Basketball Game Score
Calculate a basketball player's game score using John Hollinger's formula. Enter points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and fouls for instant performance analysis.
About This Calculator
The Basketball Game Score Calculator computes a player's performance rating for a single game using John Hollinger's widely-adopted formula. Designed for basketball analysts, coaches, players, and fans, this tool provides an objective measure of individual contribution by weighing every stat category—from points and rebounds to turnovers and fouls.
The game score formula is: GS = P + 0.4×FG − 0.7×FGA − 0.4×(FTA − FT) + 0.7×OR + 0.3×DR + S + 0.7×A + 0.7×B − 0.4×PF − T. Positive contributions come from scoring, playmaking, and defense, while missed shots, fouls, and turnovers reduce the score. A game score of 10 represents an average performance, 20 is very good, and 40 or higher is extraordinary.
The metric is used across all basketball levels—NBA, WNBA, EuroLeague, college, and international play. Unlike PER, game score does not adjust for team pace or league context, making it a straightforward way to compare individual performances within a single game. For season-long analysis, game scores are often averaged across multiple games.
Regional Notes
United States (NBA/WNBA): Game score is most commonly used in NBA analytics. Elite NBA players typically average 18–25 game score per game. The all-time single-game record is 64.6 by Michael Jordan (1990). The formula uses standard box score stats, with no region-specific adjustments needed.
International (FIBA/EuroLeague): The same formula applies to FIBA and EuroLeague competitions. Game pace in international basketball is slightly slower (40-minute games vs 48-minute NBA games), so game scores may be proportionally lower. EuroLeague stars typically average 15–22 game score per game.
College Basketball (NCAA): College games are 40 minutes with a shorter shot clock (30 seconds in men's, 25 in women's). The formula works identically, though per-game averages tend to be lower than NBA due to fewer total possessions. Top college prospects often post game scores of 20–30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is game score in basketball?
Game score is a basketball metric created by John Hollinger that estimates a player's performance in a single game based on individual statistics like points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and fouls. A score of 10 is average, 40 or higher is extraordinary.
How is game score calculated?
Game score is calculated using the formula: GS = P + 0.4×FG - 0.7×FGA - 0.4×(FTA - FT) + 0.7×OR + 0.3×DR + S + 0.7×A + 0.7×B - 0.4×PF - T, where P = points, FG = field goals made, FGA = field goal attempts, FT = free throws made, FTA = free throw attempts, OR = offensive rebounds, DR = defensive rebounds, S = steals, A = assists, B = blocks, PF = personal fouls, T = turnovers.
What is a good game score in basketball?
A game score of 10 is considered an average performance, while 40 or higher is extraordinary. Most NBA players average between 10 and 20 game score per game. Michael Jordan holds the all-time record with a game score of 64.6 achieved in 1990.
Who created the game score metric?
Game score was created by John Hollinger, a well-known basketball analytics expert and former NBA executive. It serves as a simplified version of the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) that focuses solely on individual performance without adjusting for team pace.
How is game score different from PER?
Game score is a simplified version of Player Efficiency Rating (PER). While PER adjusts for team pace, league averages, and other contextual factors, game score only considers raw individual statistics like points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and fouls without any pace or league adjustments.
What factors negatively affect game score?
Factors that negatively affect game score include missed field goals (-0.7 per FGA), missed free throws (-0.4 per FTA missed), personal fouls (-0.4 per PF), and turnovers (-1 per turnover). These are subtracted from the positive contributions to determine the final game score.
Can game score be used for any basketball league?
Yes, game score can be calculated for any basketball league including NBA, WNBA, EuroLeague, college basketball, and international competitions. The formula remains the same regardless of the league, making it a universal metric for evaluating individual game performance.