2022-23 NBA Season: Key Highlights, Records, and Surprising Moments You Missed

As I sat down to reflect on this past NBA season, I couldn't help but marvel at how many incredible moments flew under the radar amid all the headline-grabbing performances. Having followed basketball religiously for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for those subtle game-changing elements that often escape casual viewers. This 2022-23 season delivered some truly remarkable basketball, from historic individual achievements to team performances that redefined what we thought possible in the modern game.

Let me start with what I consider the most underrated storyline of the season - the Denver Nuggets' championship run. While Nikola Jokić rightfully earned his Finals MVP honors, what fascinated me was how his screening ability created opportunities that statistics barely capture. This reminds me of a brilliant observation from Filipino basketball analyst Charlie Cuna, who once noted about a different player: "He made it easier for the guards to do their job kasi kapag nagbigay ng pick, nakadikit na 'yung bantay kaagad." That exact principle applied to Jokić's game - his screens were so effective because defenders had to stay attached immediately, creating those precious seconds of advantage that championship offenses thrive on. Watching Jokić operate felt like witnessing basketball poetry, where every subtle movement had purpose and consequence.

The individual records this season were absolutely staggering when you dig into the numbers. Damian Lillard's 71-point explosion against Houston wasn't just impressive - it was historically efficient, achieved on 22-38 shooting including 13 triples. What amazed me even more was that he did this while playing just 39 minutes, making it the highest-scoring game with under 40 minutes played in NBA history. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić joined the 60-point triple-double club in that incredible comeback against New York, finishing with exactly 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists. I've never seen a player take over a game quite like that - his team was down nine points with barely 30 seconds remaining, and he single-handedly forced overtime. These performances weren't just statistical anomalies; they represented a new frontier in offensive versatility that we haven't seen before.

What truly surprised me was Sacramento's return to relevance after their 16-year playoff drought - the longest in NBA history. The Kings' offensive rating of 118.6 points per 100 possessions wasn't just good; it was historically great, ranking as the highest mark ever recorded since the NBA began tracking this statistic. Their pace-and-space system orchestrated by Mike Brown created the perfect environment for Domantas Sabonis to thrive as a playmaking hub. Watching Sabonis operate in the high post reminded me again of that screening principle - his ability to immediately engage defenders after setting picks created countless driving lanes for De'Aaron Fox, who had his best season yet. The beam-lighting tradition that captured the league's imagination was more than just a gimmick; it symbolized a franchise finally emerging from basketball irrelevance.

The Lakers' midseason transformation deserves special mention because I've rarely seen a team reinvent itself so dramatically. Starting the season 2-10, they completely overhauled their roster at the trade deadline, adding crucial role players like Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The impact was immediate and profound - their defensive rating improved from 116.1 before the trades to 110.9 afterward, which would have ranked second in the league over the full season. LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record was obviously monumental, but what impressed me more was how he adapted his game post-all-star break, focusing more on playmaking and defensive intensity when his shooting efficiency slightly dipped. At 38 years old, he still averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists - numbers that defy conventional wisdom about athlete longevity.

Golden State's road struggles presented one of the season's biggest mysteries. Their 11-30 away record contrasted sharply with their 33-8 home performance, creating the largest home-road win differential in NBA history. Having watched them closely all season, I noticed their defensive communication breakdowns were significantly more frequent on the road, particularly in transition situations where they allowed 6.2 more points per game away from Chase Center. Stephen Curry's injury absences certainly didn't help, but the defensive drop-off was noticeable even when he played. Their first-round victory against Sacramento showcased their championship DNA, but the second-round exit against LA revealed real vulnerabilities that they'll need to address this offseason.

The emergence of Jalen Brunson as a legitimate superstar might be my favorite development of the season. After signing with New York for approximately $104 million over four years, many questioned whether he could be the primary option on a playoff team. He answered those doubts emphatically, averaging 27.8 points and 5.6 assists in the playoffs while leading the Knicks to their first second-round appearance since 2013. His footwork in the midrange reminded me of vintage Chris Paul, and his ability to draw fouls (8.4 free throw attempts per game in the playoffs) demonstrated his understanding of how to pressure defenses beyond just scoring. The Knicks haven't had a guard this complete since Walt Frazier, and at just 26, Brunson's best basketball is still ahead of him.

Reflecting on the season as a whole, what stands out to me isn't just the statistical achievements or the championship outcome, but how the game continues to evolve in fascinating ways. The emphasis on spacing and screening precision has never been higher, and teams that master these nuances - like Denver did - create advantages that transcend raw talent. The records will continue to fall as players become more skilled and systems more sophisticated, but the fundamental beauty of basketball remains in those moments of connection between players, where a perfectly timed screen or a clever pass creates opportunities that statistics can only partially capture. This season reinforced my belief that while individual brilliance can win games, it's the subtle, often overlooked teamwork that wins championships.