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Celtics beat Hornets in final preseason game
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 20 points, followed by Derrick White (15 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (14 points). The Celtics finished the preseason with a 4-1 record.
Take a look back at milestones and anniversaries ahead of the 2023-24 season, including LeBron James’ career-high 40,000 points and the evolution of his career triple-double.
As the NBA enters its 77th season, fans are anticipating another exciting season, and there’s always more talk surrounding major milestones and anniversaries coming up in 2023-24.
One potential accomplishment to watch is James Harden: The 10-time All-Star is 220 3-pointers away from passing Ray Allen for second in NBA history in 3-point field goal percentage. Since Harden is demanding a trade, it remains to be seen whether he can accomplish this feat with the Philadelphia 76ers.
From individual players etched in the history books like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, to iconic matchups and defining moments etched in history, here are the biggest milestones, streaks and anniversaries to watch for in the 2023-2024 NBA season .
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scoring leader
Last season, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the scoring leader in NBA history, which is one of the greatest milestones in the NBA. James has 38,652 points. He is closing in on another record this season, being 1,348 points shy of 40,000 points, which would put him in history as the first player to reach that mark. That’s a reasonable feat for the King (he scored 1,590 points last season), and at James’ career scoring average (27.2 points per game), he can reach it in his 49th game this season. milestone.
Kevin Durant is also looking to move up a level on the all-time scoring list, as he needs 518 points to overtake Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone for 10th place . Durant will look to adjust to his second year with the Phoenix Suns after dealing with injuries for much of last season and finishing with 208 points. If he can stay healthy, consistent and match his career scoring average (27.3 points per game), he will reach that mark in his 18th game of the season.
If Durant wants to crack the top 10, he needs 1,705 points to pass Shaquille O’Neal and Carmelo Anthony for eighth on the all-time scoring list. He could have reached that mark in his 62nd game, but Durant hasn’t played more than 55 games in a season since the 2018-19 season.
Are stripes dangerous?
Two of the biggest names in the league will be looking to maintain their respective scoring records.
James enters his 21st season with 1,151 consecutive regular season games in which he has scored 10 or more points. He hopes to extend the longest winning streak in NBA history when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the defending champion Denver Nuggets in their season opener on Oct. 24.
Stephen Curry, who surpassed Ray Allen to hold the record for three-point field goals made in 2021 (3,390), will also be looking to add to his scoring record from beyond the arc. Curry has hit at least one three-pointer in 245 consecutive regular season games, becoming the longest consecutive three-pointer streak in NBA history. In addition, he also holds the record for multiple three-pointers in 56 consecutive regular season games. Curry and the Golden State Warriors will open the new season at home against the Suns on October 24.
The importance of triple doubles
Westbrook holds the record for most career triple-doubles with 198. The All-Star point guard enters his 17th season and first full season with the Los Angeles Clippers and is one step away from becoming the first active player to record 200 triple-doubles. Had two triple-doubles. The record holder with Westbrook is James, who surpassed Jason Kidd by just one point and ranked fourth with 107 triple-doubles. However, 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic is not far behind with 105 points. Harden may also move up the rankings; he is five triple-doubles away from surpassing Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place on the list.
anniversary
From record-breaking wins to the most memorable game-winners, here are some of the historic moments celebrated this season.
Five years since San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich became the winningest coach in NBA history: On April 13, 2019, Popovich earned his 1,413th victory, surpassing Lenny Wilkens as the winningest coach in the NBA. Popovich has been the head coach of the Spurs since 1996, leading the team to five NBA championships. In early August, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He hopes to lead the Spurs back to the playoffs this season after missing the past four playoffs.
20th anniversary of James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets) and Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) making their NBA debuts: On October 29, 2003, some of the most iconic players made their NBA debuts. The performance of James, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, lived up to expectations. The then 19-year-old James scored 25 points, 9 assists and 4 steals in the team’s 106-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Anthony played for 20 seasons, while Bosh played for 13 seasons.
30th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s first retirement: On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced the end of his NBA career for the first time. After nine seasons with the Chicago Bulls, he announced his early retirement just four months after leading the Bulls to a third consecutive NBA championship (a six-game series victory over Charles Barkley and the Suns).
The 35th anniversary of the release of “One Shot”: On May 7, 1989, Jordan scored his signature buzzer-beating shot in the 1989 NBA playoffs. In Game 5 against the Cavaliers, Jordan passed the ball at the free throw line to help the Bulls seal the victory 101-100. series. Jordan jumped to his feet and then pumped his fist multiple times in celebration.