NBA Stats Glossary

Turnover Rate

Also: TOV% · Turnover Percentage

The percentage of a player's possessions that end in a turnover.

Definition

Turnover rate contextualizes turnovers against opportunity. A high-usage point guard may have more raw turnovers than a low-usage wing, but still have a lower TOV% because they handle more possessions.

Formula

TOV% = 100 × TOV / (FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV)

Example

A TOV% under 10% is excellent ball security. 12–15% is average. 18%+ is turnover-prone.

Why it matters for research

Relevant for assist props (turnovers compete with assists for possession outcomes) and overall player efficiency.

Related terms

Assist Rate

The percentage of teammate field goals a player assists on while they're on the floor.

Usage Rate

The percentage of team plays that end with a given player's shot, turnover, or free throw attempt while they're on the floor.

Apply Turnover Rate in research

Ask any NBA question using this metric. The assistant pulls the actual numbers and explains what they mean for tonight's lines.

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