0.6%
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0.6%
1.21
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True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is widely regarded as the single best measure of scoring efficiency in basketball. Unlike traditional field goal percentage, which ignores free throws entirely, and unlike effective field goal percentage, which ignores free throws while adjusting for three-pointers, TS% incorporates all three methods of scoring — two-point field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws — into one unified efficiency metric. This makes it the most comprehensive single-number assessment of how efficiently a player converts scoring opportunities into points.
The formula for TS% is elegant in its simplicity: points divided by twice the number of true shooting attempts, where true shooting attempts equal field goals attempted plus 0.44 times free throws attempted. The critical 0.44 coefficient is not arbitrary — it was empirically derived to approximate the number of possessions consumed by free throw attempts. Not all free throws cost a full possession: and-one free throws, technical free throws, and the first of three free throws on a beyond-the-arc foul do not consume a separate possession, while standard two-shot fouls use only one possession for two attempts. The 0.44 multiplier elegantly accounts for this complex mix.
In the modern NBA, where three-point shooting and free-throw drawing are central to offensive strategy, TS% has become the gold standard for evaluating scorers. League-average TS% has risen steadily over the decades, from approximately 51-52% in the early 2000s to 57-58% in recent seasons, reflecting the league-wide shift toward more efficient shot selection — fewer mid-range jumpers, more three-pointers, and more drives to the basket to draw fouls.
The all-time leaders in single-season TS% (minimum qualifying minutes) are dominated by elite big men who score primarily at the rim — players like Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Jordan, and Tyson Chandler have posted TS% values above 67%. However, the most impressive TS% performances come from high-volume scorers: Stephen Curry's 2015-16 season (67.0% TS% on 30.1 PPG) is often cited as the greatest shooting season in NBA history, combining historically elite efficiency with enormous volume.
TS% is particularly valuable when comparing players with different scoring profiles. Consider two hypothetical players who both average 20 points per game: Player A scores primarily on two-point jump shots (20 FGA, 0 FTA), while Player B drives to the basket frequently (14 FGA, 8 FTA). Traditional FG% might favor Player A, but TS% provides a fairer comparison by accounting for Player B's free-throw scoring. If both players score their 20 points with the same true shooting efficiency, they are equally valuable scorers despite their vastly different styles.
NBA teams, agents, and analysts rely heavily on TS% in contract negotiations, trade evaluations, and lineup construction. A player's TS% relative to league average (often expressed as rTS% or TS% Add) is one of the strongest predictors of offensive value. Players who maintain TS% significantly above league average while carrying heavy scoring loads are exceptionally rare and correspondingly valuable — they represent the most efficient high-volume scorers in the sport.
The Points Per True Shot Attempt output provides an alternative lens on the same data, expressing efficiency as the number of points generated per possession-equivalent used for shooting. League average is approximately 1.14 points per TSA in the modern NBA. This framing can be more intuitive for fans accustomed to thinking about points rather than percentages, and it maps directly onto the concept of points per possession used in team-level offensive efficiency metrics.
True Shooting Percentage accounts for the value of all scoring methods — two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws — in a single efficiency metric.
The core formula:
$$TS\% = \frac{PTS}{2 \times TSA}$$
Where True Shooting Attempts (TSA) are defined as:
$$TSA = FGA + 0.44 \times FTA$$
The 0.44 coefficient approximates the possession cost of free throw attempts. Its derivation:
The weighted average across all free throw types yields approximately 0.44 possessions per FTA.
The Scoring Efficiency Rating is simply TS% × 2, representing points per possession used:
$$\text{Scoring Efficiency} = \frac{PTS}{TSA} = 2 \times TS\%$$
The Points Per True Shot Attempt represents raw scoring output per possession-equivalent:
$$\text{PPS} = \frac{PTS}{TSA} = \frac{PTS}{FGA + 0.44 \times FTA}$$
True Shooting Percentage benchmarks for the modern NBA (2020s):
Context matters enormously when interpreting TS%. A player posting 58% TS% on 30 points per game is far more valuable than one posting 62% TS% on 8 points per game, because maintaining efficiency under heavy defensive attention and high usage is exponentially harder. Volume-adjusted TS% metrics attempt to capture this relationship.
Also note that league-average TS% has been steadily rising. A 55% TS% was above average in 2005 but below average in 2025. Always compare a player's TS% to the league average for their specific season.
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33 points on 22 FGA and 8 FTA yields a TS% of 64.8%. TSA = 22 + 0.44 × 8 = 25.52. TS% = 33 / (2 × 25.52) = 64.8%. This is an elite performance — scoring over 30 points at nearly 65% TS% is MVP-caliber. For reference, this efficiency at this volume is comparable to peak Kevin Durant or Nikola Jokic.
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16 points on 14 FGA and 3 FTA yields a TS% of 52.7%. TSA = 14 + 0.44 × 3 = 15.32. TS% = 16 / (2 × 15.32) = 52.2%. This is slightly below league average (~57%), suggesting this player could improve shot selection. Getting to the free throw line more often (drawing fouls) or converting more three-pointers would raise TS% without requiring a higher FG%.
The 0.44 multiplier reflects the fact that not all free throws consume a full possession. In a standard two-shot foul, one possession yields two free throw attempts (0.50 each). But and-one free throws add zero possessions, technical free throws add zero possessions, and three-shot fouls use one possession for three attempts (0.33 each). When you weight all free throw types by their actual frequency in the NBA, the average possession cost per FTA is approximately 0.44. This empirically derived constant makes TS% more accurate than using 0.50.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) adjusts for the extra value of three-pointers but completely ignores free throws. TS% accounts for all three scoring methods: two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws. For players who rarely get to the free throw line, eFG% and TS% will be very similar. But for players like James Harden or Giannis Antetokounmpo who draw many fouls, TS% can be significantly higher than eFG% because it captures their ability to score from the free throw line. TS% is generally considered the more complete metric.
In the modern NBA (2020s), league-average TS% is approximately 57-58%. A TS% above 60% is considered good, above 63% is excellent, and above 66% is elite. However, context matters enormously — TS% must be evaluated alongside scoring volume. A reserve big man who only dunks might post 68% TS% on 6 points per game, while a superstar posting 62% TS% on 30 points per game is far more valuable. The most impressive TS% performances combine high efficiency with high volume.
Theoretically, yes, though it is extremely rare and typically only occurs in tiny sample sizes. To achieve TS% above 100%, a player would need to score more points than twice their true shooting attempts. For example, a player who makes a three-pointer on their only field goal attempt and also makes two free throws (from a separate foul) would score 5 points with TSA = 1 + 0.44 × 2 = 1.88, yielding TS% = 5 / (2 × 1.88) = 133%. Over any meaningful sample size, TS% above 100% is virtually impossible.
League-average TS% has risen significantly over NBA history. In the 1990s, it hovered around 52-53%. By the mid-2000s, it reached 53-54%. The analytical revolution began pushing it upward around 2010-2015, reaching 55-56%. By the 2020s, league-average TS% sits at approximately 57-58%, driven primarily by the dramatic increase in three-point shooting and the reduction of inefficient mid-range jumpers. This trend reflects teams' growing understanding that three-pointers and shots at the rim are the most efficient scoring opportunities.
Regular FG% treats all field goals equally (a two-pointer counts the same as a three-pointer) and completely ignores free throws. This creates misleading comparisons. A player shooting 45% on mostly three-pointers is far more efficient than one shooting 45% on mostly mid-range twos, but FG% cannot distinguish between them. Similarly, a player who draws many fouls and scores from the line has their free-throw scoring completely excluded from FG%. TS% solves both problems by weighting all scoring relative to the possessions consumed, making it the most complete single measure of scoring efficiency.
Roboculator Team
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