NBA history, records and trivia
From a first game in Toronto in 1946 to today's record-setting stars, the league has changed a lot. Explore it decade by decade, check the record book, then test what you know.
39Interactive timelineFilter by decade and theme. Tap any moment to read the story.22Record bookCareer, single-game, season and team records.34Trivia quizTen questions per round. Pick a topic and share your score.
Moments that shaped the league
- 1946: The league begins. The Basketball Association of America plays its first game on November 1, 1946, in Toronto. The New York Knicks beat the Toronto Huskies 68-66.
- 1962: The 100-point game. On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Knicks, a record that still stands.
- 1984: A new commissioner and a new star. David Stern becomes commissioner in February, and Chicago drafts Michael Jordan third overall that June.
- 2010: The Decision. LeBron James joins Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, a move that popularizes the "superteam."
The league in nine eras
- 1940s: A new league finds its feet.
- 1950s: The shot clock and the first dynasty.
- 1960s: Russell, Chamberlain and a league that keeps growing.
- 1970s: A rival league, a merger and the arrival of the three-pointer.
- 1980s: Magic, Bird and a global audience.
- 1990s: Jordan, the Dream Team and a worldwide game.
- 2000s: Dynasties, draft classes and international stars.
- 2010s: Superteams and the three-point revolution.
- 2020s: A bubble, new champions and a new era of records.
Everything here is written by Tip Off Live from well-documented league history. Facts were checked against public reference pages in October 2026. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NBA or any team, and it uses no logos or photographs. Spot a mistake? Tell us.