NBA Power Rankings: Suns’ Big 3 flexing during 7-game win streak
Teams around the NBA have begun the second halves of their schedules, as the season rapidly approaches the trade deadline and All-Star break next month.
The past week saw plenty of storylines unfold, from some surprising coaching changes to a trade involving the Miami Heat to a few historic performances. The dialogue further showed how entertaining the NBA can be on and off the court.
The action should only continue to heat up with less than two weeks remaining until the trade deadline on Feb. 8. Rumors are swirling around several players and teams, proving that it should once again be a busy acquisition period.
To make further sense of it all, Rookie Wire looked at the NBA and ranked each team from worst to first. We will return each week and provide our latest assessment of the best teams and those that are rising.
Detroit Pistons (5-39)
Last Rank: 30
The Pistons knocked off the Hornets on Wednesday to snap a three-game skid. The losses continue to pile up for the Pistons, but they seem to be happening less frequently than before.
Washington Wizards (7-37)
Last Rank: 29
After a record of 77-130 (.372) in his 2 1/2 seasons, the Wizards dismissed Wes Unseld Jr. as head coach this week. He will transition to a front-office advisory role with the organization and Brian Keefe will serve as the interim head coach over the remainder of the season.
San Antonio Spurs (8-36)
Last Rank: 28
The Spurs continue a seven-game homestand on Friday with the Trail Blazers on the first night of back-to-back set. Gregg Popovich said Wednesday that Victor Wembanyama could play in both games as the top pick works through a minutes restriction (ankle). His cap was extended to 30 minutes on Wednesday, indicating that the restriction could soon be lifted.
For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire
Charlotte Hornets (10-32)
Last Rank: 27
The Hornets pulled off an improbable win earlier this week against the Timberwolves. They outscored them 36-18 down the stretch to pull out the win and thwart a historic effort by Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a franchise-record 62 points. Brandon Miller produced 27 points to lead the way in that contest. He has scored at least 20 points in four straight games, the third-longest streak by a rookie this season.
Brooklyn Nets (17-27)
Last Rank: 25
The Nets have lost three straight and are tied for the second-fewest wins in January after posting a 2-9 record. There is some good news, though: Ben Simmons could return to play on Monday after missing the past two months. He has only logged six appearances this season.
For more coverage on the Nets, visit Nets Wire
Toronto Raptors (16-28)
Last Rank: 24
The Raptors have dropped seven out of their last eight games to fall a season-high 12 games under .500. RJ Barrett has performed well since joining the team, though, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 37.5% shooting from 3-point range in 12 games.
Portland Trail Blazers (13-31)
Last Rank: 26
The Trail Blazers are coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Rockets behind the heroics of Jerami Grant. He banked in the game-tying shot to force overtime, where the group pulled out the 137-131 victory. They have now won three out of their last five games.
Houston Rockets (20-23)
Last Rank: 20
Houston is 5-8 in January and has lost three straight games. The team is expected to be active in trade discussions ahead of the deadline and could be among the suitors for Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon, who played for Ime Udoka in Boston. They are 11th in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games back of the Jazz.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Memphis Grizzlies (17-27)
Last Rank: 23
The Grizzlies, who are 7-5 in January, have relied on their depth of late, with their injury report seemingly growing daily. It is quite remarkable how the team is still winning, with the likes of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke out of the lineup. It goes to show how the team has bought into Taylor Jenkins & Co. to stay locked in and compete each night.
Atlanta Hawks (18-26)
Last Rank: 21
The Hawks have lost three straight games and are playing without Trae Young due to a concussion. Dejounte Murray has stepped up and has led the team in scoring in their last five games, averaging 26 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals on 40% shooting from 3-point range.
Golden State Warriors (19-23)
Last Rank: 22
The Warriors have returned to game action following the passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojević. They had the opportunity to honor him at Chase Center this week and will play the rest of the season with a “DM” patch on their jerseys.
For more coverage on the Warriors, visit Warriors Wire
Orlando Magic (23-21)
Last Rank: 18
The Magic have hit a rough patch, going 7-14 since starting 16-7. They have dealt with injuries to key players over that stretch but are as healthy as they’ve been all season long. The team will be hopeful to turn things around with Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz back in the lineup. They have six out of their next seven games on the road, starting Friday in Memphis.
Los Angeles Lakers (23-23)
Last Rank: 19
The Lakers are 6-4 over their last 10 games to climb back up to .500 on the season. They are coming off a dazzling performance on Thursday, in which they scored a season-high 141 points in a win over the Bulls. LeBron James recorded 25 points and 12 assists to lead the way, his sixth game of the season with at least 25 points and 10 assists.
For more coverage on LeBron and the Lakers, visit LeBron Wire
Chicago Bulls (21-25)
Last Rank: 17
The Bulls, who are 6-6 in January, had an epic collapse on Tuesday against the Suns. The team led by 23 points early in the third quarter but yielded a 59-34 run the rest of the way to drop the contest on the road. However, with the bottom half of the Eastern Conference struggling and or tanking this year, the Bulls figure to be firmly in the play-in race.
For more coverage on the Bulls, visit Bulls Wire
Dallas Mavericks (24-20)
Last Rank: 14
The Mavericks have lost three straight and are coming off a 132-109 loss to the Suns on Wednesday. They continue to battle injuries to their key players this season, with Luka Doncic (ankle) and Kyrie Irving (thumb) recently missing time. They’ve had nice stretches this season, but have yet to fully show how dangerous they can be. They’ll look to get back on track Friday in Atlanta.
Sacramento Kings (25-18)
Last Rank: 16
The Kings kicked off a seven-game road trip on Thursday with a win over the Warriors, in which Harrison Barnes produced a career-high 39 points. He has now scored at least 30 points in consecutive games for just the second time in his career.
Miami Heat (24-21)
Last Rank: 12
The Heat were embarrassed on Thursday by the Celtics for their fifth straight loss. However, they are hopeful the acquisition of Terry Rozier can help turn things around and give them a boost over the second half of the season. The team is certainly struggling right now, but they’ve been known to bounce back strong over the years.
Utah Jazz (23-23)
Last Rank: 13
The Jazz snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday against the Wizards. Despite that recent skid, the Jazz have been playing as one of the hottest teams in the league of late. They are 16-7 since Dec. 13 and have scored at least 120 points in a franchise-record 10 straight games.
Indiana Pacers (25-20)
Last Rank: 9
The Pacers are 1-3 since acquiring Pascal Siakam, though they’ve only had him on the court with Tyrese Haliburton once due to injury maintenance. Haliburton, who was named an All-Star starter on Thursday, should return on Sunday against Memphis.
New Orleans Pelicans (26-18)
Last Rank: 10
The Pelicans are 6-4 over their last 10 games. They set franchise records for points (153) and assists (41) on Tuesday in a win over the Jazz, with CJ McCollum leading the way with 33 points and nine 3-pointers. The team seemingly has a different player stepping up each game, proving how deep the roster is. They are sixth in the Western Conference and should compete for an outright playoff berth over the second half of the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers (26-16)
Last Rank: 11
The Cavaliers saw their eight-game win streak snapped on Wednesday against the Bucks. Despite the loss, the team has won eight out of its last nine games and is 13-4 over its last 17 games since Dec. 16, the second-best winning percentage in the NBA (.765).
Phoenix Suns (26-18)
Last Rank: 15
The Suns have won seven straight games and look to be on a run behind their Big 3. They are 9-4 when Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal play this season and have had a 40-point scorer in four straight games (Durant, Booker). The team has climbed to fifth in the Western Conference and looks to be proving itself as a championship contender.
Milwaukee Bucks (31-13)
Last Rank: 8
The Bucks shocked the basketball world this week after dismissing Adrian Griffin as head coach. They responded by pulling out an emotional victory over the Cavaliers on Wednesday, just one day after the move. The organization is expected to hire Doc Rivers as its next head coach, with Joe Prunty assuming the position on an interim basis. Rivers is currently assembling his coaching staff, which reportedly includes Dave Joerger and Rex Kalamian.
Denver Nuggets (31-15)
Last Rank: 6
The Nuggets wrapped up a five-game road trip on Thursday with a 3-2 record. They will now return to the Mile High City with four out of their next five games on their home court. The team will host Philadelphia on Saturday on ABC.
Minnesota Timberwolves (32-13)
Last Rank: 5
Karl-Anthony Towns exploded for a franchise-record 62 points on Monday, but the effort came in a loss to the Hornets. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch ripped the team for their performance down the stretch after that loss. But it seems like his message was received: They have won back-to-back games since then.
New York Knicks (28-17)
Last Rank: 7
The Knicks extended their win streak to five games on Thursday with a dominating performance over the Nuggets. They improved to a league-best 11-2 in January, with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby leading the team of late. Brunson and Randle each recently had 30 points in the same game for the fifth time this season. The Knicks are 4-1 in those games.
Philadelphia 76ers (29-14)
Last Rank: 4
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid had a historic performance this week after detonating for a career-high 70 points, 18 rebounds and five assists in a win over the Spurs. He became the ninth player in history to score 70 or more points in a game and topped the 68 points scored by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1967-68 season to claim the franchise scoring record for a single game. He also became the only player to tally at least 70 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a game. The Sixers are 6-4 over their last 10 games.
For more coverage on the 76ers, visit Sixers Wire
LA Clippers (28-14)
Last Rank: 3
The Clippers had a light schedule this week but have posted three straight wins. They have the second-best record in the league in January (9-2) and are up to fifth in offense and 13th in defense on the season. In other words: They are rolling right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder (32-13)
Last Rank: 1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named an All-Star starter for the first time on Thursday after an incredible campaign. He is fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 31.1 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals on 54.6% shooting from the field in 43 games, and has the Thunder near the top of the standings. The Thunder have been a lot of fun to watch this season, and the group is getting rewarded for its work, as a result.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Boston Celtics (35-10)
Last Rank: 2
The Celtics retake first place after reeling off three straight wins. They are coming off a dominating performance against the Heat to improve to 15-9 on the road, which is tied for the best record in the league. Boston has the best overall record and is second in both offense and defense, with the best net rating (plus-10.2).
For more coverage on the Celtics, visit Celtics Wire
