Introduction

Welcome to the BALLDONTLIE API, the best NBA API on the planet. The API contains data from 1946-current. An API key is required. You can obtain an API key by creating a free account on our website. Read the authentication section to learn how to use the API key.

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Account Tiers

There are two different account tiers which provide you access to different types of data. Visit our website to create an account for free.

Read the table below to see the breakdown.

The asterisk * indicates that only data from the current season is available.

Endpoint	Free	Paid
Teams	Yes	Yes
Players	Yes	Yes
Games	Yes*	Yes
Stats	Yes*	Yes
Season Averages	Yes*	Yes
Advanced Stats	No	Yes
Box Scores	No	Yes
Active Players	No	Yes

There are also different rate limits per tier.

Tier	Requests / Min
Paid	600
Free	30

Authentication

# With shell, you can just pass the correct header with each request
curl "api_endpoint_here" -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

BALLDONTLIE uses API keys to allow access to the API. You can obtain an API key by creating a free account at our website

We expect the API key to be included in all API requests to the server in a header that looks like the following:

Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY

You must replace YOUR_API_KEY with your personal API key.

Pagination

This API uses cursor based pagination rather than limit/offset. Endpoints that support pagination will send back responses with a meta key that looks like what is displayed on the right.

{
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 90,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

You can use per_page to specify the maximum number of results. It defaults to 25 and doesn't allow values larger than 100.

You can use next_cursor to get the next page of results. Specify it in the request parameters like this: ?cursor=NEXT_CURSOR.

Errors

The API uses the following error codes:

Error Code	Meaning
401	Unauthorized - You either need an API key or your account tier does not have access to the endpoint.
400	Bad Request -- The request is invalid. The request parameters are probably incorrect.
404	Not Found -- The specified resource could not be found.
406	Not Acceptable -- You requested a format that isn't json.
429	Too Many Requests -- You're rate limited.
500	Internal Server Error -- We had a problem with our server. Try again later.
503	Service Unavailable -- We're temporarily offline for maintenance. Please try again later.

Teams

Get All Teams

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/teams" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id":1,
      "conference":"East",
      "division":"Southeast",
      "city":"Atlanta",
      "name":"Hawks",
      "full_name":"Atlanta Hawks",
      "abbreviation":"ATL"
    },
    ...
  ]
}

This endpoint retrieves all teams.

HTTP Request

GET http://api.balldontlie.io/v1/teams

Query Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
division	false	Returns teams that belong to this division
conference	false	Returns teams that belong to this conference

Get a Specific Team

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/teams/<ID>" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id":1,
      "conference":"East",
      "division":"Southeast",
      "city":"Atlanta",
      "name":"Hawks",
      "full_name":"Atlanta Hawks",
      "abbreviation":"ATL"
    },
  ]
}

This endpoint retrieves a specific team.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/teams/<ID>

URL Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
ID	true	The ID of the team to retrieve

Players

Get All Players

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
        "id": 19,
        "first_name": "Stephen",
        "last_name": "Curry",
        "position": "G",
        "height": "6-2",
        "weight": "185",
        "jersey_number": "30",
        "college": "Davidson",
        "country": "USA",
        "draft_year": 2009,
        "draft_round": 1,
        "draft_number": 7,
        "team": {
            "id": 10,
            "conference": "West",
            "division": "Pacific",
            "city": "Golden State",
            "name": "Warriors",
            "full_name": "Golden State Warriors",
            "abbreviation": "GSW"
        }
    },
    ...
  ],
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 25,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

This endpoint retrieves all players.

HTTP Request

GET http://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players

Query Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
cursor	false	The cursor, used for pagination
per_page	false	The number of results per page. Default to 25. Max is 100
search	false	Returns players whose first or last name matches this value. For example, `?search=davis` will return players that have 'davis' in their first or last name.
first_name	false	Returns players whose first name matches this value. For example, `?search=anthony` will return players that have 'anthony' in their first name.
last_name	false	Returns players whose last name matches this value. For example, `?search=davis` will return players that have 'davis' in their last name.
team_ids	false	Returns players that belong to these team ids. This should be an array: `?team_ids[]=1&team_ids[]=2`
player_ids	false	Returns players that match these ids. This should be an array: `?player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2`

Get a Specific Player

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players/<ID>" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
        "id": 19,
        "first_name": "Stephen",
        "last_name": "Curry",
        "position": "G",
        "height": "6-2",
        "weight": "185",
        "jersey_number": "30",
        "college": "Davidson",
        "country": "USA",
        "draft_year": 2009,
        "draft_round": 1,
        "draft_number": 7,
        "team": {
            "id": 10,
            "conference": "West",
            "division": "Pacific",
            "city": "Golden State",
            "name": "Warriors",
            "full_name": "Golden State Warriors",
            "abbreviation": "GSW"
        }
    },
  ],
}

This endpoint retrieves a specific player.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players/<ID>

URL Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
ID	true	The ID of the player to retrieve

Games

Attributes

These response attributes are worth noting:

Attribute	Type	Values	Notes
period	integer	0, 1, 2, 3, 4	0 will be returned for games that have not started. 4 will be returned when a game is either complete or in the 4th quarter.
status	string	`{start_time}`, 1st Qtr, 2nd Qtr, Halftime, 3rd Qtr, 4th Qtr, Final	`{start_time}` looks something like "7:00 pm ET", which indicates that the game has not started yet.
time	string	`{time_in_period}`, " "	`${time_in_period}` looks something like "3:44". " " is an empty string that is returned when game has not started or is complete.

Get All Games

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/games" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "date": "2018-10-16",
      "season": 2018,
      "status": "Final",
      "period": 4,
      "time": " ",
      "postseason": false,
      "home_team_score": 105,
      "visitor_team_score": 87,
      "home_team": {
        "id": 2,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Boston",
        "name": "Celtics",
        "full_name": "Boston Celtics",
        "abbreviation": "BOS"
      },
      "visitor_team": {
        "id": 23,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Philadelphia",
        "name": "76ers",
        "full_name": "Philadelphia 76ers",
        "abbreviation": "PHI"
      }
    },
    ...
  ],
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 25,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

This endpoint retrieves all games.

HTTP Request

GET http://api.balldontlie.io/v1/games

Query Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
cursor	false	The cursor, used for pagination
per_page	false	The number of results per page. Default to 25. Max is 100
dates	false	Returns games that match these dates. Dates should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`. This should be an array: `?dates[]=2024-01-01&dates[]=2024-01-02`
seasons	false	Returns games that occurred in these seasons. This should be an array: `?seasons[]=2022&seasons[]=2023`
team_ids	false	Returns games for these team ids. This should be an array: `?team_ids[]=1&team_ids[]=2`
posteason	false	Returns playoffs games when set to true. Returns regular season games when set to false. Returns both when not specified
start_date	false	Returns games that occurred on or after this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`
end_date	false	Returns games that occurred on or before this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`

Get a Specific Game

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/games/<ID>" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "date": "2018-10-16",
      "season": 2018,
      "status": "Final",
      "period": 4,
      "time": " ",
      "postseason": false,
      "home_team_score": 105,
      "visitor_team_score": 87,
      "home_team": {
        "id": 2,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Boston",
        "name": "Celtics",
        "full_name": "Boston Celtics",
        "abbreviation": "BOS"
      },
      "visitor_team": {
        "id": 23,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Philadelphia",
        "name": "76ers",
        "full_name": "Philadelphia 76ers",
        "abbreviation": "PHI"
      }
    },
  ],
}

This endpoint retrieves a specific game.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/games/<ID>

URL Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
ID	true	The ID of the game to retrieve

Stats

Get All Stats

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/stats"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 14325883,
      "min": "38",
      "fgm": 10,
      "fga": 16,
      "fg_pct": 0.625,
      "fg3m": 0,
      "fg3a": 1,
      "fg3_pct": 0,
      "ftm": 11,
      "fta": 22,
      "ft_pct": 0.5,
      "oreb": 3,
      "dreb": 7,
      "reb": 10,
      "ast": 9,
      "stl": 2,
      "blk": 1,
      "turnover": 5,
      "pf": 1,
      "pts": 31,
      "player": {
        "id": 15,
        "first_name": "Giannis",
        "last_name": "Antetokounmpo",
        "position": "F",
        "height": "6-11",
        "weight": "243",
        "jersey_number": "34",
        "college": "Filathlitikos",
        "country": "Greece",
        "draft_year": 2013,
        "draft_round": 1,
        "draft_number": 15,
        "team_id": 17
      },
      "team": {
        "id": 17,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Central",
        "city": "Milwaukee",
        "name": "Bucks",
        "full_name": "Milwaukee Bucks",
        "abbreviation": "MIL"
      },
      "game": {
        "id": 1038184,
        "date": "2024-01-20",
        "season": 2023,
        "status": "Final",
        "period": 4,
        "time": "Final",
        "postseason": false,
        "home_team_score": 135,
        "visitor_team_score": 141,
        "home_team_id": 9,
        "visitor_team_id": 17
      }
    },
    ...
  ],
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 14325888,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

This endpoint retrieves all stats.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/stats

Query Parameters

You can combine query parameters. For example: ?seasons[]=2018&seasons[]=2015&player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2&postseason=true will return stats for player_ids 1 and 2 for the 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 postseason.

Parameter	Required	Description
cursor	false	The page number, used for pagination.
per_page	false	The number of results returned per call, used for pagination. Max 100.
player_ids	false	Returns stats for these player ids. This should be an array: `?player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2`
game_ids	false	Returns stat for these game ids. This should be an array: `?game_ids[]=1&game_ids[]=2`
dates	false	Returns stats that match these dates. Dates should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`. This should be an array: `?dates[]=2024-01-01&dates[]=2024-01-02`
seasons	false	Returns stats that occurred in these seasons. This should be an array: `?seasons[]=2022&seasons[]=2023`
posteason	false	Returns playoff stats when set to true. Returns regular season stats when set to false. Returns both when not specified
start_date	false	Returns stats that occurred on or after this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`
end_date	false	Returns stats that occurred on or before this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`

Season Averages

Get Averages

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/season_averages"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "pts": 30.978,
      "ast": 6.178,
      "turnover": 3.511,
      "pf": 2.978,
      "fga": 19.044,
      "fgm": 11.556,
      "fta": 11.222,
      "ftm": 7.422,
      "fg3a": 1.711,
      "fg3m": 0.444,
      "reb": 11.622,
      "oreb": 2.622,
      "dreb": 9,
      "stl": 1.289,
      "blk": 1.111,
      "fg_pct": 0.607,
      "fg3_pct": 0.26,
      "ft_pct": 0.661,
      "min": "35:09",
      "games_played": 45,
      "player_id": 15,
      "season": 2023
    }
  ]
}

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/season_averages

Query Parameters

?season=2018&player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2 will return regular season averages for player_ids 1 and 2 in 2018.

Parameter	Required	Description
season	true	Returns season averages for this season
player_ids	true	Returns season averages for these player ids. This should be an array: `?player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2`

Advanced Stats (PAID)

Attributes

These response attributes are worth noting.

Attribute	Type	Notes
pie	float	Player Impact Estimate (PIE) measures a player's overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games they play in. PIE yields results which are comparable to other advanced statistics (e.g. PER) using a simple formula.
pace	float	The number of possessions per 48 minutes.
assist_percentage	float	The percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted on while they were on the floor
assist_ratio	float	Assist Ratio is the number of assists a player averages per 100 possessions used
assist_to_turnover	float	The number of assists compared to the number of turnovers they have committed
defensive_rating	float	The number of points per 100 possessions that the team allows while that individual player is on the court.
defensive_rebound_percentage	float	The percentage of available defensive rebounds a player obtains while on the floor
effective_field_goal_percentage	float	Measures field goal percentage adjusting for made 3-point field goals being 1.5 times more valuable than made 2-point field goals.
net_rating	float	The team's point differential per 100 possessions while the player is on court.
offensive_rating	float	Team points scored per 100 possessions while the player is on court
offensive_rebound_percentage	float	The percentage of available offensive rebounds a player obtains while on the floor
rebound_percentage	float	The percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while on the floor
true_shooting_percentage	float	A shooting percentage that factors in the value of three-point field goals and free throws in addition to conventional two-point field goals
turnover_ratio	float	The number of turnovers a player averages per 100 possessions used
usage_percentage	float	The percentage of team plays used by a player when they are on the floor

Get All Advanced Stats

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/stats/advanced"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "pie": -0.031,
      "pace": 98.08,
      "assist_percentage": 0.15,
      "assist_ratio": 25,
      "assist_to_turnover": 0.75,
      "defensive_rating": 100,
      "defensive_rebound_percentage": 0.132,
      "effective_field_goal_percentage": 0,
      "net_rating": -20,
      "offensive_rating": 80,
      "offensive_rebound_percentage": 0.069,
      "rebound_percentage": 0.104,
      "true_shooting_percentage": 0.087,
      "turnover_ratio": 33.3,
      "usage_percentage": 0.127,
      "player": {
        "id": 2970,
        "first_name": "Olden",
        "last_name": "Polynice",
        "position": "",
        "height": "7-0",
        "weight": "250",
        "jersey_number": "0",
        "college": "Virginia",
        "country": "USA",
        "draft_year": 1987,
        "draft_round": 1,
        "draft_number": 8,
        "team_id": 26
      },
      "team": {
        "id": 26,
        "conference": "West",
        "division": "Pacific",
        "city": "Sacramento",
        "name": "Kings",
        "full_name": "Sacramento Kings",
        "abbreviation": "SAC"
      },
      "game": {
        "id": 3524,
        "date": "1996-11-01",
        "season": 1996,
        "status": "Final",
        "period": 4,
        "time": " ",
        "postseason": false,
        "home_team_score": 96,
        "visitor_team_score": 85,
        "home_team_id": 11,
        "visitor_team_id": 26
      }
    },
    ...
  ],
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 14325888,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

This endpoint retrieves all advanced stats.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/stats/advanced

Query Parameters

You can combine query parameters. For example: ?seasons[]=2018&seasons[]=2015&player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2&postseason=true will return advanced stats for player_ids 1 and 2 for the 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 postseason.

Parameter	Required	Description
cursor	false	The page number, used for pagination.
per_page	false	The number of results returned per call, used for pagination. Max 100.
player_ids	false	Returns stats for these player ids. This should be an array: `?player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2`
game_ids	false	Returns stat for these game ids. This should be an array: `?game_ids[]=1&game_ids[]=2`
dates	false	Returns stats that match these dates. Dates should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`. This should be an array: `?dates[]=2024-01-01&dates[]=2024-01-02`
seasons	false	Returns stats that occurred in these seasons. This should be an array: `?seasons[]=2022&seasons[]=2023`
posteason	false	Returns playoff stats when set to true. Returns regular season stats when set to false. Returns both when not specified
start_date	false	Returns stats that occurred on or after this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`
end_date	false	Returns stats that occurred on or before this date. Date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`

Box Scores (PAID)

Get Live Box Scores

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/box_scores/live"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "date": "2024-02-07",
      "season": 2023,
      "status": "Final",
      "period": 4,
      "time": "Final",
      "postseason": false,
      "home_team_score": 117,
      "visitor_team_score": 123,
      "home_team": {
        "id": 4,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Southeast",
        "city": "Charlotte",
        "name": "Hornets",
        "full_name": "Charlotte Hornets",
        "abbreviation": "CHA",
        "players": [
          {
            "min": "23",
            "fgm": 1,
            "fga": 2,
            "fg_pct": 0.5,
            "fg3m": 0,
            "fg3a": 1,
            "fg3_pct": 0,
            "ftm": 1,
            "fta": 2,
            "ft_pct": 0.5,
            "oreb": 0,
            "dreb": 3,
            "reb": 3,
            "ast": 3,
            "stl": 0,
            "blk": 1,
            "turnover": 1,
            "pf": 1,
            "pts": 3,
            "player": {
              "id": 56677866,
              "first_name": "Leaky",
              "last_name": "Black",
              "position": "F",
              "height": "6-6",
              "weight": "209",
              "jersey_number": "12",
              "college": "North Carolina",
              "country": "USA",
              "draft_year": null,
              "draft_round": null,
              "draft_number": null
            }
          },
          ...
        ]
      },
      "visitor_team": {
        "id": 28,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Toronto",
        "name": "Raptors",
        "full_name": "Toronto Raptors",
        "abbreviation": "TOR",
        "players": [
          {
            "min": "15",
            "fgm": 2,
            "fga": 3,
            "fg_pct": 0.6666667,
            "fg3m": 0,
            "fg3a": 0,
            "fg3_pct": 0,
            "ftm": 0,
            "fta": 0,
            "ft_pct": 0,
            "oreb": 3,
            "dreb": 5,
            "reb": 8,
            "ast": 2,
            "stl": 1,
            "blk": 0,
            "turnover": 1,
            "pf": 2,
            "pts": 4,
            "player": {
                "id": 489,
                "first_name": "Thaddeus",
                "last_name": "Young",
                "position": "F",
                "height": "6-8",
                "weight": "225",
                "jersey_number": "21",
                "college": "Georgia Tech",
                "country": "USA",
                "draft_year": 2007,
                "draft_round": 1,
                "draft_number": 12
            }
          },
          ...
        ]
      }
    },
  ...
  ]
}

This endpoint retrieves all live box scores.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/box_scores/live

Get Box Scores

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/box_scores"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "date": "2024-02-07",
      "season": 2023,
      "status": "Final",
      "period": 4,
      "time": "Final",
      "postseason": false,
      "home_team_score": 117,
      "visitor_team_score": 123,
      "home_team": {
        "id": 4,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Southeast",
        "city": "Charlotte",
        "name": "Hornets",
        "full_name": "Charlotte Hornets",
        "abbreviation": "CHA",
        "players": [
          {
            "min": "23",
            "fgm": 1,
            "fga": 2,
            "fg_pct": 0.5,
            "fg3m": 0,
            "fg3a": 1,
            "fg3_pct": 0,
            "ftm": 1,
            "fta": 2,
            "ft_pct": 0.5,
            "oreb": 0,
            "dreb": 3,
            "reb": 3,
            "ast": 3,
            "stl": 0,
            "blk": 1,
            "turnover": 1,
            "pf": 1,
            "pts": 3,
            "player": {
              "id": 56677866,
              "first_name": "Leaky",
              "last_name": "Black",
              "position": "F",
              "height": "6-6",
              "weight": "209",
              "jersey_number": "12",
              "college": "North Carolina",
              "country": "USA",
              "draft_year": null,
              "draft_round": null,
              "draft_number": null
            }
          },
          ...
        ]
      },
      "visitor_team": {
        "id": 28,
        "conference": "East",
        "division": "Atlantic",
        "city": "Toronto",
        "name": "Raptors",
        "full_name": "Toronto Raptors",
        "abbreviation": "TOR",
        "players": [
          {
            "min": "15",
            "fgm": 2,
            "fga": 3,
            "fg_pct": 0.6666667,
            "fg3m": 0,
            "fg3a": 0,
            "fg3_pct": 0,
            "ftm": 0,
            "fta": 0,
            "ft_pct": 0,
            "oreb": 3,
            "dreb": 5,
            "reb": 8,
            "ast": 2,
            "stl": 1,
            "blk": 0,
            "turnover": 1,
            "pf": 2,
            "pts": 4,
            "player": {
                "id": 489,
                "first_name": "Thaddeus",
                "last_name": "Young",
                "position": "F",
                "height": "6-8",
                "weight": "225",
                "jersey_number": "21",
                "college": "Georgia Tech",
                "country": "USA",
                "draft_year": 2007,
                "draft_round": 1,
                "draft_number": 12
            }
          },
          ...
        ]
      }
    },
  ...
  ]
}

This endpoint retrieves all box scores.

HTTP Request

GET https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/box_scores

Query Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
date	true	Returns all box scores for this date. The date should be formatted in `YYYY-MM-DD`

Active Players (PAID)

Get All Active Players

curl "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players/active" \
  -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "data": [
    {
        "id": 19,
        "first_name": "Stephen",
        "last_name": "Curry",
        "position": "G",
        "height": "6-2",
        "weight": "185",
        "jersey_number": "30",
        "college": "Davidson",
        "country": "USA",
        "draft_year": 2009,
        "draft_round": 1,
        "draft_number": 7,
        "team": {
            "id": 10,
            "conference": "West",
            "division": "Pacific",
            "city": "Golden State",
            "name": "Warriors",
            "full_name": "Golden State Warriors",
            "abbreviation": "GSW"
        }
    },
    ...
  ],
  "meta": {
    "next_cursor": 25,
    "per_page": 25
  }
}

This endpoint retrieves all active players.

HTTP Request

GET http://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players/active

Query Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
cursor	false	The cursor, used for pagination
per_page	false	The number of results per page. Default to 25. Max is 100
search	false	Returns players whose first or last name matches this value. For example, `?search=davis` will return players that have 'davis' in their first or last name.
first_name	false	Returns players whose first name matches this value. For example, `?search=anthony` will return players that have 'anthony' in their first name.
last_name	false	Returns players whose last name matches this value. For example, `?search=davis` will return players that have 'davis' in their last name.
team_ids	false	Returns players that belong to these team ids. This should be an array: `?team_ids[]=1&team_ids[]=2`
player_ids	false	Returns players that match these ids. This should be an array: `?player_ids[]=1&player_ids[]=2`