The 2018–19 NBA season was the 73rd season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 16, 2018, and ended on April 10, 2019. The 2019 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 17, 2019, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The playoffs began on April 13, 2019 and ended on June 13 with the Toronto Raptors defeating the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals.
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Retirement On May 10, 2018, Nick Collison announced his retirement from the NBA. Collison played all his 15 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. On May 25, 2018, after playing 13 seasons in the NBA for seven teams, Mo Williams announced his retirement from the NBA to take the assistant head coaching job at Cal State Northridge. On July 17, 2018, after playing 9 seasons in the NBA for four teams, Roy Hibbert announced his retirement from the NBA. On August 27, 2018, Manu Ginóbili announced his retirement from the NBA. Ginóbili played all of his 16 NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs franchise, winning four championships. On August 30, 2018, after playing 15 seasons in the NBA for four teams, David West announced his retirement from the NBA. On September 6, 2018, Boris Diaw announced his retirement from basketball. Diaw spent 14 years in the NBA and was an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. On October 13, 2018, after playing 17 seasons in the NBA for eight teams, Richard Jefferson announced his retirement from the NBA. On March 23, 2019, after playing 14 seasons in the NBA for five teams, Al Jefferson announced his retirement from the NBA after signing a contract to join Big3. On March 26, 2019, after the Miami Heat retired his jersey, Chris Bosh announced his retirement from the NBA. Bosh played for two teams during his 13-year NBA career, and he had not played professionally since February 2016 due to recurring blood clots in his lungs and legs. Bosh won back-to-back NBA championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013. On March 26, 2019, Kris Humphries announced his retirement from the NBA. Humphries played for eight teams during his 13-year NBA career, and he had not played professionally since the 2016–17 season with the Atlanta Hawks.
Free agency Free agency negotiations began on July 1. Players began signing on July 6 after the July moratorium ended. LeBron James's four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers was the biggest free agency news of the offseason after James spent the last four seasons as his second stint with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers which began in 2014.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff-season Team 2017–18 season 2018–19 season Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer Lloyd Pierce Charlotte Hornets Steve Clifford James Borrego Detroit Pistons Stan Van Gundy Dwane Casey Milwaukee Bucks Joe Prunty (interim) Mike Budenholzer New York Knicks Jeff Hornacek David Fizdale Orlando Magic Frank Vogel Steve Clifford Phoenix Suns Jay Triano (interim) Igor Kokoškov Toronto Raptors Dwane Casey Nick NurseIn-season Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach Chicago Bulls Fred Hoiberg Jim Boylen Cleveland Cavaliers Tyronn Lue Larry Drew Minnesota Timberwolves Tom Thibodeau Ryan Saunders (interim)
Off-season On April 12, 2018, the New York Knicks fired head coach Jeff Hornacek after the team missed the playoffs. In addition, associate head coach Kurt Rambis was fired. On April 12, 2018, the Orlando Magic fired head coach Frank Vogel after the team missed the playoffs. On April 13, 2018, the Charlotte Hornets fired head coach Steve Clifford after the team missed the playoffs. On April 25, 2018, the Atlanta Hawks and Mike Budenholzer had mutually agreed to part ways. On May 1, 2018, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that J. B. Bickerstaff would become the new permanent head coach of the team. On May 2, 2018, the Phoenix Suns hired Igor Kokoškov as head coach. On May 7, 2018, the New York Knicks hired David Fizdale as head coach. On May 7, 2018, the Detroit Pistons fired head coach Stan Van Gundy after the team missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. On May 10, 2018, the Charlotte Hornets hired James Borrego as head coach. On May 11, 2018, the Toronto Raptors fired Dwane Casey after the team was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second consecutive time in the postseason. On May 11, 2018, the Atlanta Hawks hired Lloyd Pierce as head coach. On May 17, 2018, the Milwaukee Bucks hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach. On May 30, 2018, the Orlando Magic hired Steve Clifford as head coach. On June 11, 2018, the Detroit Pistons hired Dwane Casey as head coach. On June 14, 2018, the Toronto Raptors promoted assistant coach Nick Nurse as their head coach.
In-season On October 28, 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach Tyronn Lue after a 0–6 start to the season and named Larry Drew interim head coach. On November 5, Drew was named as Lue's permanent replacement. On December 3, 2018, the Chicago Bulls fired head coach Fred Hoiberg after a 5–19 start to the season and named Jim Boylen head coach. On January 6, 2019, the Minnesota Timberwolves fired head coach Tom Thibodeau and named assistant coach Ryan Saunders as interim head coach.
Preseason The preseason began on September 28 and ended on October 12.
International games The Toronto Raptors played two preseason games in Canada outside of their home arena: first against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver on September 29, and second with the Brooklyn Nets in Montreal at the Bell Centre on October 10.
The Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers played two preseason games in China, in Shanghai on October 5 and in Shenzhen on October 8.
Regular season The regular season began on October 16, 2018, and ended on April 10, 2019. The entire schedule was released on August 10, 2018.
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
By conference
Notes z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs y – Clinched division title x – Clinched playoff spot * – Division leader
International games On June 20, 2018, the NBA announced that the Washington Wizards would play the New York Knicks at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom on January 17, 2019.
On August 7, 2018, the NBA announced that the Orlando Magic would play two games at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. They played against the Chicago Bulls on December 13, 2018, and they played against the Utah Jazz on December 15, 2018.
Playoffs
The 2019 NBA playoffs began on April 13 and ended with the NBA Finals, which began on May 30 and ended on June 13.
Bracket
Statistics
Individual statistic leaders Category Player Team Statistic Points per game James Harden Houston Rockets 36.1 Rebounds per game Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons 15.6 Assists per game Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 10.7 Steals per game Paul George Oklahoma City Thunder 2.21 Blocks per game Myles Turner Indiana Pacers 2.69 Turnovers per game James Harden Houston Rockets 5.0Fouls per game Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis Grizzlies 3.8 Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota TimberwolvesMinutes per game Bradley Beal Washington Wizards 36.9 Paul George Oklahoma City Thunder FG% Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz 66.9% FT% Malcolm Brogdon Milwaukee Bucks 92.8% 3FG% Joe Harris Brooklyn Nets 47.4% Efficiency per game Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks 30.9 Double-doubles Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons 69 Triple-doubles Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 34
Individual game highs Category Player Team Statistic Points James Harden Houston Rockets 61 Rebounds Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves 27 Assists Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 24 Steals Kyrie Irving Boston Celtics 8Blocks Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat9 Mitchell Robinson New York Knicks Three-pointers Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 14
Team statistic leaders Category Team Statistic Points per game Milwaukee Bucks 118.1 Rebounds per game Milwaukee Bucks 49.7 Assists per game Golden State Warriors 29.4 Steals per game Oklahoma City Thunder 9.3 Blocks per game Golden State Warriors 6.4 Turnovers per game Atlanta Hawks 16.6 FG% Golden State Warriors 49.1% FT% San Antonio Spurs 81.9% 3FG% San Antonio Spurs 39.2% +/− Milwaukee Bucks +8.8
Awards
Yearly awards
Awards was presented at the NBA Awards ceremony, which was held on June 24. Finalists for voted awards were announced during the playoffs and winners were presented at the award ceremony. The All-NBA Teams was announced in advance in order for teams to have all the necessary information to make off-season preparations. + 2018–19 NBA awards Award Recipient(s) Finalists Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)James Harden (Houston Rockets) Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder) Rookie of the Year Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks) Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams (Los Angeles Clippers) Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Clippers)Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers) Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors) De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)D'Angelo Russell (Brooklyn Nets) Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks) Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets)Doc Rivers (Los Angeles Clippers) Executive of the Year Jon Horst (Milwaukee Bucks) NBA Sportsmanship Award Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) Community Assist Award Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
All-NBA First Team: F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks F Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors G James Harden, Houston Rockets
All-NBA Second Team: F Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors F Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers G Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers G Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
All-NBA Third Team: F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers F Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz G Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets G Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA All-Defensive First Team: F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks F Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz G Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks G Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
NBA All-Defensive Second Team: F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors F Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers G Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors G Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
NBA All-Rookie First Team: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
NBA All-Rookie Second Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers Landry Shamet, Los Angeles Clippers Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks
Players of the Week The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.