From streaks to synergies: A multi-scale analysis of performance and scoring in the NBA

Modern play-by-play data make it possible to test long-standing intuitions about basketball with the same statistical rigour now routinely applied to other professional sports.

Using play-by-play data from 7,054 regular-season and 504 playoff NBA games spanning the 2020-2025 seasons, we provide quantitative insights into scoring patterns and the performance of individual players and teams through methods from statistics, network science, and complexity science.

Our findings offer an evidence-based perspective on in-season and in-game performance that can inform coaching strategies, player evaluation, and tactical decision-making.