What happens when a basketball player is injured?
A · Advanced · Players, officials and the court · 7 of 9Referees may stop the game for an injury, but if a team is attacking they normally wait until its move ends. A player who cannot carry on within about 15 seconds, or who is treated by their own bench, must be substituted. A bleeding player must leave until the wound is covered.
How it works
- With a live ball, the referee waits until the team in control has shot, lost the ball or held it back, unless the player needs protecting at once.
- Not ready within about 15 seconds, or given treatment or help by their own team staff: the player must be substituted, unless that would leave the team with fewer than five.
- Team staff may come on only with a referee's permission. A doctor may come on without it once the ball is dead, if they judge the player needs immediate treatment.
- Bleeding or an open wound: the player comes off and may return when the bleeding has stopped and the wound is securely covered.
- If the player recovers during a time-out taken by either team, before the substitution signal, they may stay on.
- An injured player who was due free throws is replaced, and the substitute shoots them.
Tricky cases
Does play stop as soon as a player goes down?
No, not usually. The referee lets the team with the ball finish its attack, unless the player needs protection or neither team would be put at a disadvantage.
The physio came on. Does the player have to come off?
Yes, unless the team would be left with fewer than five players, or a time-out is taken and the player recovers during it.
Why the rule exists
It gets an injured player help quickly without letting a team stop an opponent's attack by staying down.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules | As above | A5; A44.2.1 |
| Concussion and medical protocols | Set by each competition | Not covered |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Articles 5 and 44.2.1, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).