A countdown of the must-watch rivalries and riveting storylines heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
Every year in the NBA, there are specific storylines that fans tune in to watch closer than others. These storylines are usually caused by some sort of rivalry between two players, two teams, a player and his organization, a player and another organization, and so on. Rivalries are a large part of what makes sports great, so why not give you the biggest NBA rivalries to watch for this upcoming season?
This NBA season is filled with rivalries of old, stemming from past instances of heightened temperatures between teams and players. There are new rivalries stemming from offseason deals that landed NBA stars in new places. There is even a rivalry already brewing between the top two rookies in 2023 and they haven’t even played in their first official game. The NBA season is just around the corner and we are here to give you an exclusive guide to all of the matchups to stay locked into.
These are the 15 biggest NBA rivalries to watch in 2023-24.
15. Dillon Brooks vs. The World
Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last two seasons, Dillon Brooks has taken on the role of the NBA’s biggest villain. Brooks has gotten into various verbal, and sometimes slightly physical, altercations with the likes of LeBron James and Draymond Green. He even had a spat at a game in Los Angeles with then Undisputed host Shannon Sharpe in 2023. Brooks quickly became the subject of every headline and every talk show across the world, and not in a positive fashion.
In the 2023 playoffs, Brooks pretty much sealed his own fate with the Memphis Grizzlies. After publicly going after LeBron James in the media, calling him “old” and saying that a player must “drop 40 on me before I respect them”. The Lakers proceeded to defeat the Grizzlies in five games with Brooks having a poor showing of 10.5 points per game on 31.2% shooting from the field and 23.8% shooting from three.
After the loss, mainstream and social media were relentless in their criticisms of Brooks as he continued to embrace the villainous role unceremoniously assigned to him. Despite his mouth and temper being issues, Brooks’ work ethic and what he brings to a team defensively earned him a $86 million deal over the next four years with the Houston Rockets where he will be in 2023-24 undoubtedly ready to prove his haters and biggest critics wrong.
It was disappointing yet expected, to see Brooks get off on the wrong foot heading into 2023-24. Just five minutes into Houston’s first preseason game on October 10, Brooks was ejected for a shot to the groin of Pacers big man Daniel Theis as he was attempting to set a screen. Brooks is clearly ready to stay committed to being the villain for a long time to come. How far will this rivalry go?
14. Deandre Ayton vs. Phoenix Suns
Credit: Fadeaway World
Back in 2018, the Phoenix Suns made Deandre Ayton the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. In desperate need of a dominant big man, the Suns passed on guard prospects such as Luka Doncic and Trae Young to opt for Ayton to be a game-changer. Over the last five seasons, Ayton has helped the Suns appear in an NBA Finals while averaging 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Yet, something was always off with him and the organization.
Repeated clashes with former coach Monty Williams, contract disputes, and constant reported discontent had the Suns fed up by the 2023 offseason. To help facilitate a Damian Lillard trade to the Bucks, Phoenix gladly moved Ayton to Portland amid rumors he was being shopped all summer long. Ayton arrived in Portland visibly relieved and said, “It feels like being drafted all over again”.
The details of what exactly happened between Ayton and Phoenix are still unknown at this time but there is definitely some animosity and tension, at least on Ayton’s side. Before Portland’s first clash against Phoenix in the preseason, Ayton claimed, “I have nothing to say about Phoenix” but clearly wished he could have said a lot more. He looked determined on the court but the results were not as promising. As NBA fans, you need to have these Trail Blazers vs. Suns games circled on your calendar on November 21 and December 19. Things are just getting started.
13. Jordan Poole vs. Golden State Warriors
Credit: Fadeaway World
Just one year ago, Jordan Poole had just played a big role in helping the Golden State Warriors capture the 2022 NBA championship. He inked a massive contract extension and looked poised to lead a young core into the future after the days of their Big 3 were done. Then, in an instant things changed. During training camp practice prior to the 2022-23 season, Poole was involved in an altercation with teammate Draymond Green that saw Green land a right hand to Poole’s face.
As expected, the team dynamic was affected drastically as the Warriors tried to do damage control. In the NBA playoffs, amid on-court struggles, Poole was visibly frustrated with teammates, including Green, during timeouts and breaks. This sealed his fate as the Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs. Poole was traded this offseason to the Washington Wizards in exchange for a 38-year-old Chris Paul.
Now, Poole heads into 2023-24 with a tremendous chip on his shoulder. He is out to show the Warriors they made a mistake in deciding he was expendable in Washington, where he can essentially take hold of the franchise for the future. Things are already heating up as Poole scorched the Knicks in his most recent preseason outing for 41 points in 27 minutes. On December 22 and February 27, Poole and the Wizards will have their chance at Golden State so be on the lookout for those matchups.
12. Kevin Durant vs. Twitter Trolls
Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant is one of those superstar athletes who has no qualms about interacting with fans on social media. Durant takes it to another level though, debating his haters on massive Twitter threads or even joining live spaces to take on trolls and their biased takes. The state of the world we live in and Durant for giving out the precise reactions these Twitter trolls are looking for, has made him one of the NBA’s biggest social media villains for some time now along with his decision to join the Warriors in 2016.
In 2023-24, the Twitter trolls are still out in full force on Durant’s case. He has failed to lead a team to an NBA championship since leaving the Warriors despite being a member of multiple superteams in Brooklyn. Now with the Suns, Durant is a member of another top Big 3 in the NBA alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal for the 2023-24 season.
The trolls are ready to pounce, waiting and hoping for Phoenix to fail so they can put Durant through the wringer as it unfolds and get him to crack once again for an all-time exchange. Durant has to put up or shut up this year with a stacked offensive squad that many have claimed should be favorites in the Western Conference. If the Suns fail to reach those expectations, all hell will break loose on social media.
11. Paul George And Kawhi Leonard vs. Load Management
Credit: Fadeaway World
Since 2020 and an epic collapse in the NBA playoffs, the injury bug has bitten the Los Angeles Clippers in the absolute worst way. A team with championship aspirations led by super duo Paul George and Kawhi Leonard has continued to fall short and underperform thanks to one, or both, always being sidelined due to injury.
In 2021, it was Kawhi Leonard with a knee injury. In 2022, it was both players injured and no playoffs for the Clippers. In 2023, George was hurt to begin the playoffs and Leonard was on the court. By Game 3 of the first round, both were on the bench in street clothes and watched as the season fell short for the fourth season in a row. All of this one the heels of excessive protection and resting by the two stars during their rehabilitation from these injuries. George and Leonard’s antics and limits drew the ire of fans, and seemingly the league quickly.
Moving forward, NBA teams without approval can no longer rest star players in the same game with George and Leonard both falling under the NBA’s definition. Now, as long as they are both healthy, one of the two will always have to take the court. Whether it has been the team or the players themselves pushing for the rest, it all ends now with the NBA’s new policy.
The Clippers once again have high expectations and even championship aspirations for the 2023-24 season. This is especially true if George and Leonard are healthy enough to remain on the court and are not forced or choose to rest. This could be a make-or-break season for both George and Leonard who are set to make over $48 million on player options next season. The battle between them and the new load management policy will get more interesting as the season unfolds and the path becomes clearer for the Clippers.
10. Ben Simmons vs. Haters
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since his meltdown during the 2021 playoffs with the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons has done nothing but give his doubters and naysayers the fuel they need to keep going. Since that season, Simmons has forced his way out of Philadelphia to the Nets, played just 42 games in two seasons, and continues to release the same preseason videos of him knocking down shots, and working on his offensive game with zero improvement when it comes to the product on the court.
He has been labeled as soft with zero passion for the game. Former NBA legends have made their opinions clear about his game while others have offered to help him get through it. It has been polarizing for the former No. 1 overall pick. In 2023-24, Simmons is reportedly healthy and ready to help the Nets reach their potential as a young team. He has shown flashes of improvement in the preseason so far, enough to have some analysts select him as their Most Improved Player for this season.
If Simmons is able to shed the stigma around his game and get back to All-Star form, it will be a tale of sweet revenge for him and vindication. If he continues to fall flat and underperform, the response will be visceral and relentless. Either way, it is going to be entertaining and worth watching unfold.
9. James Harden vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Credit: Fadeaway World
It seems like every offseason for the last few years, we are having another discussion about James Harden being unhappy with the team he is playing for. After a collapse in the 2022-23 NBA playoffs with the 76ers, James Harden and the 76ers were seemingly heading for a divorce as the summer unfolded.
It started off with Harden publicly claiming that Daryl Morey was “A liar” and that he would “never play for an organization he was a part of again”. He requested a trade and opted into his $35.6 million on his deal. Since that time, The Sixers have not budged on their asking price while teams have shown little to no interest in Harden. Fast forward to this preseason and Harden is back up to his old tricks.
Harden is already proving his point by missing Media Day, arriving for practice, and then suddenly going MIA again. With the Clippers and Sixers deadlocked on a deal involving Harden, it is becoming clearer what may happen as time goes on. This is a rivalry that could get ugly and fast. Harden has been known to do whatever it takes to get out of a situation he doesn’t like. The 76ers have been down this road before. Will it affect the 76ers as a team? Will Harden suck it up and hit the court? Will he finally be moved? These are the questions that will be answered in the coming weeks and months of the 2023-24 season.
8. Miami Heat vs. Eastern Conference
Credit: Fadeaway World
The 2022-23 season ended with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat suffering defeat in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. The loss came after yet another legendary performance by Butler in the playoffs to get them there just as he has done so many times before along with an installation of Heat Culture that has prompted the most unknown of players to step in and help the Heat win.
After missing out on the big deals to improve their roster this offseason yet again, the Heat have become an afterthought for many in the Eastern Conference. For some reason, we do this every season with the Heat until they remind us just who the hell they are come playoff time. It is very clear that Jimmy Butler is taking this one personally as is the rest of Miami who have repeatedly been counted out.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have chips on their shoulders as well heading into 2023-24 and a motivated Miami team is going to be a dangerous Miami team. The Eastern Conference would be wise to not dare overlook this scrappy and determined mix of veterans and young talent. They have proven over and over they are to be taken seriously with one false move being the end of your season. It is going to be an intense season and build-up to the playoffs for the Heat and the rest of the East.
7. Zion Williamson vs. Injuries
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
I know the same old story of Zion Williamson and his health is getting old but no season is more important than 2023-24. In four seasons since being drafted first overall in 2019, Williamson has struggled to stay healthy, playing just 114 games. Nutrition and determination have been cited as the issues with Williamson’s health, drawing criticism from all directions for the Pelicans’ power forward.
When healthy, Williamson has shown he is an All-Star and All-NBA level talent averaging over 27.0 points per game on over 60.0% shooting in 2021. None of that means jack if you spend most of your time on the bench and rehabbing injuries away from your team. The 2023-24 season is important because it is when the “Bust” label for him can start to become a reality. There is only so long before the inevitable bust title is laid upon a player who cannot stay on the court.
The flip side of that is he can also shed that stigma in 2023-24 and help the Pelicans become legitimate contenders. Williamson is a must-watch television when healthy and a game-changer for New Orleans on the court. The entire world will be watching and awaiting this outcome for Williamson and the Pelicans, as the future is much brighter for the league that way.
6. Ja Morant vs. NBA
Credit: Fadeaway World
Prior to last season, Ja Morant was headed on a superstar trajectory as one of the faces of the league, ready to usher in a new era in the NBA. In 2021, he took home the NBA’s Most Improved Player, entered MVP conversations, and led the Memphis Grizzlies to the second-best record in the West. In 2022-23, that would all come crashing down.
Even as Morant continued to play at an All-Star level, reports of concerning behavior began to surface pertaining to Morant off the court. It came to a head in May when he went live on Instagram and filmed himself waiving a firearm in the air. The NBA would suspend him for eight games without pay for the incident. After their first-round loss to the Lakers, Morant was suspended again by the NBA, this time for 25 games after once again waving a firearm on social media.
The 25-game suspension will be served to begin the 2023-24 season, leaving the Grizzlies to start their campaign without their franchise star. Upon Morant’s return, the rivalry will really be between Morant and himself to stay out of trouble with the league at least for the rest of the season. With a target already on his back, it is imperative for the Grizzlies’ success and the NBA’s as a whole that he does not stray from the right path.
5. Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Back in 2022, a rivalry was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. It came to fruition in the NBA playoffs when traded jabs between Suns star Devin Booker and Mavericks star Luka Doncic were exchanged. The series would end in a blowout win by the Mavericks in Game 7 and a distraught Suns team that had blown a 2-1 lead.
The Suns carried that loss with them into 2022-23 with heated exchanges and trash talk taking center stage. It even came to a head when Doncic and Booker went nose-to-nose after Booker let Doncic hear it following a blown layup attempt. The plot has even thickened from there. Doncic and Booker remain on opposing sides of this rivalry which is enough to want to tune in but new additions on both sides have made it that much more interesting.
Former teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving now reside on opposing sides of this rivalry, adding another dimension to the matchups ahead. Now, it is unclear if Irving and Durant are on good terms but what happens in-between the lines on the court is a whole different story. With the beef already existing between these two teams, and the added star power on both sides, this will be one of the most electric rivalries of the 2023-24 season.
4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
Credit: Fadeaway World
The rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry alone is one we have watched countless times over the course of the last nine seasons. James and Curry met four times on the NBA Finals stage when James was in Cleveland. Since James left the Cavaliers in 2019, he has made a habit of tormenting the Warriors, defeating them in the 2021 play-in tournament and eliminating them in the 2023 NBA playoffs.
As long as those two players are on opposing sides, the rivalry will be strong and the attention will be a spectacle. There is undoubtedly respect that exists between each side but once the game starts, it becomes clear that nobody is prepared to lose this matchup. Although you may not see the traditional explosive beef you may expect in a rivalry, the action will be just as intense every time the Lakers and Warriors are set to do battle on the court in 2023-24.
3. Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren
Credit: Fadeaway World
Among all of the interesting storylines and potential rivalries heading into 2023-24, one of the most enticing is the one already brewing between top picks from the last two NBA drafts, Victor Wembanyma and Chet Holmgren. Both with tall and skinny builds, these players are seen as franchise players with s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 sets to become NBA legends over the next decade of their careers.
The media has already begun to drum up this rivalry with the comparisons between the two, proclaiming the Rookie of the Year battle will come down to these two. We have seen the rivalry already gives us its first taste as the two giants did battle this preseason for the first time. It was a battle of s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 with both Wembanyam and Holmgren making big plays and showing some energy for the rivalry with flexing celebrations aimed at the other.
Holmgren and Wembanyama clearly have the pressure of being tasked with taking their franchises to the next level but there is always going to be the competitive drive to outplay the other that exists as well. We could be looking at the next decade of the NBA before our very eyes and to watch it from the beginning in 2023-24 is something you simply cannot miss.
2. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
Credit: Fadeaway World
Before this summer, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics were already Eastern Conference rivals and perennial favorites in preseason polls. Milwaukee was led by the super trio of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Boston had their star duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to combat that. In turn, it has been fireworks and high-level competition every time they hit the court.
Things took a turn in this rivalry in the last month, however. The Bucks made a big splash by trading for Damian Lillard, propelling them to title favorite heights. The Celtics, having already acquired Kristaps Porzinigis, went out and acquired Jrue Holiday after he was sent to Portland in the deal for Lillard by Milwaukee. In turn, this has set up one of the most exciting Eastern Conference races in recent memory.
First, Giannis and Lillard have to prove they can work together in order to compete at or near the same levels they were with Holiday in the lineup. Holiday will have his chance to prove to Milwaukee that they messed up letting him go. The storylines are endless and the basketball will be highly charged as these two teams head for a collision course for the Eastern Conference Finals. With so much star power, the rivalry is only going to intensify as the year progresses.
1. Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Credit: Fadeaway World
It has been a while in the NBA since we had a good, old-fashioned rivalry that got players, coaches, and different levels of management involved in it. That is exactly what has been unfolding between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets over the last few months.
After the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, Nuggets coach Michael Malone did not take kindly to the coverage the Lakers were getting along with cryptic messages from LeBron James about retirement. He made his displeasure known to the media which led to subtle and not-so-subtle quips back and forth between the two sides even as Denver became NBA champions.
Quotes during the championship parade by Malone and shots taken by LeBron James on social media led to even more back-and-forth dialogue. As the season gets closer, we have heard from the Lakers how motivated they are to see the Nuggets on opening night on October 24 while the Nuggets get set to defend their championship. The Nuggets have all the bragging rights right now led by their MVP Nikola Jokic but the Lakers can set the tone early for the 2023-24 season with a win on opening night. It is unclear which side will end 2023-24 with their pride still intact but it is clear that these two sides genuinely do not like each other and we have basketball’s best rivalry for 2023-24.
