Quiz2Know

Sport

NBA History, Champions, and Superstars

Test your knowledge of the National Basketball Association, covering legendary franchises, scoring records, MVPs, and playoff lore.

This is a free, 16-question multiple-choice quiz. Answer each question to see whether you got it right, with an explanation for every answer. There is no sign-up and no time limit — take it as many times as you like, and scroll down for the full answer key once you are done.

Question 1 of 16

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Who is the NBA's all-time regular-season scoring leader, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's longstanding record in February 2023?

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Answer key & explanations

Every question in this quiz, with the correct answer marked and an explanation of why it is right. Use it to revise before or after taking the quiz above.

  1. 1.Who is the NBA's all-time regular-season scoring leader, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's longstanding record in February 2023?

    • AMichael Jordan
    • BKobe Bryant
    • CLeBron James✓ Correct
    • DKarl Malone

    Correct answer: LeBron James

    LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career total of 38,387 points with a fadeaway jumper against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 7, 2023.

  2. 2.Which two franchises share the record for the most NBA Championships won in league history?

    • AGolden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls
    • BBoston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers✓ Correct
    • CSan Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers
    • DMiami Heat and Detroit Pistons

    Correct answer: Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers

    The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have long set the standard for NBA championships, each capturing 17 titles through 2023.

  3. 3.Which player scored 100 points in a single NBA game on March 2, 1962, playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Knicks?

    • ABill Russell
    • BWilt Chamberlain✓ Correct
    • CElgin Baylor
    • DOscar Robertson

    Correct answer: Wilt Chamberlain

    Wilt Chamberlain achieved the mythical 100-point milestone in Hershey, Pennsylvania, shooting 36-of-63 from the field and 28-of-32 from the free-throw line.

  4. 4.How many NBA championships did Michael Jordan win with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s?

    • A4
    • B5
    • C6✓ Correct
    • D7

    Correct answer: 6

    Michael Jordan led the Bulls to two separate 'three-peats' (1991–1993 and 1996–1998), earning NBA Finals MVP honors in all six championship victories.

  5. 5.Which player won a record 11 NBA Championships as the defensive anchor and player-coach of the Boston Celtics?

    • ABob Cousy
    • BJohn Havlicek
    • CBill Russell✓ Correct
    • DSam Jones

    Correct answer: Bill Russell

    Bill Russell won 11 rings in 13 seasons between 1957 and 1969, prompting the NBA to name the Finals MVP award in his honor.

  6. 6.What team set the single-season regular-season record by finishing with 73 wins and only 9 losses in 2015–16?

    • AChicago Bulls
    • BGolden State Warriors✓ Correct
    • CSan Antonio Spurs
    • DLos Angeles Lakers

    Correct answer: Golden State Warriors

    The 2015–16 Warriors broke the 1995–96 Bulls' record of 72 wins behind Stephen Curry's unanimous MVP campaign.

  7. 7.Which player became the first to average a triple-double across an entire season since Oscar Robertson, achieving it in 2016–17?

    • ANikola Jokić
    • BLuka Dončić
    • CJames Harden
    • DRussell Westbrook✓ Correct

    Correct answer: Russell Westbrook

    Russell Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the 2016–17 MVP award.

  8. 8.Who was the first European player in NBA history to win the regular-season Most Valuable Player award in 2007?

    • ADirk Nowitzki✓ Correct
    • BPau Gasol
    • CTony Parker
    • DPeja Stojaković

    Correct answer: Dirk Nowitzki

    Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki captured the 2006–07 MVP award after leading Dallas to 67 wins while joining the 50-40-90 shooting club.

  9. 9.How many seconds does an NBA team have to attempt a field goal that contacts the basket rim before a shot-clock violation?

    • A20 seconds
    • B24 seconds✓ Correct
    • C30 seconds
    • D35 seconds

    Correct answer: 24 seconds

    Introduced in 1954 to speed up the pace of play, the 24-second shot clock requires a team to hit the rim or score within 24 seconds of possession.

  10. 10.Which head coach led the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to a combined record of 11 NBA Championships?

    • APat Riley
    • BGregg Popovich
    • CRed Auerbach
    • DPhil Jackson✓ Correct

    Correct answer: Phil Jackson

    Phil Jackson won six championships with Chicago and five with the Los Angeles Lakers utilizing Tex Winter's triangle offense.

  11. 11.Which player holds the NBA record for the most career three-pointers made in regular-season history?

    • ARay Allen
    • BReggie Miller
    • CStephen Curry✓ Correct
    • DJames Harden

    Correct answer: Stephen Curry

    Stephen Curry surpassed Ray Allen's record of 2,973 career three-pointers in December 2021 at Madison Square Garden.

  12. 12.What team drafted Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft before immediately trading him to the Lakers?

    • ACharlotte Hornets✓ Correct
    • BNew Jersey Nets
    • CMinnesota Timberwolves
    • DToronto Raptors

    Correct answer: Charlotte Hornets

    The Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant directly out of Lower Merion High School and traded him to the Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac.

  13. 13.Which center won four NBA Championships, was named Finals MVP three consecutive times (2000–2002), and was nicknamed 'Diesel'?

    • AHakeem Olajuwon
    • BPatrick Ewing
    • CShaquille O'Neal✓ Correct
    • DDavid Robinson

    Correct answer: Shaquille O'Neal

    Shaquille O'Neal dominated the paint for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant, winning three consecutive Finals MVP trophies.

  14. 14.What franchise overcame a 3–1 series deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to capture its first championship in franchise history?

    • AGolden State Warriors
    • BCleveland Cavaliers✓ Correct
    • CToronto Raptors
    • DMilwaukee Bucks

    Correct answer: Cleveland Cavaliers

    Led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in Finals history to rally from 3–1 down, beating the 73-win Warriors.

  15. 15.Which guard holds the record for the most career assists and career steals in NBA regular-season history?

    • AMagic Johnson
    • BJohn Stockton✓ Correct
    • CJason Kidd
    • DChris Paul

    Correct answer: John Stockton

    Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton finished his career with 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals, records that remain unmatched.

  16. 16.Who scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006, the second-highest tally in NBA history?

    • AKobe Bryant✓ Correct
    • BAllen Iverson
    • CTracy McGrady
    • DCarmelo Anthony

    Correct answer: Kobe Bryant

    Kobe Bryant made 28 of 46 field goals and 18 free throws to lead the Lakers to a 122–104 victory over the Raptors at Staples Center.

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