Top 20 Moments of the 2018-2019 NBA Regular Season

An NBA playoffs packed with notable happenings is brewing right now.  But before we can get to celebrating that, let’s first look back at some of the most spectacular, craziest, most meme-worthy – most memorable – moments of the regular season that preceded it.  I pick twenty.

20.) When Kuzma Scored 41 points in Just 3 Quarters in a Win Against the Pistons

Not exactly like Kobe’s 62 points in 3 quarters.  But there are few things to love from yet another abysmal Lakers season, and I’ll take what I can get.

19.) When Harden Got Away with A Two-Stepback Travel

As what fans joked, that wasn’t a travel… that was a vacation.

Steph Curry clowned about it (and got rightfully called for a travel) sometime later.

Would have been funnier if he did it during a game against the Rockets.

18.) When Harden, a Notorious Non-Defender, Accidentally Made a Great Defensive Play

James Harden had a streak of 32 games where he scored 30+ points this season.  But I would remember this season more for his unintentional comedy.

Here’s one last one, though this one’s on Giannis…

17.) Giannis’ Headshot Kill of Harden

"That MVP award is mine!"

16.) Curry’s Alley-oop Bounce Pass to Giannis During the All-Star Game

Infinitely more memorable than any of the dunks in the Slam Dunk competition.

15.) When D’Angelo Russell Danced Over the Clippers

"Hey, Magic.  Can Lonzo do this?"

14.) D-Wade’s Sick No-Look Lob to Derrick Jones Jr.

Twas as pretty as his best backboard passes to LeBron.

13.) When Kawhi Saw the Future and Dove to Intercept the Pass

That was Ultra Instinct-level reaction right there.

12.) When Klay Broke Splash Brother Steph’s Record for Most Three-Pointers in a Game

He hit 14 treys, scored 52 points overall, and managed to do all that in just five dribbles.  Five!  Warriors’ ball movement is next level stuff.

11.) When D-Rose Scored 50 Points and Added a Dub-Clinching Block for Good Measure

There were 22 50-point games during the 2018-19 season (two came from Devin Booker, and nine from James Harden), but nothing was more meaningful than the one from Derrick Rose.

He was the youngest MVP ever, but after a series of injuries, he sadly has never recovered his former elite form.  So it was a delight for NBA fans when, in a home game against the Jazz, he led the team by scoring a career-high 50 points.  Then, at the closing seconds, Rose clinched the win by blocking what could be a potential tying three-point shot from Dante Exum.

The 2018-19 season wasn’t exactly a comeback season for Rose, but that particular game of his was for the ages nonetheless.

10.) Alex Caruso’s Out-of-Nowhere Putback Jam

That was Caruso’s way of auditioning for LeBron’s Lakers next season.  And based on the King’s reaction, he might have succeeded.

9.) When Jeremy Lamb Broke the Raptors’ Hearts with an Unlikely Gamewinner From Behind the Half Court

Best buzzer beater of the season!

Actually, Lamb shot another gamewinner against Toronto a while later, though it wasn’t as dramatic.  With LeBron gone in the East, it seems like he wants to become the new owner of the Raptors.

8.) That Time the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks Decided They Wanted to Put on an Epic Show and Went at It through 4OTs

In the end, it was the Hawks who prevailed, 168-161, behind rookie Trae Young’s 49 points.

7.) When Kevin Huerter Channeled Tetsuya Kuroko

Gorgeous tap pass!

6.) Whenever Nikola Jokic Was Playing Point Center

In my opinion, he has overtaken LeBron as the best passer in the NBA.

5.) When “Make ‘Em Dance” Lance Annihilated Jeff Green

Nasty!

The bench’s animated reaction only enhanced its epicness.

4.) Lakers’ Wild Win Over the Celtics at the Garden

It was my favorite Laker win of the season because it had the combined charm of the following: a.) it was against the rival Celtics; b.) it was on the Celtics’ home floor; c.) it was a last-second gamewinner; d.) prior that gamewinner, the Celtics thought they had won when they blocked Ingram; and e.) that gamewinner came from Rajon Rondo, a former Celtic.  Glorious!

3.) Stephen Curry’s Eye-Popping No-Look, Behind-the-Back Fastbreak Pass to Kevin Durant

It was reminiscent of what Peja Stojakovic, another great shooter, did many years ago…

2.) When Luka Doncic Scored 11 Straight Points in the Clutch to Lead the Mavs to a Comeback Win Over the Rockets

I will be greatly disappointed if he doesn’t win Rookie of the Year.  He’s the future GOAT.

1.) When Kuzma Pushed LeBron to Play Defense

This is the Lakers’ disappointing season summarized in one play.  We Laker fans were all Kuzma here.  We wanted LeBron to snap out of his irritating indifference and put some effort to his game.  At the very least, we wanted him to play defense.