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Quizzes > Sports

NBA trivia questions: hard quiz for true fans

Quick, free NBA knowledge quiz with tough questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kylee Shareen RemigioUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style basketball trophy hoop quiz icons on golden yellow background challenging tough NBA trivia

This quiz helps you tackle NBA trivia questions and see how deep your hoops knowledge goes. Face tough items on legends, records, and playoffs, then get instant answers to learn as you go. If you want more, check out hard NBA trivia, take an NBA quiz, or sharpen up with a basketball trivia quiz.

Who holds the record for the most NBA championships won by a player?
Michael Jordan
Bill Russell
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Bill Russell won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics from 1957 to 1969, which remains the most by any player in league history. His defensive prowess and leadership were crucial to the Celtics' dynasty era. No other player has come close to matching his championship total. .
Which franchise has won the most NBA championships overall?
Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls
Golden State Warriors
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are tied with 17 championships each, but the Celtics were the first to reach that mark. Their success began in the 1950s, establishing one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. .
In what year was the NBA founded?
1946
1950
1949
1956
The league began as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946. It merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to officially become the NBA. This merger shaped the modern professional game. .
Who scored the most points in a single NBA game?
Michael Jordan (69)
Kobe Bryant (81)
Elgin Baylor (71)
Wilt Chamberlain (100)
Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points on March 2, 1962, while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. It remains the highest point total by a single player in an NBA game. .
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NBA Finals champions?
NBA Championship Cup
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
Bill Russell Trophy
Maurice Podoloff Trophy
Since 1984, the NBA Finals champions have received the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. It was renamed in honor of former NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien. .
Which player has won the most NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards?
LeBron James (4)
Michael Jordan (5)
Bill Russell (5)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the NBA MVP award six times during his career, the most in league history. His skyhook shot and scoring consistency powered teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. .
Which city did the Lakers originally represent before moving to Los Angeles?
St. Louis
Rochester
Buffalo
Minneapolis
The Lakers were founded as the Minneapolis Lakers in 1947, winning several championships before relocating to Los Angeles in 1960. Their name comes from Minnesota's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes." .
Who holds the record for the highest scoring average in a single regular season?
Michael Jordan (37.1 PPG)
Wilt Chamberlain (50.4 PPG)
Kobe Bryant (35.4 PPG)
James Harden (36.1 PPG)
In the 1961 - 62 season, Wilt Chamberlain averaged an unprecedented 50.4 points per game, a record that still stands today. His scoring feats redefined offensive play in the NBA. .
Which team set the record for the most wins in a single regular season?
San Antonio Spurs (67-15)
Golden State Warriors (73-9)
Los Angeles Lakers (65-17)
Chicago Bulls (72-10)
The 2015 - 16 Golden State Warriors finished the regular season with a 73 - 9 record, surpassing the 1995 - 96 Chicago Bulls' 72 - 10 mark. Their historic season featured unprecedented three-point shooting. .
Who is the current commissioner of the NBA?
David Stern
Adam Silver
Larry Bird
Michael Jordan
Adam Silver succeeded David Stern as NBA commissioner in February 2014. Under his leadership, the league has expanded its digital presence and international reach. .
Who was the first player to average a triple-double over an entire regular season?
Magic Johnson
Oscar Robertson
LeBron James
Russell Westbrook
Oscar Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game during the 1961 - 62 season, becoming the first and only player to average a triple-double until Russell Westbrook replicated it in 2017. .
Who scored 100 points in a single NBA game in 1962?
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor
On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks, setting the single-game scoring record. It remains the highest total in NBA history. .
Who was the first unanimous NBA MVP?
Michael Jordan
Shaquille O'Neal
LeBron James
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history during the 2015 - 16 season after leading the Golden State Warriors to a 73 - 9 record and setting the single-season three-point record. .
Which player holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles?
Oscar Robertson
LeBron James
Russell Westbrook
Magic Johnson
Russell Westbrook surpassed Oscar Robertson's long-standing record for career triple-doubles during the 2020 - 21 season, cementing his place as the all-time leader. .
Which head coach has the most regular-season wins in NBA history?
Phil Jackson
Gregg Popovich
Pat Riley
Don Nelson
Don Nelson holds the record for the most regular-season wins by an NBA coach with 1,335 over 23 seasons. His teams were known for their up-tempo offense. .
Which team posted a 73-9 record in the 2015-16 regular season?
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio Spurs
Chicago Bulls
The 2015 - 16 Golden State Warriors set the NBA record for wins in a season at 73 - 9, breaking the previous mark of 72 - 10 set by the 1995 - 96 Chicago Bulls. .
Who was the first international player to win an NBA MVP award?
Toni Kuko?
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Steve Nash, born in South Africa and raised in Canada, became the first international NBA MVP when he won the award in 2005 and again in 2006. .
Which NBA team holds the record for the longest winning streak in a single season?
Golden State Warriors (24)
Los Angeles Lakers (33)
Chicago Bulls (18)
Miami Heat (27)
The 1971 - 72 Los Angeles Lakers won 33 consecutive games, a record that still stands today. Their run featured stars like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich. .
Who is the NBA's all-time leading rebounder?
Shaquille O'Neal
Bill Russell
Wilt Chamberlain
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain collected 23,924 career rebounds, more than any other player in NBA history. His dominance on the boards was unmatched during his era. .
Which player set the NBA single-season record for total steals with 301 in 1985-86?
John Stockton
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
Alvin Robertson
Alvin Robertson recorded 301 steals during the 1985 - 86 season, establishing the NBA single-season steals record. His defensive intensity earned him Defensive Player of the Year that season. .
Which player holds the record for most points scored in a single NBA Finals game?
Elgin Baylor (61)
Michael Jordan (63)
LeBron James (51)
Jerry West (53)
Elgin Baylor scored 61 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals. His performance set the Finals single-game scoring record. .
Who holds the record for most three-pointers made in a single NBA game?
Stephen Curry (13)
Kyle Korver (12)
Klay Thompson (14)
Damian Lillard (13)
Klay Thompson made 14 three-pointers against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018, setting the single-game NBA record. His shooting outburst shattered previous marks. .
Which player recorded the most blocks in a single NBA season?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (340)
Dikembe Mutombo (383)
Mark Eaton (456)
Hakeem Olajuwon (376)
Mark Eaton set the single-season blocks record with 456 during the 1984 - 85 season, anchoring the Utah Jazz defense. His rim protection was legendary that year. .
Who is the oldest player to have appeared in an NBA game?
Vince Carter (43 years, 242 days)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (42 years, 389 days)
Robert Parish (43 years, 296 days)
Nat Hickey (45 years, 363 days)
Nat Hickey, serving as coach, activated himself for two games in 1948 at the age of 45 years and 363 days, making him the oldest person to play in an NBA game. .
Who was the youngest player to reach 10,000 career points in NBA history?
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Michael Jordan
LeBron James reached 10,000 career points at 23 years and 59 days old during the 2009 - 10 season, becoming the youngest player to hit the milestone. .
Who won the NBA Finals MVP award in 1998?
Dennis Rodman
Scottie Pippen
Karl Malone
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan was named Finals MVP in 1998 after leading the Chicago Bulls to their sixth championship in eight seasons, capping off the franchise's second three-peat. .
Which player holds the single-season record for offensive rebounds with 492 in 1989-90?
Charles Barkley
Dennis Rodman
Dwight Howard
Moses Malone
Dennis Rodman grabbed 492 offensive rebounds during the 1989 - 90 season with the Detroit Pistons, setting an NBA single-season record that still stands. His tenacity on the glass was unmatched. .
Who holds the NBA record for highest career free throw percentage (minimum 1,200 attempts)?
Reggie Miller (88.8%)
Steve Nash (90.4%)
Mark Price (90.4%)
Stephen Curry (90.6%)
Steve Nash shot 90.4% from the free throw line over his career, the highest mark among players with at least 1,200 attempts. His shooting touch extended to three-pointers as well. .
Who was the first overall pick in the inaugural 1947 BAA Draft?
Bob Feerick
Clifton McNeely
Walt Dropo
Chuck Share
The first overall pick in the 1947 BAA Draft was Clifton McNeely, selected by the Pittsburgh Ironmen, though he never played in the league. This draft laid the groundwork for future NBA drafts. .
Who is the all-time leader in playoff minutes played?
Michael Jordan
Derek Fisher
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
LeBron James surpassed Derek Fisher in 2020 to become the NBA's all-time leader in playoff minutes, reflecting his deep postseason runs and longevity. .
Who was the first player to win NBA Finals MVP while playing for the losing team?
Magic Johnson
Jerry West
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
LeBron James
Jerry West won the inaugural Finals MVP award in 1969 despite the Lakers' loss to the Celtics. He remains the only player to earn Finals MVP on the losing side. .
Who holds the record for most turnovers in a single NBA playoff game?
Wilt Chamberlain (10)
Russell Westbrook (12)
James Harden (13)
Tim Duncan (11)
James Harden committed 13 turnovers in a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors on April 29, 2016, setting the NBA playoff single-game turnover record. .
Who is the oldest rookie in NBA history?
Kevin Willis (24 years)
Pablo Prigioni (35 years, 204 days)
Nat Clifton (34 years)
John Stockton (23 years)
Pablo Prigioni made his NBA debut with the New York Knicks at age 35 years and 204 days, making him the oldest rookie in league history. He had a long career in Europe before joining the NBA. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic NBA Moments -

    Memorize and recount epic game highlights and buzzer-beaters featured in these difficult NBA trivia questions.

  2. Identify Rare Player Stats -

    Recognize uncommon statistical achievements and advanced basketball trivia questions that test your depth of knowledge.

  3. Analyze Clutch Performances -

    Break down critical in-game moments to understand how legends deliver in high-pressure scenarios.

  4. Compare Historical Records -

    Contrast achievements across different eras to see how NBA history evolves through challenging NBA trivia.

  5. Apply Critical Thinking Skills -

    Use logical reasoning to answer hard basketball trivia questions and navigate tough NBA quiz prompts.

  6. Assess Your Basketball IQ -

    Gauge your mastery of NBA lore and challenging trivia to identify areas for improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Advanced Per 36-Minute Statistics -

    Per 36-minute stats scale a player's production to 36 minutes of court time using the formula (stat ÷ minutes played) × 36, as verified on NBA.com/stats and Basketball-Reference. This metric levels the playing field for bench contributors and superstars alike. Remember "36 = 3+6 players rotating" to lock in the scaling factor.

  2. Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) -

    eFG% weights three-pointers more heavily with the formula (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA, a staple in NBA official analytics. It gives more insight than raw FG% by capturing long-range efficiency. Mnemonic help: "Double value for triples" to recall the extra 0.5 multiplier.

  3. Clutch Time Performance -

    The NBA defines clutch time as the final 5 minutes of a game with a score differential of 5 points or fewer (source: NBA Rulebook). Tracking clutch FG% and points per possession on NBA.com/clutch reveals who thrives under pressure. Use the phrase "Clutch counts when it mounts" to remember its significance in tough NBA quiz scenarios.

  4. All-Time Scoring Leaders -

    Studying the top five scorers in NBA history - Kareem, Karl, LeBron, Kobe, Jordan - as documented on NBA.com/stats/history is essential for advanced basketball trivia questions. Create the acronym "KKLJK" (Kareem - Karl - LeBron - Jordan - Kobe) to recall their ranking. These franchise and league records frequently appear in challenging NBA trivia.

  5. Plus/Minus and Lineup Data -

    On/off-court plus-minus, sourced from NBA's Second Spectrum data, measures a lineup's net point differential when a player is on the floor. Reviewing lineup charts on ESPN's analytics section prepares you for hard basketball trivia questions about team chemistry. A quick trick: think "Plus on, points up" to remember positive plus-minus outcomes.

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