Basketball vs Basketball — Same Game, Different Rules

Scorer: Maintains the official score, records all field goals, free throws, fouls, and timeouts; Timer: Operates the game clock, starting and stopping it as directed by the officials; Shot clock operator: Operates the 24-second shot clock, resetting it as required by the rules

Official Scorer: Maintains the official score and records all field goals, free throws, fouls, and timeouts; Timekeeper: Operates the game clock; Shot Clock Operator: Operates the 24-second shot clock, resetting it as required by the rules

Any player who leaves the bench area during an altercation on the court is subject to automatic suspension and fine, even if she does not participate in the altercation; Players involved in fighting are subject to ejection, fines, and suspension from subsequent games; The league office reviews al...

Any player who leaves the bench area during an altercation on the court is subject to automatic suspension and fine, even if they do not participate in the altercation; Players involved in fighting are subject to ejection, fines (minimum $50,000), and suspension (minimum one game); The "Malice at...

Backboard: Rectangular, 6 feet (1.83 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.07 m) tall, made of transparent tempered glass with a 2-inch (5.08 cm) white border; Rim (basket): 18 inches (45.7 cm) in internal diameter, made of solid steel rod, painted orange, with a pressure-release breakaway mechanism; Rim height...

Backboard: Rectangular, 6 feet (1.83 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.07 m) tall, made of transparent tempered glass or polycarbonate with a 2-inch (5.08 cm) white border; Rim (basket): 18 inches (45.7 cm) in internal diameter, made of 5/8-inch (1.59 cm) diameter steel rod, painted orange; Rim height: 10 f...

Traveling: Moving one's pivot foot illegally or taking more steps than the rules allow without dribbling the ball. After gathering the ball (picking up the dribble or catching a pass), the rule book defines the permitted step count before stopping, passing, or shooting.; Double dribble: Dribbling...

Traveling: Moving one's pivot foot or taking more than two steps without dribbling the ball. The NBA allows a "gather step" — once a player gathers the ball (picks up the dribble or catches a pass), they may take two additional steps before stopping, passing, or shooting.; Double dribble: Dribbli...

Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on her team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.

Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on their team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.

The WNBA maintains a comprehensive concussion management program developed in collaboration with the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA).

The NBA maintains a comprehensive concussion management program developed in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Two-point field goal (2 points): A basket made from inside the three-point arc. This includes layups, dunks, hook shots, floaters, and mid-range jump shots.; Three-point field goal (3 points): A basket made from beyond the three-point arc. The shooter's feet must be completely behind (not touchin...

Two-point field goal (2 points): A basket made from inside the three-point arc (within 23 feet 9 inches of the basket, or 22 feet in the corners). This includes layups, dunks, hook shots, floaters, and mid-range jump shots.; Three-point field goal (3 points): A basket made from beyond the three-p...

Flagrant Foul 1 (unnecessary contact): Contact that is unnecessary but not excessive. Penalty: 2 free throws and possession for the offended team. The play is reviewable by officials and the Replay Center.; Flagrant Foul 2 (unnecessary and excessive contact): Contact that is both unnecessary and ...

Flagrant Foul 1 (unnecessary contact): Contact that is unnecessary but not excessive. Penalty: 2 free throws and possession for the offended team. The play is reviewable by the officials and the Replay Center.; Flagrant Foul 2 (unnecessary and excessive contact): Contact that is both unnecessary ...

Free throw (1 point each): Uncontested shots taken from the free throw line, awarded after certain fouls; The shooter must release the ball within the time prescribed by the rule book after receiving it from the official; Other players line up in designated lane spaces during free throw attempts:...

Free throw (1 point each): Uncontested shots taken from the free throw line (15 feet from the backboard), awarded after certain fouls; The shooter must release the ball within 10 seconds of receiving it from the official; Other players line up in designated lane spaces during free throw attempts:...

An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of regulation play. The game clock stops for dead balls, fouls, violations, timeouts, and other stoppages, meaning actual elapsed time is significantly longer (typically 2 to 2.5 hours).

A WNBA game consists of four 10-minute quarters, for a total of 40 minutes of regulation play. This is a key structural difference from the NBA's 12-minute quarters and aligns the WNBA more closely with FIBA international rules timing.

Defensive goaltending: A defender may not touch the ball while it is on its downward arc toward the basket, above the rim level, or after it has touched the backboard. If a defensive goaltending violation occurs, the basket counts automatically.; Offensive goaltending / basket interference: An of...

Defensive goaltending: A defender may not touch the ball while it is on its downward arc toward the basket, above the rim level, or after it has touched the backboard during a shot attempt. If a defensive goaltending violation occurs, the basket counts automatically.; Offensive goaltending / bask...

After a violation, a foul resulting in a throw-in, or an out-of-bounds play, the ball is inbounded from the designated spot nearest to the infraction. The inbounding player has 5 seconds to release the pass.; In the final stretch of the fourth quarter and overtime, a team calling a timeout after ...

After a made field goal or free throw (in non-dead-ball situations), the opposing team inbounds from behind the baseline anywhere. No timeout is needed and the 5-second inbound count begins immediately.; After a violation, a foul resulting in a throw-in, or an out-of-bounds play, the ball is inbo...

Offensive three-second violation: An offensive player may not remain in the paint for more than 3 consecutive seconds while their team has possession of the ball in the frontcourt. The count resets when the player exits the lane, a shot is attempted, or there is a loss of team control.; Defensive...

Offensive three-second violation: An offensive player may not remain in the paint (the key / free throw lane) for more than 3 consecutive seconds while their team has possession of the ball in the frontcourt. The count resets when the player exits the lane, a shot is attempted, or there is a loss...

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a 5-minute overtime period is played; Overtime begins with a jump ball at center court; Each team receives 2 timeouts per overtime period

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a 5-minute overtime period is played; Overtime begins with a jump ball at center court; Additional overtime periods are played until one team has a higher score at the end of a period — WNBA games cannot end in a tie

Stanchion padding: The basket support stanchion (pole) is padded to reduce injury risk from player collisions; Courtside seating: The NBA requires a minimum distance between the court boundary and the first row of spectator seating (typically 3 to 4 feet) to provide a buffer zone for players divi...

Stanchion padding: The basket support stanchion (pole) is padded to reduce injury risk from player collisions; Courtside seating: A minimum buffer distance is maintained between the court boundary and the first row of spectator seating to provide a safety zone for players diving for loose balls; ...

Jerseys: Numbered front and back; numbers may use single digits (0–5) or pairs of digits in any combination, consistent with NBA convention; Shorts: Team-issued, with consistent color and trim across the roster; Footwear: Basketball shoes meeting league safety standards

Jersey: Each player must wear a jersey with a unique number (0–99) on both the front and back. Numbers must be at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall on the back and 4 inches (10.2 cm) on the front.; Shorts: Must be of a uniform color matching the team's designated uniform for that game; Shoes: Basketb...

The official NBA game ball is manufactured by Wilson (replacing Spalding beginning with the 2021-2022 season).

The WNBA uses a women's official-size basketball (Size 6), which is smaller and lighter than the men's Size 7 ball used by the NBA.

The NBA playing court is a rectangular, flat, hard surface with the following dimensions: Length: 94 feet (28.65 m); Width: 50 feet (15.24 m); Surface: Hardwood (typically maple), sanded and finished to provide consistent ball bounce and player traction. All NBA courts are indoor facilities with ...

The WNBA plays on a regulation NBA-size court, since league franchises share arenas with NBA teams and other tenants.

A WNBA game consists of four 10-minute quarters, for a total of 40 minutes of regulation play. This is a key structural difference from the NBA's 12-minute quarters and aligns the WNBA more closely with FIBA international rules timing.

An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of regulation play. The game clock stops for dead balls, fouls, violations, timeouts, and other stoppages, meaning actual elapsed time is significantly longer (typically 2 to 2.5 hours).

The top finishing teams from the regular season qualify for the WNBA Playoffs, an elimination tournament conducted in successive rounds of best-of series. The tournament culminates in the WNBA Finals, which determines the league champion.

The player who last controls the ball on a successful shot attempt is credited with the field goal or free throw. If a player tips in a teammate's missed shot, the tipping player is credited with the basket.

Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on their team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.

Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on her team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.

The offensive team must attempt a shot that hits the rim within 24 seconds of gaining possession of the ball.

The offensive team must attempt a shot that hits the rim within 24 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. The shot clock was introduced in the 1954-1955 season to increase pace of play and scoring.

Jump ball: Each game and overtime period begins with a jump ball at center court. Two opposing players stand inside the center circle, and the referee tosses the ball upward between them. Each jumper may tap the ball after it reaches its highest point.; Alternating possession: After the opening j...

Jump ball: Each game begins with a jump ball at center court. Two opposing players stand inside the center circle and the referee tosses the ball upward between them; each jumper may tap the ball after it reaches its highest point.; Held-ball situations: Held balls and simultaneous possessions du...

Substitutions may be made during any dead ball situation (after a made basket, during a timeout, after a foul, after a violation, or at the start of a period); A substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official; There is no limit to the number of ...

Substitutions may be made during any dead-ball situation (after a made basket, during a timeout, after a foul, after a violation, or at the start of a period); A substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official; There is no limit to the number of ...

Roster size: Each WNBA team's regular-season roster is capped by the collective bargaining agreement; teams typically dress 12 active players for each game.; Players on the court: 5 players per team are on the court simultaneously, organized loosely into the traditional 5 positions (point guard, ...

Each NBA team carries a roster of up to 15 players during the regular season, with an additional two-way contract slots (up to 2 players who split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate). On game day, teams designate 13 active player...

Each team's personal fouls are tracked per quarter. When a team commits 5 or more fouls in a quarter, the opposing team enters the "bonus" (also called the penalty).; While in the bonus, all subsequent non-offensive defensive fouls result in 2 free throws for the fouled player, regardless of whet...

Each team's personal fouls are tracked per quarter. When a team reaches the team-foul threshold specified in the rule book, the opposing team enters the "bonus" (also called the penalty).; While in the bonus, all subsequent non-offensive defensive fouls result in 2 free throws for the fouled play...

Unsportsmanlike conduct: Taunting, excessive arguing with officials, using profanity, or engaging in actions that disrespect the game; Delay of game: Interfering with the ball after a made basket, failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official after a violation; Hanging on the rim: ...

Unsportsmanlike conduct: Taunting, excessive arguing with officials, using profanity, or engaging in actions that disrespect the game; Delay of game: Interfering with the ball after a made basket, failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official after a violation; Illegal defense: His...

The WNBA uses a women's official-size basketball (Size 6), which is smaller and lighter than the men's Size 7 ball used by the NBA.

The official NBA game ball is manufactured by Wilson (replacing Spalding beginning with the 2021-2022 season).

Each team is granted 7 timeouts per game (no distinction between full and 20-second timeouts since the 2017-2018 season); Each timeout is 75 seconds in duration; Teams are limited to 4 timeouts in the fourth quarter and may not carry more than 2 timeouts into the final 3 minutes of the fourth qua...

Each team is granted a fixed number of timeouts per game, allocated by half and quarter under league rules; Timeout duration and television-mandated breaks are governed by the league's broadcast protocol; Limits apply on how many timeouts a team may carry into the final stretch of the fourth quarter