Best Nikon lens for indoor sports?

Totally agree with Celeste about the bulk! Carrying those heavy setups around a crowded gym is basically a workout in itself haha. Tbh it reminds me of when I tried to save some cash by building my own squat rack in the garage last summer instead of paying for a membership. I had all this scrap timber and some heavy-duty bolts... thought I could outsmart the store prices! I ended up spending like four days just sanding the wood because I am a total perfectionist and then my wife complained about the sawdust getting into the laundry room. It actually turned into this massive renovation project where I had to install a whole new ventilation system and redo the lighting just so I could keep working on my wood turning lathe without making a mess. I still havent actually lifted any weights on that rack tho... anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.

Been shooting hoops for years. In my experience, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is surprisingly sharp in low light. You can find it new for around $200. Worth a shot before spending big.

For indoor sports under $800, consider the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8. It's incredibly sharp, but it's a crop sensor lens. Will that work for your Nikon body? A used Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I might be in budget, but check its condition carefully. Slower focus, but still good.

Hey! For indoor sports on a budget, forget the exotics. I've shot tons of games. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is surprisingly sharp wide open and super affordable – around $200! Spend the rest on a good monopod; that'll help more than a fancier lens in dim light. Seriously, try it. You'll be shocked.

Forget just Nikon! Sigma's Art series is amazing, often sharper *and* cheaper used. Think $600-ish for a 50-100mm f/1.8. Research both, you'll love the bang for your buck!

Be careful! Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 is fast, but bulky. Could bump someone for the shot.