How many personal fouls are allowed in the NBA?

There are a few things that separates the NBA from other basketball leagues in the world. For starters, the league has a different limit when it comes to personal fouls.

The NBA has evolved into a perimeter oriented league that has allowed offensive players to showcase their full potential. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, getting officials to call fouls wasn't easy. Players would have to get hurt before the referees blew the whistle.

Unlike other basketball leagues, the NBA doesn't limit players from having five personal fouls. According to the NBA Rulebook, players are limited to six personal fouls before getting ejected in the game. There are a few exceptions where players who are fouled out of the game can still play (via NBA.com).

Basketball games in other leagues and tournaments only limit players to five fouls. Also, fouls are called differently based on the officials and the league. This season, Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons has been fouled out twice and was forced to sit for the rest of the game.

Fouls are called differently in the modern game. Defensive players are more careful in creating contact to avoid fouls, while offensive players try their best to bait the defense.

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An NBA game where personal fouls were ignored

Rookie Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors

During Stephen Curry's rookie season, the Golden State Warriors played against the Portland Trailblazers. At the time, the Warriors only had six healthy players, but the rulebook demanded that all teams should have a minimum of eight players dressed and ready to play.

Anthony Morrow and Ronny Turiaf wore team uniforms before the game even though they were listed as injured. The starting five of the Warriors featured a young Curry, Monta Ellis, Reggie Williams, Anthony Tolliver and Chris Hunter. All five guys were expected to play the entire game with only one active player on the bench, Devean George.

At the start of the game, Hunter got injured and had to sit on the bench. Things went smoothly and the remaining five reached the fourth quarter with no new injuries. George, however, committed his sixth and final foul in the fourth.

According to the NBA rulebook, if a player receives his sixth foul and there is no available replacement for the player, the player with six fouls can remain in the game. However, the consequence is that every foul the player commits will lead to an additional technical foul.

In the end, George remained in the game and helped the Warriors win the game. Leading the team was a young Curry, who scored 42 points that night against the Trail Blazers.