The NBA season is almost here, and prognosticators worldwide have made their predictions on how the 2023-24 season will play out. However, more often than not, preseason predictions end up making analysts look like complete fools. On any given night, a professional basketball team has a chance against its opponent regardless of talent discrepancy. So, instead of making predictions based on eye tests, feelings, and confidence, Last Word on Sports has completed an NBA 2K24 season simulation. Yes, a video game simulated the entire 2023-24 NBA season, and the results may surprise you!
*This simulation was conducted on the XBOX Series X version of the game on October 19th, 2023. The stream link can be found here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1955244358
LWOS Official NBA 2K24 Season Simulation
Timeline of Trades
This simulation resulted in a total of 16 trades during the season, with six of them being processed in the month of December alone. The following is a timeline of trades that took place from December 16th, 2023 through February 6th, 2024 (trade deadline). Notable trades will be bolded.
December 2023
Saturday, December 16th, 2023: Suns traded Jusuf Nurkic and Jordan Goodwin to the Hawks for Clint Capela and Bruno Fernando.
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023: Bulls traded Jevon Carter to the Spurs for Sandro Mamukelashvili and a 2025 second-round pick (originally owned by Chicago).
Thursday, December 21st, 2023: Timberwolves traded Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Trevor Keels to the Rockets for Reggie Bullock and Boban Marjanovic.
Saturday, December 23rd, 2023: Bucks traded A.J. Green and their 2027 second-round pick to the Nuggets for Deandre Jordan.
Tuesday, December 26th, 2023: Trail Blazers traded Matisse Thybulle and Kevin Knox II to the Knicks for Isaiah Hartenstein and Duane Washington Jr.
Thursday, December 28th, 2023: Grizzlies traded Santi Aldama to the Bucks for Robin Lopez.
January 2024
Thursday, January 11th, 2024: Kings traded Chris Duarte to the Bulls for Andre Drummond.
Wednesday, January 17th, 2024: Pacers traded T.J. McConnell to the Rockets for Jeff Green and a 2028 second round pick (originally owned by Milwaukee).
Sunday, January 21st, 2024: Hawks traded Bogdan Bogdanovic and a 2025 second-round pick (originally owned by Minnesota) to the Pacers for Buddy Hield.
Saturday, January 27th 2024: Warriors traded Kevon Looney and Dario Saric to the Clippers for Russell Westbrook and Mason Plumlee.
Sunday, January 28th 2024: Timberwolves traded Shake Milton to the 76ers for Danuel House Jr. and their 2027 second-round pick.
February 2024
Thursday, February 1st, 2024: Clippers traded Norman Powell to the Knicks for Evan Fournier and 2024 second-round pick (originally owned by Detroit).
Friday, February 2nd, 2024: Cavaliers traded Ricky Rubio to the Nuggets for Reggie Jackson.
Saturday, February 3rd, 2024: Grizzlies traded Brandon Clarke to the Jazz for Kelly Olynyk.
Tuesday, February 6th, 2024: Pelicans traded Larry Nance Jr. to the Thunder for Vasilije Micic and their 2027 second-round pick swap with Houston.
All-Star Weekend Results
Rising Stars Challenge
Since the Rising Stars Challenge in the NBA consists of a tournament-style bracket of four teams made up of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and four NBA G-League Ignite players, NBA 2K24 decided to stick to the 2021 format of Team USA versus Team World. Here are the players who were named Rising Stars from their respective teams:
Team USA:
Jaden Hardy (Dallas Mavericks)
Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers)
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz)
Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons)
Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets)
Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets)
Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets)
Malaki Branham (San Antonio Spurs)
Team World
Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers)
Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers)
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)
Christian Koloko (Toronto Raptors)
Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers)
Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans)
Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat)
Sasha Vezenkov (Sacramento Kings)
Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers)
Neemias Queta (Boston Celtics)
Vasilije Micic (New Orleans Pelicans* traded from Oklahoma City Thunder in the simulation)
Winner
Team USA defeated Team World 117-113 with the Rising Stars Challenge MVP going to Paolo Banchero. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Three-Point Contest
Elite shooters galore! Here are the players who competed in the 2024 NBA Three-Point Contest with the winner highlighted in bold.
Slam Dunk Contest
If only this dunk contest would actually happen in real life. Here are the players who competed in the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest with the winner highlighted in bold.
All-Star Game
The main event of All-Star Weekend had loads of star power on teams drafted by Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetekounmpo. Here are the players that were selected as all-stars for the 2023-24 NBA season. (*denotes starter)
Team Nikola:
Team Giannis:
Winner
Team Nikola routed Team Giannis 149-106 with Luka Doncic winning ASG MVP. He finished with 31 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.
End of Season Standings
Western Conference
- Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)
- Golden State Warriors (56-26)
- Memphis Grizzlies (51-31)
- Denver Nuggets (51-31)
- Phoenix Suns (50-32)
- Portland Trail Blazers (49-33)
- Sacramento Kings (48-34)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (47-35)
- Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
- New Orleans Pelicans (39-43)
- Los Angeles Clippers (38-44)
- Houston Rockets (37-45)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (34-48)
- Utah Jazz (32-50)
- San Antonio Spurs (28-54)
2K really does not like the Timberwolves or the Clippers, no matter how healthy they are. Also, Portland does not seem to miss Damian Lillard at all.
Eastern Conference
- Philadelphia 76ers (56-26)
- Miami Heat (54-28)
- New York Knicks (48-34)
- Boston Celtics (47-35)
- Milwaukee Bucks (43-39)
- Toronto Raptors (43-39)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (41-41)
- Orlando Magic (39-43)
- Chicago Bulls (36-46)
- Atlanta Hawks (36-46)
- Brooklyn Nets (32-50)
- Detroit Pistons (30-52)
- Indiana Pacers (25-57)
- Washington Wizards (23-59)
- Charlotte Hornets (21-61)
Toronto is back, and NBA2K24 thinks they will make some noise in the playoffs. Also, it turns out Miami did not need Damian Lillard after all. Sixers fans better hope James Harden plays for them this season because if he does, look at the results!
League Leaders
While some of these winners may come as a shock, there are some that do not shock any NBA fan at all. NBA2K24 predicts the league leaders!
Points Per Game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game
Nikola Jokic (13 RPG)
Assists Per Game
Nikola Jokic (10.8 APG)
Steals Per Game
Jimmy Butler (2.2 SPG)
Blocks Per Game
Nicolas Claxton (2.8 BPG)
Turnovers Per Game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (3.2 TPG)
Field Goal Percentage
Zion Williamson (66% FG)
Three-Point Field Goal Percentage
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (47% 3PT FG)
Free Throw Percentage
Luke Kennard (96% FT)
Minutes Per Game
Devin Booker (37 MPG)
Regular Season Awards
Here are the grandaddy awards that every NBA player dreams of having. NBA 2K thinks Chris Paul will come off the bench, what is small ball anyway? Also, Paul Reed appreciation is here!
Most Valuable Player
Nikola Jokic (26.2 PPG, 13 RPG, 10.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 55.5% FG, 86.2% FT, 42.2% 3PT FG)
Rookie of the Year
Victor Wembanyama (17.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 43.3% FG, 81.1% FT, 34.5% 3PT FG)
Sixth Man of the Year
Chris Paul (14.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 46.3% FG, 81.3% FT, 39.5% 3PT FG)
Defensive Player of the Year
Nicolas Claxton (2.8 BPG) (1.1 SPG)
Most Improved Player
Paul Reed (Improved from 4.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 16.7% 3PT FG, 10.9 MPG to 8.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 36.4% 3PT FG, 23.4 MPG)
Clutch Player of the Year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Coach of the Year
Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers
Executive of the Year
Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers
All-Team Selections
All-NBA 1st Team
Nikola Jokic
Giannis Antetekounmpo
Luka Doncic
All-NBA 2nd Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jayson Tatum
James Harden
All-NBA 3rd Team
Jimmy Butler
Devin Booker
Damian Lillard
All-Defensive 1st Team
Luka Doncic
Giannis Antetekounmpo
Nicolas Claxton
All-Defensive 2nd Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Victor Wembanyama
Jaren Jackson Jr.
All-Rookie 1st Team
Victor Wembanyama
Scoot Henderson
Amen Thompson
All-Rookie 2nd Team*
*NBA2K24 only awarded three rookies for this team due to lack of playing time for other first-year players.
Vasilije Micic
NBA Playoffs
Play-In Tournament
Winner of each game will be bolded.
(8) Oklahoma City Thunder 126 @ (7) Sacramento Kings 132
(10) New Orleans Pelicans 128 @ (9) Dallas Mavericks 133 (OT)
(8) Orlando Magic 128 @ (7) Cleveland Cavaliers 124
(10) Atlanta Hawks 127 @ (9) Chicago Bulls 115
(9) Dallas Mavericks 121 @ (8) Oklahoma City Thunder 142
(10) Atlanta Hawks 107 @ (8) Cleveland Cavaliers 112
Western Conference First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder: Lakers in 4
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Phoenix Suns: Suns in 4
(3) Memphis Grizzlies vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers: Trail Blazers in 7
(2) Golden State Warriors vs (7) Sacramento Kings: Warriors in 5
Eastern Conference First Round
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs (8) Cleveland Cavaliers: 76ers in 4
(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Milwaukee Bucks: Bucks in 6
(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Toronto Raptors: Knicks in 4
(2) Miami Heat vs (7) Orlando Magic: Heat in 7
Western Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (5) Phoenix Suns: Lakers in 7
(2) Golden State Warriors vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers: Warriors in 6
Eastern Conference Semifinals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs (5) Milwaukee Bucks: 76ers in 7
(2) Miami Heat vs (3) New York Knicks: Heat in 7
Western Conference Finals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (2) Golden State Warriors: Lakers in 4
Western Conference Finals MVP: LeBron James
Eastern Conference Finals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs (2) Miami Heat: 76ers in 7
Eastern Conference Finals MVP: James Harden
NBA Finals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (1) Philadelphia 76ers: Lakers in 5
Finals MVP: LeBron James
Last Word on LWOS Official NBA 2K24 Season Simulation
This season’s simulation resulted in some wild occurrences. To start from the list of trades, the Warriors trading Kevon Looney and Dario Saric for Russell Westbrook and Mason Plumlee is one of the least likely events to happen in the actual 2023-24 NBA season. The Warriors having Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook on the same roster just seems laughable to any basketball fan. In terms of the standings, the Portland Trail Blazers were the biggest surprise finishing 49-33 and upsetting the 3rd-seeded Grizzlies in 7 games in the first round of the playoffs. The biggest disappointment was both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves missing the playoffs entirely. Those rosters have too much talent to go out like that in real life.
In terms of playoff results, the biggest shock was the defending champion Denver Nuggets getting swept by the Phoenix Suns in the first round. The trio of Booker, Durant, and Beal was unstoppable. The playoffs featured multiple game 7’s, and the most memorable one that was shown on Twitch was between Milwaukee and Philadelphia. James Harden hitting a stepback game-winning three was the ultimate dagger for the 76ers to move on the Conference Finals. The fact that the simulation ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their 18th championship, and LeBron winning his fifth ring, tying Kobe Bryant, fulfills every Lakers’ fans’ dreams and every scriptwriter’s dreams. At the end of the day, however, this was just a video game simulation that hopes to get every NBA fan pumped for Opening Day!
