gamesplayed

Games played (GP) is a standard counting statistic used in team and individual sports to denote the number of official games in which a player has appeared for a team during a defined period, typically a season or a career to date. If a player does not enter the game, they do not receive a GP for that game. The exact definition can vary by sport and league, but the general idea is participation in an official game.

In basketball and hockey, GP counts every game in which the player took part in the game. In baseball, GP (often listed as G) is the number of games in which the player appeared, including as a substitute or pinch runner, and includes defensive or offensive appearances; it excludes games in which the player was on the roster but did not play.

GP is used to measure experience, durability, and career length, and it can affect eligibility for certain awards, playoffs qualification, and statistical milestones. It is typically reported per season and also accumulated over a player's career. It is distinct from games started (GS), which counts only games where the player started the game, and from minutes or innings, which measure time played but not appearance.

Interpreting GP requires context: a high GP with low per-game production may indicate durability but limited efficiency; conversely, a player with fewer appearances but high per-game impact could be a high-performer. For large datasets, GP is a basic denominator on which rates such as points per game are calculated.

Examples: In the NBA, a player who appears in all 82 regular-season games has GP = 82 for that season.