What makes Stathead such a powerful research tool is the depth and breadth of our databases, combined with the endless combinations of filters and search criteria at your fingertips. While some searches are straightforward, there's also many "hidden" tricks you can use to get the answer to questions that might seem unanswerable at first glance. Here's a few of our favorites to get you started. Check back frequently as we continue to add to this page.

Postseason Searches

In addition to the filters available for regular season games, there are several special filters and search tools available for playoff games. 

Player Single-Season and Career Stats

Using the Player Season Finder, you can select "Playoffs" in the Game Type filter, and then create your own custom playoff stats leaderboards. Did you know that only two players in NBA history have scored at least 5,000 points and grabbed at least 2,500 rebounds in the playoffs?  The answer: Shaq and Tim Duncan.

Team and Player Game/Series Stats

Using the Team Game Finder, you can filter by Playoff Round, Playoff Seed, Type of Series (best of 1, 3, 5, 7) and Game Number in the Series. Did you know that (entering the 2021 playoffs) only one team seeded 6th or worse has won the NBA Finals? The answer: 1995 Rockets, who were seeded sixth.

Using the Player Game Finder, you can filter by Playoff Round and Game Number in the Series. Did you know that only one player has scored at least 50 points and had 10 assists in a NBA Finals game? The answer: Jerry West in 1969.

Using the Span of Games filters in the Player Game Finder

You can use the Span of Games filters in the Player Game Finder to find stats for players based on player career game number, and team season game number. For example to find the most points scored in a player's first career game:

1. Go to https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/player-game-finder.cgi

2. Sort by Descending Points

3. In the Span of Games filter section, click "Show" to open the filters

4. You'll then see a set of filters for either player game number of career or team game number of season. Enter 1 and 1 into the Player Game No. (in career) filter

5. Click Get Results

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/player-game-finder.cgi?request=1&timeframe=seasons&player_game_max=1

Find Season Splits for Home and Away Games

You can use the Team Game Finder to find season total stats split for home and away (and neutral games). For example, to find the team with the most free throws attempted in home games in the 2024-25 season: 

1. Go to https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/team-game-finder.cgi

2. At the top, select Find totals from all games in a season by a team matching criteria

3. Sort by Descending Free Throw Attempts

4. In Timeframe, choose Season, then select the season you want to look at (i.e. 2024-25).

5. In Game Filters, select Game Location. Choose Home.

6. Click Get Results

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/team-game-finder.cgi?request=1&match=team_game_combined_season&order_by=fta&timeframe=seasons&year_min=2025&year_max=2025&home_away_neutral=h

How to do Draft-Related Searches

You can use the Player Season Finder to do draft-related searches on players. In the Biographical Filters section, there is a filter "Draft Status". When you choose Drafted, a menu of more options is revealed, where you can search on various criteria: draft year(s), round, pick number (overall and in round), draft team, college and conference.  NOTE: Searches include only NBA/BAA and WNBA drafts, and only players who appeared in the league will appear in these draft-related search results. When a player was drafted multiple times, the most recent draft information is shown. For example, here's a search for all players drafted in the first round from University of Kentucky since 2000, sorted by career Win Shares.

1. Go to https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/player-season-finder.cgi

2. At the top, select Find combined seasons or careers matching criteria

3. Sort by Descending Win Shares

4. In Seasons, choose Any to Any

5. In Biographical Filters, select Draft Status. Choose Drafted.

6. In Years, choose 2000 to Any

7. In Round, enter 1 to 1

8. Click "Advanced Options" menu. Then in the Colleges drop-down, choose University of Kentucky.

9. Click Get Results

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/player-season-finder.cgi?request=1&match=player_season_combined&draft_status=drafted&draft_year_min=2000&draft_round_min=1&draft_round_max=1&draft_pick_type=overall&draft_amateur_team=654c6588