When Was the Last Time an NBA Backboard Was Broken?

An NBA backboard hasn’t been broken in over two years. The last time it happened was on December 11, 2013, when Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets shattered the glass with a thunderous dunk.

Backboards were first used in the NBA in 1946.

The backboard was first used in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1946. It was made of wood and was attached to the metal ring. The backboard became glass in 1950, and plastic in 1974. The NBA replaced all glass backboards with shatterproof tempered glass backboards in 1987.

The last time an NBA backboard was broken was in 2006.

It’s been nearly a decade since an NBA backboard was last broken. The last time it happened was on April 24, 2006, when Shaquille O’Neal brought down the house—literally—with a thunderous dunk against the Phoenix Suns.

The big man’s slams have been known to break backboards before, but this one was different. Not only did the backboard shatter into pieces, but the entire support structure that held it up came crashing down as well. It was a sight to behold, and one that won’t soon be forgotten.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the process. But it did bring about some changes in the league. Now, all backboards are made of tempered glass, which is much less likely to break under duress. So, we may not see another backboard-breaking slam for some time to come.

Backboards are made of tempered glass, which is designed to break into small, safe pieces.

The last time an NBA backboard was broken was during a game between the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 11, 2013. Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng went up for a dunk, and the force of his slam shattered the backboard. No one was injured, but play had to be halted for about 20 minutes while the court was cleaned up.

Backboards are made of tempered glass, which is designed to break into small, safe pieces. But sometimes, as in Dieng’s case, they can shatter into large shards. In 2009, then-Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay broke a backboard during pregame warmups; Gay escaped injury, but a fan sitting courtside was cut by flying glass and had to be taken to the hospital.

There have been other instances of shattered backboards in NBA history, but they’re actually quite rare. The most famous one occurred in 1979, when then-Houston Rockets forward Ralph Sampson dunked so hard that he brought down the entire hoop stanchion — backboard included — causing a lengthy delay in the game.

Backboards are replaced when they are broken.

Backboards are replaced when they are broken. The last time an NBA backboard was broken was during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat on December 18, 2013. Pacers’ center Roy Hibbert broke the backboard with a dunk.

There are several reasons why backboards are broken, including:

The backboard is made of tempered glass, which is a type of safety glass that is designed to shatter into small, harmless pieces. However, when enough force is applied, tempered glass can break. When an NBA backboard is broken, it is usually because of a hard dunk or a player colliding with it.

Dunking

Dunking is often the cause of backboard breakage in the NBA. When a player hangs on the rim and/or pulls down on it with significant force, the backboard can shatter. This last happened in the NBA during a game between the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets on December 8, 2019, when Nets player Kyrie Irving dunked with such force that he broke not one, but two backboards.

Blocking

One of the most common reasons for a backboard to break is due to a player hanging on the rim and blocking a shot. This can put a lot of pressure on the backboard, and if the player is especially large or the backboard is not securely fastened, it can lead to the backboard shattering.

Contact with the ball

One of the most common ways that a backboard is broken is when contact is made with the ball. This can happen when a player is shooting horizontally and the ball hits the backboard at an angle, or it can occur when a player gets fouled while shooting and hits the backboard hard with their body. In either case, the force of the impact can be enough to break the backboard.

Contact with players

One of the most common reasons for a backboard to break is contact with players. In many cases, this occurs when players are trying to block a shot and accidentally hit the backboard with their hands or arms. Sometimes, players will also run into the backboard while they are trying to grab a rebound or make a put-back.

Other times, backboards are broken by player collisions. This can happen when two players are battling for position under the hoop and one player ends up getting pushed into the backboard. This type of collision can also occur when a player is chasing after a loose ball and runs into the backboard.

There are a few ways to prevent backboards from breaking, including:

In 1979, the NBA made a rule change that would help prevent backboards from breaking as often. The rule change required that all backboards be made of tempered glass, which is stronger than regular glass. Although this rule change has helped to prevent backboards from breaking, it has not completely stopped them from breaking.

Using thicker glass

One way to prevent backboards from breaking is to use thicker glass. This will make the backboard more resistant to shattering when players slam into it or when the ball hits it hard. Thicker glass is also heavier, so it may need to be supported differently.

Another way to prevent backboards from breaking is to use tempered glass. This type of glass is heated and then cooled quickly, which makes it break into smaller pieces if it does shatter. This can help reduce the risk of injury if a backboard does break.

Polycarbonate is another material that can be used for backboards. It is a type of plastic that is shatter-resistant and lightweight.

Reinforcing the frame

Theresa Rajack-Talley, the chair of the NBA’s Competition Committee, told ESPN in 2017 that one way to prevent backboards from breaking is to reinforce the frame that holds the glass. “We are looking at ways to make sure that when a player does hit the stanchion or the support for the backboard, that it doesn’t give way as easily and break as frequently,” Rajack-Talley said.

Another way to reduce backboard breakages is by using tempered glass, which is stronger than standard glass and does not shatter as easily. However, tempered glass is more expensive than standard glass, so it is not used in all arenas.

Installing breakaway rims

One way to prevent backboards from breaking is to install breakaway rims. Breakaway rims are designed to detach from the backboard when a certain amount of force is applied, absorbing the impact and protecting the backboard. This type of rim is typically found in recreational basketball hoops and is not allowed in regulation games.