Head-to-head. Claim hexes by naming a player who fits the category - your player also takes every adjacent hex they fit, stealing them from your opponent.
31 hexes · 30s a turn · most claims wins
Ranked
Climb the ladder - MMR, tiers, placement games
Vs a friend
Share an invite link, play live
Quick play
Casual vs a bot - nothing on the line
Possession Play is a head-to-head board game on 31 hexes. Each hex carries an NBA category - a team, an award, a career milestone - and you take turns claiming them by naming a player who fits. The twist is the steal: your player doesn't just claim the hex you picked, they also claim every ADJACENT hex they fit, taking those away from your opponent even if they already owned them. So a well-travelled journeyman dropped in the middle of the board can flip four hexes at once. You get 30 seconds a turn, each player can only be named once per match, and when every hex is claimed the most claims wins. Play ranked against a queue of real people, send a friend an invite link for a live match, or take a casual game against the bot.
Possession Play is the head-to-head game on airball.gg - the one you play against a person rather than against the day's puzzle. Every category is checked against the same verified player database behind the rest of the site, covering every franchise stint, award, and career total, so an obscure-but-correct answer always counts. Ranked matches move your rating and place you on the Possession leaderboard; friend matches run live over a shared link with both boards in sync; bot matches are casual and unlimited. Because the adjacency steal makes board position matter as much as recall, it rewards a different skill than the daily quizzes: not just knowing who fits, but knowing where naming them does the most damage.
How does the adjacency steal work?
When you claim a hex, the player you named also claims every hex touching it that they qualify for - including hexes your opponent already owns. One player can flip several hexes in a single turn, which is why the centre of the board is worth more than the edges.
Can I use the same player twice in one match?
No. Once a player has been named by either side they're spent for the rest of the match, so the pool of flexible multi-category names shrinks as the game goes on.
Do I need an account to play?
Not for bot matches or friend matches - those are open to everyone, as much as you want. Ranked matches need you signed in on both sides, because they move your rating and the Possession leaderboard.
What happens if I run out of time on a turn?
Turns are 30 seconds. If the clock runs out you forfeit that turn and play passes over, so claiming any safe hex beats hunting for the perfect one.
How do I play a friend?
Pick the friend option and share the invite link it generates. Whoever opens it joins your board and the match runs live for both of you. Tick ranked if you both want it to count.
Player stats, rosters, and career data reflect the most recently completed NBA season until the new season is underway.