What’s going on?
Basketball in the NBA has seen a remarkable shift in scoring over the past five seasons. The league, known for its nightly fireworks, has delivered nights with staggering point totals and record-breaking performances. The 2022-2023 season has continued this trend with numbers that astonish fans and analysts alike. On January 3, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 71 points in the Cavaliers’ win over the Bulls, a moment that echoed greats who have surpassed the 70-point mark. It was a historic milestone that underscored how elite scoring has become more common in modern basketball.
There was a time seventeen years ago when a single game score of 81 points by Kobe Bryant stood as a rare peak. That game, played for the Lakers, illustrated how extraordinary high-scoring performances were in the past. Since then, a few players routinely push past 50 points, a level once viewed as extraordinary but now more frequently observed. NBA.com notes that only a handful of performances have reached that echelon before this era of prolific scoring.
Triple effect
The league’s offensive rating this season sits at 113.5 points per 100 possessions, the highest figure ever recorded. Five years ago it stood at 108.6, and ten years ago it was 105.8. Teams are embracing more three-point attempts, featuring deeper shooting and faster-paced play. This acceleration means more possessions and more opportunities for scoring momentum to build.
As the pace quickens, the three-point line becomes a bigger weapon. The league now attempts around 34 threes per 100 possessions, up from about 21 a decade ago. Legends of the game like Drexler, Marbury, Pippen, Iverson, and Kobe were already shooting a substantial portion of their points from beyond the arc, and the contemporary league averages roughly 35.7 percent team shooting from three. These shifts reflect a broader evolution in how the game is played at the highest level.
A recent rule adjustment, including changes to hand placement on drives, the time allowed after an offensive rebound, and penalties on deliberate fouls to slow fast breaks, has also supported higher scoring. These changes remove some of the bottlenecks that once constrained offenses, allowing more plays to unfold with a quick tempo and cleaner execution.
At the top of the scoring leaderboard this season is Luka Dončić with an average near 34 points per game. He is followed closely by Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Kevin Durant, all hovering around the 30-point mark. The overall lift in scoring comes from a mix of player talent, strategic tactics, and a league-wide embrace of high-tempo offense that emphasizes efficient shot creation and execution.
Adamant about the reasons behind the surge, coaches and analysts point to a combination of rule adjustments, strategic spacing, and the presence of multiple elite scorers who can create their own looks. While some critics argue that regular-season games are less meaningful or that defenses are softer, the data shows a league-wide improvement in offensive efficiency and scoring output. The overarching takeaway is that teams are maximizing talent and space to generate more high-quality scoring opportunities than ever before, with defenses sometimes struggling to keep pace against versatile, unstoppable attacking forces.
One prominent voice in the discourse highlights that changes in defensive rules, larger offensive windows, and the rising complexity of offensive schemes contribute to the scoring explosion. Yet it remains true that the teams reaching the finals are those that blend strong defense with smart, balanced offense. The era’s top contenders embody both skill and strategic discipline, proving that offense alone does not guarantee success on the biggest stage.
Efficiency and impact
The ongoing scoring surge is not only about individual brilliance but also about the system that allows teams to create and convert high-quality shots. The league has seen a push toward faster attacks, more spacing with floor positions, and smarter shot selection. The result is a game that rewards quick decision-making, precise passing, and timely shooting. In this environment, teams that defend well still have a clear path to success, but the emphasis across the league is on offensive efficiency and pressure, turning points into high-value possessions.
Remarkably, the games themselves often showcase a blend of superstar performances and depth contributions. Dončić, Embiid, Antetokounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander, Tatum, and Durant all demonstrate how a single player can redefine a game with explosive scoring while teammates provide complementary scoring and playmaking. The trend illustrates that the modern NBA rewards offensive versatility, quick execution, and the ability to exploit mismatches, all within a game that prizes pace and precision.
The broader narrative remains clear: talent is abundant, defenses are stretched, and the league continues to evolve with rules and styles that amplify scoring opportunities. As teams adjust to this new tempo, the overarching objective remains unchanged — win games by balancing offense and defense, maintaining discipline, and executing under pressure. The season’s most memorable moments reflect a sport that is constantly reinventing itself while preserving the core thrill of high-stakes basketball.