Worth the replay?

Wednesday, November 5's games ranked by how good they turned out to be: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime. No scores, no winners, so you can decide what to watch without spoilers.

Best games of the season →
  1. #1
    E WashingtonatLMU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  2. #2
    SpursatLakers
    NBA· ESPNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  3. #3
    ThunderatTrail Blazers
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  4. #4
    SC UpstateatFresno St
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  5. #5
    WarriorsatKings
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60

  6. #6
    NetsatPacers
    NBADown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  7. #7
    PelicansatMavericks
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  8. #8
    Kent StateatBall State
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 57

  9. #9
    MammothatMaple Leafs
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

    Drama 56 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  10. #10
    N Dakota StatUC Davis
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  11. #11
    JazzatPistons
    NBABack and forth
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  12. #12
    TimberwolvesatKnicks
    NBA· ESPNBack and forth
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

  13. #13
    North AlabamaatMississippi St
    CBB· SEC Network
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 20

  14. #14
    HeatatNuggets
    NBAOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

  15. #15
    LynchburgatQueens
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 14

  16. #16
    WizardsatCeltics
    NBAOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  17. #17
    RocketsatGrizzlies
    NBAOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 11

  18. #18
    76ersatCavaliers
    NBAOne-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 10

  19. #19
    SharksatKraken
    NHL· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9

  20. #20
    Blue JacketsatFlames
    NHL· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  21. #21
    BlackhawksatCanucks
    NHL· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  22. #22
    BluesatCapitals
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  23. #23
    Delaware StatTemple
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  24. #24
    Pac LutheranatCal Poly
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  25. #25
    SouthernatMarquette
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  26. #26
    RITatBinghamton
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  27. #27
    MS for WomenatMiss Valley St
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  28. #28
    South DakotaatCreighton
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  29. #29
    Wash and LeeatJames Madison
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  30. #30
    MilliganatMTSU
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

Ranked from each game's win probability as it was played (ESPN's for football and basketball; ours, from the goals, for hockey): how in doubt it was near the end, how far the winner came back from, how late it was decided, how big its momentum swings were and how often a team erased a deficit, with a bonus for overtime. That drama is then weighted by how good a matchup it was going in (its pre-game Watchability score), so a thriller between top teams ranks above an equally wild game between minor ones.

Get the weekend's best games every Friday

The most watchable games across every sport, what's at stake in the playoff races, and last week's best games, spoiler-free. Free, one email a week.

Sports you care about