The 2024 sports year in Texas delivered unforgettable moments across professional and collegiate sports, from an NBA Finals runs to renewed rivalries on the football field.
The Dallas Mavericks stormed through the Western Conference to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Despite falling to the Boston Celtics in five games, Luka Doncic averaged nearly 29 points per game during the playoffs.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama made history, earning unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year honors—the first French player to do so. Joining Spurs legends David Robinson and Tim Duncan, Wembanyama also became the first rookie to make the All-Defensive Team, averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.
In baseball, the Houston Astros represented Texas in the MLB playoffs, reaching the Wild Card Round before falling to the Detroit Tigers. The state’s standout baseball story came from Boerne, where a Little League team finished fourth in the Little League World Series after a strong run, ultimately losing to Venezuela and Florida.
Texas athletes shined at the Summer Olympics in Paris, with gymnast Simone Biles leading the charge, earning three gold medals and a silver. Overall, Texas athletes claimed 43 medals - 20 gold - which would have ranked sixth in the medal count if the state were its own country. The University of Texas alone contributed 16 medals, ranking higher than Sweden.
The Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging season, losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott underwent surgery and is targeting a return for offseason workouts.
In college football, the University of Texas and Texas A&M renewed their rivalry for the first time since 2011. Texas secured a 17-7 victory, with Quentrevion Wisner rushing for nearly 200 yards. Both Texas and SMU made history by qualifying for the inaugural College Football Playoff, as the fifth and 11th seeds, respectively.
Adding to Texas’ sports milestones, Dallas secured a prominent role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. AT&T Stadium will host a semifinal, a round of 16 match, two round of 32 matches, and five group-stage games - the most of any site in the tournament.
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