As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the many unforgettable moments that defined the year for basketball fans around the world. From historic achievements in the NBA and EuroLeague to groundbreaking performances in the 2024 Paris Olympics, this year has been packed with drama, intensity, and jaw-dropping plays. In this article, we will take a look at the Top 10 Basketball Moments of 2024, ranking the events that left the biggest impact on the sport.
10. Nikola Jokic Becomes NBA MVP Again
| MIN | 2P M/A | 3P M/A | FT M/A | REB | AS | ST | TO | BS | PTS | GP |
| 34:36 | 62.6% | 35.9% | 81.7% | 12.4 | 9.0 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.4 | 79 |
Nikola Jokic’s journey in the NBA continues to be nothing short of extraordinary. The Denver Nuggets star was named the 2023-24 NBA Most Valuable Player, marking his third MVP award in the last four years. This achievement places Jokic in the exclusive club of multiple-time MVP winners, alongside legends like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James. The Serbian center had an outstanding season, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game while maintaining an impressive 58.3% shooting accuracy.
Jokic’s consistency and playmaking abilities have made him one of the most dominant players in the league, and his MVP victory in 2024 further cements his place among basketball’s elite.
9. Luka Doncic’s Viral Play Against Victor Wembanyama
Luka Doncic has made a habit of producing highlight-worthy moments throughout his career, and 2024 was no different. One play, in particular, stood out as a viral sensation. In a game against the highly anticipated rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, Luka delivered a dazzling display of skill and basketball IQ. The move became an instant favorite among fans and analysts, securing its spot as one of the most memorable moments of the year.
This play not only showcased Doncic’s individual brilliance but also underscored the hype surrounding Wembanyama, who has been billed as a generational talent. As both players continue to make waves in the NBA, this moment will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight in their budding rivalry.
8. EuroLeague Pre-Season Tournament at Panathenaic Stadium
Although it was a pre-season event, the 2024 EuroLeague tournament at the historic Panathenaic Stadium was a spectacle that captivated basketball fans worldwide. The sixth annual Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament took place in front of 42,000 spectators, with four teams – Panathinaikos, Partizan, Anadolu Efes, and Maccabi – competing in the iconic venue. The sheer magnitude of hosting a EuroLeague tournament in a stadium that holds such historical significance made it a standout event.
While pre-season games typically don’t carry the same weight as regular season matchups, the atmosphere at Panathenaic Stadium was electric. This unique setting and the caliber of teams involved made it one of the top basketball moments of 2024.
7. Panathinaikos Clinches EuroLeague Title
One of the most thrilling basketball moments of 2024 came when Panathinaikos shocked the basketball world by claiming their 7th EuroLeague title. The Greek powerhouse came back from a 14-point deficit to defeat the heavily favored Real Madrid 95-80 in the final. The victory was especially meaningful, as it marked Panathinaikos’ first EuroLeague title since the 2010-11 season and came after a significant roster overhaul.
Kostas Sloukas, who played a pivotal role in the victory, was named the Final Four MVP. Sloukas scored 24 points and recorded 31 performance index rating (PIR) points in the championship game. His leadership on the court, combined with the team’s resilience, made this win one of the most significant in EuroLeague history.
6. New EuroLeague Scoring Record in a Historic 4OT Game
Basketball fans were treated to an unforgettable spectacle in January 2024 when Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes went head-to-head in a game that would push the limits of endurance. For the first time in EuroLeague history, a game went into four overtimes, with Real Madrid emerging victorious 130-126. The combined 256 points set a new all-time scoring record for the competition.
The intense back-and-forth, the clutch performances, and the sheer exhaustion of the players made this one of the most thrilling and high-scoring games in basketball history. It was a game that highlighted the level of talent in the EuroLeague and left fans in awe of the players’ determination and skill.
5. Guerschon Yabusele’s Poster Dunk on LeBron James
One of the most jaw-dropping moments of 2024 came when Guerschon Yabusele delivered a monstrous dunk over NBA superstar LeBron James. The image of Yabusele rising up and posterizing James quickly went viral, becoming a highlight that fans would talk about for years to come.
The dunk not only showcased Yabusele’s athleticism but also sparked conversation about his potential return to the NBA. The fact that it came against LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time, only added to the significance of the moment. For basketball fans, this play was a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that the game can bring.
4. Triple-Double Frenzy in the Olympics
| Player | Team | Stats (pts-reb-ast) | Year |
| Nikola Jokic | Serbia | 19-12-11 | 2024 |
| LeBron James | USA | 16-12-10 | 2024 |
| Luka Doncic | Slovenia | 16-10-18 | 2020 |
| LeBron James | USA | 11-14-12 | 2012 |
| Alexander Belov | Soviet Union | 23-14-10 | 1976 |
The 2024 Paris Olympics were a showcase of some of the best basketball players in the world, and one of the most remarkable statistics to come out of the tournament was the increase in triple-doubles. Before this year, only three triple-doubles had been recorded in Olympic basketball history. However, during the 2024 Games, two players – LeBron James and Nikola Jokic – came close to doubling that tally.
On August 8, LeBron James recorded just the fourth triple-double in Olympic history, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a thrilling semifinal win against Serbia. A few days later, Jokic followed suit with his own triple-double in the Bronze medal game, leading Serbia to a victory over Germany with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. These performances not only showcased the basketball talent on display in Paris but also highlighted the significance of the Olympic stage.
3. Nigel Hayes-Davis Breaks EuroLeague Scoring Record with 50 Points
In March, EuroLeague fans witnessed an incredible individual performance when Nigel Hayes-Davis set a new all-time single-game scoring record by dropping 50 points in a game against ALBA Berlin. The feat surpassed the previous record of 49 points set by Shane Larkin in 2019.
Hayes-Davis’ performance was a masterclass in scoring efficiency, as he finished the game with an impressive shooting line: 9-of-11 from two-point range, 9-of-16 from three-point range, and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. His scoring outburst not only secured the record but also propelled his team to a 103-68 victory. It was a moment that solidified Hayes-Davis as one of the brightest stars in EuroLeague basketball.
2. Mike James Becomes EuroLeague’s All-Time Scoring King
Another monumental moment in EuroLeague came when Mike James, the star of AS Monaco, surpassed Vassilis Spanoulis as the league’s all-time leading scorer. James achieved this feat in just 271 games, compared to Spanoulis’ 358. The moment came in a game against Crvena Zvezda, where James scored the 12 points needed to break the record in under two quarters.
James’ remarkable achievement speaks to his longevity, consistency, and ability to perform at the highest level. He now stands at the top of the EuroLeague scoring leaderboard with 4,876 points, further cementing his place as one of the best players in the history of European basketball.
1. Stephen Curry’s Dagger in the Olympic Gold Medal Game
The top basketball moment of 2024 came in the most high-stakes of situations: the Olympic Gold Medal game. Despite a rocky start to the tournament, Stephen Curry stepped up when it mattered the most. With the game on the line, Curry drained a clutch three-pointer in the final moments of the game, securing Team USA’s victory over Serbia and their Olympic Gold.
Curry’s performance in the final was a masterpiece, as he hit eight three-pointers, including that pivotal dagger, to finish the game with 24 points. His remarkable shooting in the final two games of the tournament, including a 9-of-12 performance in the semifinal against Serbia, left fans in awe. Curry’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage of basketball cemented his place as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
Conclusion
The basketball year of 2024 was filled with awe-inspiring moments that left fans around the world talking. From MVP awards and record-breaking performances to unforgettable Olympic golds and stunning highlights, this year had it all. The players mentioned above, from Nikola Jokic to Stephen Curry, have proven yet again why basketball is one of the most thrilling sports to watch. As we move into 2025, we can only hope for more unforgettable moments on the court.
