Man, the 2021 NBA regular season was wild. I couldn't get over how jam-packed the schedule was, especially compared to previous years. Typically, a regular NBA season runs for about six months, starting in October and ending in April. But due to the pandemic's interruptions last season, this one kicked off in December 2020 and went straight through to May 2021. The league managed to squeeze 72 games into this timeframe compared to the usual 82 games. You gotta think about the players' endurance and stamina—playing that many games in such a compact schedule must've been exhausting!
Let’s talk marquee matchups because there were so many to consider. Take the Christmas Day games for instance; they are always a highlight. The Lakers faced off against the Mavericks, and it was a showdown between LeBron James and Luka Dončić. I mean, watching two of the top stars of different generations go head-to-head is something else. I remember that game vividly because LeBron scored 22 points, and everyone couldn't stop talking about his dunk, which was all over sports news the next day.
How about the rematch of last year's Finals? The Miami Heat squared off against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 20, 2021. It was a close game with a final score of 96-94, favoring the Heat. Jimmy Butler racked up 24 points, while Bam Adebayo chipped in with a solid 16 points. Every analyst was breaking down that game for weeks. It makes you wonder, could Miami have turned the tide if not for the grueling schedule?
Another must-see game was the Brooklyn Nets versus the Golden State Warriors. This matchup was electrifying mainly because Kevin Durant was going up against his former team. On February 13, 2021, Durant showcased his elite skills dropping 20 points, while James Harden added 19 points and 16 assists. The Nets didn't just win; they dominated with a score of 134-117. It's like the Nets were unstoppable with their firepower on full display.
The All-Star Game deserves a mention too, held on March 7, 2021, in Atlanta. Unlike other years where All-Star Weekend spans several days, this year everything got squeezed into one day. How crazy is that? Team LeBron dominated Team Durant with a final score of 170-150. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the talk of the game, going a perfect 16-of-16 from the field and scoring 35 points. And don’t even get me started on the three-point contest where Stephen Curry sealed his win with a final round score of 28 points.
And who could forget the trade deadlines? The Brooklyn Nets made waves by trading for James Harden in January 2021. That move was a game-changer, contributing massively to the Nets' offensive efficiency. By March, Blake Griffin made the decision to join them after a buyout agreement with the Detroit Pistons. Adding him to the already formidable team made everyone rethink their playoff predictions. Watching these kinds of strategic moves in real-time makes the NBA more exciting.
We also saw some firsthand breakthroughs from young talents. LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets was sensational. Even if you're skeptical about rookies living up to the hype, LaMelo changed a lot of minds. The guy averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game before a wrist injury sidelined him for a bit. Many even argued he could win Rookie of the Year despite the injury setback. That says a lot about his impact on the court.
Injuries always play a role in the narrative of any season, and 2021 was no exception. Anthony Davis and LeBron James both missed significant time due to injuries. The Lakers' seeding took a hit as a result. In fact, Davis was out for a whopping 30 games due to his Achilles and calf issues. LeBron's high ankle sprain sidelined him for 20 games, which was a huge deal considering his previous durability. The concern over their health had everyone questioning: could the Lakers defend their title if their stars weren’t 100%?
Oh, and the late addition of the Play-In Tournament added a fresh twist to the season. It wasn't just the top 8 teams per conference making the playoffs; seeds 7 through 10 had to battle it out. That made for some edge-of-the-seat viewing. The introduction of this format saw thrilling games such as the Warriors versus the Lakers, where LeBron hit that insane game-winning three-pointer over Stephen Curry. The stakes were high, and it delivered on drama, engage more fans right up to the playoffs.
What's fascinating to me is the evolving stat lines that this kind of compact season produces. For example, the increased emphasis on rest meant that superstar numbers might dip in some games but surge in others. James Harden averaged 10.9 assists per game, leading the league. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry went on a scoring rampage, averaging 32 points per game to secure his second scoring title. The fluctuating dynamics had every analyst constantly revising their MVP candidates' lists.
In terms of viewership, the league reported mixed numbers. Despite the occasional dip, marquee games significantly boosted ratings. For instance, the Lakers-Warriors Play-In game pulled in around 5.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBA game on ESPN since 2019. It's clear that while the pandemic altered the normal routine, fans' craving for high-stakes games hadn't diminished. The revenue generated during these key matchups helped mitigate some of the financial losses the league faced due to the shortened season and limited in-arena attendance.
In the end, the season was a rollercoaster with teams adapting to new formats, players battling fatigue and injuries, and fans getting treated to some high-quality basketball. The challenges were unprecedented, but everyone from the players to the fans showed resilience, proving once again why the NBA remains one of the most engaging sports leagues out there.
So, if you missed any of games or just want to relive the excitement, here’s an nba regular season schedule 2021 link to check out the full lineup. Don’t miss out!