# NBA API: Get box score

> Returns the NBA box score for a game between two teams on a date; without a date, their most recent matchup, including Summer League and games in progress.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NBA.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/nba.com/get-box-score
- Method: `nba.com/get_box_score`, version 1
- Website: nba.com
- Returns: date, arena, status, score, game link, each team's points by period and player stats
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `date` | string | no |  | Game date in YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2025-10-21. Defaults to their most recent game. |
| `team_1` | string | yes | `"Lakers"` | First team name, for example Lakers. |
| `team_2` | string | yes | `"Warriors"` | Second team name, for example Warriors. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 31, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "team_1": "Lakers",
  "team_2": "Warriors"
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "date": "2026-07-18",
  "arena": "Thomas & Mack Center",
  "score": "88-92",
  "status": "Final",
  "team_1": {
    "name": "Los Angeles Lakers",
    "score": 88,
    "players": [
      {
        "name": "William Hickey",
        "blocks": 1,
        "points": 2,
        "steals": 0,
        "assists": 1,
        "minutes": "12:36",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 2,
        "player_id": 1643044,
        "turnovers": 1,
        "plus_minus": -3,
        "field_goals": "1-2",
        "free_throws": "0-0",
        "three_pointers": "0-1"
      },
      {
        "name": "Adou Thiero",
        "blocks": 0,
        "points": 18,
        "steals": 3,
        "assists": 3,
        "minutes": "26:22",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 10,
        "player_id": 1642876,
        "turnovers": 3,
        "plus_minus": 8,
        "field_goals": "6-6",
        "free_throws": "3-3",
        "three_pointers": "1-1"
      },
      {
        "name": "Anton Watson",
        "blocks": 1,
        "points": 2,
        "steals": 0,
        "assists": 2,
        "minutes": "21:33",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 1,
        "player_id": 1641817,
        "turnovers": 2,
        "plus_minus": -3,
        "field_goals": "1-9",
        "free_throws": "0-0",
        "three_pointers": "0-5"
      }
    ],
    "points_by_period": [
      {
        "period": "Q1",
        "points": 19
      },
      {
        "period": "Q2",
        "points": 23
      },
      {
        "period": "Q3",
        "points": 24
      }
    ]
  },
  "team_2": {
    "name": "Golden State Warriors",
    "score": 92,
    "players": [
      {
        "name": "Malevy Leons",
        "blocks": 2,
        "points": 9,
        "steals": 2,
        "assists": 2,
        "minutes": "23:45",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 4,
        "player_id": 1642502,
        "turnovers": 1,
        "plus_minus": 0,
        "field_goals": "4-7",
        "free_throws": "0-0",
        "three_pointers": "1-3"
      },
      {
        "name": "Yaxel Lendeborg",
        "blocks": 2,
        "points": 15,
        "steals": 1,
        "assists": 3,
        "minutes": "28:38",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 4,
        "player_id": 1642865,
        "turnovers": 1,
        "plus_minus": 11,
        "field_goals": "5-8",
        "free_throws": "3-3",
        "three_pointers": "1-2"
      },
      {
        "name": "Graham Ike",
        "blocks": 0,
        "points": 16,
        "steals": 0,
        "assists": 1,
        "minutes": "25:51",
        "starter": true,
        "rebounds": 11,
        "player_id": 1643633,
        "turnovers": 2,
        "plus_minus": 10,
        "field_goals": "6-10",
        "free_throws": "2-2",
        "three_pointers": "0-1"
      }
    ],
    "points_by_period": [
      {
        "period": "Q1",
        "points": 21
      },
      {
        "period": "Q2",
        "points": 21
      },
      {
        "period": "Q3",
        "points": 21
      }
    ]
  },
  "game_id": "1522600071",
  "game_link": "https://www.nba.com/game/1522600071/box-score"
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"nba.com/get_box_score","input":{"team_1":"Lakers","team_2":"Warriors"}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- Pull up the box score from the Celtics vs Knicks game on 2025-11-12, I want everyone's points, rebounds and assists
- How did the last Nuggets-Timberwolves matchup go? Need the quarter-by-quarter scoring and player stats
- Get me the nba.com box score for Lakers at Warriors on 2025-10-21
- Is the Heat vs Bucks game still going? Show me the current score and who's leading in scoring for each side
- Find the player stat lines from the most recent Spurs vs Thunder game on NBA.com, Summer League counts too

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "team_1",
    "team_2"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "date": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Game date in YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2025-10-21. Defaults to their most recent game."
    },
    "team_1": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "First team name, for example Lakers."
    },
    "team_2": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Second team name, for example Warriors."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "date",
    "arena",
    "status",
    "score",
    "game_link",
    "team_1",
    "team_2",
    "game_id"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date"
    },
    "arena": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "score": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "status": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "team_1": {
      "type": "object",
      "required": [
        "name",
        "score",
        "points_by_period",
        "players"
      ],
      "properties": {
        "name": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "score": {
          "type": [
            "integer",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "players": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "required": [
              "name",
              "starter",
              "minutes",
              "points",
              "rebounds",
              "assists",
              "steals",
              "blocks",
              "turnovers",
              "field_goals",
              "three_pointers",
              "free_throws",
              "plus_minus",
              "player_id"
            ],
            "properties": {
              "name": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "blocks": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "points": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "steals": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "assists": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "minutes": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "starter": {
                "type": "boolean"
              },
              "rebounds": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "player_id": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ],
                "x-fous-developer": true
              },
              "turnovers": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "plus_minus": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "field_goals": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "free_throws": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "three_pointers": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              }
            },
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        },
        "points_by_period": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "required": [
              "period",
              "points"
            ],
            "properties": {
              "period": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "points": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              }
            },
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        }
      },
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    "team_2": {
      "type": "object",
      "required": [
        "name",
        "score",
        "points_by_period",
        "players"
      ],
      "properties": {
        "name": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "score": {
          "type": [
            "integer",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "players": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "required": [
              "name",
              "starter",
              "minutes",
              "points",
              "rebounds",
              "assists",
              "steals",
              "blocks",
              "turnovers",
              "field_goals",
              "three_pointers",
              "free_throws",
              "plus_minus",
              "player_id"
            ],
            "properties": {
              "name": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "blocks": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "points": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "steals": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "assists": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "minutes": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "starter": {
                "type": "boolean"
              },
              "rebounds": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "player_id": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ],
                "x-fous-developer": true
              },
              "turnovers": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "plus_minus": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "field_goals": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "free_throws": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "three_pointers": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              }
            },
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        },
        "points_by_period": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "required": [
              "period",
              "points"
            ],
            "properties": {
              "period": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "points": {
                "type": [
                  "integer",
                  "null"
                ]
              }
            },
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        }
      },
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    "game_id": {
      "type": "string",
      "x-fous-developer": true
    },
    "game_link": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## See more

- [NBA API: Get scores](https://fous.com/methods/nba.com/get-scores.md): Gets NBA games for a date or up to seven days, using the NBA games calendar in US Eastern time. Each game has its score, status, start time, TV channels and venue.
- [NBA API: Get player by name](https://fous.com/methods/nba.com/get-player.md): Looks up an NBA player by name, including retired players, and returns the bio and regular-season per-game averages for the reported season and career.
- [NBA API: Get standings](https://fous.com/methods/nba.com/get-standings.md): Returns NBA regular-season standings for a season, with Eastern and Western Conference teams in rank order. Defaults to the season shown on the NBA standings page.
- [ESPN API: Get game summary](https://fous.com/methods/espn.com/get-game-summary.md): Finds the latest game between two teams, or their game on a given date, in major US leagues, MLS or the EPL. Returns the score, scoring by period, leading players, team stats and player box scores.
- [ESPN API: Get scores](https://fous.com/methods/espn.com/get-scores.md): Gets ESPN scores and the schedule for a league on a local day. You can filter by team, and start times are shown in your time zone.
- [NHL API: Get scores](https://fous.com/methods/nhl.com/get-scores.md): Lists NHL games for a date, optionally limited to one team, with start times in the chosen time zone, scores, status, and TV networks.
- [Yahoo API: Get scores](https://fous.com/methods/sports.yahoo.com/get-scores.md): Gets scores and schedules for a league on a date, or for the football week that contains the date. Results can be limited to one team. Venue names come from each game page, for up to 22 games.
- [Cricbuzz API: Get cricket match scorecard](https://fous.com/methods/cricbuzz.com/get-scorecard.md): Gets a cricket match's full scorecard on Cricbuzz from two team names. You can pick the match by date or series, or pass a match link. Otherwise you get the teams' most recent match, including live play.
- [All NBA methods](https://fous.com/methods/nba.com.md)