New York — The NBA is taking another major step into the world of data-driven innovation. In partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the league is set to introduce four groundbreaking statistics designed to give fans, broadcasters, and even teams deeper insights into player performance during the 2025-26 season.
A New Era of Basketball Analytics
For years, franchises have leaned heavily on advanced analytics to shape game plans and player development, while fans were largely limited to traditional box scores. That gap is now closing. Through the new program, called NBA Inside the Game, fans will gain access to advanced player tracking insights that were once confined to team analysts.
Using AWS cloud computing and machine learning, the league will release new tools including a defensive box score, shot difficulty ratings, player gravity metrics, and a play finder engine. Each is designed to give a more nuanced understanding of what happens on the court beyond points, rebounds, and assists.
Breaking Down the Four New Stats
- Defensive Box Score: Instead of crediting only offensive players, this stat highlights defenders’ contributions by attributing stops, contests, and disruptions directly to them.
- Shot Difficulty Metric: By analyzing player positioning, defender proximity, and movement data, the NBA will calculate the expected field goal percentage for each attempt. This allows fans to see which shooters excel against tough defenses, not just in open looks.
- Gravity Score: Perhaps the most ambitious metric, gravity will measure how much attention a player commands from defenders. Whether it’s a three-point sharpshooter stretching the floor or a rim-runner drawing help, this stat aims to capture the unseen impact of star players.
- Play Finder: A machine learning-powered tool that labels offensive possessions based on player and ball movement. Fans and teams will be able to search for similar plays throughout the season, adding context to strategies and trends.
“These new stats are about creating a better game-watching experience,” said Ken DeGennaro, the NBA’s executive vice president for media operations and technology. “We want to make sure fans see the game with the same depth teams do.”
Technology at the Center of the NBA’s Future
The innovations rely on advanced player tracking technology that captures 29 data points per player, 60 times per second. That data is then processed through AWS machine learning models to deliver real-time insights.
Charles Rohlf, the NBA’s vice president of stats technology, described gravity and shot difficulty as “highly complex” but emphasized their potential to transform how the game is understood:
“This will let fans compare shooters not just on percentages, but on the level of difficulty they face,” Rohlf explained.
Expanding Beyond the NBA
The partnership with AWS is not limited to the NBA. The WNBA, G League, and Basketball Africa League will also benefit from these tools, with plans to design analytics tailored specifically to women’s basketball and player health.
Julie Souza, AWS’ global head of sports, noted:
“For the WNBA, it’s about creating parity in analytics. Some metrics we’re exploring will be unique to the women’s game, and it’s exciting to pioneer those with the league.”
What It Means for Fans and Broadcasters
With the NBA entering its new 11-year media rights deal that includes 67 regular-season games and the NBA Cup on Amazon Prime Video, these tools are expected to significantly enhance broadcasts. Networks and streaming partners will have the option to integrate these analytics live into coverage, giving fans a more interactive, informed viewing experience.
And with technologies like generative AI advancing rapidly, both the NBA and Amazon believe this is just the beginning.
“New tools are emerging every year,” Souza said. “Now we’re in a position to experiment alongside the NBA and bring those innovations directly to fans.”