With 2026 quickly approaching, let’s celebrate the New Year with some of the best all-time performances on Dec. 31. We’ve seen some incredible outings just before the clock strikes midnight, from Michael Jordan to LeBron James to Luka Dončić. We’re here to break down the top five most memorable New Year’s Eve games in NBA history.
James Harden – 2016
Throughout his eight-plus seasons in Houston, James Harden tallied some unbelievable statistics while blossoming into a bona fide superstar. He led the league in scoring three times, in assists once, and paced the NBA in free throws made and attempted on seven occasions. During the 2016-17 campaign, when he averaged a league-best and career-high 11.2 assists per game, ‘The Beard’ dropped a 53-point, 16-rebound, 17-assist triple-double in a 129-122 win over the New York Knicks. Harden finished 14-for-26 from the field, 9-for-16 from 3-point range, and a cool 16-for-18 at the free throw line across 42 minutes, posting an absurd 78.1 true shooting percentage and a +13 plus-minus.
Luka Dončić – 2022
At just 23 years old in his fifth professional campaign in 2022-23, Dončić dominated the San Antonio Spurs in a 126-125 win for the Dallas Mavericks. Across 37 minutes, ‘Luka Magic’ erupted for 51 points on 18-for-29 shooting from the field (6-10 3PM, 9-15 FT) to go along with six rebounds, nine assists, four steals and one block with zero turnovers while generating a +7 plus-minus. He registered a true shooting percentage of 71.6% in the contest and stands as the youngest player on this list.
LeBron James – 2021
A top-five list doesn’t seem complete unless James makes at least one appearance. Just one day after his 37th birthday during the 2021-22 season, LeBron went off in a 139-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. In only 29 minutes of play, ‘King James’ recorded 43 points on 16-for-26 shooting with five made 3-pointers while going 6-for-9 at the charity stripe, finishing with a true shooting percentage of 71.8%. He added 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks with no turnovers and a +18 plus-minus rating.
Russell Westbrook – 2015
Six years prior, Westbrook capped a thrilling 110-106 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Phoenix Suns with a huge double-double. ‘The Brodie’ tallied 36 points on 12-for-19 shooting (1-3 3PM) while sinking all 11 of his free throws, along with 12 assists, one rebound, five steals and one block against just two miscues across 34 minutes. Russ finished the victory with a +11 plus-minus rating and a stellar true shooting percentage of 75.5%.
James Harden – 2017
The only player with two masterful performances on this list, Harden, turned in another unbelievable game one year after his outrageous triple-double in 2016. In another win for Houston just hours before the ball dropped, this time a 148-142 double-overtime triumph against the Los Angeles Lakers, Harden went off for 40 points on 10-for-20 shooting from the field, 3-for-8 from long range, and 17-for-21 on free throws across 41 minutes. Harden chipped in two rebounds, 11 dimes, two steals and two blocks with only one turnover while earning a +4 plus-minus.
