Top 5 individual performances from the 2021-22 NBA preseason

Many NBA veterans go through the motions in the preseason, which doesn’t lead to much speculation about individual performances. Despite that, some stars are just too good, and when they go through the motions, they can still put up memorable performances.

On the other hand, many players do try in the NBA preseason. Whether that is because they don’t have a roster spot yet, secure minutes, or even give it their all every night.

This oddly meets in the middle as you have some players trying hard to make an impact playing against players who are going through the motions. With the 2021 NBA preseason officially over, let's look at some of the top individual performances.

#5 Christian Wood, Houston Rockets, 19 points, and 19 rebounds

Houston Rockets Christian Wood at the top of the key

Anytime a player has a 20 point 20 rebound game, it is massive news in the NBA regular season. Even though Christian Wood fell one point and one rebound short of that goal, it is still pretty impressive. It is an excellent individual performance for a player who is slowly becoming a star in the NBA.

The Houston Rockets lost to the San Antonio Spurs 98-126, but Wood still had a dominant 33 minutes. Wood went 8-16 from the floor and 1-4 from behind the three-point line. Out of the 19 rebounds, five of them were on the offensive boards.

Wood has slowly become a solid big in the NBA. He has improved every season since he entered the NBA in 2015-16 and earned himself a nice contract last season. He rewarded the Rockets for the faith they had in him by averaging 21 points and 9.6 rebounds.

It will be hard for Wood to make the same leap he has made almost every season, but it would not be a surprise if Wood has another 20 points and eight rebound seasons. This preseason, he will end up averaging 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds.

#4 LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James drives in for a layup

LeBron James did what LeBron James does, which is be good at basketball. James often puts up impressive individual performances, and this game was no different.

James' career avenges are 27 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, which on its own is impressive. Despite being a 18-year veteran, he still comes out and competes just about every night. It was James' regular performance, a surprise to see in the preseason.

James shot an efficacy 12-20 from the field, taking only five threes and making two. He also did not need to go to the line five times, making four free throws, showing how clean and efficient he was playing. To add to how good the individual performance was, James only played in 29 minutes.

During the season, James’ box score looks more often like this than not, so this is, of course, an extra treat. The Los Angeles Lakers lost this game to the Sacramento Kings 112-116, but again this is the NBA preseason.

#3 Markus Howard, Denver Nuggets, 31 points, 9 three-pointers, 5 rebounds

Denver Nuggets Markus Howard driving to the paint

Markus Howard is entering into his second season in the NBA, and unlike many people on this list, he is not an espaliered player. Howard signed with the Denver Nuggets after going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft. Last season he only appeared in 37 games to avenger 5.5 minutes. In those games, he averaged 2.8 points, shooting 28% from three.

This preseason the Nuggets are looking for guards to compile together to replace Jamal Murray’s production. Murray will miss most of the season recovering from ACL surgery, and Howard might be an option.

This spectral individual shooting performance might have at least put him on the radar. In 31 minutes, he scored 31 points on 22 shots, making 11 of them. Out of those 22 shots, 17 were from three, and he made nine of them for 53%. He also added five rebounds to his stat line.

Even though this was an incredible shooting performance, Howard might not be the answer for the Nuggets. His preseason averages are just 9.8 points, shooting 40% from the field and 39% from three.

#2 Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 27 points, 15 assists

Atlanta Hawks Trae Young taking a free throw

Trae Young has quickly become one of the best point guards in the NBA. He has limitless rage but also the ability to see open passion lanes and create shot for others. He will always put up a tremendous individual performance when Young has it going, even in the preseason.

Somehow, in just 30 minutes, Young was able to score 27 points along with 15 assists. What makes it even more remarkable is the fact that he only went to the line two times. The knock-on Young has recently become that he gets to the line too much through drawing fouls, but he didn’t for this game.

Young does go 10-22 from the field for 46% and 5-12 from three for 42%. The 15 assists are what is incredible, even more so in that time. However, it does show how reliant the Atlanta Hawks are on Young.

Last season Young did miss out on the All-Star game and took that to heart. He went on to take the Hawks to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

#1 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, 41 points, 7 three, 9 rebounds

Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry taking a three

What can be said about Stephen Curry that hasn’t already been said. The man is an incredible individual performance machine. All he does is make highlights, and when he has it going, it's a good night.

Whenever Curry sees a few threes go through, it is pretty much the end of the game because when he catches on fire, he can rain threes like no one's business. In just 30 minutes, Curry was able to score 41 points on just 23 attempts. He shot 57% from the field and shot a smooth 7-14 from three. The 8-10 from the free-throw line did hope but also added in nine rebounds for extra.

Curry went off last season, averaging the most points per game of his career at 32 points, which led him to the NBA scoring title. For the Golden State Warriors to be competitive, it took Curry magic down the season's stretch. Hopefully, with what seems to be a more balanced roster around Curry, he won't need to carry the offensive load as much.

Still, Curry is so good that even if he doesn’t need to Cary the offense, he can still have impressive individual performances. With the Warriors looking to get back into the championship window, expect Curry to be the driving force.