By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-03-09 15:02:29
本周推荐专辑：Radiohead，《My Iron Lung》（1994）
既然我们已经进入了永久夏令时，是时候为NBA赛季的第三阶段（第三个四分之一赛程）打分了。
现在每支球队剩余的比赛都不超过20场。点击此处查看各队从第42场到第62场的战绩，由于交易截止日的存在，这段时间通常是联盟阵容波动最剧烈的时期。
我觉得这一部分的开场白需要简短且直接。这些评分仅针对第三阶段！排名并不完全等同于评分！我们的排名是基于截至目前整个赛季的表现，而评分只是过去六七周的一个快照。如果你在评论区纠结这一点，那是你自己的问题。
补充说明：本周战力排名不仅会为每支球队排序，我们还将保留分层制度，球队会根据表现升级或降级。每周分为五个层级：
- 顶级争冠者 (Top Contenders) —— 锁定五支球队，他们是联盟的佼佼者
- 处境稳健 (In a Good Place) —— 可能是一支球队，也可能是七支
- 泡沫区 (The Bubble) —— 别把它和奥兰多复赛园区搞混了，指的是中游球队
- 不足为惧 (Not the Tier to Fear) —— 虽然不是联盟打得最烂的，但还有很多工作要做
- 底层地板 (Basement Floor) —— 敬陪末座
关于战力排名的预期：
- 这些是我个人的主观排名。我会参考各种客观指标，但最终由我决定。
- 排名不仅仅是对过去一周的回顾——我们也会展望未来，所以这是两者的平衡。
- 排名是主观的，但并非带有偏见。战力排名中没有个人恩怨，我们力求建立一个包容的精英管理体系。
- 这些排名具备的一个品质是：“冷酷的侵略性”。
- 请享受比赛，也请享受排名！
在第21周的《The Athletic》NBA战力排名中，我们将为每支球队进行第三阶段评分。胜负记录和其他统计数据截至上周日比赛结束。
第一层级：顶级争冠者
1. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (47-17)
上期排名： 2
过去一周战绩： 胜费城，胜底特律，胜快船，胜休斯顿
进攻效率： 117.5 (第5位) 防守效率： 110.2 (第3位)
第一阶段评分： B+
第二阶段评分： B
第三阶段评分： A
首先看评分：在维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 上场的时间里，马刺队绝对是个大麻烦。他需要一个备选绰号，我想提议叫他“大衣柜 (The Armoire)”。这是个法语词，它高大，且能装下文班在攻防两端展现的所有武器。本赛季至今，当文班在场时，马刺对手的投篮命中率仅为41.8%。自1月21日以来，这一数字更是低至41.2%。马刺利用这种防守从开局就打爆对手，或者克服巨大的落后分差，比如他们在对阵快船时曾面临25分的落后。上周以一场赛季最佳的得分表现大胜休斯顿火箭，也终结了该常规赛系列赛的悬念。他们是联盟目前最好的球队，现在他们唯一需要解决的，是如何将这种状态延续到他们的首次季后赛征程中。
2. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (50-15)
上期排名： 1
过去一周战绩： 胜芝加哥，胜纽约，胜金州
进攻效率： 116.8 (第8位) 防守效率： 105.9 (第1位)
第一阶段评分： A
第二阶段评分： A-
第三阶段评分： A-
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 的回归是雪中送炭。在赛季第三阶段，雷霆的进攻已经下滑到了联盟平均水平，虽然防守仍处于前五，但近来更接近第五名。但吉尔杰斯-亚历山大确实回来了，而且当他穿上那套狂野装扮时能砍下20分，雷霆在现任MVP出战的过去六场比赛中保持全胜。
3. 底特律活塞 (45-18)
上期排名： 3
过去一周战绩： 负克利夫兰，负圣安东尼奥，负布鲁克林，负迈阿密
进攻效率： 116.0 (第11位) 防守效率： 108.9 (第2位)
第一阶段评分： A
第二阶段评分： A
第三阶段评分： B
活塞目前在东部领先好几个胜场，本赛季对阵纽约尼克斯和波士顿凯尔特人的战绩是6胜1负，并与克利夫兰骑士平分秋色。我无法说服自己在这一周把任何一支东部球队排在他们前面，但这确实是令人不安的一周，没有任何闪光点。奥萨尔·汤普森 (Ausar Thompson) 的脚踝受伤让情况变得比球队遭遇本赛季第三次（也是最长的一次）连败更糟。汤普森在赛季第三阶段场均贡献2.5次抢断；活塞在第三阶段攻防两端的表现虽然不错，但并不出彩。对于底特律篮球的质疑者来说，这是伟大的一周，所以让我们看看活塞会如何回应。
4. 纽约尼克斯 (41-24)
上期排名： 4
过去一周战绩： 胜多伦多，负俄克拉荷马城，胜丹佛，负洛杉矶湖人
进攻效率： 118.1 (第3位) 防守效率： 111.8 (第6位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： B-
第三阶段评分： A
尼克斯上周日在一场午后场比赛中成功拿下了马刺，而他们最重大的胜利之一是在波士顿进行的客场早场比赛中击败了几乎全员健康的凯尔特人。在输给雷霆后，纽约通过击败丹佛迅速反弹。但随后，夏令时切换加上在洛杉矶的一场早场比赛，导致纽约打出了本赛季三分命中率最差的比赛之一。纽约拥有第三阶段全联盟最出色的防守，全明星卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 领衔了防守篮板的保护。
5. 波士顿凯尔特人 (43-21)
上期排名： 5
过去一周战绩： 胜密尔沃基，负夏洛特，胜达拉斯，胜克利夫兰
进攻效率： 119.8 (第2位) 防守效率： 111.6 (第5位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： A
第三阶段评分： A
祝贺杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 从跟腱撕裂中康复归来，时间刚刚好，能在关键的冲刺阶段加入凯尔特人。波士顿在第三阶段拥有联盟第三好的防守，中锋尼米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta) 帮助稳固了这支在禁区防守最为吝啬的球队。黄蜂在波士顿带走了一场大胜，比本赛季任何球队都要赢得干脆，这成了凯尔特人原本伟大的一周中一个显著的污点。
第二层级：处境稳健
6. 克利夫兰骑士 (39-25)
上期排名： 8
过去一周战绩： 胜底特律，负波士顿
进攻效率： 117.2 (第6位) 防守效率： 113.1 (第13位)
第一阶段评分： B-
第二阶段评分： C-
第三阶段评分： A
骑士在第三阶段展现出了东部强队的真正实力，没有哪支球队的战绩比他们更好。克利夫兰提升了防守，并在第三阶段拥有联盟第二好的进攻，这得益于大前锋埃文·莫布里 (Evan Mobley) 以51.5%的命中率场均贡献17.1分。凯尔特人搅黄了多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 的伤愈复出之战，但骑士本赛季也与活塞平分秋色，这为潜在的分区半决赛对决埋下了伏笔。
7. 明尼苏达森林狼 (40-24)
上期排名： 7
过去一周战绩： 胜孟菲斯，胜多伦多，负奥兰多
进攻效率： 116.1 (第10位) 防守效率： 112.2 (第9位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： A
第三阶段评分： B
在排名前十的防守带领下，森林狼度过了一个不错的第三阶段。全明星安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 在赛季第三阶段场均贡献1.6次抢断。明尼苏达追平了本赛季最长的五连胜，但随后又在一个周末下午的主场被奥兰多魔术痛击。狼队本周将全部在客场征战，而且每一场都是硬仗。
8. 休斯顿火箭 (39-24)
上期排名： 6
过去一周战绩： 胜华盛顿，负金州，胜波特兰，负圣安东尼奥
进攻效率： 116.8 (第7位) 防守效率： 112.1 (第8位)
第一阶段评分： A
第二阶段评分： B-
第三阶段评分： B
本赛季火箭队最棒的一点是他们不会陷入长连败。他们只有一次遭遇过三连败，而且还是两个月前的事。在阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson) 担任事实上的首发控卫时，休斯顿的防守通常很稳固，这是首要任务。但正如之前在这个板块提到的，休斯顿几乎每周都会“掉链子”。虽然加时赛负于勇士对心理打击很大（他们真的必须克服恐金州症），但火箭在本周末于全国直播中被马刺血洗。他们在季后赛的表现看起来并不让人有信心。
9. 丹佛掘金 (39-25)
上期排名： 9
过去一周战绩： 胜犹他，胜洛杉矶湖人，负纽约
进攻效率： 120.0 (第1位) 防守效率： 116.3 (第22位)
第一阶段评分： B+
第二阶段评分： B
第三阶段评分： C-
掘金在犹他经历了一场惊险的胜利，随后在末节逆转了湖人。他们甚至迎回了阿龙·戈登 (Aaron Gordon)！但周五在背靠背且没有休息的情况下输给尼克斯是一场全方位的灾难，那场比赛他们脆弱的防守在主场被彻底打爆，丢掉了赛季最高分，同时还失去了因脚踝受伤离场的贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray)。掘金对持球人的压迫不够，这给穆雷和另一位全明星尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 带来了巨大的高效得分压力。自赛季过半以来，丹佛的胜率不足五成。
10. 奥兰多魔术 (35-28)
上期排名： 12
过去一周战绩： 胜华盛顿，胜达拉斯，胜明尼苏达，胜密尔沃基
进攻效率： 114.0 (第16位) 防守效率： 112.6 (第11位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： C
第三阶段评分： C
先谈谈评分。魔术在赛季第二和第三阶段的战绩是22胜20负（基本是一支五成胜率的球队），主教练贾马尔·莫斯利 (Jamal Mosley) 与这支由保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero) 领衔的球队之间的化学反应似乎总有些偏差。奥兰多在大多数时候看起来非常平庸。话虽如此，魔术目前正处于赛季最长的连胜中，胜场数超过50%的程度也是赛季最高，同时班凯罗在防守篮板保护上也以身作则。
勒布朗·詹姆斯在赛季第三阶段的投篮命中率接近五成。(Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images)
11. 洛杉矶湖人 (39-25)
上期排名： 13
过去一周战绩： 胜新奥尔良，负丹佛，胜印第安纳，胜纽约
进攻效率： 116.4 (第9位) 防守效率： 115.8 (第21位)
第一阶段评分： A
第二阶段评分： C-
第三阶段评分： B-
湖人在这一周之前就已经有所回稳，第三阶段的防守表现接近联盟平均水平，且进攻效率排名第十。本赛季第三阶段没有哪支球队的投篮命中率比湖人更高，这主要归功于全明星勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 场均贡献20.1分且命中率高达49.7%。但在这位老将在丹佛伤及手肘后，湖人即使没有詹姆斯看起来也打得不错。或许大胜步行者不是最好的例子，但大胜尼克斯就完全是另一回事了。本赛季当詹姆斯和卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 同时在场时，湖人输了47分；当詹姆斯和奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves) 在场时输了20分。然而，当东契奇和里夫斯的双人组在场时，湖人本赛季赢了对手96分。
第三层级：泡沫区
12. 多伦多猛龙 (36-27)
上期排名： 10
过去一周战绩： 负纽约，负明尼苏达，胜达拉斯
进攻效率： 113.8 (第18位) 防守效率： 111.8 (第7位)
第一阶段评分： A
第二阶段评分： C
第三阶段评分： C+
猛龙在赛季中期的两个阶段打出了21胜21负的战绩。赛季初的强势表现让他们目前依然排在附加赛区之外，但猛龙已经平庸了很长一段时间。多伦多确实能制造很多失误，全明星斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes) 在第三阶段场均贡献1.6次抢断领跑全队。但这一周的表现并未证明多伦多是一支能在季后赛系列赛中产生真正威胁的球队。
13. 迈阿密热火 (36-29)
上期排名： 15
过去一周战绩： 胜布鲁克林，胜布鲁克林，胜夏洛特，胜底特律
进攻效率： 114.7 (第13位) 防守效率： 111.4 (第4位)
第一阶段评分： B+
第二阶段评分： D
第三阶段评分： B
热火在第三阶段反弹势头良好，拥有前十的进攻和前五的防守。中锋凯莱尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware) 在第三阶段场均甚至能贡献1.1次盖帽。迈阿密遇上了背靠背作战且毫无还手之力的活塞并将其血洗。在全明星诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell) 缺阵的过去六场比赛中，热火保持全胜。
14. 凤凰城太阳 (37-27)
上期排名： 11
过去一周战绩： 胜萨克拉门托，负芝加哥，胜新奥尔良，胜夏洛特
进攻效率： 113.5 (第19位) 防守效率： 112.5 (第10位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： B-
第三阶段评分： B-
太阳在赛季第三阶段的得分表现非常糟糕，进攻效率仅排在第26位。太阳越来越依赖“抢断带动反击”，替补神偷乔丹·古德温 (Jordan Goodwin) 在第三阶段场均贡献1.6次抢断。对太阳来说这是不错的一周，他们在过去五场比赛中赢了四场，即将开启一段六连客之旅。
15. 夏洛特黄蜂 (32-33)
上期排名： 16
过去一周战绩： 胜达拉斯，胜波士顿，负迈阿密，负凤凰城
进攻效率： 117.7 (第4位) 防守效率： 114.2 (第16位)
第一阶段评分： D+
第二阶段评分： C-
第三阶段评分： A
黄蜂通过击败达拉斯独行侠将胜率拉回到五成，随后打出了那场震惊全联盟的成名之战——他们在背靠背作战的情况下做客波士顿，狂胜凯尔特人。中锋穆萨·迪亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate) 带领黄蜂在第三阶段的前场板冲抢表现异常出色。自1月中旬以来，没有哪支球队的进攻比他们更好。但也别忘了，黄蜂还有很多工作要做，他们输给了赛区宿敌迈阿密，胜率再次跌破五成，随后又在凤凰城输球。
16. 亚特兰大老鹰 (33-31)
上期排名： 17
过去一周战绩： 胜密尔沃基，胜费城
进攻效率： 114.0 (第17位) 防守效率： 113.6 (第14位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： D
第三阶段评分： C+
忘掉那个永远在五成胜率徘徊的论调吧：进入本周，全联盟最炙手可热的球队在亚特兰大！老鹰队目前保持六连胜，包括上周对阵东部竞争对手的关键胜利。虽然老鹰在第三阶段的大部分时间里还是保持着典型的“五成胜率打法”，但这已经是一种进步了。戴森·丹尼尔斯 (Dyson Daniels) 已经移到了小前锋位置，他在第三阶段场均贡献5.9次助攻和1.1次失误，帮助老鹰更好地保护球权。
17. 费城76人 (34-29)
上期排名： 14
过去一周战绩： 负圣安东尼奥，胜犹他，负亚特兰大
进攻效率： 114.3 (第14位) 防守效率： 114.6 (第17位)
第一阶段评分： B
第二阶段评分： B
第三阶段评分： C
76人在排名中继续下滑。防守端举步维艰，而进攻端也仅仅接近联盟平均水平。全明星泰雷斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 在第三阶段场均贡献6.6次助攻且仅有2.4次失误，但他在本周伊始因投篮手扭伤将缺席比赛。费城在过去的13场比赛中已经输掉了8场。
18. 洛杉矶快船 (31-32)
上期排名： 19
过去一周战绩： 胜金州，胜印第安纳，负圣安东尼奥，胜孟菲斯
进攻效率： 115.6 (第12位) 防守效率： 115.3 (第18位)
第一阶段评分： F
第二阶段评分： B
第三阶段评分： B-
达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland) 在客场逆转金州的比赛中完成了快船首秀，到本周末，他已经稳坐首发，并带领球队在孟菲斯完成了又一次两位数分差的大逆转。但快船失去了新秀中锋雅尼克·科南·尼德豪泽 (Yanic Konan Niederhauser)，他因Lisfranc足部伤势赛季报销，甚至可能会影响到下赛季的开局。快船原本有机会冲回五成胜率，但他们在圣安东尼奥葬送了25分的领先优势。替补得分后卫本内迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin) 的终结效率一直很挣扎，但他高频走上罚球线的能力让快船在詹姆斯·哈登交易后、加兰缺阵期间，依然在第三阶段保持了前十的进攻水平。
19. 金州勇士 (32-31)
上期排名： 18
过去一周战绩： 负洛杉矶快船，胜休斯顿，负俄克拉荷马城
进攻效率： 114.1 (第15位) 防守效率： 112.9 (第12位)
第一阶段评分： C-
第二阶段评分： C+
第三阶段评分： C-
必须承认，勇士在休斯顿拼下那场加时赛胜利干得不错。但他们在体能占优的情况下遗憾输给了快船，且在俄克拉荷马城完全哑火。没有斯蒂芬·库里或吉米·巴特勒三世，勇士缺乏一个能稳定制造罚球机会的持续威胁点。
开拓者后卫朱·霍勒迪本赛季不得不为波特兰承担各种任务。(Troy Wayrynen / Imagn Images)
第四层级：不足为惧
20. 波特兰开拓者 (31-34)
上期排名： 20
过去一周战绩： 胜孟菲斯，负休斯顿，胜印第安纳
进攻效率： 112.5 (第23位) 防守效率： 115.5 (第19位)
第一阶段评分： C-
第二阶段评分： B+
第三阶段评分： C-
对波特兰来说是尚可的一周，他们赢下了该赢的比赛，只是没能爆冷击败火箭。开拓者在赛季第三阶段表现不佳，失误是首要元凶。他们还处于一种不得不依赖35岁的朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 承担过重任务的境地。霍勒迪在第三阶段场均失误3.2次，领跑全队。
21. 芝加哥公牛 (26-38)
上期排名： 21
过去一周战绩： 负俄克拉荷马城，胜凤凰城，负萨克拉门托
进攻效率： 112.1 (第25位) 防守效率： 116.7 (第23位)
第一阶段评分： C-
第二阶段评分： C
第三阶段评分： D
这里的档次下滑很明显，但公牛总能做出在凤凰城赢球这种事。随后他们又在萨克拉门托输球，回到了熟悉的节奏。芝加哥的进攻一直很糟糕，约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey) 在赛季第三阶段场均要送出3.7次失误。
22. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (27-36)
上期排名： 22
过去一周战绩： 负波士顿，负亚特兰大，胜犹他，负奥兰多
进攻效率： 112.4 (第24位) 防守效率： 117.0 (第25位)
第一阶段评分： D
第二阶段评分： D
第三阶段评分： C
雄鹿本赛季从未表现出色，前三个阶段每个阶段的胜率都低于50%。扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 也救不了这支球队，尽管我依然在关注他的努力尝试。第三阶段没有哪支球队制造对手失误的能力比雄鹿更弱。
23. 孟菲斯灰熊 (23-39)
上期排名： 24
过去一周战绩： 负明尼苏达，负波特兰，负洛杉矶快船
进攻效率： 113.5 (第20位) 防守效率： 115.8 (第20位)
第一阶段评分： D
第二阶段评分： C
第三阶段评分： D
灰熊剩下的残阵这一周都打得很胶着，但全都输了。在第三阶段，灰熊是全联盟防守篮板最差的球队，这也不奇怪，毕竟他们让GG·杰克逊 (GG Jackson) 和奥利维耶-马克桑斯·普罗斯珀 (Olivier-Maxence Prosper) 搭档首发内线，替补席上也只有一个泰勒·亨德里克斯 (Taylor Hendricks)。
24. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (21-45)
上期排名： 23
过去一周战绩： 负洛杉矶湖人，胜萨克拉门托，负凤凰城，胜华盛顿
进攻效率： 113.1 (第22位) 防守效率： 117.7 (第26位)
第一阶段评分： F
第二阶段评分： D+
第三阶段评分： C
鹈鹕在阵容终于全员健康时选择了一个奇特的时机，他们现在让赫伯特·琼斯 (Herbert Jones) 担任首发中锋，搭档大前锋锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson)，侧翼是特雷·墨菲三世 (Trey Murphy III) 和萨迪克·贝 (Saddiq Bey)，以及回归的控卫德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray)。尽管有威廉姆森和富余的替补大个子，鹈鹕的防守篮板依然排在联盟后五位。
25. 达拉斯独行侠 (21-43)
上期排名： 25
过去一周战绩： 负夏洛特，负奥兰多，负波士顿，负多伦多
进攻效率： 109.5 (第29位) 防守效率： 114.0 (第15位)
第一阶段评分： D-
第二阶段评分： C
第三阶段评分： D
西部目前没有哪支球队的连败时间比独行侠更长。尽管库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 已经回归并要在激烈的竞争中确保他的年度最佳新秀奖杯，但也未能阻止颓势。独行侠在投三分这件事上依然表现得极其挣扎。
第五层级：底层地板
26. 布鲁克林篮网 (16-47)
上期排名： 28
过去一周战绩： 负迈阿密，负迈阿密，胜底特律
进攻效率： 109.6 (第28位) 防守效率： 118.3 (第27位)
第一阶段评分： D-
第二阶段评分： D+
第三阶段评分： F
篮网迎来了一场巨大的逆转胜利……终结了十连败。布鲁克林在赛季第三阶段拥有全联盟最烂的进攻，迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 在这段时间的投篮命中率仅为42%。
27. 犹他爵士 (19-45)
上期排名： 27
过去一周战绩： 负丹佛，负费城，胜华盛顿，负密尔沃基
进攻效率： 113.2 (第21位) 防守效率： 120.5 (第30位)
第一阶段评分： D+
第二阶段评分： D-
第三阶段评分： F
爵士还是值得一点表扬的，因为在第三阶段他们的防守并不是联盟最烂。虽然门槛很低，但他们好歹跨过去了。不幸的是，爵士依然打得很糟糕，在第三阶段输掉的比赛是赢球场次的四倍。爵士的防守依然不行，尤其是频繁犯规。增加的身体对抗虽然制造了一些失误，但代价是成为了联盟防守效率最差的球队。
28. 萨克拉门托国王 (15-50)
上期排名： 26
过去一周战绩： 负凤凰城，负新奥尔良，胜芝加哥
进攻效率： 109.8 (第26位) 防守效率： 120.0 (第28位)
第一阶段评分： F
第二阶段评分： D
第三阶段评分： F
拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 很有个人风格地回击了萨克拉门托媒体，他在一场主场胜利中砍下三双，且仅出现了本赛季第二次零失误，而他的首发搭档是尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford)、戴克温·普劳登 (Daeqwon Plowden)、普雷舍斯·阿丘瓦 (Precious Achiuwa) 和马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud)。这与赛季初预期的首发阵容——包括多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯、德玛尔·德罗赞、扎克·拉文和基根·穆雷——大相径庭。国王表现糟糕，第三阶段的防守是全联盟最差的，很大程度上是因为他们在外线被射穿了。但赢了公牛也算赢。
29. 华盛顿奇才 (16-47)
上期排名： 29
过去一周战绩： 负休斯顿，负奥兰多，负犹他，负新奥尔良
进攻效率： 109.6 (第27位) 防守效率： 120.5 (第29位)
第一阶段评分： F
第二阶段评分： D+
第三阶段评分： D
特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 真的成了奇才的首发控卫，结果他们在他的首秀中竟然在主场输给了爵士。凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 左肘受伤，虽然球队称将在三周后重新评估，但他的赛季可能就此报销。好在亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr) 终于从腿筋伤势中回归，他需要尽快与杨建立默契，并试着拯救一下奇才那在第三阶段防守篮板率排名全联盟第29位的防守。
30. 印第安纳步行者 (15-49)
上期排名： 30
过去一周战绩： 负洛杉矶快船，负洛杉矶湖人，负波特兰
进攻效率： 108.8 (第30位) 防守效率： 117.0 (第24位)
第一阶段评分： F
第二阶段评分： D
第三阶段评分： D
步行者是全联盟唯一一支自全明星赛后未尝一胜的球队，所以他们心安理得地坐在战力榜的榜尾。整体来看，印第安纳在第三阶段只是“正常的烂”，尽管内线防守简直像刹车失灵了一样崩盘。如果他们周二不能在萨克拉门托举行的“泰雷斯·哈利伯顿交易碗”中赢球，那么在三月剩余的赛程里，他们只能指望去爆冷那些急于争胜的球队了。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Spurs, Knicks, Celtics get A's for season's third quarter
NBA Power Rankings: Spurs, Knicks, Celtics get A’s for season’s third quarter
Album of the Week: “My Iron Lung,” Radiohead (1994)
Now that we have some permanent daylight, it’s time to do some grades for the third quarter of the NBA season.
Every team now has no more than 20 games remaining. Here’s a look at every team’s record from games 42 through 62, which is admittedly the most volatile in the league from a roster standpoint due to the trade deadline.
I feel like I need to keep this section short but direct. These grades are for the third quarter! The rankings will not reflect the grades! We rank teams based on consideration for the full season up to this point, while the grades are a snapshot of just the last six or seven weeks. If you trip in the comments, that’s on you.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
- These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
- These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
- These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
- The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
- Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 21 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will do third-quarter grades for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. San Antonio Spurs (47-17)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at PHI, W vs DET, W vs LAC, W vs HOU
Offensive rating: 117.5 (fifth place)Defensive rating: 110.2 (third place)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: A
First, the grade: The Spurs have been an absolute problem to deal with in Victor Wembanyama’s minutes. He needs an alternative nickname, and I want to suggest “The Armoire.” It’s French, it’s tall, and it can hold the tools that Wembanyama brings to the table on both ends. For the season, Spurs foes shoot 41.8 percent from the field when Wembanyama is on the floor. Since Jan. 21, that figure is 41.2 percent. And the Spurs use that defense to blow out teams from the jump or to overcome massive deficits, such as the 25-point deficit San Antonio faced against the Clippers. Punctuating the week with a season-best scoring performance against the Houston Rockets sealed that regular-season series as well. They’re the best team in the league, and all they need is to figure out how to sustain it for a maiden playoff run.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (50-15)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at CHI, W at NY, W vs GS
Offensive rating: 116.8 (eighth place)Defensive rating: 105.9 (first place)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: A-
Third quarter: A-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s return was desperately needed. The Thunder offense has slipped to league-average levels over the third quarter of the season, and while the defense is still top five, it’s closer to five these days. But Gilgeous-Alexander is indeed back and scores 20 when he puts on his animal fit, and the Thunder have won the last six games in which the reigning MVP has played.
3. Detroit Pistons (45-18)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L at CLE, L at SA, L vs BRK, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 116.0 (11th place)Defensive rating: 108.9 (second place)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: A
Third quarter: B
The Pistons are leading the Eastern Conference by multiple games, are 6-1 against the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics and split the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. I can’t justify putting an East team ahead of them this week, but this was a disturbing week with no redeeming qualities. Ausar Thompson’s ankle injury makes it worse than simply the team’s third (and longest) losing streak of the season. Thompson averaged 2.5 steals per game in the third quarter of the season; the Pistons were good but not great on both ends of the floor in the third quarter. It was a great week for the doubters of Detroit basketball, so let’s see how the Pistons respond.
4. New York Knicks (41-24)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at TOR, L vs OKC, W at DEN, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 118.1 (third place)Defensive rating: 111.8 (sixth place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: B-
Third quarter: A
The Knicks benefited from hosting a Spurs team last Sunday in a matinee game, and one of their biggest wins was a road matinee game in Boston, where they beat an almost fully healthy Celtics squad. New York bounced back from a tough loss against the Thunder by beating Denver. But then the combination of Daylight Saving Time and an early game in Los Angeles resulted in one of New York’s worst 3-point shooting games of the season. New York had the league’s best defense in the third quarter, and All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has led the defensive rebounding effort.
5. Boston Celtics (43-21)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at MIL, L vs CHA, W vs DAL, W at CLE
Offensive rating: 119.8 (second place)Defensive rating: 111.6 (fifth place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: A
Third quarter: A
Congratulations to Jayson Tatum for returning from a torn Achilles tendon, just in time to join the Celtics for a pivotal stretch run. Boston had the league’s third-best defense in the third quarter, and center Neemias Queta has helped anchor a unit that is the stingiest in the paint. The Hornets went to Boston and beat the Celtics worse than anyone has handled them all season, a notable blemish on an otherwise great week.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (39-25)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs DET, L vs BOS
Offensive rating: 117.2 (sixth place)Defensive rating: 113.1 (13th place)
First quarter: B-
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: A
The Cavaliers showed some real teeth in the East in the third quarter, as there wasn’t a team with a better record. Cleveland improved the defense, and it had the second-best offense in the third quarter, helped by power forward Evan Mobley’s 17.1 points on 51.5 percent shooting from the field. The Celtics spoiled Donovan Mitchell’s return from injury, but the Cavaliers earned a regular-season split against the Pistons as well, which would set up an intriguing potential conference semifinals.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-24)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs MEM, W vs TOR, L vs ORL
Offensive rating: 116.1 (10th place)Defensive rating: 112.2 (ninth place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: A
Third quarter: B
The Timberwolves had a good third quarter, led by a top-10 defense. All-Star Anthony Edwards averaged 1.6 steals per game in the third quarter of the season. Minnesota matched the longest win streak of the season at five games, then spent another weekend afternoon getting demolished at home, this time by the visiting Orlando Magic. The Wolves will be on the road this entire week, and all of the games are big ones.
8. Houston Rockets (39-24)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W at WAS, L vs GS, W vs POR, L at SA
Offensive rating: 116.8 (seventh place)Defensive rating: 112.1 (eighth place)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: B-
Third quarter: B
The best thing about the Rockets this season is that they don’t go on losing streaks. They’ve only lost three straight games once, and that was two months ago. Houston’s defense is generally solid, which is the priority when Amen Thompson is the de facto starting point guard. But as mentioned before in this space, Houston lays an egg almost weekly. While the overtime loss to the Warriors was terrible for the psyche (they really have to exorcise their issues with Golden State), the Rockets ended the week getting rocked by San Antonio on national television. They’re not looking inspiring for postseason play at all.
9. Denver Nuggets (39-25)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W at UTA, W vs LAL, L vs NY
Offensive rating: 120.0 (first place)Defensive rating: 116.3 (22nd place)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C-
The Nuggets had an adventurous win at Utah before surviving the Lakers late. They even got Aaron Gordon back! But Friday’s loss on zero days’ rest to the Knicks was a comprehensive disaster, one that saw their chewable defense get lit up worse than it has all season at home while losing Jamal Murray to an ankle injury. The Nuggets don’t put enough pressure on ballhandlers, and that puts pressure on Murray and fellow All-Star Nikola Jokić to be highly efficient. Denver has a losing record since the season’s midpoint.
10. Orlando Magic (35-28)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs WAS, W vs DAL, W at MIN, W at MIL
Offensive rating: 114.0 (16th place)Defensive rating: 112.6 (11th place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: C
Let’s address the grade first. The Magic went 22-20 in the second and third quarters of the season (basically a .500 team), and the optics continue to be off between head coach Jamahl Mosley and a team led by Paolo Banchero. Orlando looks very average more often than not. With that said, the Magic are on their longest win streak of the season and their most games over .500, while Banchero leads the defensive rebounding efforts.
LeBron James made nearly half of his field goal attempts in the third quarter of the season. (Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images)
11. Los Angeles Lakers (39-25)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs NO, L at DEN, W vs IND, W vs NY
Offensive rating: 116.4 (ninth place)Defensive rating: 115.8 (21st place)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: B-
The Lakers stabilized somewhat even before this week, with the defense playing closer to average over the third quarter to go with the 10th-best offense in that stretch as well. No team made a higher percentage of field goals in the third quarter of this season, bolstered by All-Star LeBron James making 49.7 percent of his field goals as part of a 20.1 points per game average. But the Lakers have looked just fine without James after the elder statesman injured his elbow in Denver. Perhaps a blowout win against the Pacers isn’t the best example, but blowing out the Knicks is a whole other thing. The Lakers have been outscored by 47 points when James and Luka Dončić share the floor this season and by 20 points when James and Austin Reaves share the floor. But the Lakers have outscored foes by 96 points this season in the Dončić-Reaves two-man lineups.
Tier 3: The Bubble
12. Toronto Raptors (36-27)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L vs NY, L at MIN, W vs DAL
Offensive rating: 113.8 (18th place)Defensive rating: 111.8 (seventh place)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: C+
The Raptors went 21-21 in the middle two quarters of this regular season. The strong start to this season continues to keep them out of the Play-In Tournament part of the standings, but the Raptors have been decidedly average for a while now. Toronto does force a lot of turnovers, with All-Star Scottie Barnes leading the way with 1.6 steals in the third quarter of the season. But this week did little to show that Toronto is a real threat to win a playoff series.
13. Miami Heat (36-29)
Last ranking: 15th
In the last week: W vs BRK, W vs BRK, W at CHA, W vs DET
Offensive rating: 114.7 (13th place)Defensive rating: 111.4 (fourth place)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: B
The Heat bounced back nicely in the third quarter, featuring a top-10 offense and a top-five defense. Center Kel’el Ware even blocked 1.1 shots per game in the third quarter of the season. Miami got the Pistons on zero days’ rest and blew them out. The Heat have now won the last six games that All-Star Norman Powell has missed.
14. Phoenix Suns (37-27)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W at SAC, L vs CHI, W vs NO, W vs CHA
Offensive rating: 113.5 (19th place)Defensive rating: 112.5 (10th place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: B-
Third quarter: B-
The Suns had an awful time scoring in the third quarter of the season, ranking 26th in offensive efficiency. Phoenix is increasingly “steal or bust,” with reserve ball hawk Jordan Goodwin pitching in 1.6 steals per game in the third quarter of the season. This was a good week for the Suns, and they head out on a six-game road trip having won four of their last five games.
15. Charlotte Hornets (32-33)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs DAL, W at BOS, L vs MIA, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 117.7 (fourth place)Defensive rating: 114.2 (16th place)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: A
Charlotte reached .500 with a win over the Dallas Mavericks, then earned the statement win everyone needed to see by going into Boston on zero days’ rest and unloading on the Celtics. Center Moussa Diabate leads a Hornets team that rebounded on the offensive glass very well during the third quarter of the season. No team has had a better offense since mid-January. As a reminder that the work isn’t done for the Hornets, they lost a key game to division rival Miami to fall back to .500 and have a losing record again after losing in Phoenix.
16. Atlanta Hawks (33-31)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W at MIL, W vs PHI
Offensive rating: 114.0 (17th place)Defensive rating: 113.6 (14th place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: C+
Forget that perennial .500 talk: The hottest team in the league entering this week is in Atlanta! Six straight wins for the Hawks, including key victories this past week against East competition. Now, the Hawks played their typical .500 ball for most of the third quarter of the season, but that was still an improvement. Dyson Daniels has moved to small forward, and he averaged 5.9 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game in the third quarter of the season, helping Atlanta take better care of the basketball.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (34-29)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L vs SA, W vs UTA, L at ATL
Offensive rating: 114.3 (14th place)Defensive rating: 114.6 (17th place)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C
The Sixers continue to sink in these rankings. The defense has really struggled, while the offense is closer to league average. All-Star Tyrese Maxey averaged 6.6 assists and only 2.4 turnovers in the third quarter of the season, but he’s out to begin this week due to a sprain in his shooting hand. Philadelphia has lost eight of its last 13 games.
18. LA Clippers (31-32)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W at GS, W vs IND, L at SA, W at MEM
Offensive rating: 115.6 (12th place)Defensive rating: 115.3 (18th place)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: B-
Darius Garland debuted for the Clippers in a comeback win in Golden State, and he was in the starting lineup by the end of the week for another comeback win after a double-digit deficit at Memphis. But the Clippers lost rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhauser to a Lisfranc foot injury, which is not only a season-ending injury but also one that leaves Konan Niederhauser questionable to begin next season on time. LA could have reached .500, but it blew a 25-point lead at San Antonio. Backup shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin has really struggled to finish field goals, but his ability to get to the free-throw line at a high rate allowed the Clippers to be a top-10 offense in the third quarter of the season despite the absence of Garland following the James Harden trade.
19. Golden State Warriors (32-31)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L vs LAC, W at HOU, L at OKC
Offensive rating: 114.1 (15th place)Defensive rating: 112.9 (12th place)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: C+
Third quarter: C-
Credit where credit is due, as the Warriors did a great job scratching out an overtime win in Houston. But they had a critical loss against the Clippers despite a rest advantage, and they couldn’t score in Oklahoma City. Without Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler III, the Warriors just don’t have a consistent threat who can get to the free-throw line at will.
Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday has had to do a little bit of everything this season for Portland. (Troy Wayrynen / Imagn Images)
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
20. Portland Trail Blazers (31-34)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W at MEM, L at HOU, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd place)Defensive rating: 115.5 (19th place)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: C-
A good week for Portland, in that it won the games it was supposed to while being unable to upset the Rockets. The Trail Blazers weren’t very good in the third quarter of the season, and turnovers were the primary culprit. They’re also in a situation where 35-year-old Jrue Holiday has to do as much as he does. Holiday led the team with 3.2 turnovers per game in the third quarter of the season.
21. Chicago Bulls (26-38)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L vs OKC, W at PHO, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 112.1 (25th place)Defensive rating: 116.7 (23rd place)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D
The drop-off is severe here, but the Bulls keep doing things like winning in Phoenix. They got back on (off?) track by losing in Sacramento. Chicago’s offense has been terrible, with Josh Giddey racking up 3.7 turnovers per game in the third quarter of the season.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (27-36)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs BOS, L vs ATL, W vs UTA, L vs ORL
Offensive rating: 112.4 (24th place)Defensive rating: 117.0 (25th place)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: C
The Bucks haven’t been good at any point this season, finishing each of the first three quarters with losing records. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t saving this team, though I’m here to watch him try. No defense forced a lower percentage of turnovers in the third quarter of the season than the Bucks.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (23-39)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L at MIN, L vs POR, L vs LAC
Offensive rating: 113.5 (20th place)Defensive rating: 115.8 (20th place)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D
The remains of the Grizzlies were in close games all week but lost them all. No team was worse at defensive rebounding in the third quarter of the season than the Grizzlies, a team starting GG Jackson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper up front while deploying only Taylor Hendricks off the bench.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (21-45)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at LAL, W at SAC, L at PHO, W vs WAS
Offensive rating: 113.1 (22nd place)Defensive rating: 117.7 (26th place)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D+
Third quarter: C
The Pelicans picked quite a time to get the roster fully healthy, as they’re now starting Herbert Jones at center next to power forward Zion Williamson, wings Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey and returning point guard Dejounte Murray. Despite Williamson and a surplus of reserve bigs, the Pelicans have been a bottom-five defensive rebounding team.
25. Dallas Mavericks (21-43)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at CHA, L at ORL, L at BOS, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 109.5 (29th place)Defensive rating: 114.0 (15th place)
First quarter: D-
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D
No team in the West has a longer losing streak than the Mavericks, a stretch that hasn’t been helped even though Cooper Flagg is back to help secure his Rookie of the Year trophy amid stiff competition. The Mavericks continued to have a whale of a time making 3s.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Brooklyn Nets (16-47)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at MIA, L at MIA, W at DET
Offensive rating: 109.6 (28th place)Defensive rating: 118.3 (27th place)
First quarter: D-
Second quarter: D+
Third quarter: F
Huge comeback win for the Nets … to end a 10-game losing streak. Brooklyn had the league’s worst offense in the third quarter of the season, and Michael Porter Jr. made only 42 percent of his shots in that span.
27. Utah Jazz (19-45)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs DEN, L at PHI, W at WAS, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 113.2 (21st place)Defensive rating: 120.5 (30th place)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: D-
Third quarter: F
The Jazz should get some credit, as the defense wasn’t the league’s worst in the third quarter. Low bar to clear, but they cleared it. Unfortunately, the Jazz were quite bad anyway, losing four times as many games as they won in the third quarter. The Jazz were still not good on defense, especially when it came to fouling. The increased physicality resulted in some turnovers, but at the greater expense of being the worst defense in the league.
28. Sacramento Kings (15-50)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs PHO, L vs NO, W vs CHI
Offensive rating: 109.8 (26th place)Defensive rating: 120.0 (28th place)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: F
It is quite on brand for Russell Westbrook to back up his beef with Sacramento media coverage by having a triple-double and only his second game of the season with no turnovers in a home win where his co-starters are Nique Clifford, Daeqwon Plowden, Precious Achiuwa and Maxime Raynaud. It was a far cry from the expected starters that included Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray. The Kings are awful, and they had the worst defense in the league over the third quarter of the season, in large part because they get roasted from 3. But a win over the Bulls is a win.
29. Washington Wizards (16-47)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs HOU, L at ORL, L vs UTA, L at NO
Offensive rating: 109.6 (27th place)Defensive rating: 120.5 (29th place)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D+
Third quarter: D
Trae Young is really the starting point guard of the Wizards, and they managed to lose at home to the Jazz in his debut. Kyshawn George injured his left elbow, and while the team says that he will be re-evaluated in three weeks, that might be it for him. At least Alex Sarr is finally back from a hamstring injury, as he needs to get up to speed with Young and maybe help a Wizards defense that ranked 29th in defensive rebound percentage in the third quarter of the season.
30. Indiana Pacers (15-49)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at LAC, L at LAL, L at POR
Offensive rating: 108.8 (30th place)Defensive rating: 117.0 (24th place)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: D
The Pacers are the only team in the league without a win since the All-Star break, so they’re comfortably nestled at the bottom of these rankings. Indiana was only regular bad for the third quarter of the season overall, though the interior defense has been slammed like brakes. If they don’t win Tuesday in Sacramento in the Tyrese Haliburton trade bowl, then they’ll have to go and upset a team that is trying to secure wins for the rest of the March schedule.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic