NBA Power Rankings Update
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-12)
The Thunder continue to showcase their impressive depth and discipline, demonstrating that the absence of key players does not hinder their performance. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is unavailable, Isaiah Joe steps up to score 21 points. Aaron Wiggins shines with a 26-point game in Jalen Williams’ absence, and Isaiah Hartenstein’s day off paves the way for Jaylin Williams, who achieves a triple-double with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 assists. With four consecutive wins and nine out of their last ten, the Thunder reclaim the top spot in the NBA standings, earning their rightful place at the top of the Power Rankings.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-13)
After a series of successful wins, the Cavaliers find themselves in a rare three-game losing streak. While maintaining a solid record, the main concern for Cleveland is their defense, which has permitted nearly 124 points per 100 possessions during this downturn.
3. Boston Celtics (50-19)
Kristaps Porzingis has made his return following a significant illness, and his performance suggests he has fully recovered. In two games since returning, he is averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and two blocks, ensuring he is a valuable asset back on the court.
4. Houston Rockets (45-25)
The Rockets have silenced their critics with eight consecutive victories, propelling them back to the second seed in the Western Conference. With a powerful offense and solid defensive play, they currently lead the league by scoring 122 points per 100 possessions during their winning streak.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (43-27)
Once sitting in second place, the Grizzlies have dipped to fifth after losing three of their last four games. They are struggling with a 15-12 record this season without Ja Morant, a stark contrast to their impressive 20-5 performance without him the previous season.
6. Denver Nuggets (44-26)
The Nuggets faced one of their significant defeats of the season against the Wizards, but they rebounded with a strong win over the Warriors, albeit missing top players Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Aaron Gordon has stepped up impressively, posting an average of 32 points and 8.5 rebounds in the absence of their star players.
7. New York Knicks (43-25)
The Knicks have struggled recently, particularly following the injury to their star point guard Jalen Brunson, leading to a blowout loss against the Spurs. They have only managed to score above 105 points in three of their last six games, generating cause for concern as they navigate this challenging stretch.
