The 2023-24 NBA season saw a great performance and some unexpected turns that the league witnessed. With 615 games down and 615 to go as it nears its midpoint, all the teams are setting themselves up for the playoff race.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week:
In the right direction, Josh Giddey went dominant for OKC Thunder with a plus-90 in four games.
But on the flip side of things, things were tough for Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers, posting a minus-121 in just four games.
Team of the Week:
Utah 4-0: It’s starting to feel like Utah just can’t lose; people are wondering if they are actually that good.
Portland 0-4: Portland had themselves a battle that didn’t go their way. Scoot Henderson took all the heat and marked it as the second straight week for such form.
East vs. West:
The West increases the ante against the East with a record of 101-76 in interconference games.
Toughness by Week 12:
The strongest remaining schedules belong to Golden State, Minnesota, and San Antonio.
Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia have more manageable tough schedules.
Movement in Rank:
Utah, Miami, San Antonio, and Washington are the four teams that showed improvement while five teams slide.
Team to Watch: Week 13
The Nuggets may begin eyeing this one with the Philadelphia 76ers in view. Joel Embiid will go out to face past MVP Nikola Jokic in a potentially sweet matchup.
The last week was dominated by significant change. For more on the NBA.com Power Rankings, click here to read the full stats.
Key Metrics:
- OffRtg
Points scored per 100 possessions - DefRtg
Points allowed per 100 possessions - NetRtg
Point differential per 100 possessions - Pace (Possessions per 48 minutes)
As the league averages 115.1 points per 100 possessions and 99.9 possessions per team per 48 minutes, the season will be full of electricity. Keep up with trade deadline news and possible shifts in team balance .
2023-24 NBA Season: A Recap
The 78th edition of the National Basketball Association (NBA) officially started on October 24, 2023, and is expected to close out by June 23, 2024, and if required, Game 7 in the NBA Finals. It has already been attached with thrilling moments, shocking twists, and fabulous individual performances, making it a naturally thrilling one for the fan base.
Here’s a breakdown of the entire 2023-24 NBA season so far:
- Season Highlights:
A. New Beginnings:
First In-Season T : The league hosted its first in-season tournament between November 3 and December 9, which heightened the enthrallment of the regular season. The Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious with a triumph over the Indiana Pacers to win the championship.
LeBron James Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer: Ageless wonder LeBron James kept making history. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to take the top spot in regular season scoring at the league level.
B. The Stars Shine Brightly:
While the best scorer for the season belongs to Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks at an unbelievable 34.3 per game, the runners-ups are the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant.
Other Emerging Players to watch: Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors, and Evan Mobley from the Cleveland Cavaliers-they might steal the show with their incredible moves and bright futures.
B. Dark Horse Contenders:
Those who proclaimed doom and gloom for the regular season found themselves spotting the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks just sitting in the top six of the East Conference standings.
Battles for Favorites: The Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers are some of the preseason favorites that have thus far encountered challenges, which have not met expectations.
D. Injuries and Trade Deadline:
Star Players unavailable: Several All-Star players, such as Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson, and Kawhi Leonard, have been out for long stretches due to injuries. These periods have adversely affected their competitiveness.
Trade Deadline Activity: Several big player moves went down on February 9th, shaking things up for the last few games of the season in terms of playoff implications and filling another dimension to the latter half of the season.
- Current Standings and Playoff Race:
A. Eastern Conference:
The Boston Celtics are sitting atop the East after the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers barely move behind them.
The Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks are fighting for that final conference spot.
B. Western Conference:
Top seed from the West is Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic the possible MVP title winner
Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns are all in the race to secure one of the top finishes in the West End.
Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors are also vying for playoff berths, adding some great competition within the competitive Western Conference.
What to Watch For:
The NBA Playoffs tip on April 20th. The running of yet another season of basketball is about to conclude as real intense competition, dramatic playoff battles, and another historic chapter would be seen in the world’s elite basketball league.
This gives a glimpse of the major events of the 2023-24 NBA season. Note that, since this is an ongoing season, changes are likely to occur after this report in the manner of unfolding the playoffs and crowning a champion. Expect more of this action!
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.