Trivia

Q: Who was drafted #1 overall in 2003?

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LeBron James

Q: What team drafted Stephen Curry?

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Golden State Warriors

Q: Who was the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?

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Victor Wembanyama

Q: Who won Rookie of the Year in 2021?

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LaMelo Ball

Q: What high school did Kobe Bryant attend?

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Lower Merion High School (PA)

Q: Which player won Rookie of the Year in 1985?

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Michael Jordan

Q: Who was the first foreign-born player to be drafted #1 overall?

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Yao Ming (China)

Q: What NBA legend was drafted 199th overall in 1978?

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Manu Ginóbili

Q: What player won Rookie of the Year in 2020 during the Bubble season?

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Ja Morant

Q: Which team selected Luka Dončić in the 2018 draft before trading him?

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Atlanta Hawks

Modern NBA

Q: Who won MVP in the 2023 NBA season?

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Joel Embiid

Q: What team does Ja Morant play for?

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Memphis Grizzlies

Q: Who is known for the “Logo 3” shot range?

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Damian Lillard

Q: What team did Kevin Durant join in 2023?

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Phoenix Suns

Q: What position does Nikola Jokić primarily play?

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Center

Q: What team did Chris Paul play for in 2022–23 before joining the Warriors?

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Phoenix Suns

Q: Who is the head coach of the Miami Heat as of 2024?

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Erik Spoelstra

Q: What team drafted Zion Williamson?

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New Orleans Pelicans

Q: Who won the 2022 NBA Championship?

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Golden State Warriors

Q: What player became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023?

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LeBron James

NBA History & Legendary Moments

Q: What NBA team was involved in the “Malice at the Palace” incident in 2004?

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Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons

Q: Which team did Larry Bird play for his entire NBA career?

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Boston Celtics

Q: Who was the first unanimous MVP in NBA history?

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Stephen Curry (2016)

Q: Which NBA player was famously drafted ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984?

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Sam Bowie

Q: What year did the Dream Team play in the Olympics?

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1992

Q: Who was the commissioner of the NBA before Adam Silver?

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David Stern

Q: Which player won back-to-back dunk contests in 2000 and 2001?

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Vince Carter (2000), Desmond Mason (2001) — not back-to-back by same player

Q: Which player won both NBA MVP and All-Star MVP in 2000?

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Shaquille O’Neal

Q: Which coach has the most wins in NBA history?

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Gregg Popovich

Q: Who did Magic Johnson replace at center in the 1980 NBA Finals as a rookie?

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Records & Crazy Stats

Q: Who has the highest career scoring average in NBA history?

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Michael Jordan (30.1 PPG)

Q: Which player once recorded a triple-double without missing a shot or free throw?

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Nikola Jokić

Q: Which team holds the record for longest winning streak in a single season?

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Los Angeles Lakers (33 games in 1971–72)

Q: What is the most combined points in a regulation NBA game?

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370 (Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets, 1983—after 3OT)

Q: Who is the youngest player to score 10,000 career points?

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LeBron James

Q: Which player had the most assists in a single game?

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Scott Skiles (30 assists)

Q: Which two players were co-MVPs of the All-Star Game in 2009?

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Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant

Q: What team had the worst regular season record in NBA history?

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Charlotte Bobcats (7–59 in 2011–12)

Q: Who has the most career playoff points in NBA history?

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LeBron James

Q: Which player has the most career technical fouls?

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Karl Malone

Team & Player Connections

Q: Which NBA team was originally based in Vancouver?

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Memphis Grizzlies

Q: Which player famously shouted “Anything is possible!” after winning the Finals?

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Kevin Garnett

Q: Which team was coached by Phil Jackson before the Lakers?

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Chicago Bulls

Q: Who is known as “The Greek Freak”?

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

Q: Which player was involved in a famous trade for Charles Barkley in 1992?

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Jeff Hornacek (part of the package from Philadelphia)

Q: What team did Chris Bosh start his career with?

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Toronto Raptors

Q: Which player had the nickname “The Mailman”?

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Karl Malone

Q: Who is the all-time leading scorer for the Dallas Mavericks?

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Dirk Nowitzki

Q: What NBA Hall of Famer was also a U.S. Senator?

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Bill Bradley

Q: What team drafted Paul George?

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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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