Plus/Minus (+/-)

Plus/Minus (+/-) tracks the scoring margin while a particular player is in the game. If a player's team outscores the opponent by 8 points during that player's time on court, the player's +/- is +8.

How It Works

When a player enters the game, their +/- starts accumulating. Every point their team scores adds to it, and every point the opponent scores subtracts from it. When they sit down, the counter pauses until they return.

Strengths

+/- can reveal players who have a positive impact that does not show up in traditional stats. A strong defender who limits the opponent's scoring, a player who sets great screens, or someone who improves team spacing can all show a strong +/- even with modest individual stats.

Limitations

+/- is highly dependent on context. A bench player who enters when the team is already leading by 20 will naturally accumulate positive +/-, while a starter who plays against the opponent's best lineup may have a negative +/- despite playing well. Single-game +/- should be taken with caution. Over a full season, it becomes a more reliable indicator.

How Coaches Can Use +/-

Look at +/- patterns across multiple games. If a particular lineup combination consistently produces positive +/-, it is worth exploring why. Conversely, negative +/- trends can highlight lineup combinations that are not working well together.