In the lead-up to the 2022-23 NBA season, a flurry of player movements sent shockwaves throughout the league. The NBA landscape underwent a seismic shift as teams engaged in blockbuster trades and legends of the game left an indelible mark.
tah Jazz made a big splash in the offseason, pulling off a major trade that reshaped their core. Rudy Gobert, a three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year, packed his bags for Minnesota, while four-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell set sail for a fresh start with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over in San Antonio, the Spurs were on a mission to fast-track their rebuilding process, shipping All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks. In Denver, a trade that flew under the radar brought in role players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, a move that would later prove to be of great significance.
Amidst these trades, the basketball world mourned the loss of a luminary and all-time great, Bill Russell, a Boston Celtics legend who passed away on July 31, 2022. NBA decided to retire Russell’s iconic No. 6 jersey league-wide and honor his legacy throughout the season.
As the 2022-23 season got underway, the Golden State Warriors basked in the glory of their championship win. They faced a tough challenge trying to relive their playoff success. Issues with defense and team chemistry resulted in a less-than-ideal 6th seed in the Western Conference, marked by a discouraging 11-30 record on the road.
Scoring prowess took center stage, with a 19 players averaging 25 points or more (with a minimum of 40 games played) throughout the season. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell etched his name in the record books with a career-high and franchise-record 71-point performance in an overtime thriller against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023. Not to be outdone, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard matched this feat in regulation, dropping 71 points in a franchise-defining win over the Houston Rockets on February 26.
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James pulled off an incredible feat, making history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to claim the title of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It all came down to a dropping mid-range turnaround jumper, a move that etched his name at the very top of the scoring charts, finally putting an end to Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing reign, which had lasted since his retirement in 1989.
Player movement continued to make headlines, even as the season progressed. The Brooklyn Nets’ era of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving came to an end as both players sought new destinations. Durant found himself in Phoenix in exchange for a package that included Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with multiple first-round picks. On the other hand, landed in Dallas, with Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and future draft assets heading to Brooklyn.
Los Angeles Lakers, in their ambitious pursuit of creating a star-studded roster, experienced a letdown when their formidable trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook fell short of achieving postseason glory. Westbrook found himself traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a complex three-team transaction, and following a buyout, he found a new home with the LA Clippers.
Sacramento Kings ended their league-worst 16-year playoff drought, securing the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with a 48-34 record. Star guard De’Aaron Fox earned his first All-Star nod and was honored with the inaugural Jerry West NBA Clutch Player of the Year award. Kings’ coach Mike Brown, in his first season with the team, was named Coach of the Year.
Many well-known athletes had a tough time due to injuries. Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Paul George, James Harden, Bradley Beal, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson, and Khris Middleton were all sidelined for extended periods.
2023 playoffs were a rollercoaster of surprises. The top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks were unceremoniously ousted by the 8th seed Miami Heat in the opening round. The Heat, who barely made it through the AT&T Play-In Tournament, continued their Cinderella run by defeating the New York Knicks (5th seed) in the semifinals and the Boston Celtics (2nd seed) on the road in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Led by superstar forward Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat became the first 8th seed to reach the NBA Finals since 1999.
In the Western Conference, the LA Clippers faced adversity due to injuries, losing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard during their series against the Phoenix Suns, resulting in a first-round exit.
Memphis Grizzlies, the 2nd seed in the West, struggled with injuries to key players Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, leading to a premature exit in the first round at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers, fueled by LeBron James, made an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the Denver Nuggets.
Nuggets had an incredible 53-win season and sailed through the playoffs, earning their very first spot in the Finals in the history of their franchise. The standout player leading the charge was Nikola Jokic, a two-time Kia MVP, who, along with his highly skilled teammates, feautured sheer dominance on the field.
In recognition of their outstanding performances in the West and East Finals, Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler were awarded the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird trophies, respectively.
2023 NBA Finals really put the Denver Nuggets in the spotlight as they secured the championship with a spectacular Game 5 win against the Miami Heat. Jamal Murray, who had been sidelined due to injury, made a triumphant return and played a crucial part in the victory. He teamed up with standout players such as Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown, and the promising rookie Christian Braun, creating a winning combination that led them to glory.
true protagonist of the 2023 Finals was Nikola Jokic. He etched his name in history as the first player to lead every major statistical category in a postseason, amassing 600 total points, 269 rebounds, and 190 assists. From being drafted 41st overall to becoming a two-time MVP and earning the Bill Russell Finals MVP award.
Amidst all the excitement of this season, including the AT&T Play-In Tournament, Eastern and Western Conference Playoffs, and a season brimming with standout performances by award winners, the 2022-23 NBA season is destined to go down in history as a genuine feautured of talent, determination, and indelible memories.
