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.

Today's Games → First Basket Stats → NFL First TD Tracker → All NFL TDs →

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.

Select Game Date:

First Baskets - January 23, 2026

Date/Time	Matchup	First Point Overall	First FG Overall
Jan 23, 2026 10:00 PM ET	Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers	Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR) 3pt Shot @ 9:45	Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR) 3pt Shot @ 9:45
Jan 23, 2026 09:30 PM ET	Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks	Myles Turner (MIL) Layup @ 11:39	Myles Turner (MIL) Layup @ 11:39
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies	Cedric Coward (MEM) 3pt Shot @ 11:44	Cedric Coward (MEM) 3pt Shot @ 11:44
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder	Chet Holmgren (OKC) 2pt Shot @ 11:43	Chet Holmgren (OKC) 2pt Shot @ 11:43
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks	Devin Booker (PHX) 3pt Shot @ 11:39	Devin Booker (PHX) 3pt Shot @ 11:39
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets	Sam Hauser (BOS) 3pt Shot @ 11:12	Sam Hauser (BOS) 3pt Shot @ 11:12
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers	Donovan Mitchell (CLE) 3pt Shot @ 11:42	Donovan Mitchell (CLE) 3pt Shot @ 11:42
Jan 23, 2026 07:00 PM ET	Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons	Kevin Durant (HOU) Jumper @ 10:45	Kevin Durant (HOU) Jumper @ 10:45

Per-Team First Baskets - January 23, 2026

Date/Time	Matchup	Team	First Point	First FG
Jan 23, 2026 10:00 PM ET	Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers	POR	Jrue Holiday Layup @ 9:07	Jrue Holiday Layup @ 9:07
Jan 23, 2026 10:00 PM ET	Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers	TOR	Sandro Mamukelashvili 3pt Shot @ 9:45	Sandro Mamukelashvili 3pt Shot @ 9:45
Jan 23, 2026 09:30 PM ET	Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks	DEN	Zeke Nnaji 3pt Shot @ 11:17	Zeke Nnaji 3pt Shot @ 11:17
Jan 23, 2026 09:30 PM ET	Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks	MIL	Myles Turner Layup @ 11:39	Myles Turner Layup @ 11:39
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies	MEM	Cedric Coward 3pt Shot @ 11:44	Cedric Coward 3pt Shot @ 11:44
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies	NO	Zion Williamson Dunk @ 9:52	Zion Williamson Dunk @ 9:52
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder	IND	Aaron Nesmith Layup @ 11:35	Aaron Nesmith Layup @ 11:35
Jan 23, 2026 08:00 PM ET	Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder	OKC	Chet Holmgren 2pt Shot @ 11:43	Chet Holmgren 2pt Shot @ 11:43
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks	ATL	Onyeka Okongwu 3pt Shot @ 11:10	Onyeka Okongwu 3pt Shot @ 11:10
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks	PHX	Devin Booker 3pt Shot @ 11:39	Devin Booker 3pt Shot @ 11:39
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets	BKN	Noah Clowney 3pt Shot @ 9:14	Noah Clowney 3pt Shot @ 9:14
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets	BOS	Sam Hauser 3pt Shot @ 11:12	Sam Hauser 3pt Shot @ 11:12
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers	CLE	Donovan Mitchell 3pt Shot @ 11:42	Donovan Mitchell 3pt Shot @ 11:42
Jan 23, 2026 07:30 PM ET	Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers	SAC	Russell Westbrook FT 1/2 @ 9:12	Dylan Cardwell Dunk @ 8:10
Jan 23, 2026 07:00 PM ET	Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons	DET	Jalen Duren Layup @ 10:34	Jalen Duren Layup @ 10:34
Jan 23, 2026 07:00 PM ET	Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons	HOU	Kevin Durant Jumper @ 10:45	Kevin Durant Jumper @ 10:45

Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers

Jan 23, 2026 • 10:00 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR)
3pt Shot @ 9:45

First Field Goal Overall

Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR)
3pt Shot @ 9:45

POR

First Point

Jrue Holiday
Layup @ 9:07

First Field Goal

Jrue Holiday
Layup @ 9:07

TOR

First Point

Sandro Mamukelashvili
3pt Shot @ 9:45

First Field Goal

Sandro Mamukelashvili
3pt Shot @ 9:45

Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks

Jan 23, 2026 • 09:30 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Myles Turner (MIL)
Layup @ 11:39

First Field Goal Overall

Myles Turner (MIL)
Layup @ 11:39

DEN

First Point

Zeke Nnaji
3pt Shot @ 11:17

First Field Goal

Zeke Nnaji
3pt Shot @ 11:17

MIL

First Point

Myles Turner
Layup @ 11:39

First Field Goal

Myles Turner
Layup @ 11:39

New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies

Jan 23, 2026 • 08:00 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Cedric Coward (MEM)
3pt Shot @ 11:44

First Field Goal Overall

Cedric Coward (MEM)
3pt Shot @ 11:44

MEM

First Point

Cedric Coward
3pt Shot @ 11:44

First Field Goal

Cedric Coward
3pt Shot @ 11:44

First Point

Zion Williamson
Dunk @ 9:52

First Field Goal

Zion Williamson
Dunk @ 9:52

Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder

Jan 23, 2026 • 08:00 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Chet Holmgren (OKC)
2pt Shot @ 11:43

First Field Goal Overall

Chet Holmgren (OKC)
2pt Shot @ 11:43

IND

First Point

Aaron Nesmith
Layup @ 11:35

First Field Goal

Aaron Nesmith
Layup @ 11:35

OKC

First Point

Chet Holmgren
2pt Shot @ 11:43

First Field Goal

Chet Holmgren
2pt Shot @ 11:43

Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks

Jan 23, 2026 • 07:30 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Devin Booker (PHX)
3pt Shot @ 11:39

First Field Goal Overall

Devin Booker (PHX)
3pt Shot @ 11:39

ATL

First Point

Onyeka Okongwu
3pt Shot @ 11:10

First Field Goal

Onyeka Okongwu
3pt Shot @ 11:10

PHX

First Point

Devin Booker
3pt Shot @ 11:39

First Field Goal

Devin Booker
3pt Shot @ 11:39

Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets

Jan 23, 2026 • 07:30 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Sam Hauser (BOS)
3pt Shot @ 11:12

First Field Goal Overall

Sam Hauser (BOS)
3pt Shot @ 11:12

BKN

First Point

Noah Clowney
3pt Shot @ 9:14

First Field Goal

Noah Clowney
3pt Shot @ 9:14

BOS

First Point

Sam Hauser
3pt Shot @ 11:12

First Field Goal

Sam Hauser
3pt Shot @ 11:12

Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers

Jan 23, 2026 • 07:30 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Donovan Mitchell (CLE)
3pt Shot @ 11:42

First Field Goal Overall

Donovan Mitchell (CLE)
3pt Shot @ 11:42

CLE

First Point

Donovan Mitchell
3pt Shot @ 11:42

First Field Goal

Donovan Mitchell
3pt Shot @ 11:42

SAC

First Point

Russell Westbrook
FT 1/2 @ 9:12

First Field Goal

Dylan Cardwell
Dunk @ 8:10

Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons

Jan 23, 2026 • 07:00 PM ET

🏀 Game First Baskets

First Point Overall

Kevin Durant (HOU)
Jumper @ 10:45

First Field Goal Overall

Kevin Durant (HOU)
Jumper @ 10:45

DET

First Point

Jalen Duren
Layup @ 10:34

First Field Goal

Jalen Duren
Layup @ 10:34

HOU

First Point

Kevin Durant
Jumper @ 10:45

First Field Goal

Kevin Durant
Jumper @ 10:45

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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.