Today marks the final day of 2024, and the NBA has witnessed some spectacular individual performances from its star players throughout the year. With one day left before the calendar flips, there's anticipation as to whether any records might be shattered on New Year's Eve. Here, we round up the best single-game statistical performances across major categories for the year.
One of the standout performances came from Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. On January 26, 2024, Doncic delivered one of the most electrifying displays the league has seen, scoring 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks. This high-scoring affair ended with the Mavericks clinching victory at 148-143. Doncic's shooting was on fire; he hit 25 of his 33 field-goal attempts, drained 8 of 13 from beyond the arc, and sunk 15 of 16 free throws. The distribution of his scoring was impressive as well, netting 18 points in the first quarter, followed by 23, 16, and 16 over the following three quarters. This marked the fourth-most points scored in a single game in NBA history, trailing only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant. Notably, Joel Embiid also made headlines just days earlier with his stellar 70-point game on January 22, providing fans with thrilling memories of offensive prowess.
Shifting gears to rebounding, Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns astonished fans on March 3 by pulling down 31 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder, though his team lost 118-110. Nurkic's performance highlighted not just quantity but quality, with 13 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. His ability to dominate the boards was commendable, showcasing why he ranked among the league's best rebounders with an average of 11.0 per game last season. Runners-up for rebounds included Domantas Sabonis and Andre Drummond, both pulling down 26 rebounds each during separate encounters.
Then there’s Trae Young, whose playmaking skills shone bright on November 27 when he recorded 22 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Guided by his vision and fast-paced style of play, Young led the Atlanta Hawks to victory with a score of 135-124. His astounding performance not only contributed to his team’s success but also underscored his status as one of the league's most dynamic guards. This game marked the third occasion where Young recorded 20 or more assists, with fellow point guard Elfrid Payton coming close behind with his own 21 assists earlier in the season.
On the defensive end, Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks and Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Philadelphia 76ers showcased their prowess with impressive steal counts. Daniels achieved eight steals against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 23, helping to secure Atlanta's 117-104 win. This performance underscored his ability to disrupt the opposing offense and solidified his position as one of the league leaders, averaging 3.1 steals per game. Oubre, experiencing his career-best performance, also recorded eight steals just days later on December 30, contributing significantly to the 125-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Finally, the voters' excitement surrounding shot-blocking prowess has centered on Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 rookie phenomenon. Wembanyama achieved the remarkable feat of recording double-digit blocks on two separate occasions. His first came on February 12, when he blocked 10 shots as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors 122-99. He matched this achievement again on December 21 against the same Portland Trail Blazers, as the Spurs secured another win, 114-94. Wembanyama’s defensive efficiency not only stifled opposing teams but also reflected his potential to reshape the league’s defensive strategies. Brook Lopez also recorded nine blocks during one of his games early this year, underscoring the competitive nature of defensive stats across the league.
Before the year closes, fans are still left with the thrill of possible record-breaking games on New Year’s Eve. The individual achievements recorded throughout the year serve as reminders of the exceptional talent showcased by the players and the exhilarating nature of NBA basketball.