The NBA regular season 2024 wasn't just another 82-game slog. Honestly, if you were just looking at the final box scores, you missed the actual story of how the league's hierarchy basically got set on fire. We saw a rookie do things humans shouldn't be able to do, a "process" team finally look like a juggernaut, and the Western Conference turn into a literal bloodbath where 46 wins only got you a ticket to the couch.
It's wild.
People keep talking about the playoffs, but the foundation for that Boston title was poured months earlier. The NBA regular season 2024 was where the Celtics proved that having five guys who can shoot, pass, and defend at an elite level is essentially a cheat code. They finished 64-18. That wasn't just "good." It was historical. They had a net rating that made most other "contenders" look like G-League affiliates.
The West Was a Total Mess (In the Best Way)
While Boston was cruising, the Western Conference was absolute chaos. You had three teams—the Thunder, Nuggets, and Timberwolves—jockeying for the top spot until the very last day.
Oklahoma City taking the number one seed? Nobody saw that coming. They were the youngest team to ever snag a top seed, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who spent the entire year being an "ethical hooper" and averaging 30.1 points per game. He didn't just score; he dismantled defenses with a mid-range game that felt like a throwback to the 90s.
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Then you have Denver. Nikola Jokić won his third MVP in four years, which sparked the usual online debates, but honestly, look at the tape. The guy averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. He’s a 7-foot point guard. It’s unfair.
Surprises That Actually Mattered
- The Minnesota Transformation: Rudy Gobert won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year, but the real story was Anthony Edwards becoming "the guy." They finished 56-26.
- The Knicks' Grit: In the East, Jalen Brunson turned Madison Square Garden back into a fortress. He was 4th in the league in scoring (28.7 PPG).
- The Clippers Experiment: Remember when everyone thought the James Harden trade was a disaster? For about two months in the middle of the season, they looked like the best team in the world.
Why the NBA Regular Season 2024 Scoring Title felt Different
Luka Dončić finally grabbed his first scoring title, and he didn't just edge it out—he dominated. 33.9 points per game. That 73-point explosion against Atlanta wasn't a fluke; it was a masterclass in pace. He plays like he’s moving in slow motion while everyone else is sprinting, yet nobody can take the ball from him.
But let's talk about Victor Wembanyama.
The stats for the "Alien" were stupid. 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game. He was the first rookie ever to put up 1,500 points, 250 assists, and 250 blocks in a single season. If you watched the Spurs, you saw a guy who could block a three-pointer at the top of the key and then dunk it on the other end in about three strides.
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The NBA regular season 2024 was his arrival. It changed the scouting report for every other team in the league. You can’t just "shoot over" a guy with an 8-foot wingspan who moves like a gazelle.
Misconceptions About the In-Season Tournament
A lot of people hated on the NBA Cup (the In-Season Tournament) when it was announced. "It's a gimmick," they said. Then the Lakers and Pacers played that final in Vegas, and the intensity was higher than most second-round playoff games.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis treated it like Game 7 of the Finals. The Lakers won it, and while critics said it didn't count for much, it gave the regular season a much-needed jolt of energy in November and December. It proved that players actually care about money and trophies, regardless of the time of year. Sorta obvious, right?
The Injuries That Ruined Seasons
You can't talk about this season without mentioning the "what ifs." Joel Embiid was on a historic tear—literally averaging more points than minutes played—before his meniscus gave out. He finished the year having played only 39 games. If he stays healthy, the MVP race and the Eastern Conference standings look completely different.
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The Memphis Grizzlies basically ceased to exist as a competitive entity because of injuries. Ja Morant came back from suspension, played nine games, and then needed shoulder surgery. They used an NBA-record number of different players just to get through the schedule.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking back at the NBA regular season 2024 to understand where the league is heading, keep these three things in mind:
- Efficiency is the only currency. The Celtics didn't win because of one superstar; they won because they didn't have a single "weak link" in their starting five. Building a team around one guy who shoots 30 times a game is becoming a losing strategy.
- Size and Skill are merging. Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are the blueprints. The "traditional center" who just clogs the paint is a dying breed. You need 7-footers who can switch on the perimeter and hit 38% from deep.
- The Middle Class is gone. You're either a legit contender or you're rebuilding. The "treadmill of mediocrity" (finishing 9th or 10th every year) is where franchises go to die. Teams like the Thunder proved that a hard reset can lead to a #1 seed faster than anyone thought possible.
To truly grasp the 2024 season, look at the jump in offensive ratings across the board. The league has never been more skilled, but it’s also never been more punishing for teams that can’t defend multiple positions. The 82-game schedule might be long, but as we saw, a single injury in January or a hot streak in November can be the difference between a parade and a lottery pick.