The NBA season so far

The NBA season is well underway but there’s still plenty of action on the horizon before the playoffs get underway in April. The Denver Nuggets are the current champions but following a summer of trades and a blockbuster start to the campaign throughout the divisions, they face stiff competition to defend their crown.

Denver Nuggets pick up where they left off

After claiming their first NBA Championship last year, the Denver Nuggets have carried on that momentum into the new season. Led by Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, the Colorado-based side triumphed over Miami Heat in game five back in June.

The defending champions have arguably the best starting five in the whole of the NBA and they have won nine matches so far. They started the season strongly with four consecutive wins, including victory over the LA Lakers on the opening day.

They’re currently on a two-game losing streak but find themselves third in the Western Conference. Two-time NBA MVP Jokic has continued his dominance with a 28.8 PPG average. The Serbian scored a high of 36 points but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Houston Rockets as his side ultimately lost 107-104.

How has the NBA season started?

In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves lead the way in the standings following a narrow 121-120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the weekend. They’ve lost just three times so far and are targeting their first ever finals win this season.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit just below them in the standings. They’ve recorded 10 wins, including an emphatic 134-91 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers at the weekend. Key man Shai Gilgeous-Alexander netted 28 points in that victory to follow up his 40-point game the week before.

That defeat heaped further misery on the Trail Blazers, who lost Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks over the summer. The Oregon side find themselves second bottom with just three wins and 10 defeats.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are rolling back the years. Despite winning a joint-highest 17 championships, only one of those has come this century. Yet they’re flying at the top of the standings with 11 wins and just two defeats. They’ve won their last six games in a row with talisman Jayson Tatum leading the charge.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia 76ers are also riding high despite losing James Harden to the LA Clippers in the summer. They’ve won 10 games so far and have scored over 100 points in every match, including a huge 146 against the Washington Wizards.

Down the bottom of the table, the Chicago Bulls are struggling and long for the days of Michael Jordan and co. pulling the strings. The Bulls didn’t make the playoffs last year, losing to eventual Eastern Conference champions the Miami Heat. They’ve lost nine games and desperately need to turn things around quickly.

Last dance for LeBron?

Despite turning 39 next month, LeBron James is still firing for the LA Lakers and while he’s very much in the twilight of his career, he has his sights set firmly on a fifth NBA title this season.

The four-time NBA champion became the all-time leading points scorer in history earlier this year and he’s continued in that vein this term, averaging 26.4 so far and netting 37 last time out against the Houston Rockets.

James considered retirement over the summer but he’ll want to go out with a bang and will see it as the ultimate goodbye if he can secure the Lakers their first championship since 2020.

But his side will need to up for it if that dream is to become a reality. The Lakers have won five of their last six games but that form papers over the cracks of a disappointing start that has seen them lose six times so far.

The NBA is heading to Paris

If you fancy taking in some NBA action, don’t worry – there’s no need to travel all the way to the States. That’s because the world’s greatest basketball league is on its way back to Paris in the new year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday 11th January, with both sides looking to repeat last season’s efforts and make the playoffs. They’ve both endured mixed starts to the campaign and currently find themselves 8th and 10th respectively in the Eastern Conference.

Both sides will fancy their chances at climbing further up the standings and the showpiece event in Paris could be the place to see them turn their fortunes around.

We’ve got a range of hospitality options on offer for the game, giving you the chance to enjoy the match in style, as well as enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, a meet and greet with an NBA legend and exclusive food and drinks packages.

Who will be the breakout star of the 2023-24 NBA season?

The start of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is fast approaching with basketball fans preparing for the start of the new campaign with a fascinating double header.

First up the Denver Nuggets will take on the Los Angeles Lakers while over in San Francisco the Golden State Warriors play host to the Phoenix Suns. There will be plenty of teams who will be battling it out for the famous Larry O’Brien trophy until April, but who will be the breakout players in the NBA this season?


A big season ahead for Nikola Jovic and the NBA champions

There are plenty of players who could step up and make a big difference for their side this season. The Denver Nuggets will be looking to repeat their triumph next season as they are the odds-on favourites for the title once again after coming out on top last term with much of their success owed to Nikola Jovic.

With many describing him as the best basketball player in the world at the moment, Jovic took the league by storm averaging 24.5 points per game as well as 9.8 assists per game. If the Nuggets would like any chance of retaining the Championship, they will be relying on Jovic to come up with the goods.

The Nuggets won’t have it easy with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks expected to push them all the way. The Bucks will flaunt Giannis Antetokounmpo as the forward averaged an astonishing 31.1 points per game last season, while the Celtics boast starman Jayson Tatum. Referred to as ‘The Problem’ by LeBron James, he was another player who averaged more than 30 points last season and both players will be assets to their sides if they are to challenge the Nuggets this year.

Runners up in 2023, Miami Heat find themselves as 7th favourites according to the bookies and they will be keen to make the NBA final once again. Tyler Herro will be a key player for the side averaging over 20 points per game for the second season in a row. If they are to have any chance of getting revenge on the Nuggets, he will have to be firing on all cylinders.

The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on show at the NBA Global Games Series
Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy at the Global Games Series

Who will have the biggest impact from the 2023-24 NBA draft?

So what about the new players who have been picked in the draft? Thompson twins Amen and Ausar were the fourth and fifth picks, with the latter being scooped up by the Pistons while Amen will also begin playing professionally with the Rockets. They are also the first brothers in NBA draft history to be selected together in the top 5.

Third to be picked was Scoot Henderson by the Blazers. At only 19, Henderson promises to be a great prospect for the Portland side after impressing in the NBA G League over the last couple of seasons.

The Hornets were the second to pick as they selected Brandon Miller, who will make his debut in professional basketball playing in the NBA. An exciting but challenging task for the youngster, questions will be asked about whether he will be able to carry on his impressive form from his collegiate years, which included an Alabama Freshman-Record scoring 41 points in one game.

Finally, it was Victor Wembanyama who took the top spot as the first draft pick when the San Antonio Spurs snapped up the Frenchman who is widely considered one of the greatest basketball prospects of his generation. It was the first time a French player has ever been picked in the first overall draft pick and only the second time it has been a European player.

His breakthrough season last year playing for Metropolitans 92 gave NBA fans a real taste of what he will be like. He averaged an impressive 21.6 points per game across the season as well as 10.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks leading the Pro A League in each category. Can he be the standout player for the Spurs and guide them to the NBA playoffs?

A lot to ponder for any basketball fans ahead of a very exciting 2023-24 NBA season in store for us. Enquire today with Engage to experience the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in premium hospitality at the Accor Arena in Paris this upcoming season.

Fans spectate at The O2 Arena during the NBA London Game in 2018

Watch the NBA Paris Game in VIP hospitality

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