As the name suggests, wheelchair basketball is an adaptation of the able-bodied version. The court dimensions and basket height for wheelchair basketball are the same as the able-bodied version, as is the playing time and number of players on court. The wheelchair sport also follows the same scoring structure.

A wheelchair basketball player takes one or two pushes while the ball is either resting on his or her lap or held in his or her hand, followed by dribbling the ball, and this sequence may be repeated as often as the player wishes. A travel violation is called when player in possession pushes more than twice without dribbling. An infraction of the rules concerning illegal personal contact with an opponent – the wheelchair is considered a part of the player.

In wheelchair basketball players are classified on a point system from 1 to 4.5. While most athletes have normal arm and hand function, the main difference between classes are trunk control and sitting balance, which impact the reach of the player to catch and pass the ball (lower number means more restrictions). A team is composed of five players, and the sum of points must be 14 or less.