While football dominates the Thanksgiving weekend, reaching the 20-game milestone is a significant benchmark for NBA franchises. It’s a time when emerging patterns solidify into team characteristics and statistical anomalies become normative, clarifying the panorama for players, teams, and the league as a whole.
Here are ten notable early-season developments from the 2024-25 NBA season.
Boston Celtics Continue Their Dominance with Room for Improvement
Following a stellar season, the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, have continued their impressive performance. After clinching the NBA title with a 64-18 record last season, they’ve commenced this season with 15 victories in their first 18 games, suggesting a potential finish of 68-14. The powerhouse duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are delivering a combined 53.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Their offensive prowess is unmatched, leading the NBA in three-pointers per game (18.9) and ranking third both in points per game (120.2) and turnovers per game (11.4) as of Tuesday. Things are looking optimistic in Boston.
However, the Celtics have yet to reach their peak performance. Their primary weakness lies in their defense within the paint, where they are currently ranked 26th in the league concerning paint points allowed per game. The return of Kristaps Porzingis from injury has already made a noticeable difference, demonstrated by the team’s 11 blocks in their recent 126-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Already performing excellently, the Celtics are on a trajectory to become even stronger, which is a concerning signal for any team aiming to dethrone them in the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers on the Brink of Collapse
Among the most startling outcomes so far is the Philadelphia 76ers’ record of 3-13, placing them 14th in the Eastern Conference. The primary reason for their struggles is the lack of availability of their star players. Joel Embiid has appeared in just four of the team’s initial 16 games, Paul George in eight, and Tyrese Maxey in 10.
It was somewhat anticipated that the trio might find it challenging to stay on the court together, but their consistent absence has been a near worst-case scenario. According to NBA.com’s lineup data, Embiid, George, and Maxey have only shared the court for a mere six minutes in total through 16 games.
With high expectations of contending for a championship, the Sixers now face a critical situation. They will likely need to win around 65% of their remaining games to even be in contention for the playoffs. Given the disappointing performance of Embiid in his limited appearances and the troubling injury history shared between him and George, there is significant cause for concern and scant grounds for optimism.
The Western Conference Remains Competitive, the Eastern Not So Much
Turning to the Eastern Conference, even the gloomiest predictions did not foresee such a dismal performance. Only four teams have managed a record comfortably above .500 as Thanksgiving approaches. The bottom tier of the conference is particularly weak, with three teams failing to achieve even a 30% win rate.
Conversely, the Western Conference continues to uphold its reputation as the more formidable one. The competition is fierce, with only a few games separating the top six teams, and seeds seven through thirteen are tightly packed with similar records. Only two teams in the West have not reached seven wins, compared to four in the East.
For years, the West has been intensely competitive right from the top seed down to the play-in tournament spots. In contrast, the East has typically had two or three dominant teams, with the rest ranging from mediocre to outright tanking. It appears this pattern will persist in the 2024-25 season.
Injury Woes Plague Star Players
In a concerning trend, a significant number of star players have sustained injuries early in the season. An astonishing 16 All-Stars from the previous season have already missed games due to injuries. Other notable players such as Aaron Gordon, Chet Holmgren, Dejounte Murray, Bradley Beal, and Victor Wembanyama are either sidelined or have been recently. Nearly every contending team is coping with the absence of a key player, which has diluted the overall quality of what has otherwise been an exceptional season of basketball.
Nikola Jokic Is in the Running for Another MVP Title
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has resumed his dominant performance with the Denver Nuggets, despite a brief three-game absence due to the birth of his child. He is once again leading the race for the NBA’s most prestigious individual award, showcasing even greater prowess this season. Currently, he’s averaging career highs with 29.7 points and 10.9 assists per game, while also leading the league with 13.6 rebounds per game. He is single-handedly carrying his team, which heavily relies on his all-around contributions. Despite the potential for voter fatigue in MVP discussions, Jokic’s outstanding performances across multiple statistical categories—potentially leading in points, assists, and rebounds—make him a formidable contender, especially for a center.
Jokic’s exceptional skills continue to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players ever. It’s unlikely that MVP voters will overlook his achievements if he maintains this level of play.
Cleveland Cavaliers Exceed Expectations
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season under high scrutiny to validate their roster’s prowess as genuine championship contenders. With the core team intact and a coaching change to Kenny Atkinson, the pressure was significant. The team has responded exceptionally well, embarking on a 15-game winning streak to start the season, with their only loss coming against Boston. Evan Mobley has emerged more assertive offensively, and the bench, led by Ty Jerome, has been performing robustly. Despite several injuries affecting their wing players, the Cavaliers have managed to lead the league in points per game and field goals made per game. They have secured 10 victories by margins of double-digit points.
While their hot shooting may eventually cool down, the Cavaliers are currently enjoying a high level of team chemistry and a blend of talent that makes them a delight to watch. This level of performance is a testament to their potential and cohesion as a team.
Intense Competition for Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg, this season’s standout NBA draft prospect from Duke, has already ignited a fierce competition among teams looking to rebuild. Known for his versatile, two-way wing play, Flagg is highly sought after, sparking what’s been dubbed the “Capture the Flagg” tanking race. The Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors are leading the charge in the East, with records of 2-14 and 4-14 respectively. In the West, the Utah Jazz show a similar commitment to rebuilding, sporting a 4-13 record. As the season progresses, more teams are expected to join this race.
The Chicago Bulls might consider moving off players like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic by the trade deadline, especially if their current performance does not improve. The Charlotte Hornets, already struggling with injuries, could soon find themselves in a similar rebuild mode. The New Orleans Pelicans, heavily impacted by injuries, might also see the wisdom in focusing on future seasons.
With a draft class that looks promising beyond just Flagg, teams may be more inclined to give up on this season earlier than in previous years. The competition for the top draft picks is shaping up to be as intense as ever.
LeBron James Continues to Defy Age
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