NBA Finals Matchups 2024: A quarter of the NBA season has already gone by, and in the few weeks that have passed, the court has transformed into a battlefield where contenders have surfaced and pretenders have been forced to confront the brutal realities of competition. There is intense competition among the clubs in the league as they fight for dominance, with every game being crucial to securing a postseason place.
We rank the top 10 potential 2024 NBA Finals matchups in the midst of the fierce rivalry. It’s time to look ahead, past the playoffs and towards the finish of the regular season. Though it is too early to discuss the Finals, whether they are a fantasy or a reality, that is every team’s ultimate objective. The ten greatest NBA Finals matchups for 2024 that might occur are determined by factors such as player legacies, competitiveness, and narratives. Even though there will probably only be one of these games in the Finals this year, let’s talk about each and how fascinating they are going to be.
Ranking The Top 10 Potential NBA Finals Matchups for 2024
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, two of the most legendary teams in NBA history, would undoubtedly face off in the most thrilling game, rekindling a long-standing rivalry. This ideal matchup is more than just a sporting event; it’s a spectacle, the pinnacle of history, and a tribute to the rivalry’s heyday. The beginning was the George-Mikan Lakers playing the Celtics in the 1950s, and Bill Russell’s 11 titles that the Lakers lost. The NBA was altered by the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird matches of the 1980s, and the final genuine example of this legendary rivalry was between Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce.
The Finals series in 2024 would have a lot of intriguing storylines and subplots, much like a basketball opera. LeBron James has equalled Kobe Bryant for the most rings in basketball history as he nears the end of his incredible career and is hoping to add one more. Tatum is destined to become a legendary player in an effort to gain a reputation as the team’s public face. He has a strong desire to stop the Lakers’ tiebreaker and bring home Boston’s 18th championship in franchise history.
The matchup between these two legendary teams, which stand for the East and West coasts, would go beyond basketball rivalries and inspire pride and nostalgia in the fan base. The NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics in 2024 would be more than simply a championship series; it would be a salute to basketball history, a talent exhibition, and a fitting conclusion to a season full of excitement and success.
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2. Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics
Unmet expectations from the previous season weigh heavily on the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics in the much anticipated 2024 NBA Finals matchups. After seeing their team lose to the Miami Heat in a brutal seven-game Eastern Conference Finals, Celtics supporters, who had been looking forward to this matchup all season, were left to wonder what could have been. The Boston Celtics now have the opportunity to exact their revenge when they play the Denver Nuggets, the defending champs, in the Finals, which should be an exhibition of skill and tenacity.
Kristaps Porzingis, who is ready to take on the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, has joined the Celtics, adding a dynamic aspect to the game. Jayson Tatum, the best player for the Celtics, sees this final run as a chance to establish himself as one of the world’s top three players in addition to winning a title. There is a lot of suspense in the story as Tatum tries to prove himself against Jokic, who is thought to be the finest player in the world.
3. Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In a period of frequent trades, the Philadelphia 76ers’ unlikely run to the 2024 NBA Finals would make for an engrossing story as they defied the odds and demonstrated the value of player loyalty. The Sixers, who are headed by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, are a team that never gives up, even in the face of James Harden’s departure. This is why their run to the Finals is one of the season’s most interesting tales. An exciting twist to the underdog story is added by a matchup with the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, especially in light of the upcoming 7-game series, which should be a feast for basketball fans.
The battle between the two greatest centres in the world is the main attraction of this probable Finals game. Two formidable players in their own right, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, would face off in an exciting match on the court. Even though Embiid has a 5-2 record in solo contests thus far, there is still a big question: can he carry that performance into postseason glory?
Although Jokic (21.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks) has lost the matchups with Embiid (25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.1 blocks per game), the possibility of watching these two titans square off over the course of a Finals series adds excitement to basketball that is seldom found elsewhere.
4. Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
A thrilling rematch between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors is imminent as they prepare for a possible 2024 NBA Finals matchup that would mirror their fierce 2022 matchup. The Warriors’ six-game victory in their previous meeting left the Celtics’ talented pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with scars. This rematch will be an exciting spectacle full of storylines as the Celtics, seeking atonement, are equipped with a fierce thirst for vengeance.
Now that the Celtics have additional strength, the stage appears to be set for a titanic struggle. The Celtics are strong favourites because of Tatum’s development, Brown’s unwavering athleticism, and the advancement of the supporting group. But the famous Stephen Curry and the fiercely competitive Chris Paul lead the Warriors, who offer a formidable opponent.
While Chris Paul’s pursuit of a title serves as a subplot, Curry and Tatum continue to steal the show. Curry’s legacy would certainly be enhanced if he could lead the Warriors to victory over Tatum’s Celtics once more. Tatum would also be faced with a significant obstacle that he might not be able to overcome in his pursuit of basketball greatness.
This possible Finals rematch looks to be an exciting chapter in the ongoing tale of NBA rivalry because of the high stakes and compelling stories.
5. Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks might face off in the NBA Finals in 2024, and it would be a titanic battle as the defending champs look to prove their superiority against the dangerous Bucks. Even though the Nuggets easily defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals the year before, facing the Bucks—who have the talented tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard—presents a new kind of difficulty.
The main storyline is on the competition for domination between Giannis and Nikola Jokic, the two players currently holding MVP awards and are considered the finest players in the world. A further level of excitement is added by the question of Jokic’s relative influence on Giannis’ unwavering power, which transforms the series into a real basketball dominance test. The series’ individual matchups heighten the tension, with Jamal Murray facing off against the dynamic Damian Lillard in particular.
When it matters most, both guards can light up the scoreboard and produce clutch plays. The likelihood of a six- or seven-game series represents the level playing field and promises spectators an exciting show full of brilliant plays, calculated fights and pursuit of basketball greatness. The Nuggets and Bucks will surely provide one of the most competitive and exciting series in recent memory in this hypothetical Finals meeting.
6. Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics
The Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics are two teams with strong Big Threes, so a hypothetical NBA Finals meeting between them is intriguing. With Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant as their main stars, the Suns have the offensive ability to go far in the playoffs. When Durant, who has long been regarded as one of the greatest in the NBA, squares off against Jayson Tatum, a rising talent who has apparently outperformed him over the last three seasons, the narrative takes an unexpected turn. An intriguing element to the story is the issue of whether Durant can surpass Tatum and win his first title outside of the Golden State dynasty.
With the arrival of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics are a tough opponent for the Suns. Together with Tatum’s skill, the supporting group forges a competitive squad that is prepared to challenge for the championship. There’s a chance for a closely contested seven-game series, which would make for an interesting matchup on the court. Any NBA fan would undoubtedly want to watch every game in this series, which has the potential to last six or seven games.
7. Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The 2024 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks has great potential for an exciting storyline and a star-studded matchup. Over the past ten years, the Warriors—always beloved by the fans—have dominated the league, and the dynamic three of Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry have made for an exciting basketball show. Chris Paul’s quest for a championship adds another level of excitement to the plot, giving the seasoned point guard another shot at the coveted title after his 2021 Suns collapse.
Conversely, as the latter searches for his first ring, the Bucks, spearheaded by the explosive pair of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, pose a serious threat to the Warriors’ dynasty story. The Warriors remain a wild card in the race to the Finals despite their current 9-11 record because of their capacity to fill out venues and the possibility of a healthy squad comeback. A superstar matchup between Giannis’s commanding presence in the paint and Curry’s long-range skill sets the tone, while Lillard’s pursuit of his first ring heightens the tension.
The Bucks want to win two titles in four years and the Warriors want to return to their past glory, so this prospective Finals meeting becomes a fascinating tale of redemption, legacy, and the eternal appeal of NBA superstardom. The Warriors vs Giannis inside with just Draymond Green will also be a highly intriguing matchup since it promises to be explosive on the floor.
8. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
With their current 9–10 record and a team loaded with main options and ball handlers, the Los Angeles Clippers may be facing an uphill struggle, but the intriguing possibility of facing the Milwaukee Bucks in the Finals lends a little bit of what-if intrigue to the season. With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook as their key players, the Clippers might surprise everyone by making a deep run to the Finals as the season goes on.
A matchup with the Bucks, who feature the formidable tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, would surely be a titanic battle, with every game delivering incredible stat lines and moments fit for a highlight reel. Fans of the Clippers have optimism despite the current obstacles because of the unpredictable character of the NBA, which presents a picture of a season in which perseverance and redemption are rewarded with an improbable Finals trip. Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook are the guys who most want to make it to the Finals because they each want to win a title.
9. Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks’ probable NBA Finals matchup in 2024 offers an exciting follow-up to the dramatic 2021 Finals. With the acquisition of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and the always-dependable Devin Booker, the Suns have become a formidable team, and they are now seeking retribution. The only player left from the 2021 roster, Booker, wants to leave his mark on history by winning a championship ring, but Durant wants to show that he can win championships outside of Golden State.
The Suns’ redesigned roster takes on the Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a squad eager to defeat Booker’s Suns 2-0. The plot is full of storylines (and star power). Looking for his second ring, Giannis is a powerful presence, and Damian Lillard lends his celebrity to the Bucks’ pursuit of victory. Since Lillard has never participated in a Finals game, this may be his best opportunity to defeat the Bucks in an exciting scenario.
10. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
The ideal game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks would be thrilling for basketball fans to see as two legendary clubs and opposing styles collide. The Lakers, headed by the formidable Anthony Davis and the seasoned LeBron James, provide a strong combination of skill and agility. It’s amazing whenever the Lakers make it to the Finals, but it’s even more thrilling when they play the Knicks.
Conversely, the Knicks, revitalised by the star power of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, have a tough two-way game based on team camaraderie. Imagine Madison Square Garden filled with excitement as LeBron works his magic in front of the Knicks’ passionate home fans, producing a basketball show that crosses generations and time zones. We can only hope that this matchup occurs in the NBA again, even though it is improbable that Randle and Brunson will lead the Knicks to the Finals given that they just made it to the second round of the previous season and have a 12-7 record thus far.
Here is the ranking of the top 10 potential NBA finals matchups for 2024. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
