Best games of the season

The most dramatic games so far this season, ranked the same way as Worth the replay?: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime, weighted by how big a game it was. No scores, no winners.

  1. #1
    TimberwolvesatCavaliers
    NBA· Mon, Oct 26OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    98/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95) = 98

  2. #2
    CelticsatRaptors
    NBA· Wed, Nov 11Down to the wireBig comeback
    A+
    86/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 82) = 86

  3. #3
    76ersatHornets
    NBA· Sat, Oct 31· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    82/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 69) = 82

  4. #4
    LakersatJazz
    NBA· Sun, Oct 25Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 81

  5. #5
    Cavaliersat76ers
    NBA· Thu, Oct 22· ESPNDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 81) = 81

  6. #6
    76ersatKnicks
    NBA· Tue, Oct 20· NBCDown to the wire
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 98) = 80

  7. #7
    ThunderatCavaliers
    NBA· Mon, Nov 2· NBCSNDown to the wire
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 94) = 80

  8. #8
    CelticsatPistons
    NBA· Tue, Oct 20· NBCDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    79/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 93) = 79

  9. #9
    RocketsatSpurs
    NBA· Fri, Oct 23· Prime VideoDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 88) = 77

  10. #10
    76ersatPacers
    NBA· Wed, Oct 28· ESPNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 66) = 77

  11. #11
    SunsatWarriors
    NBA· Mon, Nov 2Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.76 (pre-game Watchability 52) = 76

  12. #12
    CavaliersatKnicks
    NBA· Wed, Nov 11· ESPNDown to the wire
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.93 (pre-game Watchability 86) = 76

  13. #13
    RocketsatMavericks
    NBA· Fri, Oct 30Down to the wireBig comeback
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.85 (pre-game Watchability 70) = 76

  14. #14
    ThunderatTrail Blazers
    NBA· Wed, Nov 11Down to the wire
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 94) = 76

  15. #15
    PelicansatHeat
    NBA· Thu, Oct 8Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  16. #16
    PistonsatWizards
    NBA· Sat, Oct 10OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  17. #17
    PacersatThunder
    NBA· Tue, Oct 13OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  18. #18
    Celticsat76ers
    NBA· Fri, Oct 16· NBA TVOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  19. #19
    BucksatPacers
    NBA· Fri, Oct 16OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  20. #20
    RocketsatSuns
    NBA· Sat, Nov 7Down to the wire
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 67) = 75

  21. #21
    WarriorsatLakers
    NBA· Tue, Oct 13· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  22. #22
    CavaliersatHawks
    NBA· Thu, Oct 29· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 80) = 74

  23. #23
    SunsatPistons
    NBA· Mon, Oct 5Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  24. #24
    Trail BlazersatNuggets
    NBA· Mon, Nov 2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 68) = 73

  25. #25
    Trail BlazersatLakers
    NBA· Tue, Oct 27· Peacock/NBCDown to the wire
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.88 (pre-game Watchability 75) = 73

  26. #26
    KnicksatCeltics
    NBA· Fri, Oct 23· Prime VideoDown to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 99) = 71

  27. #27
    MagicatKnicks
    NBA· Sun, Oct 25Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 69) = 71

  28. #28
    HawksatMagic
    NBA· Wed, Oct 21Down to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.88 (pre-game Watchability 76) = 71

  29. #29
    TimberwolvesatHeat
    NBA· Wed, Oct 21· ESPNBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90) = 71

  30. #30
    BucksatThunder
    NBA· Wed, Oct 7Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  31. #31
    TimberwolvesatHeat
    NBA· Sat, Oct 10Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  32. #32
    SunsatBulls
    NBA· Wed, Oct 7Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  33. #33
    BullsatNuggets
    NBA· Sun, Oct 11· ESPNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  34. #34
    JazzatSuns
    NBA· Fri, Oct 16Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  35. #35
    RaptorsatKnicks
    NBA· Thu, Oct 15Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  36. #36
    TimberwolvesatRockets
    NBA· Wed, Nov 4Down to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 89) = 67

  37. #37
    LakersatHawks
    NBA· Mon, Nov 9
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 87) = 67

  38. #38
    HeatatHornets
    NBA· Sat, Oct 24Down to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.85 (pre-game Watchability 70) = 67

  39. #39
    HeatatClippers
    NBA· Wed, Nov 4OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 33) = 66

  40. #40
    LakersatPistons
    NBA· Sun, Nov 8· NBA TVDown to the wire
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 88) = 66

  41. #41
    WizardsatKnicks
    NBA· Thu, Oct 8· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  42. #42
    PelicansatThunder
    NBA· Tue, Oct 6Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  43. #43
    SpursatJazz
    NBA· Wed, Oct 28OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.69 (pre-game Watchability 37) = 65

  44. #44
    PacersatMavericks
    NBA· Mon, Nov 9Back and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.78 (pre-game Watchability 55) = 63

  45. #45
    MavericksatHeat
    NBA· Mon, Oct 26· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.69 (pre-game Watchability 38) = 63

  46. #46
    GrizzliesatWarriors
    NBA· Fri, Oct 23Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.63 (pre-game Watchability 26) = 63

  47. #47
    MagicatWarriors
    NBA· Sat, Nov 7OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.69 (pre-game Watchability 38) = 63

  48. #48
    76ersatCeltics
    NBA· Sat, Oct 10· NBA TVDown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  49. #49
    TimberwolvesatPelicans
    NBA· Fri, Nov 6Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 68) = 63

  50. #50
    RaptorsatClippers
    NBA· Mon, Nov 2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 39) = 62

Updated nightly. Games from before our pre-game Watchability numbers start (early September) use an estimate from the AP rankings for college football and an average for the rest.