Rating a single game
A box score lists a dozen numbers per player. Game score and efficiency combine them into one figure, so you can compare performances quickly.
Hollinger’s game score
Created by analyst John Hollinger, game score is scaled like points:
GmSc = PTS + 0.4 × FGM − 0.7 × FGA − 0.4 × (FTA − FTM) + 0.7 × ORB + 0.3 × DRB + STL + 0.7 × AST + 0.7 × BLK − 0.4 × PF − TOV
It rewards scoring but penalizes missed shots, values offensive rebounds more than defensive ones and subtracts turnovers in full.
| Game score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 40 and more | Historic game |
| 20 to 40 | Outstanding |
| about 10 | Average NBA game |
| below 5 | Poor game |
Efficiency (EFF)
The efficiency rating, used by many leagues and by FIBA box scores, is simpler:
EFF = PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK − missed field goals − missed free throws − TOV
Every positive stat counts for one, every miss or turnover against one.
Example
A player with 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 5-of-6 free throws, 2 offensive and 6 defensive rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls and 3 turnovers has a game score of 24.2 and an efficiency of 32.
Limits
- Neither metric captures defense beyond steals and blocks.
- Both reward volume: a player with more minutes and touches scores higher.
- Three-pointers count only through points; true shooting percentage measures scoring efficiency better.
Use them for quick comparisons of single games, and season averages or advanced metrics for evaluating players. Game score per 36 minutes, or efficiency per minute, partly corrects for playing time when you compare a starter with a bench player. Over a season, one great game moves the average less than you might think, so look at the median as well.