NBA 2015-2016 Season Highlights: Top 10 Unforgettable Moments and Records

2025-11-21 10:00

Looking back at the 2015-2016 NBA season, I still get chills remembering how perfectly it encapsulated everything we love about basketball. As someone who’s covered the league for over a decade, I can confidently say that season was a masterclass in drama, legacy, and raw athletic brilliance. From unbelievable comebacks to heartbreaking farewells, it felt like the basketball gods had scripted every major moment. I’ll never forget the emotional rollercoaster—the highs of witnessing history and the lows of saying goodbye to legends. And while we’re now looking ahead to future tournaments like the first round of games in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026 where the top three teams will advance, it’s worth pausing to appreciate that magical 2015-2016 campaign that set the standard for what basketball storytelling could be.

Let’s start with the obvious—the Golden State Warriors. My goodness, what they did that season was simply unreal. I remember sitting courtside for their December matchup against Boston, already sensing something special brewing. They weren’t just winning; they were revolutionizing how the game could be played. When they finally surpassed the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record with 73 wins, it felt like watching basketball history unfold in real time. Steph Curry’s 402 three-pointers that season—a number that still seems impossible—completely changed how teams approach offensive spacing. I’ve argued with colleagues about whether any team will ever top that regular season performance, and my position remains firm: what made Golden State special wasn’t just the wins, but how they achieved them. Their small-ball lineups, the defensive versatility, the sheer joy they played with—it was basketball as art.

Then there was Kobe Bryant’s final game. I was fortunate enough to be at Staples Center that night, and the atmosphere was something I’ll carry with me forever. The man dropped 60 points in his farewell performance—at 37 years old, after 20 seasons! I’ve never seen a more fitting goodbye for an athlete of his stature. What many forget is that the Warriors’ 73rd win happened the same day, and for about three hours, Kobe completely stole the spotlight from what should have been Golden State’s moment. That’s the power of legacy. Meanwhile, in Cleveland, LeBron James was quietly building toward what would become the greatest comeback in Finals history. Having covered his entire career, I sensed a different determination in him that postseason. When the Cavs found themselves down 3-1 against the Warriors, even I thought it was over—and I’m usually the optimistic type in these situations.

The Finals themselves were pure theater. I’ll admit I had my doubts about Cleveland’s chances after Game 4, but what followed was the most incredible display of resilience I’ve witnessed in professional sports. LeBron’s block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7—with the score tied at 89 and just 1:50 remaining—might be the single greatest defensive play in NBA history. Kyrie Irving’s step-back three over Curry shortly after was equally clutch. Those final minutes had me on the edge of my seat, and when the buzzer sounded, the raw emotion from LeBron crying on the floor validated everything about why we watch sports. Cleveland’s championship broke a 52-year drought for the city, and having grown up in Ohio, I can tell you that moment meant more to that region than any single sporting event I’ve ever covered.

Beyond the headline stories, there were so many subtle moments that defined that season. The San Antonio Spurs winning 67 games in what would be Tim Duncan’s final season—the quiet excellence of that organization was something I’ve always admired. Russell Westbrook recording 18 triple-doubles, giving us a preview of the historic stat-padding he would perfect in coming years. The emergence of young stars like Kawhi Leonard, who won his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award while establishing himself as a legitimate franchise player. What strikes me looking back is how many transition points we witnessed—legendary careers ending while new superstars were ascending. This kind of seasonal narrative is what makes me excited about upcoming competitions too, like the tournament structure where the first round of games will be held in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026, with the top three teams moving to the second round. There’s something magical about tracking a team’s journey through multiple phases of competition.

The 2015-2016 season also gave us incredible individual performances beyond the usual suspects. I’ll always have a soft spot for Klay Thompson’s 37-point quarter against Sacramento—I was watching that game at home and actually called my editor during a timeout because I knew we were witnessing something that might never happen again. Then there was Draymond Green’s versatility, averaging 14 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while guarding all five positions. His Game 7 performance in the Finals—32 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists—was arguably the most underrated storyline of that championship run. These moments remind me why basketball at its best is a team sport where role players can become heroes when it matters most.

As we reflect on that incredible season nearly a decade later, its legacy continues to influence how we view modern basketball. The small-ball revolution Golden State perfected has become standard across the league. The value of the three-point shot that Curry demonstrated has been embraced at every level of the game. And the dramatic narrative of that Finals—the underdog overcoming historic odds—continues to be the standard against which all championship stories are measured. In my professional opinion, the 2015-2016 season represents the perfect convergence of individual excellence, team achievement, and narrative drama. While the basketball world looks forward to new competitions and formats, including the upcoming tournament with its first round spanning from November 2025 to July 2026, we’d do well to remember the lessons from that special season about what makes basketball truly unforgettable. It’s not just about records or statistics—it’s about moments that transcend the sport and become part of our collective memory.