How this calculator works
Game Score is a box-score summary created by John Hollinger. Points are added directly, while shooting is adjusted so that misses cost more than makes gain. Offensive rebounds are worth more than defensive rebounds, assists and blocks are worth 0.7, steals 1, and turnovers and fouls are subtracted. The result is not a plus-minus and does not measure defence beyond steals and blocks. It also treats all points as equal, so a made free throw adds one point while a missed free throw costs 0.4 in the shooting term. Game Score was designed for quick single-game comparison, not for ranking players across a season.
Formula
Game Score = PTS + 0.4 x FGM - 0.7 x FGA - 0.4 x (FTA - FTM) + 0.7 x OREB + 0.3 x DREB + STL + 0.7 x AST + 0.7 x BLK - 0.4 x PF - TOV.
Worked example
A line of 30 points, 10 field goals on 20 attempts, 6 free throws on 8 attempts, 2 offensive rebounds, 5 defensive rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 2 steals, 3 turnovers and 2 fouls scores 23.8. A quieter line of 12 points, 4 field goals on 9 attempts, 2 free throws on 2 attempts, 1 offensive rebound, 3 defensive rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 3 fouls scores 9.1.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Game Score the same as player efficiency rating?
No. Game Score is a per-game figure with fixed weights. Player efficiency rating is a per-minute rate normalised to a league average and is designed for season-long comparison.
Why do misses matter so much?
A missed field goal costs 0.7 and a made one gains only 0.4, because the made shot also earns points in the PTS term. The weights are calibrated so that an average performance lands near the middle of the scale.
What is a good Game Score?
Ten is a solid game, 20 is a strong game and 40 or more is an outstanding one. These bands are descriptive rather than official, and the distribution shifts with era and pace.