Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 21: Game Lost by Default

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When a team is down to fewer than 2 players, the score that follows, the classification point and defaults in aggregate series.

21.211Losing by Default

Fewer than 2 players ready, the classification point, and aggregate series.

A team loses by default if, during the game, it has fewer than 2 players on the court ready to play.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · recall
Two is enough; it is one that ends the game.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · applied
Default is about the team being reduced during the game; forfeit is about the start, refusing to play or preventing the game.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1, 21.1 · applied
The defaulting team receives 1 classification point.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · recall
A team that defaults in the first or second game of a two-game total points series loses the series.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.2 · applied
Players are lost to 5 fouls, disqualification or injury, and there may be no substitutes left.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · applied
Nothing in the rule limits it to a quarter or a minute.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · applied
A team can play on with 2; one fewer and the game is lost by default.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · applied
0 for a forfeit, 1 for a default, 2 for a win.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.1, 21.2.1, Appendix D · recall
One player ready is not enough to go on.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.1 · applied

When the score stands and when it becomes 2-0.

If the team awarded the game is ahead, the score stands as it was when the game was stopped.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied
Team A is not ahead, so the score is set at 2-0 in its favour.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied
The game is awarded to the opponents of the team that defaulted.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2 · recall
That way the awarded team never ends up with fewer points than its opponent.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · recall
The score stands as at the time when the game was stopped.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · recall
Any lead counts: Team A is ahead, so the score stands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied
The game is awarded to Team A, so it is Team A's win whatever the score.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2, Appendix D · applied
With Team A ahead, the score at the stoppage stands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied
Team A was not ahead, so the score is set at 2-0.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied
Team A trailed 41-45, so instead of that score it is given 2-0.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 21.2.1 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 21 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)