The 2021-2022 NBA season brought us all kinds of moments, from jaw-dropping performances to unexpected upsets. The final standings showed just how competitive the league can get. The Phoenix Suns led the Western Conference with a remarkable 64-18 record. They didn't just top the West; they also had the best record in the entire league. Their winning percentage stood at .780, the highest of any team that season.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors found themselves back in the mix after a couple of down years due to injuries. They finished third in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record. Stephen Curry had an outstanding season, breaking the all-time record for career three-pointers early in the year. He ended the regular season with a total of 285 made three-pointers. This achievement alone had the entire NBA community buzzing.
Moving over to the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat clinched the top spot with a 53-29 record. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro played pivotal roles in their campaign. The Heat, with a .646 winning percentage, had balanced both their offensive and defensive ratings to maintain their position throughout the season. Miami's defensive rating, which ranks how many points they allow per 100 possessions, was one of the league's best at 108.4.
On a historical note, the Boston Celtics also had a season worth mentioning. They managed a 51-31 finish, securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics had their ups and downs early in the season but turned things around dramatically post the All-Star break, thanks largely to the stellar performances of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum averaged 26.9 points per game, making him one of the top scorers in the league.
The Chicago Bulls made a significant leap this season, finishing with a 46-36 record. This was a remarkable improvement from their 2020-2021 season, where they ended up with a 31-41 record. DeMar DeRozan, who joined the Bulls in the offseason, played an instrumental role in the team's success. He averaged 27.9 points per game, ranking him among the league's top scorers. Chicago’s fan base had been waiting for a season like this for years.
One cannot overlook the defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. They finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 51-31 record. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his MVP-caliber performance, averaging 29.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The Bucks boasted a high offensive rating of 115.1, meaning they scored 115.1 points per 100 possessions, one of the best in the league.
When discussing the standout individual performances of the season, one must mention Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Jokic won his second consecutive MVP award, finishing the season with averages of 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. His all-around game is something you don’t see very often. The Nuggets ended with a 48-34 record, good for sixth in the Western Conference, even without their second-best player, Jamal Murray, for the entire season.
The Toronto Raptors, after a challenging 2020-2021 season where they didn’t even make the playoffs, bounced back to secure the fifth seed in the East with a 48-34 record. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were pivotal in this resurgence. VanVleet even set a franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single season with 242. The Raptors’ home games at Scotiabank Arena were electric, a welcome shift after spending the previous season in Tampa, Florida.
The Memphis Grizzlies deserve a mention too. They finished second in the Western Conference with a surprising 56-26 record. Ja Morant led the charge, averaging 27.4 points and 6.7 assists per game. Morant’s explosive playing style and highlight-reel dunks made him a fan favorite. Memphis's quick-paced, high-energy playstyle was a perfect fit for their young roster.
The Brooklyn Nets had a season full of challenges yet still managed to clinch the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record. Kevin Durant had another stellar year, but Kyrie Irving’s part-time availability due to vaccination rules and James Harden’s mid-season trade to Philadelphia shook up their lineup. Despite the turbulence, Durant managed to average 29.9 points per game, tied with Giannis for the third-highest in the league.
Looking at some underperforming teams, the Los Angeles Lakers had a year to forget. Despite having LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and adding Russell Westbrook in the offseason, they finished with a dismal 33-49 record, far from playoff contention. LeBron still put up incredible numbers, averaging 30.3 points per game, but it wasn’t enough to save the Lakers' season, marking a significant disappointment for one of the league's most storied franchises.
The season also had its share of breakout teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers came out as one of the pleasant surprises. They finished in the play-in tournament with a 44-38 record, a huge leap from their rebuilding years. Darius Garland stepped up, averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists per game. Cleveland’s young core has given their fans much to look forward to.
Finally, a nba standing 2021 2022 article wouldn't be complete without mentioning the impressive show by the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic continued to showcase his immense talent, averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. The Mavs secured the fourth seed in the West with a 52-30 record, emphasizing their solid all-around play.
The 2021-2022 NBA season was full of surprises, record-breaking performances, and fierce competition, making it one of the most memorable in recent history.
