[The Athletic] NBA实力榜:湖人、骑士、掘金逼近争冠梯队

By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-03-23 15:22:00

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本周推荐专辑:Corinne Bailey Rae的《Corinne Bailey Rae》(2006年)

在开始本周的实力榜之前,我想先聊聊球星。具体来说,是NBA在2023年推出的那份看似无关紧要的文件——《球员参与政策》(Player Participation Policy)。

在该政策出台之初,我曾撰文谈到,那些最令人生厌的社交媒体图表工厂是如何将洛杉矶快船队的球星卡怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard) 和保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 视为该政策的“代言人”的,伦纳德本人对此直接嗤之以鼻。当时乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 还是新科MVP,他也遭受了铺天盖地的冷嘲热讽。你们中的许多人沉溺于玩梗而非事实,并相信这会让联盟变得更加完美。

但赛季在更迭。现在,65场的门槛正威胁着顶尖球员的评奖资格,人们开始希望规则能有更多余地,甚至干脆取消。也就是说——你们当初以为会发生什么?!我在这里不会指名道姓地针对某些球迷或媒体,但我只想说,在2023年全明星周末,也就是65场规则最终确定之前,一些你们最喜欢的球员甚至认为门槛应该比65场更高。当《球员参与政策》针对别人时,人人拍手称快;直到它降临在你自己头上!

这一讨论恰好与上周的新闻相契合:NBA在扩军方面终于取得了实质性进展,特别是西雅图(让超音速队回归吧!)和拉斯维加斯。你可能会认为,职业球员在NBA拥有更多机会,更多天才有上场打球的机会,这理应受到欢迎。但同样,很多人只关心那50左右的顶级球星。

这把我们带到了本周的实力榜。联盟各队的轮换阵容中伤病频发,残阵出战的情况屡见不鲜,而我一直在关注这一切。现在是审视各队自10月以来变化的好时机,因为交易已经截止,新的双向合同也已签完,我们终于意识到买断市场其实就是个骗局。

细则说明: 本实力榜不只是对每支球队进行排名。我们将保留梯队划分,球队会根据表现升级或降级。每周分为五个梯队:

  • 顶级争冠者 (Top Contenders) —— 固定为五支球队,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。
  • 季后赛边缘 (The Bubble) —— 别和奥兰多迪士尼复赛圈搞混了。指处于中游的球队。
  • 暂无威胁 (Not the Tier to Fear) —— 表现不是联盟最差,但还有很多工作要做。
  • 联盟垫底 (Basement Floor) —— 敬陪末座。

对实力榜的预期:

  • 这些排名是我的主观判断。我会参考各种客观指标,但最终由我决定。
  • 排名不仅是对过去一周的回顾,我们也会进行前瞻,所以是两者的平衡。
  • 排名虽然主观,但并不偏颇。实力榜中没有私人恩怨,我们力求打造一个包容的精英管理体系。
  • 这些排名具备的一个品质是:“残酷的侵略性”。
  • 请享受比赛,也请享受排名!

在第23周的《The Athletic》NBA实力榜中,我们将探索每支球队的轮换重组情况。胜负记录和其他统计数据截至周日的比赛。


第一梯队:顶级争冠者

1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (56-15)

上期排名: 1
过去一周: 客胜魔术,客胜篮网,客胜奇才
进攻效率: 117.1 (第7位) 防守效率: 106.1 (第1位)

第一周后新加入球员: 得分后卫 贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain),小前锋 佩顿·桑德福特 (Payton Sandfort)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 乌斯曼·吉昂 (Ousmane Dieng),得分后卫 克里斯·扬布拉德 (Chris Youngblood)(双向合同)

有趣的是,一支球队赢下了赛程表上的每一场比赛,却依然能招来批评。没关系,雷霆是目前联盟状态最火热的球队,在常规赛还剩三周的情况下,他们掌控着争夺季后赛全主场优势的主动权。谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 作为现任MVP和总决赛MVP,自1月29日以来还没输过球。我们稍后再谈MVP那些琐事,但无论话题如何开启,都绕不开他。至于雷霆?他们通过用吉昂换来麦凯恩,获得了额外两年的新秀合同红利,而麦凯恩本周将前往费城。考虑到2025年双入选最佳阵容和最佳防守阵容的杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)(腿筋受伤)本赛季在板凳席上展示的穿搭比穿雷霆球衣的时间还多,这支球队仍有更大的潜力可挖。威廉姆斯预计将于周一在费城迎来他本赛季的第三次伤愈复出。

2. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (53-18)

上期排名: 2
过去一周: 客胜快船,客胜国王,主胜太阳,主胜步行者
进攻效率: 118.0 (第4位) 防守效率: 110.5 (第3位)

第一周后新加入球员: 中锋 梅森·普拉姆利 (Mason Plumlee),大前锋 埃马纽埃尔·米勒 (Emanuel Miller)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan),大前锋 莱利·米尼克斯 (Riley Minix)(双向合同)

马刺正式回到了季后赛,这是他们本年代的第一次。自两个多月前连败给明尼苏达和俄克拉荷马以来,他们取得了26胜5负的战绩。这一切都要归功于我们的“外星人霸主”维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)。你们都知道接下来的剧情:你们所有人都会再次讨厌马刺,哪怕仅仅是因为文班对那种“从农场到餐桌”般纯粹篮球的执着。我很期待看到这组人马从下个月开始的表现。他们基本上就是2024年的雷霆,这意味着在第二轮看到卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 将会变得非常恐怖。准备好迎接“缺乏经验”之类的陈词滥调吧。是的,我知道德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 和第一周的首发哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 都在阵中。但福克斯赢下的季后赛系列赛和你我一样多,而巴恩斯自十年前离开勇士后就再也没赢过一轮。圣安东尼奥甚至拥有前2024年雷霆成员比斯马克·比永博 (Bismack Biyombo) 来告诫他的新队友们即将到来的季后赛残酷性,还有梅森·普拉姆利(不是迈克·穆斯卡拉),他出现在这里是因为索汉不在。每支第一次进季后赛的球队都需要一个乐透秀作为替罪羊,马刺似乎想在季后赛开始前甩掉索汉。你看,雷霆不得不等到第一次季后赛之旅才甩掉约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey)。也许马刺真的走在了时代的前沿。

3. 底特律活塞 (51-19)

上期排名: 3
过去一周: 客胜奇才,客胜奇才,主胜勇士
进攻效率: 116.9 (第9位) 防守效率: 108.8 (第2位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 凯文·赫尔特 (Kevin Huerter),大前锋 艾萨克·琼斯 (Isaac Jones)(双向合同),得分后卫 小温德尔·摩尔 (Wendell Moore Jr.)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 杰登·艾维 (Jaden Ivey),小前锋 科尔比·琼斯 (Colby Jones)(双向合同)

本周引起65场规则讨论的重大伤病发生在华盛顿。特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) 在凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 的压迫防守下掉球,并撞到了坎宁安最糟糕的部位。坎宁安可能为季后赛做好准备,但他可能因为肺塌陷而常规赛报销。活塞已经锁定了季后赛席位,并领先凯尔特人和尼克斯,稳居东部第一。他们追赶俄克拉荷马城的机会也不大。底特律阵容深度雄厚,且相对稳定,投篮失准的赫尔特在标准合同名单中取代了艾维。活塞应该有足够的实力度过常规赛,尽管坎宁安无法参加底特律赛程中仅剩的几次重要热身赛令人失望。

4. 纽约尼克斯 (47-25)

上期排名: 4
过去一周: 主胜步行者,客胜篮网,主胜奇才
进攻效率: 118.5 (第3位) 防守效率: 111.7 (第5位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 何塞·阿尔瓦拉多 (Jose Alvarado),大前锋 索汉,小前锋 迪伦·琼斯 (Dillon Jones)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 盖尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele),小前锋 托桑·埃武奥姆万 (Tosan Evbuomwan)(双向合同)

尼克斯过去一周的赛程非常轻松,尤其是无需长途跋涉,而他们也顺利赢下了比赛。尼克斯在赛季初曾尝试让乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart) 替补,同时让卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 试打大前锋。这种安排持续了15场比赛,随后迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 转向了目前的这套首发阵容,其出场时间在全联盟所有五人组中排名第三。迈尔斯·麦克布莱德 (Miles McBride) 长达数周的伤病为兰德里·沙梅特 (Landry Shamet)、乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson) 以及季中加盟的阿尔瓦拉多腾出了后卫线的上场时间。

5. 波士顿凯尔特人 (47-24)

上期排名: 5
过去一周: 主胜太阳,主胜勇士,客胜灰熊,主负森林狼
进攻效率: 119.3 (第2位) 防守效率: 111.5 (第4位)

第一周后新加入球员: 中锋 尼古拉·武切维奇 (Nikola Vučević),中锋 查尔斯·巴锡 (Charles Bassey)(10天合同),得分后卫 约翰·通杰 (John Tonje)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons),大前锋 乔什·米诺特 (Josh Minott),中锋 老哈维尔·蒂尔曼 (Xavier Tillman Sr.),大前锋 克里斯·布歇 (Chris Boucher)

波士顿在周末遭遇了一场惨痛的主场失利。在休息几天后,凯尔特人的赛程将变得艰难,雷霆和老鹰将相继到访,随后是始于夏洛特的四连客。杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 的回归是自第一周以来最显著的变化,但这支球队也用西蒙斯换来了目前有伤在身的武切维奇。这并不是一支深度很厚的球队,他们的第三阵容由转正的双向合同新秀、一名10天合同球员和双向合同球员组成。

第二梯队:处境稳健

6. 克利夫兰骑士 (44-27)

上期排名: 8
过去一周: 客胜雄鹿,客胜公牛,客胜鹈鹕
进攻效率: 117.7 (第6位) 防守效率: 113.4 (第13位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden),得分后卫 基恩·埃利斯 (Keon Ellis),控球后卫 丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schröder),小前锋 特里斯坦·埃纳鲁纳 (Tristan Enaruna)(双向合同),大前锋 莱利·米尼克斯(双向合同),中锋 奥利维耶·萨尔 (Olivier Sarr)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland),小前锋 德安德烈·亨特 (De’Andre Hunter),控球后卫 朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball),小前锋 卢克·特拉弗斯 (Luke Travers)(双向合同)

骑士本周完成了既定任务,凭借哈登和多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 的天赋,在客场轻取三支胜率不足五成的球队。哈登被引进是为了替代加兰,并继续发挥他的作用,作为米切尔的补充提供稳定的组织能力。埃利斯和施罗德一直是亨特(在萨克拉门托受伤)和鲍尔(淡出NBA)的稳定替代者。克利夫兰的下一步是迎回贾勒特·阿伦 (Jarrett Allen)(膝伤)。

7. 洛杉矶湖人 (46-25)

上期排名: 9
过去一周: 客胜火箭,客胜火箭,客胜热火,客胜魔术
进攻效率: 117.0 (第8位) 防守效率: 115.7 (第20位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 卢克·肯纳德 (Luke Kennard),控球后卫 科比·巴夫金 (Kobe Bufkin),中锋 德鲁·蒂米 (Drew Timme)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 盖布·文森特 (Gabe Vincent),中锋 克里斯蒂安·科洛科 (Christian Koloko)(双向合同)

湖人本赛季在轮换阵容上只做了一次调整,并收到了回报:肯纳德在奥兰多投中绝杀,为球队的九连胜画上句号。这是你见过的最无解的东契奇表演秀,他甚至需要联盟办公室的宽大处理才免于禁赛。现在让我们来谈谈MVP!每当有平台的人说“没有人对球员X讨论得足够多”时,我总觉得好笑。难道篮球讨论也需要尼尔森收视率吗?只要涉及湖人球员,讨论声总是会更大,而东契奇正在打出MVP级别的数据。我可以向你保证,他一直都在讨论范围之内,尽管人们一直在等待那些具有说服力的胜利。其他一些候选人所在的球队整个赛季都在赢下关键比赛。不过对湖人来说,迟到总比不到好。也许这一次能转化为季后赛的成功,不像去年湖人取得八连胜并击败掘金、步行者、火箭和俄克拉荷马后,却只赢了一场季后赛。

8. 丹佛掘金 (44-28)

上期排名: 10
过去一周: 主胜费城,客负灰熊,主胜猛龙,主胜开拓者
进攻效率: 120.2 (第1位) 防守效率: 115.8 (第21位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 泰厄斯·琼斯 (Tyus Jones),大前锋 大卫·罗迪 (David Roddy)(双向合同),控球后卫 KJ·辛普森 (KJ Simpson)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 亨特·泰森 (Hunter Tyson),小前锋 塔马尔·贝茨 (Tamar Bates)(双向合同)

掘金在孟菲斯遭遇了一场惨败。但对掘金来说,更重要的进展是他们赢下了其他比赛,并且尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)、阿隆·戈登 (Aaron Gordon) 和佩顿·沃特森 (Peyton Watson) 四个月来首次全员健康。这有足够的时间让丹佛为季后赛做好准备。琼斯虽然在队中,但在掘金的轮换阵容外,他只能坐在尤纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valančiūnas) 旁边。

9. 休斯顿火箭 (43-27)

上期排名: 6
过去一周: 主负湖人,主负湖人,主胜老鹰,主胜热火
进攻效率: 116.5 (第10位) 防守效率: 112.3 (第7位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 特里斯坦·牛顿 (Tristen Newton)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 凯文·哈里斯 (Kevon Harris)(双向合同)

事实证明,如果火箭在一周内和你打两次,他们就会把其中一个第四节捐给救世军。在主场对阵湖人的两场关键时刻比赛中,火箭展示了两种不同的惜败方式,攻防两端各来一次!在其他方面,塔里·伊森 (Tari Eason) 的母亲不得不向“致命射手”发出求救信号,因为她懂。我们所谓的“懂”,是指伊森本月的空位三分命中率大约和那些实现目标的人的比例差不多。艾米·乌度卡 (Ime Udoka) 终于决定让里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) 进入首发阵容,谁知道呢,也许这一举动会成为今年版本的阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Şengün) 和史蒂文·亚当斯 (Steven Adams) 的强强联手。说到亚当斯——休斯顿非常想念他和弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet)。

Chris Finch and Anthony Edwards森林狼主帅克里斯·芬奇并不害怕让安东尼·爱德华兹这样的球星承担责任。 Jesse Johnson / Imagn Images

10. 明尼苏达森林狼 (44-28)

上期排名: 11
过去一周: 主胜太阳,主胜爵士,主负开拓者,客胜凯尔特人
进攻效率: 116.0 (第12位) 防守效率: 112.4 (第9位)

第一周后新加入球员: 得分后卫 阿约·多松姆 (Ayo Dosunmu),大前锋 凯尔·安德森 (Kyle Anderson),小前锋 朱利安·菲利普斯 (Julian Phillips),得分后卫 宰恩·普林 (Zyon Pullin)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 莱昂纳德·米勒 (Leonard Miller),控球后卫 罗布·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham),得分后卫 约翰尼·朱赞 (Johnny Juzang)(双向合同)

我本周的主要收获是欣赏克里斯·芬奇 (Chris Finch)。这支球队在阵容上没有做太多重大调整。多松姆是关键的季中引援,而安德森可能是唯一发挥作用的买断签约。在很大程度上,你在第一周看到的森林狼就是现在的森林狼。迈克·康利 (Mike Conley) 的角色已逐渐向乔·英格尔斯 (Joe Ingles) 靠拢。芬奇可以批评这支球队的任何人,包括安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 和(本周的)朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle)。在明尼苏达,这是一种唯才是举的制度。森林狼是一支情绪化的球队,但芬奇对这组球员有着出色的掌控力,这在季后赛中至关重要。

第三梯队:季后赛边缘

11. 亚特兰大老鹰 (39-32)

上期排名: 14
过去一周: 主胜魔术,客胜独行侠,客负火箭,主胜勇士
进攻效率: 114.3 (第14位) 防守效率: 113.1 (第11位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum),大前锋 乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga),得分后卫 科里·基斯珀特 (Corey Kispert),中锋 乔克·兰代尔 (Jock Landale),控球后卫 盖布·文森特,得分后卫 巴迪·希尔德 (Buddy Hield),控球后卫 雷杰·丹尼斯 (RayJ Dennis)(双向合同),中锋 科洛科(双向合同),得分后卫 凯肖恩·吉尔伯特 (Keshon Gilbert)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 特雷·杨 (Trae Young),中锋 克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis),得分后卫 肯纳德,小前锋 维特·克雷伊奇 (Vit Krejčí),中锋 恩法利·丹特 (N’Faly Dante),得分后卫 尼古拉·久里希奇 (Nikola Djurisic),小前锋 雅各布·托平 (Jacob Toppin)(双向合同),大前锋 埃利·约翰·恩迪亚耶 (Eli John Ndiaye)(双向合同)

老鹰在第九名待了很久,11连胜在休斯顿被终结,那支球队可能提供了如何锁死老鹰进攻的蓝图。但老鹰在对阵勇士时反弹了,尽管库明加打出了年度最差的“复仇之战”之一(9投1中,在22分钟内正负值为-6)。现在亚特兰大已经将“九”变成了“六”,而且老鹰是在交易走杨和波尔津吉斯这两位原本被寄予厚望的球员后做到这一点的。同时,他们将扎卡里·里萨谢 (Zaccharie Risacher) 放入第二阵容,与另外四名赛季初不在队中的球员(库明加、基斯珀特、兰代尔、文森特)搭档。更不用说麦科勒姆和开赛周替补尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) 组成的后场双枪有多出色了。

12. 菲尼克斯太阳 (40-32)

上期排名: 15
过去一周: 客负凯尔特人,客负森林狼,客负马刺,主负雄鹿,主胜猛龙
进攻效率: 113.9 (第18位) 防守效率: 112.8 (第10位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 海伍德·海史密斯 (Haywood Highsmith),小前锋 阿米尔·科菲 (Amir Coffey),控球后卫 贾马里·布耶 (Jamaree Bouyea)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 奈杰尔·海耶斯-戴维斯 (Nigel Hayes-Davis),中锋 尼克·理查兹 (Nick Richards)

一支球队在七天五赛的赛程中只赢下最后一场的情况并不多见,但这确实发生在太阳身上。在经历了一个艰难的开局和主场负于雄鹿的沮丧(虽然没2021年总决赛第五场那么糟,但还是很糟)之后,太阳值得赞扬,因为他们克服了身心疲劳,在对阵猛龙时拿到了一场大胜。西部排名竞争激烈,但太阳至少在两个月内一直稳居第七,这也是他们目前应该预期的位置。他们现实中很难再往上走,也很难想象他们会跌入附加赛更深处。太阳轮换阵容最大的变化包括科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie) 赢得了首发位置,而格雷森·阿伦 (Grayson Allen) 坐稳了第六人的位置。罗伊斯·奥尼尔 (Royce O’Neale) 也成为了首发大前锋,而瑞安·邓恩 (Ryan Dunn) 则跌出了轮换。太阳整个赛季都有关键球员缺阵,杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green) 赛季初表现挣扎,而首发球员狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks)(手部)和马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)(足部)目前因伤缺阵数周。

13. 多伦多猛龙 (39-31)

上期排名: 12
过去一周: 客胜公牛,客负掘金,客负太阳
进攻效率: 114.1 (第16位) 防守效率: 112.3 (第8位)

第一周后新加入球员: 中锋 特雷斯·杰克逊-戴维斯 (Trayce Jackson-Davis)
第一周后离队球员: 小前锋 奥查伊·阿巴吉 (Ochai Agbaji)

猛龙出现在菲尼克斯,这是他们在第四个不同时区打的第四场比赛。在第一节比赛结束后,他们就被一支在“时区周”前还曾轻松击败过的球队彻底摧毁了。从第一周到现在,猛龙轮换阵容最大的变化在于贾科比·沃尔特 (Ja’Kobe Walter) 在排位上超过了2023年的乐透秀格雷迪·迪克 (Gradey Dick);交易走阿巴吉并没有为迪克或詹米森·巴特尔 (Jamison Battle) 腾出更多上场时间。

14. 夏洛特黄蜂 (37-34)

上期排名: 17
过去一周: 主胜热火,主胜魔术,主胜灰熊
进攻效率: 117.9 (第5位) 防守效率: 113.8 (第15位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 科比·怀特 (Coby White),中锋 老蒂尔曼,中锋 PJ·霍尔 (PJ Hall)(双向合同),小前锋 埃武奥姆万(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 塞克斯顿,中锋 普拉姆利,控球后卫 辛普森(双向合同),小前锋 德鲁·彼得森 (Drew Peterson)(双向合同)

黄蜂通过大动作交易用塞克斯顿换来了怀特,但夏洛特轮换阵容得到的最大提升是迎回了健康的约什·格林 (Josh Green) 和格兰特·威廉姆斯 (Grant Williams) 以增强板凳深度,尤其是当布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller) 也康复之后。本赛季当威廉姆斯和格林同时上场时,黄蜂战绩为19胜8负,而他们缺阵时仅为18胜26负。全联盟只有三套五人阵容的共同上场时间超过了黄蜂的首发组合——拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball)、米勒、康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)、迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges) 和穆萨·迪亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate),这组人马每百回合净胜对手27.3分。黄蜂在过去一周重新找回了大胜的感觉,包括大比分击败同分区的两支佛罗里达球队。

15. 奥兰多魔术 (38-32)

上期排名: 7
过去一周: 客负老鹰,主负雷霆,客负黄蜂,主负湖人
进攻效率: 114.1 (第17位) 防守效率: 113.2 (第12位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 杰文·卡特 (Jevon Carter),小前锋 亚历克斯·莫拉莱斯 (Alex Morales)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 泰厄斯·琼斯,中锋 奥兰多·罗宾逊 (Orlando Robinson)(双向合同)

对于一支进入本周时表现非常出色的魔术队来说,这周的赛程并不轻松。他们不稳定的进攻要么在比赛后期掉链子,要么无法弥补防守端的不连贯。奥兰多是另一支在赛季期间没有对阵容进行重大调整的球队。弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 的脚踝伤势一直反复,现在安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black) 又在处理腹部伤势,这让奥兰多平淡无奇的轮换阵容又失去了一位顶级运动天才。

16. 迈阿密热火 (38-33)

上期排名: 13
过去一周: 客负黄蜂,主负湖人,客负火箭
进攻效率: 114.9 (第13位) 防守效率: 112.1 (第6位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 特雷弗·基尔斯 (Trevor Keels)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 无

热火本赛季没有进行任何值得关注的交易。但他们正处于四连败中,且每场比赛都被对手得到至少120分。安德鲁·维金斯 (Andrew Wiggins)(脚趾受伤,周一对阵马刺出战成疑)自3月第一周以来就没打过球,热火自2月21日以来还没在诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell) 出战的情况下赢过球(鲍威尔错过了热火整个七连胜期间的比赛),而且本赛季当鲍威尔与泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 同时在场时,热火一直处于输分状态。

17. 费城76人 (39-32)

上期排名: 18
过去一周: 客负掘金,客胜国王,客胜爵士
进攻效率: 114.1 (第15位) 防守效率: 114.6 (第16位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 卡梅隆·佩恩 (Cameron Payne),得分后卫 达伦·泰里 (Dalen Terry)(双向合同),小前锋 马乔恩·比彻姆 (MarJon Beauchamp)(双向合同),得分后卫 泰雷塞·马丁 (Tyrese Martin)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 麦凯恩,得分后卫 埃里克·戈登 (Eric Gordon),得分后卫 亨特·萨利斯 (Hunter Sallis)(双向合同)

我唯一的愿望就是看到恩比德在丹佛对阵约基奇。结果,这又没发生。尘埃落定后,麦凯恩基本上被佩恩取代了。现在,前雷霆乐透秀佩恩将在本周两队交锋时面对费城去年的首轮秀麦凯恩。此外,保罗·乔治停赛归来,这对在泰雷塞·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 受伤期间辛苦支撑的VJ·艾奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 来说是个不错的解脱。

18. 洛杉矶快船 (35-36)

上期排名: 16
过去一周: 主负马刺,客负鹈鹕,客负鹈鹕,客胜独行侠
进攻效率: 116.2 (第11位) 防守效率: 115.7 (第19位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 加兰,得分后卫 本内迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin),中锋 赛亚·杰克逊 (Isaiah Jackson),得分后卫 泰泰·华盛顿 (TyTy Washington Jr.)(双向合同),控球后卫 肖恩·佩杜拉 (Sean Pedulla)(双向合同),大前锋 诺查德·奥米尔 (Norchad Omier)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 哈登,中锋 伊维察·祖巴茨 (Ivica Zubac),控球后卫 克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul),大前锋 科比·布朗 (Kobe Brown),小前锋 贾米尔·特尔福特 (Jahmyl Telfort)(双向合同)

快船这一周的表现与前一周完全相反,在周末结束前拿到一场胜利之前,他们经历了一段可怜的连败。卡怀·伦纳德和加兰牺牲了这个月球队第二次七天五赛的体能,才在达拉斯大杀四方,但即便如此也需要通过加时赛才分出胜负。加兰在快船加时战胜独行侠的比赛中拿到了同样的得分和助攻高值(41分11助攻),正如哈登在11月双加时战胜独行侠时所做的那样。如果加兰下周在密尔沃基砍下55分,他和哈登之间的相似性就真的值得进一步研究了。快船整个赛季都在适应伤病,包括他们的交易。如果这支快船队想要将联盟现存最长的连续胜率过半赛季纪录延长到15个,他们就需要再次找回状态。

19. 波特兰开拓者 (35-37)

上期排名: 20
过去一周: 客胜篮网,客胜步行者,客胜森林狼,客负掘金
进攻效率: 112.5 (第23位) 防守效率: 114.8 (第17位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 克雷伊奇,小前锋 杰森·肯特 (Jayson Kent)(双向合同),得分后卫 扬布拉德(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 中锋 杜普·里斯 (Duop Reath),小前锋 拉扬·鲁珀特 (Rayan Rupert),得分后卫 贾冯特·库克 (Javonte Cooke)(双向合同)

开拓者这周忙着欺负那些他们必须击败的球队,包括一支残阵森林狼,随后输给了全主力的丹佛。他们在西部附加赛的竞争中非常有存在感,而且在谢登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe) 伤缺期间取得了11胜9负的战绩(这大致也与斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 伤愈复出的时间吻合)。德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 也越来越健康,在之前24场缺阵16场后,他已经连续出战8场;阿夫迪亚依然是一个不可或缺的罚球制造者,但他的三分球手感已经干涸。本赛季没有太多影响波特兰的变动,除了蒂亚戈·斯普利特 (Tiago Splitter) 一直在代替昌西·比卢普斯 (Chauncey Billups) 执教;克雷伊奇把他的三分准星留在了亚特兰大。夏普的伤情重新评估窗口将于本周开启,他是波特兰冲刺季后赛的最后一块拼图。

20. 金州勇士 (33-38)

上期排名: 19
过去一周: 客胜奇才,客负凯尔特人,客负活塞,客负老鹰
进攻效率: 113.8 (第19位) 防守效率: 113.6 (第14位)

第一周后新加入球员: 中锋 波尔津吉斯,得分后卫 塞斯·库里 (Seth Curry),中锋 奥默·尤尔特塞文 (Omer Yurtseven)(10天合同),小前锋 内特·威廉姆斯 (Nate Williams)(双向合同),大前锋 马莱维·利昂斯 (Malevy Leons)(双向合同),得分后卫 LJ·克赖尔 (LJ Cryer)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 库明加,得分后卫 希尔德,中锋 杰克逊-戴维斯,小前锋 杰克逊·罗 (Jackson Rowe)(双向合同),小前锋 亚历克斯·图伊 (Alex Toohey)(双向合同)

勇士在华盛顿拿到了一场急需的胜利,但随后又回到了最近的常规节奏:在3月对阵那些想要赢球的球队时被惨案。自吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 遭遇ACL撕裂以来,金州勇士还没拿过连胜。在波尔津吉斯出战的七场比赛中,对阵奇才的胜利是唯一的一场。在斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 缺阵的情况下,这支球队的进攻完全失去了威胁。

Dejounte Murray dunks during warmups德章泰·穆雷自伤愈复出后对鹈鹕产生了积极影响。 Matthew Hinton/ Imagn Images

第四梯队:暂无威胁

21. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (25-47)

上期排名: 24
过去一周: 主胜独行侠,主胜快船,主胜快船,主负骑士
进攻效率: 113.4 (第21位) 防守效率: 117.0 (第24位)

第一周后新加入球员: 大前锋 乔什·奥杜罗 (Josh Oduro)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 阿尔瓦拉多

死亡、税收,以及新奥尔良击败快船。我不管鹈鹕年复一年的表现如何(他们通常表现不佳),但他们掌控着快船的整个灵魂。也许这就是克里斯·保罗交易的诅咒吧。总之,鹈鹕对第一周的阵容几乎没做改动,但他们也是唯一一支解雇了第一周主教练的球队。萨迪克·贝 (Saddiq Bey) 本赛季表现惊人,是休赛期从奇才获得的最强球员(抱歉了,乔丹·普尔 (Jordan Poole)),而德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray)(恰好填补了阿尔瓦拉多留下的空位)赢下了一半的比赛。这在被高估的西部已经足够排在季后赛竞争圈的中游了。我敢肯定鹈鹕明年有了乐透秀后处境会更好,对吧?……噢。

22. 芝加哥公牛 (28-42)

上期排名: 21
过去一周: 主胜灰熊,主负猛龙,主负骑士
进攻效率: 112.3 (第25位) 防守效率: 116.8 (第23位)

第一周后新加入球员: 控球后卫 安芬尼·西蒙斯,得分后卫 塞克斯顿,大前锋 莱昂纳德·米勒,控球后卫 迪林厄姆,中锋 亚布塞莱,得分后卫 艾维,中锋 理查兹,控球后卫 河村勇辉 (Yuki Kawamura)(双向合同),得分后卫 麦克·麦克朗 (Mac McClung)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 中锋 武切维奇,得分后卫 怀特,得分后卫 赫尔特,控球后卫 多松姆,小前锋 菲利普斯,得分后卫 泰里,控球后卫 卡特,大前锋 埃马纽埃尔·米勒(双向合同),小前锋 特伦廷·弗劳尔斯 (Trentyn Flowers)(双向合同)

约什·吉迪在公牛的两个赛季里拿到了19次三双,其中10次发生在每年的3月1日之后,包括本月的5次。约什,赛季可是从10月就开始了!公牛的阵容即便在赛季开始时也显得不合逻辑,但看看他们是如何把这些小个后卫都塞进球队的。西蒙斯和艾维的伤病为塞克斯顿和迪林厄姆腾出了足够的上场时间,但芝加哥也在过度消耗杰伦·史密斯 (Jalen Smith) 和亚布塞莱,让他们打了太长时间的中锋。公牛赛季中一个被低估的部分是特雷·琼斯 (Tre Jones) 作为首发和高分钟球员的表现。琼斯三分球糟糕,身材和运动能力也不出众,但他极其高效(投篮命中率54.4%,助攻失误比3.9)。

23. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (29-41)

上期排名: 22
过去一周: 主负骑士,客负爵士,客胜太阳
进攻效率: 112.4 (第24位) 防守效率: 117.6 (第25位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 乌斯曼·吉昂,得分后卫 卡姆·托马斯 (Cam Thomas),得分后卫 科马克·瑞安 (Cormac Ryan)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 科尔·安东尼 (Cole Anthony),小前锋 科菲,控球后卫 马克·西尔斯 (Mark Sears)(双向合同)

扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 的故事仍在继续。雄鹿在对阵爵士的比赛中玩起了消失,但在客场战胜太阳的比赛中展现了顽强的斗志。对雄鹿来说,胜利已经不重要了;他们在附加赛区的负场数落后多达7场。他们已经像鹿肉一样被炖熟了,现在该让其他的阿德托昆博兄弟上场了。阵容中唯一的变动是托马斯取代了安东尼,吉昂取代了科菲。托里恩·普林斯 (Taurean Prince) 伤愈复出,让前锋线更加拥挤。

24. 孟菲斯灰熊 (24-46)

上期排名: 25
过去一周: 客负公牛,主胜掘金,主负波士顿,客负黄蜂
进攻效率: 113.4 (第20位) 防守效率: 116.7 (第22位)

第一周后新加入球员: 大前锋 泰勒·亨德里克斯 (Taylor Hendricks),得分后卫 沃尔特·克莱顿 (Walter Clayton Jr.),中锋 泰·吉布森 (Taj Gibson),大前锋 泰勒·伯顿 (Tyler Burton)(10天合同),控球后卫 德琼·贾罗 (DeJon Jarreau)(10天合同),小前锋 鲁珀特(双向合同),得分后卫 贾迈·马沙克 (Jahmai Mashack)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.),中锋 兰代尔,小前锋 约翰·康查尔 (John Konchar),得分后卫 文斯·威廉姆斯 (Vince Williams Jr.),中锋 霍尔(双向合同)

灰熊是唯一一支利用伤病特例签人来撑过赛季的球队。目前,伯顿和贾罗都在名单中作为替补。伤病摧毁了这支原本期望值就不高的灰熊队,赛季初扎克·埃迪 (Zach Edey)、泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome)、布兰登·克拉克 (Brandon Clarke)、小斯科蒂·皮蓬 (Scotty Pippen Jr.) 和文斯·威廉姆斯都在伤病名单上。目前只有杰罗姆在打球,而贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)、圣地·阿尔达马 (Santi Aldama) 和肯塔维奥斯·考德威尔-波普 (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) 要么赛季报销,要么也差不多了。孟菲斯交易杰克逊得到的最重要的球员是亨德里克斯,40岁的吉布森取代了第一周的首发兰代尔,鲁珀特在奥利维耶-马克桑斯·普罗斯珀 (Olivier-Maxence Prosper)(最近以6尺7的身高首发打中锋)转正后获得了一份双向合同,而克莱顿经常与另外两名后卫同时在场。这就是摆烂的姿势——即便如此他们还是击败了掘金!

25. 达拉斯独行侠 (23-48)

上期排名: 23
过去一周: 客负鹈鹕,主负老鹰,主负快船
进攻效率: 110.0 (第27位) 防守效率: 115.0 (第18位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton),大前锋 马文·巴格利三世 (Marvin Bagley III),得分后卫 AJ·约翰逊 (AJ Johnson),大前锋 泰勒·史密斯 (Tyler Smith)(双向合同),得分后卫 约翰·普拉基达斯 (John Poulakidas)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis),控球后卫 丹吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell),得分后卫 杰登·哈迪 (Jaden Hardy),得分后卫 丹特·艾克萨姆 (Dante Exum),得分后卫 迈尔斯·凯利 (Miles Kelly)(双向合同)

我的同事克里斯蒂安·克拉克周末告诉我,独行侠在进入周六前已经连输了10个主场。好吧,现在是11连胜了。独行侠上一次在主场赢球还是在1月份,对手正是他们周一将要招待的勇士队。这支独行侠队曾被向转播商推销为2024年西部冠军的阵容,且拥有奇才般的库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 而非东契奇,再加上你想要的所有大个子,以及凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving) 从ACL手术中归来的曙光,期间由拉塞尔稳住局面。好吧,至少弗拉格打出来了。欧文本赛季不会出战,戴维斯和拉塞尔被交易换来了米德尔顿和巴格利,克莱·汤普森 (Klay Thompson) 不再是首发,而德雷克·莱夫利二世 (Dereck Lively II) 仅打了115分钟。

第五梯队:联盟垫底

26. 犹他爵士 (21-50)

上期排名: 27
过去一周: 客负森林狼,主胜雄鹿,主负费城
进攻效率: 113.3 (第22位) 防守效率: 120.4 (第29位)

第一周后新加入球员: 大前锋 小贾伦·杰克逊,小前锋 康查尔,控球后卫 肯尼迪·钱德勒 (Kennedy Chandler)(10天合同),得分后卫 贝兹·姆本 (Bez Mbeng)(10天合同),大前锋 布莱克·欣森 (Blake Hinson)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 大前锋 亨德里克斯,得分后卫 克莱顿,大前锋 安德森,大前锋 乔治·尼昂 (Georges Niang),得分后卫 通杰(双向合同)

爵士在对阵雄鹿的比赛中让10天合同球员安德森·加西亚 (Andersson Garcia) 打满了48分钟,并取得了一场大胜。随后加西亚被钱德勒取代。我敢肯定这中间肯定会有某处未公开的罚款。总之,爵士只是在敷衍了事。钱德勒、姆本和双向合同球员伊莱贾·哈克利斯 (Elijah Harkless) 在周六对阵76人的比赛中出场时间领跑全队,而艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey) 已经连续三场比赛尝试了至少10次三分(在本周之前他只有两场这样的表现,3月之前则一场没有)。

27. 萨克拉门托国王 (19-53)

上期排名: 26
过去一周: 主负马刺,主负费城,主胜篮网
进攻效率: 110.2 (第26位) 防守效率: 119.8 (第28位)

第一周后新加入球员: 小前锋 德安德烈·亨特,大前锋 普雷舍斯·阿丘瓦 (Precious Achiuwa),控球后卫 基利安·海斯 (Killian Hayes),大前锋 帕特里克·鲍德温 (Patrick Baldwin Jr.)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 控球后卫 施罗德,得分后卫 埃利斯,大前锋 达里奥·萨里奇 (Dario Saric),大前锋 艾萨克·琼斯

本赛季开始时,萨克拉门托在等待基根·穆雷 (Keegan Murray) 康复,同时由施罗德首发控卫。一支拥有扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、德马尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 的球队本应拥有足够的进攻火力,尤其是还有马利克·蒙克 (Malik Monk) 和拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 增强第二阵容。但这从未实现,萨克拉门托只从那个组合中交易走了施罗德,并在换回亨特的一周交易中搭上了埃利斯。萨博尼斯、拉文和亨特都已经赛季报销,这为新秀尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford)、马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud) 和迪伦·卡德威尔 (Dylan Cardwell) 腾出了更多上场机会。

28. 布鲁克林篮网 (17-54)

上期排名: 28
过去一周: 主负开拓者,主负雷霆,主负尼克斯,客负国王
进攻效率: 109.0 (第30位) 防守效率: 118.1 (第27位)

第一周后新加入球员: 大前锋 乔什·米诺特,得分后卫 阿巴吉,控球后卫 马拉凯·史密斯 (Malachi Smith)(10天合同),大前锋 钱尼·约翰逊 (Chaney Johnson)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 卡姆·托马斯,得分后卫 泰雷塞·马丁,小前锋 海史密斯

篮网在对阵雷霆时的表现糟糕到让人想立刻取消扩军计划(或许顺便把篮网也降级了)。篮网在随后的比赛中至少表现得更有竞争力,虽然还是“可以接受”地输给了尼克斯(一支他们可能永远也赢不了的球队)和萨克拉门托(关键的摆烂竞争对手)。但同样,篮网打造了一支可以随时转向摆烂的球队。卡姆·托马斯已经不在这里了。小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.)(腿筋受伤)本赛季可能不会再露面了。新秀诺兰·特拉奥雷 (Nolan Traore)、德雷克·鲍威尔 (Drake Powell) 和丹尼·沃尔夫 (Danny Wolf) 在赛季初都不在轮换阵容中,但现在他们都坐稳了首发。

29. 华盛顿奇才 (16-55)

上期排名: 29
过去一周: 主负勇士,主负活塞,主负活塞,主负雷霆,客负尼克斯
进攻效率: 109.5 (第28位) 防守效率: 121.0 (第30位)

第一周后新加入球员: 大前锋 戴维斯,控球后卫 杨,得分后卫 哈迪,控球后卫 拉塞尔,小前锋 利基·布莱克 (Leaky Black)(双向合同),中锋 朱利安·里斯 (Julian Reese)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 麦科勒姆,小前锋 米德尔顿,得分后卫 基斯珀特,大前锋 巴格利,得分后卫 AJ·约翰逊,得分后卫 马拉凯·布兰纳姆 (Malaki Branham)

奇才输球并不需要太多帮助,但赛程还是给了他们一个七天五赛的魔鬼赛程。而这些比赛中最轻松的第一场,就是周一晚上主场输给了一支残阵勇士队,后者当时是在背靠背且自3月5日以来还没赢过非奇才队。华盛顿赛季开始时由麦科勒姆和米德尔顿首发,而现在已经将杨和戴维斯雪藏保护起来了。随着赛季的进行,新秀威尔·莱利 (Will Riley) 成了最大的亮点。

30. 印第安纳步行者 (15-56)

上期排名: 30
过去一周: 客负尼克斯,主负开拓者,客负马刺
进攻效率: 109.2 (第29位) 防守效率: 118.0 (第26位)

第一周后新加入球员: 中锋 祖巴茨,大前锋 科比·布朗,中锋 米卡·波特 (Micah Potter),得分后卫 伊桑·汤普森 (Ethan Thompson)(双向合同),大前锋 杰伦·斯劳森 (Jalen Slawson)(双向合同)
第一周后离队球员: 得分后卫 马图林,中锋 赛亚·杰克逊,中锋 詹姆斯·怀斯曼 (James Wiseman),中锋 托尼·布拉德利 (Tony Bradley),控球后卫 丹尼斯(双向合同)

这是队史最长的连败纪录。只有当乐透球抽中的概率比去年的爵士或奇才更好时,这一切才值得。祖巴茨穿了几个星期的球衣,但他的赛季因为肋骨骨折已经结束了。印第安纳应该在本次选秀中寻找最佳得分手,以填补马图林离去后的空缺;昆顿·杰克逊 (Quenton Jackson) 和本·谢泼德 (Ben Sheppard) 现在正在瓜分那些上场时间。


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By Law Murray, via The Athletic

点击查看原文:NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets inch closer to contenders tier

NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets inch closer to contenders tier

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Album of the Week: “Corinne Bailey Rae” Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)

I’d like to begin this week’s Power Rankings by discussing stars. Specifically, that seemingly insignificant document that the NBA put out in 2023 known as the Player Participation Policy.

Back when it was introduced, I wrote about how your least favorite splash graphic factory was using LA Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as the face of the policy, something Leonard scoffed at directly. Joel Embiid was the reigning MVP, and he caught breathless levels of slander as well. Many of you enjoyed the jokes over facts and believed this would lead to a more perfect union.

But seasons change. Now that the 65-game threshold is threatening to eliminate top players from award consideration, people want more leeway in the rule — or for it to go away altogether. Which is to say — what did you all think was going to happen?! I won’t put a face to the fans or media here, but I will say, I was at All-Star Weekend in 2023, before the 65-game rule was even finalized, and some of your favorite players thought the bar should be higher than 65 games. People applauded the Player Participation Policy — until it happens to you!

This discussion intersects neatly with the news last week of the NBA finally getting real progress on expansion, specifically to Seattle (bring back the Sonics!) and Las Vegas. You would think that having more opportunities for professional basketball players to be in the NBA, and more talent to have a chance to actually play, would be welcomed. But again, a lot of folks only care about 50 players or so.

That brings us to this week’s Power Rankings. There have been injuries and skeleton crews littering many rotations across the league, and I’ve been keeping up with all of it. Now is a good time to examine how teams have changed since October, as we’re done with trades and new two-way contracts, and we finally realize that the buyout market is a scam.

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 23 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore a rotation reset for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.


Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (56-15)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at ORL, W at BRK, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 117.1 (seventh place)Defensive rating: 106.1 (first place)

New players added after Week 1: SG Jared McCain, SF Payton Sandfort (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Ousmane Dieng, SG Chris Youngblood (two-way)

It’s funny that a team can win every game the schedule offers them, and you can still find a critic. No matter. The Thunder are the hottest team in the league, and they control their own destiny for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with three weeks left to go. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and NBA Finals MVP, hasn’t lost a game since Jan. 29. We’ll get to MVP nonsense later, but whatever the conversation is, it begins with him. As for the Thunder? They acquired two extra seasons of rookie contract capital for swapping Dieng out for McCain, who visits Philadelphia this week. This team still has more ceiling to explore when you consider 2025 All-NBA and All-Defense selection Jalen Williams (hamstring) wearing more fits for the bench than Thunder uniforms this season. Williams is set to make his third injury return of the season Monday in Philadelphia.

2. San Antonio Spurs (53-18)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at LAC, W at SAC, W vs PHO, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 118.0 (fourth place)Defensive rating: 110.5 (third place)

New players added after Week 1: C Mason Plumlee, PF Emanuel Miller (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Jeremy Sochan, PF Riley Minix (two-way)

The Spurs are officially back in the playoffs for the first time this decade. They are 26-5 since they last lost back-to-back games (at Minnesota and Oklahoma City more than two months ago). And we all have our alien overlord Victor Wembanyama to thank. You all know what comes next, and that is all of you hating the Spurs again, if nothing else because of Wemby’s commitment toward farm-to-table ethical hoops. I’m fascinated to see what this group does starting next month. They are basically the 2024 Thunder, which means seeing Luka Dončiç in the second round is going to get spooky. Prepare for “lack of experience” narratives and the like. Yes, I know De’Aaron Fox and Week 1 starter Harrison Barnes are here. But Fox has won as many playoff series as you and I, and Barnes hasn’t won one since leaving the Warriors a decade ago. San Antonio even has former 2024 Thunderbuddy Bismack Biyombo to warn his new teammates about the upcoming playoff run, along with Mason (not Mike Muscala) Plumlee, who is here because Jeremy Sochan is not. Every first-time playoff team needs a lottery-pick scapegoat, and the Spurs figured to get off Sochan before the playoff run. See, the Thunder had to wait for the maiden playoff run to get off Josh Giddey. Maybe the Spurs really are ahead of the curve.

3. Detroit Pistons (51-19)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at WAS, W at WAS, W vs GS
Offensive rating: 116.9 (ninth place)Defensive rating: 108.8 (second place)

New players added after Week 1: SF Kevin Huerter, PF Isaac Jones (two-way), SG Wendell Moore Jr. (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Jaden Ivey, SF Colby Jones (two-way)

The major injury of the week that got the 65-game rule in discussion happened in Washington, where Tre Johnson lost his handle against Cade Cunningham’s pressure defense and hit Cunningham in the worst spot possible. Cunningham could be ready for the postseason, but he might be done for the regular season because of a collapsed lung. The Pistons have already clinched a playoff spot, and they have a healthy lead on the Celtics and Knicks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They also don’t have a great shot at catching Oklahoma City. Detroit is deep, and relatively unchanged, with Huerter’s missing jump shot replacing Ivey on the standard contract roster. The Pistons should have enough to get through the regular season, though it is disappointing that Cunningham won’t be available for the few notable tune-ups Detroit has left on the schedule.

4. New York Knicks (47-25)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs IND, W at BRK, W vs WAS
Offensive rating: 118.5 (third place)Defensive rating: 111.7 (fifth place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Jose Alvarado, PF Jeremy Sochan, SF Dillon Jones (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Guerschon Yabusele, SF Tosan Evbuomwan (two-way)

Cupcake schedule for the Knicks this past week, especially with no travel, but they won the games. The Knicks began the season trying to bring Josh Hart off the bench while testing Karl-Anthony Towns at power forward. That arrangement lasted 15 games before Mike Brown pivoted to his current starting lineup that has played more minutes than all but two five-man units this season. Miles McBride’s multi-week injury has opened up guard minutes for Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson and midseason acquisition Alvarado.

5. Boston Celtics (47-24)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs PHO, W vs GS, W at MEM, L vs MIN
Offensive rating: 119.3 (second place)Defensive rating: 111.5 (fourth place)

New players added after Week 1: C Nikola Vučević, C Charles Bassey (10-day), SG John Tonje (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Anfernee Simons, PF Josh Minott, C Xavier Tillman Sr., PF Chris Boucher

Tough home loss for Boston to end the week. The schedule stiffens after the Celtics get a couple of days off, with the Thunder and Hawks visiting, followed by a four-game road trip that begins in Charlotte. The return of Jayson Tatum is the most significant change from Week 1, but this is also a team that flipped Simons for the currently injured Vučević. This isn’t the deepest team, as their third string is made up of promoted two-way contract rookies, a 10-day contract and two-way contracts.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-27)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W at MIL, W at CHI, W at NO
Offensive rating: 117.7 (sixth place)Defensive rating: 113.4 (13th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG James Harden, SG Keon Ellis, PG Dennis Schröder, SF Tristan Enaruna (two-way), PF Riley Minix (two-way), C Olivier Sarr (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Darius Garland, SF De’Andre Hunter, PG Lonzo Ball, SF Luke Travers (two-way)

The Cavaliers did what they needed to do this week and handled their business on the road against three losing teams on the strength of James Harden’s and Donovan Mitchell’s talents. Harden was brought in to replace Garland and do what he’s been doing, providing available playmaking as a complement to Mitchell. Ellis and Schröder have been steady replacements for Hunter (injured in Sacramento) and Ball (out of NBA). The next step for Cleveland is getting Jarrett Allen (knee) back.

7. Los Angeles Lakers (46-25)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W at HOU, W at HOU, W at MIA, W at ORL
Offensive rating: 117.0 (eighth place)Defensive rating: 115.7 (20th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Luke Kennard, PG Kobe Bufkin, C Drew Timme (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Gabe Vincent, C Christian Koloko (two-way)

The Lakers made one transaction to affect their rotation during this season, and it paid off, with Luke Kennard hitting a game-winner in Orlando to punctuate the team’s ninth straight win. And it has been the most unguardable tour you have ever seen for Dončić, who needed the grace of the league office to avoid suspension. Now let’s talk about MVP conversations! It always cracks me up when folks with a platform say that “No one is discussing Player X enough.” Do we need Nielsen ratings for basketball discussions? It’s always going to be noisier when a Lakers player is involved, and Dončić is putting up MVP numbers. I can promise you that he’s been in the conversation, even as people have waited around for the statement wins to come. Some other candidates are on teams that have been winning important games all season. Better late than never for the Lakers, though. Perhaps this time it translates to the postseason, unlike last year when the Lakers had an eight-game win streak followed by notable wins against the Nuggets, Indiana, Rockets and Oklahoma City, only to win one playoff game.

8. Denver Nuggets (44-28)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs PHI, L at MEM, W vs TOR, W vs POR
Offensive rating: 120.2 (first place)Defensive rating: 115.8 (21st place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Tyus Jones, PF David Roddy (two-way), PG KJ Simpson (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Hunter Tyson, SF Tamar Bates (two-way)

Brutal loss for the Nuggets in Memphis. But the bigger development for the Nuggets is that they won the other games, and they have Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson all healthy for the first time in four months. That’s enough time for Denver to get ready for the postseason. Tyus Jones is on the team, but he has a seat next to Jonas Valančiūnas outside of Denver’s rotation.

9. Houston Rockets (43-27)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L vs LAL, L vs LAL, W vs ATL, W vs MIA
Offensive rating: 116.5 (10th place)Defensive rating: 112.3 (seventh place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Tristen Newton (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Kevon Harris (two-way)

It turns out that if the Rockets play you twice in the same week, then they will donate one of the fourth quarters to the Salvation Army. Two clutch-time games against the visiting Lakers, and the Rockets demonstrated two different ways to come up short, one for each end of the court! Elsewhere, Tari Eason’s mother had to send a bat signal to Lethal Shooter, because she understands it. And by it, we mean Eason making about the same percentage of 3s this month as people who achieve their goals. Ime Udoka was finally moved to put Reed Sheppard in the starting lineup, and who knows, perhaps that move will be this year’s version of pairing Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams together. Speaking of Adams — Houston misses him and Fred VanVleet significantly.

Chris Finch and Anthony EdwardsTimberwolves coach Chris Finch isn’t afraid to hold star players such as Anthony Edwards accountable. Jesse Johnson / Imagn Images

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (44-28)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs PHO, W vs UTA, L vs POR, W at BOS
Offensive rating: 116.0 (12th place)Defensive rating: 112.4 (ninth place)

New players added after Week 1: SG Ayo Dosunmu, PF Kyle Anderson, SF Julian Phillips, SG Zyon Pullin (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Leonard Miller, PG Rob Dillingham, SG Johnny Juzang (two-way)

My primary takeaway from this week is to appreciate Chris Finch. This is a team that hasn’t made a lot of major moves with the roster. Ayo Dosunmu is a critical midseason pickup, and Kyle Anderson is perhaps the only buyout signing that mattered. For the most part, what you saw in Week 1 is what you get. Mike Conley has phased closer to the Joe Ingles role. Finch can call out anyone on this team, including Anthony Edwards and (this week) Julius Randle. It’s a meritocracy in Minnesota. The Wolves are a mercurial team, but Finch has an outstanding touch with this group, and that matters come playoff time.

Tier 3: The Bubble

11. Atlanta Hawks (39-32)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs ORL, W at DAL, L at HOU, W vs GS
Offensive rating: 114.3 (14th place)Defensive rating: 113.1 (11th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG CJ McCollum, PF Jonathan Kuminga, SG Corey Kispert, C Jock Landale, PG Gabe Vincent, SG Buddy Hield, PG RayJ Dennis (two-way), C Christian Koloko (two-way), SG Keshon Gilbert (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Trae Young, C Kristaps Porziņģis, SG Luke Kennard, SF Vit Krejčí, C N’Faly Dante, SG Nikola Djurisic, SF Jacob Toppin (two-way), PF Eli John Ndiaye (two-way)

The Hawks were in ninth for a while, and the 11-game win streak was snapped in Houston, a team that may provide a blueprint on how to shut the Hawks offense down. But the Hawks bounced back against the Warriors, albeit with one of the worst revenge games of the year from Kuminga (1-of-9 field goals, minus-6 in 22 minutes). Now Atlanta has turned that nine into a six, and the Hawks have done it after trading two players who were expected to have a major impact on their season in Young and Porziņģis, along with putting Zaccharie Risacher into the second unit to go with four other players who weren’t on the team to begin the season (Kuminga, Kispert, Landale, Vincent). And that doesn’t even mention how good the backcourt tandem of McCollum and opening week reserve Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been.

12. Phoenix Suns (40-32)

Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at BOS, L at MIN, L at SA, L vs MIL, W vs TOR
Offensive rating: 113.9 (18th place)Defensive rating: 112.8 (10th place)

New players added after Week 1: SF Haywood Highsmith, SF Amir Coffey, PG Jamaree Bouyea
Departed players from Week 1: PF Nigel Hayes-Davis, C Nick Richards

It’s not often that the only game that a team wins in a stretch of five games in seven days is the final one, but that’s what happened for the Suns after a difficult start to the week and a letdown at home against the Bucks (not as bad as Game 5 in 2021, but still bad). Credit the Suns for fighting through physical and mental fatigue and getting a big win against the Raptors. There is a lot of activity in the West standings, but the Suns have had at least a share of seventh place for two months, and that’s where they should expect to stay at this point. They can’t realistically move up, and it’s hard to see them falling off deeper into the Play-In realm. The biggest changes for Phoenix’s rotation involve Collin Gillespie earning a starting role, while Grayson Allen settled into a sixth man role. Royce O’Neale also became a starter at power forward, while Ryan Dunn has fallen out of the rotation. Phoenix has had key players out all season, with Jalen Green struggling to start the season and starters Dillon Brooks (hand) and Mark Williams (foot) missing time currently with multi-week injuries.

13. Toronto Raptors (39-31)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at CHI, L at DEN, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 114.1 (16th place)Defensive rating: 112.3 (eighth place)

New players added after Week 1: C Trayce Jackson-Davis
Departed players from Week 1: SF Ochai Agbaji

The Raptors showed up in Phoenix to play their fourth game in a fourth different time zone. They were obliterated through one quarter of play against a team they handled right before their Time Zone Week. The biggest shift in the rotation from Week 1 to now involves Ja’Kobe Walter passing 2023 lottery pick Gradey Dick in the pecking order; trading Agbaji hasn’t opened up much more playing time for Dick or Jamison Battle.

14. Charlotte Hornets (37-34)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W vs MIA, W vs ORL, W vs MEM
Offensive rating: 117.9 (fifth place)Defensive rating: 113.8 (15th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Coby White, C Xavier Tillman Sr., C PJ Hall (two-way), SF Tosan Evbuomwan (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Collin Sexton, C Mason Plumlee, PG KJ Simpson (two-way), SF Drew Peterson (two-way)

The Hornets made a big move to get White for Sexton, but the biggest boost Charlotte got in its rotation was getting Josh Green and Grant Williams healthy to bolster the bench, especially once Brandon Miller got healthy as well. The Hornets are 19-8 when Williams and Green play together this season and 18-26 when they don’t. Only three five-man lineups in the entire league have played more minutes together than Charlotte’s starters of LaMelo Ball, Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, and that group has outscored foes by 27.3 points per 100 possessions. The Hornets got back to blowing teams out this past week, including massive wins against the Florida teams in their division.

15. Orlando Magic (38-32)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L at ATL, L vs OKC, L at CHA, L vs LAL
Offensive rating: 114.1 (17th place)Defensive rating: 113.2 (12th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Jevon Carter, SF Alex Morales (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Tyus Jones, C Orlando Robinson (two-way)

This wasn’t an easy schedule for a Magic team that was playing very well entering the week. Their shaky offense either cost them late in games or couldn’t make up for a defense that hasn’t been consistent enough. Orlando is another team that didn’t make a significant move to the roster during the season. The Franz Wagner ankle injury has lingered, and now Anthony Black is dealing with an injury to his abdomen that takes away another top athlete in Orlando’s milquetoast rotation.

16. Miami Heat (38-33)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at CHA, L vs LAL, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 114.9 (13th place)Defensive rating: 112.1 (sixth place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Trevor Keels (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: None

The Heat didn’t make any noteworthy transactions this season. But they’re on a four-game losing streak that has seen opponents score at least 120 points in each game. Andrew Wiggins (toe, probable for Monday vs. Spurs) hasn’t played since the first week of March, Miami hasn’t won a game with Norman Powell since Feb. 21 (Powell missed Miami’s entire seven-game win streak), and the Heat have been outscored this season with Powell sharing the floor with Tyler Herro this season.

17. Philadelphia 76ers (39-32)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at DEN, W at SAC, W at UTA
Offensive rating: 114.1 (15th place)Defensive rating: 114.6 (16th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Cameron Payne, SG Dalen Terry (two-way), SF MarJon Beauchamp (two-way), SG Tyrese Martin (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Jared McCain, SG Eric Gordon, SG Hunter Sallis (two-way)

All I asked for was Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokić in Denver. Once again, it didn’t happen. Jared McCain was essentially replaced by Cameron Payne when the dust settled. Now, former Thunder lottery pick Payne will face Philadelphia’s first-round pick from last year McCain when the two teams meet this week. Also, Paul George returns from suspension, which should be a good relief for VJ Edgecombe, who has been putting in work with Tyrese Maxey injured.

18. LA Clippers (35-36)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs SA, L at NO, L at NO, W at DAL
Offensive rating: 116.2 (11th place)Defensive rating: 115.7 (19th place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Darius Garland, SG Bennedict Mathurin, C Isaiah Jackson, SG TyTy Washington Jr. (two-way), PG Sean Pedulla (two-way), PF Norchad Omier (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG James Harden, C Ivica Zubac, PG Chris Paul, PF Kobe Brown, SF Jahmyl Telfort (two-way)

The Clippers had the complete opposite of the previous week, going on a pitiful losing streak before getting a win to end the weekend. It took Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland sacrificing the end of the second stretch of five games in seven days for the team this month to light up Dallas, but not before needing overtime to do so. Garland had the same high numbers of points and assists (41 and 11) in LA’s overtime win at Dallas that Harden had in the double-overtime win at Dallas in November. If Garland drops 55 in Milwaukee next week, the parallels between him and Harden will need to be studied further. The whole season for the Clippers has been adjusting to injuries, which included their trades. This is a Clippers team that needs to get hot again if it wants to extend the league’s longest active streak of consecutive winning seasons to 15.

19. Portland Trail Blazers (35-37)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W at BRK, W at IND, W at MIN, L at DEN
Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd place)Defensive rating: 114.8 (17th place)

New players added after Week 1: SF Vit Krejčí, SF Jayson Kent (two-way), SG Chris Youngblood (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: C Duop Reath, SF Rayan Rupert, SG Javonte Cooke (two-way)

The Trail Blazers spent this week beating up on teams they needed to beat up, which included a short-handed Minnesota outlet, before losing to a full-strength Denver squad. They are very relevant in the West Play-In picture, and they have gone 11-9 in Shaedon Sharpe’s injury absence (which also roughly coincides with Scoot Henderson’s return from injury). Deni Avdija is also getting healthier, appearing in eight straight games after missing 16 of the previous 24; Avdija is still a necessary free-throw merchant, but his 3-point shot has been dry. There haven’t been a lot of moves affecting Portland this season, besides the fact that Tiago Splitter has been running the team in Chauncey Billiups’ stead; Krejčí left his 3-pointer in Atlanta. Sharpe’s re-evaluation window opens this week, and he’s the last piece toward Portland’s playoff push.

20. Golden State Warriors (33-38)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W at WAS, L at BOS, L at DET, L at ATL
Offensive rating: 113.8 (19th place)Defensive rating: 113.6 (14th place)

New players added after Week 1: C Kristaps Porziņģis, SG Seth Curry, C Omer Yurtseven (10-day), SF Nate Williams (two-way), PF Malevy Leons (two-way), SG LJ Cryer (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Jonathan Kuminga, SG Buddy Hield, C Trayce Jackson-Davis, SF Jackson Rowe (two-way), SF Alex Toohey (two-way)

The Warriors got a needed win in Washington, but they’re back to regularly scheduled recent programming while getting blown out against teams trying to win in March. Golden State hasn’t won back-to-back games since Jimmy Butler III tore his ACL. The game in Washington was the only one of the seven that the Warriors have won with Porziņģis playing. This is a team that has a complete and total lack of offensive teeth with Stephen Curry out.

Dejounte Murray dunks during warmupsDejounte Murray has made a positive impact on the Pelicans since his return from injury. Matthew Hinton/ Imagn Images

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

21. New Orleans Pelicans (25-47)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs DAL, W vs LAC, W vs LAC, L vs CLE
Offensive rating: 113.4 (21st place)Defensive rating: 117.0 (24th place)

New players added after Week 1: PF Josh Oduro (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Jose Alvarado

Death, taxes and New Orleans beating the Clippers. I don’t care how good the Pelicans have been year over year (and they usually have not been good), but they own the Clippers’ entire soul. Perhaps it’s the curse of the Chris Paul trade. Anyways, the Pelicans did little to change their Week 1 roster, but they are also the only team that fired their Week 1 head coach as well. Saddiq Bey has been a revelation this season as the best player acquired from the Wizards in the offseason (sorry, Jordan Poole), while Dejounte Murray (sliding neatly into Alvarado’s vacated spot) has won half of his games. That would have been good enough to be right in the middle of the playoff race in the overrated West. I’m sure the Pelicans will be in a better spot next year with their lottery pick, right? … Oh.

22. Chicago Bulls (28-42)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W vs MEM, L vs TOR, L vs CLE
Offensive rating: 112.3 (25th place)Defensive rating: 116.8 (23rd place)

New players added after Week 1: PG Anfernee Simons, SG Collin Sexton, PF Leonard Miller, PG Rob Dillingham, C Guerschon Yabusele, SG Jaden Ivey, C Nick Richards, PG Yuki Kawamura (two-way), SG Mac McClung (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: C Nikola Vucevic, SG Coby White, SG Kevin Huerter, PG Ayo Dosunmu, SF Julian Phillips, SG Dalen Terry, PG Jevon Carter, PF Emanuel Miller (two-way), SF Trentyn Flowers (two-way)

Josh Giddey has 19 triple-doubles with the Bulls in two seasons, 10 of them have come after March 1 of each season, including five this month. Season starts in October, Josh! Chicago’s roster never made a lot of sense even when the season started, but this is a good look at how the Bulls added all of those small guards to their team. The injuries to Simons and Ivey have freed up enough playing time for Sexton and Dillingham, but Chicago is also overextending Jalen Smith and Yabusele by having them play so much center. An underrated part of Chicago’s season has been how much Tre Jones has started and played as a starter and general high-minute performer. Jones is a poor 3-point shooter with unremarkable size and athleticism, but he’s been incredibly efficient (54.4 percent field goals, 3.9 assist-turnover ratio).

23. Milwaukee Bucks (29-41)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs CLE, L at UTA, W at PHO
Offensive rating: 112.4 (24th place)Defensive rating: 117.6 (25th place)

New players added after Week 1: SF Ousmane Dieng, SG Cam Thomas, SG Cormac Ryan (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Cole Anthony, SF Amir Coffey, PG Mark Sears (two-way)

The saga continues with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks ghosted the Utah game but showed some serious resolve by responding to win at Phoenix. Not that wins matter anymore for the Bucks; they’re seven games in the loss column out of a Play-In spot. They’re cooked like venison, and they need to play other Antetokounmbros. The only changes to the roster have resulted in Thomas replacing Anthony and Dieng replacing Coffey. And Taurean Prince is back from injury to add to the logjam of forwards.

24. Memphis Grizzlies (24-46)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at CHI, W vs DEN, L vs BOS, L at CHA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (20th place)Defensive rating: 116.7 (22nd place)

New players added after Week 1: PF Taylor Hendricks, SG Walter Clayton Jr., C Taj Gibson, PF Tyler Burton (10-day), PG DeJon Jarreau (10-day), SF Rayan Rupert (two-way), SG Jahmai Mashack (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Jaren Jackson Jr., C Jock Landale, SF John Konchar, SG Vince Williams Jr., C PJ Hall (two-way)

The Grizzlies are the one team that is using the hardship exception to sign players and get through the season. Right now, Burton and Jarreau are on the roster as overflow options. Injuries have decimated a Grizzlies team that already had middling expectations to begin the year, when Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Vince Williams Jr. were all on the shelf. Only Jerome is playing right now, with Ja Morant, Santi Aldama and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope either all out for the season or they might as well be. The biggest player piece that Memphis got for trading Jackson is Hendricks, 40-year-old Gibson replaced Week 1 starter Landale, Rupert got a two-way contract after Olivier-Maxence Prosper (starting at center these days at 6-foot-7) got promoted and Clayton is playing next to two other guards regularly. That’s how you build a tank — and they still beat the Nuggets!

25. Dallas Mavericks (23-48)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at NO, L vs ATL, L vs LAC
Offensive rating: 110.0 (27th place)Defensive rating: 115.0 (18th place)

New players added after Week 1: SF Khris Middleton, PF Marvin Bagley III, SG AJ Johnson, PF Tyler Smith (two-way), SG John Poulakidas (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Anthony Davis, PG D’Angelo Russell, SG Jaden Hardy, SG Dante Exum, SG Miles Kelly (two-way)

My colleague Christian Clark mentioned to me over the weekend that Dallas had lost 10 home games in a row entering Saturday. Well, make that 11 in a row. And the last time the Mavericks won at home was in January against the same Warriors that they will be hosting Monday. This Mavericks team was sold to broadcasters like a combination of the 2024 Western Conference champion that had phenom Cooper Flagg instead of Luka Dončić, to go with all the bigs you could as for and the glimmer of hope that Kyrie Irving would return from ACL surgery, with D’Angelo Russell holding things down in the interim. Well, at least Flagg panned out. Irving won’t play this season, Davis and Russell were traded for Khris Middleton and Marvin Bagley III, Klay Thompson is no longer a starter and Dereck Lively II played 115 minutes.

Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Utah Jazz (21-50)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at MIN, W vs MIL, L vs PHI
Offensive rating: 113.3 (22nd place)Defensive rating: 120.4 (29th place)

New players added after Week 1: PF Jaren Jackson Jr., SF John Konchar, PG Kennedy Chandler (10-day), SG Bez Mbeng (10-day), PF Blake Hinson (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Taylor Hendricks, PG Walter Clayton Jr., PF Kyle Anderson, PF Georges Niang, SG John Tonje (two-way)

The Jazz played 10-day contract Andersson Garcia all 48 minutes against the Bucks and won the game in a comprehensive blowout. Then Garcia was replaced by Kennedy Chandler. I’m sure there was an undisclosed fine in there somewhere. Anyways, the Jazz are just playing out the string. Chandler, Mbeng, and two-way contract Elijah Harkless led Utah in minutes Saturday against the 76ers while Ace Bailey has attempted at least 10 3s in three straight games (he had only two such games before this week and none before March).

27. Sacramento Kings (19-53)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs SA, L vs PHI, W vs BRK
Offensive rating: 110.2 (26th place)Defensive rating: 119.8 (28th place)

New players added after Week 1: SF De’Andre Hunter, PF Precious Achiuwa, PG Killian Hayes, PF Patrick Baldwin Jr. (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PG Dennis Schröder, SF Keon Ellis, PF Dario Saric, PF Isaac Jones

When this season began, Sacramento was waiting for Keegan Murray to get healthy while Schröder started at point guard. A team with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis was supposed to have enough offense, particularly with Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook bolstering the second unit. It never materialized, and Sacramento was only able to trade Schröder from that group, throwing Keon Ellis in the trade that brought back a week of Hunter. Sabonis, LaVine and Hunter have been put on the shelf for the season, opening up more playing opportunities for rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell.

28. Brooklyn Nets (17-54)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs POR, L vs OKC, L vs NY, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 109.0 (30th place)Defensive rating: 118.1 (27th place)

New players added after Week 1: PF Josh Minott, SG Ochai Agbaji, PG Malachi Smith (10-day), PF Chaney Johnson (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Cam Thomas, SG Tyrese Martin, SF Haywood Highsmith

The Nets were so bad against the Thunder that people wanted to cancel expansion right away (and maybe relegate the Nets along with it). Brooklyn was at least more competitive in response to its heinous display of basketball, with more “acceptable” losses to the Knicks (a team they might never beat ever again) and in Sacramento (key tank competition). But again, the Nets built a team that could pivot into the tank. Cam Thomas isn’t here anymore. Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) might not be seen again this season. Rookies Nolan Traore, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf were all out of the rotation to begin the season, but they’re all starting regularly now.

29. Washington Wizards (16-55)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs GS, L vs DET, L vs DET, L vs OKC, L at NY
Offensive rating: 109.5 (28th place)Defensive rating: 121.0 (30th place)

New players added after Week 1: PF Anthony Davis, PG Trae Young, SG Jaden Hardy, PG D’Angelo Russell, SF Leaky Black (two-way), C Julian Reese (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG CJ McCollum, PF Khris Middleton, SG Corey Kispert, C Marvin Bagley III, SG AJ Johnson, SG Malaki Branham

The Wizards don’t need much help losing games, yet the schedule still gave them a stretch of five games in seven days. And the easiest of those games was the first one, a Monday night home loss to a short-handed Warriors team that was playing on zero days’ rest and hasn’t beaten a non-Wizards team since March 5. Washington began the season with McCollum and Middleton starting, and now have Young and Davis in bubble wrap. Rookie Will Riley has been the biggest riser as the season has gone along.

30. Indiana Pacers (15-56)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at NY, L vs POR, L at SA
Offensive rating: 109.2 (29th place)Defensive rating: 118.0 (26th place)

New players added after Week 1: C Ivica Zubac, PF Kobe Brown, C Micah Potter, SG Ethan Thompson (two-way), PF Jalen Slawson (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: SG Bennedict Mathurin, C Isaiah Jackson, C James Wiseman, C Tony Bradley, PG RayJ Dennis (two-way)

The longest losing streak in franchise history. And it’s only worth it if the lottery balls shine on the Pacers better than they did the Jazz or Wizards last season. Ivica Zubac put on the uniform for a couple of weeks, but his season is over because of a fractured rib. Indiana should be searching for the best available scorer in this draft to backfill what it lost in Mathurin; Quenton Jackson and Ben Sheppard are getting those minutes now.


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