So far, one trend has defined the opening week of the NBA season — buckets are being bought by the bushel. Points are pouring in from everywhere.
Through the season’s first stretch, there have already been 16 games featuring a 40-point scorer. Like Simon Boisvert’s 2009 rom-com 40 Is the New 20, that number has taken on new meaning — and perhaps lost a bit of its shine.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves delivered back-to-back explosions with 51 against the Kings and 41 versus the Trail Blazers. His teammate Luka Doncic opened the season with two straight 40-pointers. With Joel Embiid on a minutes restriction, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey has stepped up with two 40-point games.
Others who have joined the list: Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (41), Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (40), Boston’s Jaylen Brown (41), Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (55), Denver’s Jamal Murray (43), Golden State’s Stephen Curry (42), Utah’s Lauri Markkanen (51), Denver’s Aaron Gordon (50), Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas (40), and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (40) — who dropped his in his first regular-season game in eight months following a deep vein thrombosis scare.
Whether it’s a rookie return or Year 17 for Curry, scoreboards are lighting up nightly. According to the AP, the previous record for 40-point games through the first week was nine — it’s already at 16.
“It’s only a week into it, but the offensive explosion is nothing new,” Phoenix coach Jordan Ott said. “It’s a little surprising this early. I’m not sure if that’s been the trend over the last couple years.”
Teams overall are scoring at historic rates. The league average is 118.0 points per game, up from 113.8 last year and 110.6 in 2021-22. Free throws are up, too — teams are averaging 27.1 attempts per game, the most since 2006-07.
Combine that with today’s offensive pace and three-point volume, and the result is nightly fireworks. There have already been four 50-point games, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, and his 55-point double-overtime outburst against Indiana — the most through the first week in league history.
Whether it’s players stepping into bigger roles in the absence of superstar teammates, such as Reaves and Maxey, or catching fire like Gordon (eight threes on his 50-point night), the NBA is living through a scoring renaissance.
Anywhere. Any night. Anyone can get it.