As we near the start of a new NBA season, we can’t help but relive what’s already happened in this calendar year.
From high-quality defensive plays and truly magical moments of skill to good, old-fashioned buzzer-beaters, here are some of the top NBA moments of 2024 so far.
The dominant Boston Celtics
Let’s be honest, if you’re a Celtics fan, there’s no other place to start.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded the Celtics’ dominant performance and was incredibly consistent throughout the season. Even in the NBA Finals against the Mavericks, they were streets ahead of them (except for Game 4, of course).
Although the Celtics didn’t quite go into the season as the overwhelming favorites with the sportsbooks, betting sites soon adjusted their odds once the season got underway. The team dominated every pivotal moment of their campaign, and the best betting sites quickly amended their odds to reflect this absolute supremacy.
By the time the season reached the business end, the Celtics’ odds of winning the playoffs had shortened so drastically with sports betting platforms that it wasn’t even worth a bet on them. A player of Tatum’s quality deserved to lift the championship trophy, but quite rightly, the team is considered one of the best this century, such was the ease with which they dominated the season.
The Buzzer Beaters and Game Winners
It doesn’t get much more dramatic for NBA fans than a game-winning shot on the buzzer. 2024 has been full of them, with some more impressive than others – but game-winners nonetheless, all deserving of a special mention.
Kyrie Irving over Nikola Jokic
Climbing above Nikola Jokić to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, Kyrie Irving’s buzzer-beater back in March gave the Mavs a 107-105 victory. What a thrill!
Nikola Jokić vs. Golden State Warriors
Although Jokić was on the unfortunate receiving end of Irving’s last-minute heroics, the towering Serbian would’ve been able to relate to the feeling after silencing the Golden State Warriors on home turf in a similar fashion in the first week of 2024. His astonishing 40-foot last-minute winner topped off one of the comebacks of the season and is undoubtedly one of the top NBA moments in 2024!
Steph Curry vs. Phoenix Suns
We don’t need to detail how Steph is one of the greatest clutch players; his performance in the Olympics proved that once again. He has a catalog of classic buzzer beaters, and it would be rude to leave him off this list. His game-winning three-pointer against the Suns back in February with 0.7 seconds left on the clock epitomizes exactly what he’s all about – sheer skill.
Max Strus’ half-court heave
Strus nailed four 3-pointers in the game against the Mavs in February, but a mind-blowing buzzer-beater from half-court stole all the sporting headlines that week!
Although there have been plenty of twists and turns in the NBA this year, we’d say that this shot from Strus has the potential to take the crown as the top NBA moment of 2024. It’ll take a lot to beat it as the calendar year draws to a close!
Other notable moments
It’s not all about the buzzer-defying half-court shots, of course. It does take a lot to beat them if we’re talking from an objective fan perspective – but not so much if your team is on the receiving end. Let’s give a shout-out for the often-forgotten defensive moments as well, though.
Some of the highlights from 2024 include:
Pascal Siakam’s game-saving block against the Bulls
LeBron’s block and game-tying three vs. the Wizards
Anthony Edwards‘ game-saving block against the Pacers
Jalen Green leaving Jared Butler sailing toward the court floor before landing a three-pointer was a moment the Wizards point guard will be keen to forget, but it was a phenomenal bit of skill – and great entertainment! LeBron’s 360 basket against the Houston Rockets was yet another reminder of how his freakish athleticism and longevity continue to be the scourge of the NBA.
While it might be too soon to start talking about the 2025 All-Star Team, it’d be a surprise not to see LeBron in it for an unprecedented 21st time. Not only have his clutch blocks grabbed the headlines this year (and many years previously) but his attacking ability and Olympic heroics show that he’s still firing on all cylinders. Given that his current contract takes him up to 2026, there’ll be plenty more top moments from the Lakers man.
To conclude
There’s been so much that’s happened over the last nine months of the NBA season, but with a new campaign underway in October, plenty of buzzer-beaters and moments of magic will likely join some of the dramatic moments on our list today.
Part of the NBA’s international appeal is the regularity of the fixtures and the delicious drama that comes with the regular season. With it all set to begin again next month, fans will be on the edge of their seats, popcorn in hand, waiting for the drama to unfold again.
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