Raw, unscripted drama is what makes sport so beloved around the world. And when it comes to drama – unscripted or otherwise – rivalries turn the dial up to 11. Whether it’s between individual players, teams, or even fan bases, rivalries invariably elevate sporting contests to even greater heights. Here, we’ll take you through some of the biggest NBA rivalries on offer in 2024!
- Overview of NBA Rivalries 2024
- Key Matchups: Best NBA Games to Look Forward to in 2024
- How Does the Frequency of Games Affect NBA Rivalries?
- Best NBA Rivalries to Witness in 2024 FAQs
Overview of NBA Rivalries 2024
Founded in 1946, the National Basketball Association has been entertaining fans across the United States – and around the world – for almost 80 years. Naturally, there have been plenty of historic rivalries that have developed over the decades, whether due to geographical proximity, frequent meetings in the Playoffs, or simply some heated contests in which tempers or egos boiled over in a memorable way. Regardless of their origin, these matchups take on added significance and the results mean that much more.
During the 2022-23 season, the NBA introduced NBA Rivals Week, a dedicated week that pits together some of the biggest and best rivalries the league has to offer. It returns in 2024 from 23-27 January. If you’re hoping to grab NBA tickets in 2024, these are some of the top contests you might want to consider, whether they’ll be part of Rivals Week or not!
Key Matchups: Best NBA Games to Look Forward to in 2024
Brooklyn Nets vs New York Knicks
Also known as the Battle of the Boroughs, the Brooklyn Nets’ team feud with the New York Knicks is 1 of just 2 intracity rivalries in the NBA. The Knicks are among the NBA’s founding members, while the Nets – then known as the New York Nets – joined the division in 1976. The following year, they relocated to New Jersey, but as the pair were only separated by the Hudson River, they remained as antagonists throughout the Nets’ time there before their subsequent relocation to Brooklyn in 2012.
What has perhaps prevented their rivalry from developing further is a lack of postseason clashes in their shared history; they’ve only met in the Playoffs on 3 occasions, most recently in 2004. Both are in contention to qualify this season, but in the meantime, they’ll meet on 23 January, 23 March, and 12 April.
Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks
Along with the San Antonio Spurs – whom both teams also harbour ill-feeling for – the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks make up a triumvirate of Texan teams in the NBA, and naturally that brings with it an intense rivalry. Indeed, Houston and Dallas have a fierce city-based rivalry which spills over into sport and sporting fandom, and it makes for some electric clashes when they meet in the NBA.
The Mavericks have had the better of their head-to-head meetings in recent years, but the Rockets enjoyed the bragging rights last time out when they met on 22 December. They’ll meet again on 31 March and 7 April; with the campaign well into the business end by then, both games could be key to their post-season ambitions.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
A historic rivalry that has been reignited in recent years is the Boston Celtics’ ongoing feud with the Milwaukee Bucks. The pair’s first-ever Playoff meeting came in the NBA Finals in 1974, with the Celtics eventually triumphing 4-3 in an entertaining series that saw the Bucks claim 2 dramatic overtime victories. A further 4 Playoff meetings in quick succession between 1983 and 1987 brought them into further conflict.
They would then face a 31-year gap before meeting again in postseason, but with both teams battling it out atop the Eastern Conference in recent years – spearheaded by Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo – they’ve now gone head-to-head in the Playoffs in 2018, 2019, and 2022. Time will tell if they meet again in the Playoffs this season, but they’ve still got 2 more regular-season clashes on 20 March and 9 April that will be must-see contests.
Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings
Outside of the teams that share a city, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are 2 of the closest teams in the league geographically, with just 86 miles separating the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. Although the pair are among the NBA’s most historic teams, it was not until 1985 that their rivalry began in earnest, when the Kings moved to California from Kansas City.
They’ve played out some memorable matchups in recent years, including Klay Thompson’s record 37 points in a single quarter in a Warriors win in 2015. Their rivalry is as hot as ever in 2024; last year saw their first-ever Playoffs meeting, with the Warriors winning an ill-tempered series 4-3 that saw Draymond Green suspended for a stomp on Domantas Sabonis’ chest. The Kings gained a modicum of revenge earlier this season when Malik Monk’s game-winning jumper secured a dramatic 124-123 win for the Kings to earn them a place in the quarterfinals of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers have been facing off since 1948, when the pair were based in Philadelphia and Minneapolis, respectively. Both relocated to California in the 1960s, which brought them into much closer conflict. They first met in the Playoffs in 1967, with the Warriors easing to a 3-0 series win. Unfortunately for the San Francisco franchise, they have yet to taste postseason success against the Lakers again in 8 subsequent meetings.
The pair most recently met in the Playoffs in 2023, ending a 32-year wait for them to face off in the competition, with the Lakers taking it in 6 games. An extra element adding spice to their meetings in recent years is Lakers star LeBron James’ history with the Warriors; during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James faced Steph Curry’s Warriors in 4 consecutive NBA Finals, with the latter coming out on top on 3 of those occasions.
How Does the Frequency of Games Affect NBA Rivalries?
Over the course of the regular season, NBA teams typically meet teams in the opposite conference twice, and teams in their own conference either 3 or 4 times. Over the course of an 82-game campaign, it makes for a nice balance in playing frequently enough that the rivalry remains fresh and relevant, but not so much that the games no longer feel like must-watch events.
That said, Playoff meetings are often key to keeping the fires burning, and teams will often go years or even decades without meeting one another in postseason, particularly if they’re in different conferences as they’re kept separate until the NBA Finals.
Best NBA Rivalries to Witness in 2024 FAQs
Which NBA games are considered the most intense rivalries of the year?
As the 2 most successful teams in NBA history with 19 championships apiece, any meeting between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics is an intense affair, and their rivalry is perhaps the most storied and historic across the league. Due to their success, there are few franchises in the league – and fanbases, for that matter – who don’t relish getting one over on either of these outfits.
Among the NBA’s other top clashes are the Detroit Pistons vs Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors.
What makes a particular NBA game the highlight of the season?
One of the beauties of live sport is that any match between any 2 teams at any time could be a classic. However, a game between 2 fierce rivals undeniably amps up everything – the hype, the drama, the fallout. Steph Curry dropping a game-winning 3-pointer with seconds on the clock is a memorable thing to witness, but when he does it against a local rival like the Sacramento Kings as he did in October last year, it becomes something you’ll never forget.
How do rivalries impact team strategies and gameplay?
When teams face their biggest rivals – particularly if the animosity between fans filters down to the players on the court – what can often be crucial to coming out on top is to be the team that keep their heads and don’t let the occasion get to them.
That’s not to say that teams won’t make plans for their opponents, however, particularly when star players are involved, as keeping them quiet can be vital to coming away with the W. Although Marcus Smart now with the Memphis Grizzlies, recent meetings between the Bucks and the Celtics often came down to the physical offence of Giannis Antetokounmpo against Smart’s equally robust defending.
What factors influence the cost of NBA tickets?
A number of factors can influence the cost of NBA tickets, not least of all the teams involved. Due to increased demand, prices are invariably higher when a team’s biggest rival comes to visit, so you can expect to pay a lot more if you’re watching the Lakers take on the Celtics or the Clippers as opposed to the Charlotte Hornets. Other factors can include the night of the week the fixture is scheduled for, as midweek games are typically a little to cheaper to attend, and of course the seating location in relation to court and any associated benefits or amenities included in the price.
How early should I purchase NBA tickets for the best prices?
Games between the NBA’s biggest rivals are typically among the most in-demand when it comes to tickets and are known to sell out ahead of time. As such, if you’re hoping to attend such a game, buying early is recommended to help you secure the best seat possible and the cheapest price. Once a game has sold out, resale tickets typically increase significantly in price and can become very expensive.