What Does GB Mean in Basketball?

GB is a statistical category in basketball that represents team standings. It effectively translates as "Games Behind." This refers to win/loss records of each team relative to the win/loss record of the leading team. The higher the GB figure, the worse the team is performing.

Statistical Representation

The division leader has the most wins and fewest losses of any other team. The leader always has a GB represented by --, which means the team is zero games behind. A team with fewer wins and more losses may have GB figure of 6, which means it is six games behind.

Considerations

If two teams have an equal number of wins but different numbers of losses or vice versa, then statisticians use half-game stats in the GB category. So, if division-leading Team A has 10 wins and three losses and Team B has 10 wins and four losses, Team B is a half-game behind Team A represented by GB: 1/2.

Types

Statisticians keep GB statistics for each division and conference in a league. A team may be leading in its division, but GB: 3 in the conference.

Significance

Games-behind statistics are important for determining postseason tournament participants and schedules for championship games.