NBA First Basket Tracker
2026 Season • Updates Every 10 Minutes
Live NBA first basket tracker with real-time stats for every game. See who scores the first point and first field goal of each game, with detailed shot type and timing information updated every 10 minutes.
Want to analyze first basket trends? Check out our NBA First Basket Stats page!
First Basket Rules
First Point Overall: The very first score of the game by either team (may include free throws)
First FG Overall: The first field goal scored in the game (excludes free throws)
Per-Team Stats: Each team's first point and first field goal (may be different if first score was a free throw)
Sportsbooks that Count Free Throws as the First Basket/Point:
Sportsbooks that Only Count Field Goals (Free Throws Do NOT Count):
Want Live First Basket Alerts?
Follow @1stteambasket on X (Twitter) for real-time tweets of all first basket variations for every NBA game, including both first point overall and first field goal, with free throw considerations for each team.
Who Scored the First Basket Tonight?
Looking for tonight's NBA first basket results? Select today's date from the dropdown below to see all first point and first field goal scorers. Our tracker updates every 10 minutes during games, so you can follow along in real-time. For pre-game predictions and player picks, check out our NBA First Basket Predictions page, or view historical first basket stats and leaders for betting research.
First Baskets - April 23, 2026
| Date/Time | Matchup | First Point Overall | First FG Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Apr 23, 2026 09:30 PM ET |
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves |
Jaden McDaniels
(MIN) Dunk @ 10:30 |
Jaden McDaniels
(MIN) Dunk @ 10:30 |
|
Apr 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET |
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors |
Donovan Mitchell
(CLE) Layup @ 11:46 |
Donovan Mitchell
(CLE) Layup @ 11:46 |
|
Apr 23, 2026 07:00 PM ET |
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks |
Jalen Brunson
(NY) Layup @ 10:57 |
Jalen Brunson
(NY) Layup @ 10:57 |
Per-Team First Baskets - April 23, 2026
| Date/Time | Matchup | Team | First Point | First FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apr 23, 2026 09:30 PM ET |
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves ● LIVE | DEN |
Jamal Murray 2pt Shot @ 8:40 |
Jamal Murray 2pt Shot @ 8:40 |
| MIN |
Jaden McDaniels Dunk @ 10:30 |
Jaden McDaniels Dunk @ 10:30 |
||
|
Apr 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET |
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors | CLE |
Donovan Mitchell Layup @ 11:46 |
Donovan Mitchell Layup @ 11:46 |
| TOR |
Scottie Barnes 3pt Shot @ 10:22 |
Scottie Barnes 3pt Shot @ 10:22 |
||
|
Apr 23, 2026 07:00 PM ET |
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks | ATL |
CJ McCollum 3pt Shot @ 10:29 |
CJ McCollum 3pt Shot @ 10:29 |
| NY |
Jalen Brunson Layup @ 10:57 |
Jalen Brunson Layup @ 10:57 |
Dunk @ 10:30
Dunk @ 10:30
2pt Shot @ 8:40
2pt Shot @ 8:40
Dunk @ 10:30
Dunk @ 10:30
Layup @ 11:46
Layup @ 11:46
Layup @ 11:46
Layup @ 11:46
3pt Shot @ 10:22
3pt Shot @ 10:22
Layup @ 10:57
Layup @ 10:57
3pt Shot @ 10:29
3pt Shot @ 10:29
Layup @ 10:57
Layup @ 10:57
NBA First Basket Stats & Trends
Understanding First Basket Betting
First basket betting is one of the most popular prop bets in NBA games. The bet pays out when you correctly predict which player will score the first points of the game. Understanding historical scoring patterns can give you an edge when placing first basket bets.
Key Factors That Influence First Basket Results
- Jump Ball Winners: The team that wins the opening tip-off has a significantly higher chance of scoring first. Centers who win tip-offs often immediately pass to guards or forwards for quick scoring opportunities.
- Fast Break Specialists: Guards who excel in transition offense (like De'Aaron Fox, Ja Morant) have higher first basket rates when their team controls the opening possession.
- Early Shot Clock Usage: Players who typically receive the first touch on offense are more likely to score first. Look for primary ball handlers and pick-and-roll ball handlers.
- Three-Point Specialists: Teams that run designed three-point plays off the opening possession give shooters like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard elevated first basket odds.
- Free Throw Considerations: Remember that some sportsbooks count free throws as the first basket, while others only count field goals. This drastically changes the odds and probabilities.
Historical First Basket Trends
Home vs Away Impact: Home teams score the first basket approximately 52-54% of the time across NBA history. This slight edge is attributed to favorable jump ball officiating and home crowd energy during opening possessions.
Position Breakdown: Guards score roughly 50-55% of first baskets, forwards account for 30-35%, and centers score 10-15%. This distribution reflects modern NBA offensive schemes that prioritize perimeter play in early possessions.
Shot Type Distribution: Approximately 45% of first baskets come from three-pointers, 35% from two-point field goals, and 20% from free throws. The rise in three-point shooting has significantly increased the odds of the first basket being a three-pointer compared to a decade ago.
First Basket Betting Research
Use this tracker for first basket betting research by reviewing historical data to identify patterns for specific teams and players. Browse past games with the date selector and analyze:
- Which players consistently score first for their teams
- How specific team matchups affect first basket outcomes (jump ball advantages, pace of play)
- Whether certain venues or game times correlate with first basket trends
- Shot type patterns (free throws vs field goals) to inform your sportsbook selection
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this NBA first basket tracker updated live?
Yes! Our NBA first basket tracker is updated every 10 minutes during game days. You can track live first basket scorers, including first point and first field goal stats for all NBA games throughout the season.
Who scored the first basket tonight in the NBA?
Select today's date from the date selector above to see all first basket scorers from tonight's NBA games. The tracker shows both first point overall and first field goal scorers for each game, updated every 10 minutes.
How can I see who scored the first point today in NBA games?
Simply select the current date from the dropdown menu to view all first point scorers from today's NBA games. The data includes player names, teams, shot types, and game clock times for both overall and per-team first baskets.
Do free throws count as the first basket?
It depends on the sportsbook! Some books (like FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365, BetOnline, Bovada, Caesars, theScore Bet, and Hard Rock Bet) count free throws as the first basket. Others (like BetMGM, BetRivers, and Fanatics) only count field goals. Our tracker shows BOTH - "First Point Overall" includes free throws, while "First FG Overall" only counts field goals.
What's the difference between first point and first field goal?
First Point Overall is the very first score in the game, which could be a free throw or a field goal. First Field Goal (FG) Overall is the first made basket from the field (2-pointer or 3-pointer), excluding free throws. If a free throw is the first point, these will be different players.
Can I see first basket data from previous games?
Yes! Use the date selector dropdown at the top of the page to navigate between different game dates throughout the NBA season. You can view first basket scorers for any completed game date.
How often is the first basket data updated?
The NBA first basket tracker updates every 10 minutes during the season. This ensures you have access to the most current first basket statistics and can track live games as they happen.