As a handful of weeks have swiftly passed, marking a quarter of the way into the NBA season, the hardwood has become a battleground where contenders have emerged and pretenders have faced the harsh reality of competition. The league is ablaze with the fierce intensity of teams vying for supremacy, each game carrying significant weight in the pursuit of a coveted playoff berth.
- 10. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
- 9. Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- 8. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- 7. Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- 6. Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics
- 5. Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- 4. Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
- 3. Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- 2. Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics
- 1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
Amidst the heated competition, it is time to take a very early approach to the end of the regular season and even past the playoffs as we name the 10 best possible 2024 NBA Finals matchups. While it is too soon to talk about the Finals, that is the ultimate goal for every team whether it is a dream or reality. We have named the 10 best possible Finals matchups based on storylines, competition, and player legacies. While we will only likely get one of these matchups in this year’s Finals, let’s discuss each and how exciting they will be.
10. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
Basketball fans would love to witness a clash of contrasting styles and iconic franchises in the dream matchup of the Los Angeles Lakers versus the New York Knicks. The Lakers, led by the seasoned LeBron James and the dominant Anthony Davis, bring a potent mix of experience and athleticism. Anytime the Lakers are in the Finals, it is always exciting but it is even more so than if they play the Knicks.
On the flip side, the Knicks, rejuvenated with star power in Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, boast a gritty two-way prowess built on team chemistry. Picture Madison Square Garden ablaze with anticipation as LeBron orchestrates his magic against the backdrop of the Knicks’ fervent home crowd, creating a basketball spectacle that transcends time zones and generations. While it is unlikely that Randle and Brunson would lead the Knicks to the Finals considering they only made the second round last season and hold a 12-7 record so far, we can only dream about this matchup happening again in the NBA.
9. Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The potential 2024 NBA Finals clash between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks serves as a compelling sequel to the 2021 Finals drama. The Suns, transformed into a powerhouse with the addition of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal alongside the ever-reliable Devin Booker, are on a redemption quest. Booker, the lone survivor from the 2021 roster, seeks to etch his name in history with a championship ring, while Durant yearns to prove his championship mettle beyond the confines of Golden State.
The storyline is rich with narratives (and star power), as the Suns’ revamped roster faces the Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a team hungry to secure a 2-0 record against Booker’s Suns. Giannis, eyeing his second ring, stands as a formidable force, while Damian Lillard adds his star power to the Bucks’ quest for glory. Lillard has never played in a Finals before and this could be his chance to get it done with the Bucks in a mouth-watering situation.
8. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
While the Los Angeles Clippers may face an uphill battle with their current 9-10 start and a roster teeming with ball-handlers and primary options, the tantalizing prospect of a potential Finals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks adds a pinch of what-if excitement to the season. The Clippers, laden with star power in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, have the potential to click as the season progresses, making a surprising run to the Finals.
A showdown against the Bucks, boasting the formidable duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, would undoubtedly be a clash of superstars, with each game promising jaw-dropping stat lines and highlight-reel moments. Despite the current hurdles, the unpredictable nature of the NBA leaves a glimmer of hope for Clippers fans, offering a scenario where the stars align, and an unlikely Finals appearance becomes the cherry on top of a season marked by resilience and redemption. If there are players who want this Finals appearance, it is Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook who each want his first championship ring.
7. Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The prospect of a Golden State Warriors versus Milwaukee Bucks showdown in the 2024 NBA Finals carries the weight of a compelling narrative and the promise of a superstar-laden clash. The Warriors, perennial fan favorites, have dominated the league over the past decade, with the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green providing a captivating basketball spectacle. The storyline gains an extra layer of intrigue with Chris Paul’s pursuit of a championship, offering a veteran point guard a second chance at the elusive ring following the 2021 failure with the Suns.
On the other side, the Bucks, led by the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, present a formidable challenge to the Warriors’ dynasty narrative as the latter looks for his first ring. Despite the Warriors’ current 9-11 record, their ability to sell out arenas and the potential for a healthy roster resurgence makes them a wild card in the race to the Finals. The clash between Curry’s long-range brilliance and Giannis’s dominant presence in the paint sets the stage for a superstar showdown, while Lillard’s quest for his first ring adds an extra layer of intensity.
As the Warriors look to reclaim their former glory, and the Bucks aim to cement their status as a legendary team with two championships in four years, this potential Finals matchup becomes a tantalizing story of legacy, redemption, and the enduring allure of NBA superstardom. It will also be very interesting to see if the Warriors only have Draymond Green handle Giannis inside because that matchup will cause sparks on the court.
6. Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics
A potential 2024 NBA Finals clash between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics presents a tantalizing matchup, featuring two teams boasting formidable Big Threes. The Suns, armed with the star power of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, have the offensive prowess to make a deep Finals run. The storyline takes an intriguing turn as Durant, long considered one of the league’s best, faces the rising star Jayson Tatum, who has seemingly surpassed him over the past three seasons. The question of whether Durant can outshine Tatum and secure his first championship outside of the Golden State dynasty adds a compelling layer to the narrative.
The Celtics, fortified by the addition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, provide a formidable challenge to the Suns. The supporting cast, coupled with Tatum’s brilliance, creates a well-rounded team ready to contend for the title. The potential for a tightly contested seven-game series hangs in the air, promising an exciting battle on the hardwood. No doubt, this series could go six or seven games and every game would be a must-watch for any NBA fan.
5. Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
A potential 2024 NBA Finals collision between the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks promises a clash of titans, as the reigning champions, Denver, seek to validate their dominance against the formidable Bucks. While the Nuggets made swift work of the Miami Heat in the previous year’s Finals, a showdown with the Bucks, boasting the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, presents a different level of challenge.
The central narrative revolves around the battle of supremacy between the two reigning MVPs, Nikola Jokic and Giannis, both hailed as the best players in the world. The question of Jokic’s impact compared to the relentless force of Giannis adds an extra layer of intrigue, turning the series into a test of true basketball supremacy.
The individual matchups within the series elevate the excitement, with the spotlight on Jamal Murray going toe-to-toe with the electric Damian Lillard.
Both guards possess the ability to light up the scoreboard and make clutch plays in crunch time. The prospect of a six or seven-game series reflects the evenly matched competition, promising fans a thrilling spectacle filled with strategic battles, dazzling plays, and a quest for basketball greatness. In this potential Finals matchup, the Nuggets and Bucks would undoubtedly deliver one of the most competitive and captivating series in recent memory.
4. Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
A tantalizing rematch is on the horizon as the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics set the stage for a potential 2024 NBA Finals clash, echoing the intense showdown of 2022. The scars from their previous encounter, where the Warriors emerged victorious in six games, linger for the Celtics’ dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Seeking redemption, the Celtics are armed with a burning desire for revenge, making this rematch a narrative-rich spectacle.
With the Celtics now bolstered by reinforcements, the tables seem set for an epic battle. The addition of Tatum’s growth, Brown’s relentless athleticism, and the supporting cast’s improvement position the Celtics as formidable favorites. However, the Warriors, led by the legendary Stephen Curry and the title-hungry Chris Paul, present a daunting challenge.
The subplot of Chris Paul’s quest for a championship adds an extra layer of drama, but the spotlight remains on Curry and Tatum. If Curry can once again lead the Warriors to victory against Tatum’s Celtics, it would undoubtedly elevate his legacy, while Tatum’s quest for basketball greatness would face a formidable roadblock that he might not recover from. The stakes are high, the storylines are captivating, and this potential Finals rematch promises to be a riveting chapter in the ongoing saga of NBA rivalries.
3. Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The improbable journey of the Philadelphia 76ers to the 2024 NBA Finals would be a captivating narrative, defying the odds and proving the beauty of player loyalty in an era of frequent trades. The Sixers, led by the indomitable duo of Joel Embiid and the emerging Tyrese Maxey, showcase resilience after the departure of James Harden, making their Finals appearance one of the season’s most compelling stories. A showdown with the Denver Nuggets, anchored by the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, adds an intriguing layer to the underdog tale, particularly in the context of a 7-game series that promises to be a feast for basketball enthusiasts.
The centerpiece of this potential Finals matchup lies in the clash of the two best centers in the world. Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, each a dominant force in their own right, would engage in a riveting battle on the hardwood. While Embiid may have had the upper hand in individual matchups thus far (5-2 record), the question looms large: can he translate that success to playoff glory?
Embiid (25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.1 blocks per game) has won the matchups against Jokic (21.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks) but the prospect of witnessing these two giants go head-to-head over the course of a Finals series adds an element of excitement rarely seen in basketball.
2. Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics
The long-awaited showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals carries the weight of unfulfilled expectations from the previous season. Celtics fans, who anticipated this clash last year, were left with a sense of what could have been as their team succumbed to the Miami Heat in a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference Finals. Now, with a chance at redemption, the Celtics find themselves facing the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, in a Finals matchup that promises to be a showcase of talent and determination.
The addition of Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics’ roster adds a dynamic element to the matchup, as he prepares to go head-to-head with the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic. The Celtics’ star player, Jayson Tatum, sees this Finals appearance as an opportunity to not only secure a championship but also to stake his claim as one of the top three players in the world. The narrative is rich with anticipation as Tatum seeks to prove his mettle against Jokic, widely regarded as the best player in the world.
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
No doubt, the most exciting matchup would be between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, two of the most storied franchises in NBA history, reigniting the flames of a historic rivalry. This dream matchup transcends mere sports; it’s a spectacle, a culmination of legacy, and a nod dating back to the golden eras of the rivalry. The George-Mikan Lakers taking on the Celtics in the 1950s was the start, and the 11 championships won by Bill Russell at the expense of the Lakers. The Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird competitions in the 1980s changed the NBA and Kobe Bryant versus Paul Pierce was the last real evidence of this historic rivalry.
Fast-forward to 2024, this Finals series would be a basketball opera, featuring compelling storylines and subplots. LeBron James, in the twilight of his illustrious career, aims for one more ring to further solidify his place in the pantheon of basketball greatness as he becomes tied with Kobe Bryant in that regard. Tatum, seeking validation as the face of the Celtics, stands on the precipice of greatness, hungry to deliver Boston its 18th championship which would be the most in history, breaking the tie-breaker with the Lakers.
The clash of these two iconic franchises, representing the East and West coasts, would transcend basketball rivalries, invoking a sense of nostalgia and pride among fans. The Lakers versus Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals would be more than just a championship series; it would be a celebration of basketball history, a showcase of talent, and a fitting climax to a season filled with drama and triumph.
