The Memphis Grizzlies turned the most recent NBA workforce to get a harsh style of life with out its famous person participant on Monday. Ja Morant was sidelined by an ankle damage, and the Grizzlies — a workforce contemporary off of creating a run to first place within the West — proceeded to get blown out by the Sacramento Kings 133-100.
A handful of groups have already handled this dilemma, together with the Brooklyn Nets dropping three of their previous 4 video games with Kevin Durant sidelined by an MCL sprain. The Golden State Warriors with out Stephen Curry and the Philadelphia 76ers with out Joel Embiid are different examples of how the void of an injured famous person can downgrade a workforce this 12 months, with every dropping floor within the standings in consequence. The 76ers, nonetheless, have rebounded in an enormous solution to play themselves again into the Japanese Convention dialog, whereas the Warriors proceed to slip down within the rankings, even with Curry again on the courtroom.
Unsurprisingly, the 2 groups on the high of their respective conferences — the Boston Celtics led by Jayson Tatum and the Denver Nuggets led by Nikola Jokic — are going sturdy on the backs of their famous person gamers. Tatum and Jokic are every within the thick of the MVP race in consequence, and their groups are beginning to draw back within the standings.
However which workforce can keep the healthiest within the again half of the season as fatigue units in nonetheless has but to be decided, and will show to be the distinction in who finishes on high.
Notice: All through the common season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from high to backside, taking inventory of which groups are taking part in one of the best basketball now and which groups are trying most like title contenders.
Earlier rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14
1. Boston Celtics
2022-23 file: 35-14
Earlier rating: 1
After their scorching begin, Boston is now simply attempting to get its workforce entire once more from a well being standpoint. Jayson Tatum is taking part in by way of wrist and hand points; Jaylen Brown missed every week due to an adductor pressure; Marcus Smart is now out due to a sprained ankle; and each Robert Williams and Al Horford are being managed on halves of back-to-back units. — Bontemps
2. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 file: 34-14
Earlier rating: 2
The Nuggets’ 16-game house win streak — and 9 straight total — ended Sunday night time when the Thunder beat them, however Denver ought to nonetheless be proud of its performances as Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic have missed time. With Jokic again now, Denver ought to be simply superb. — Andrews
3. Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 file: 30-16
Earlier rating: 6
Between beginning the season 1-4 and little time with Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey all out there to play, it must be seen as an enormous success for the 76ers to be sitting in sole possession of second place within the Japanese Convention getting into Wednesday’s showdown with Brooklyn, and now simply two losses behind Boston for one of the best file within the NBA. — Bontemps
4. Memphis Grizzlies
2022-23 file: 31-16
Earlier rating: 3
Memphis has misplaced three straight video games for the primary time this season, going 0-3 to start out a five-game highway journey. The Grizzlies have the league’s greatest house file (20-3) however are beneath .500 (11-13) on the highway. One main house/highway distinction: The Grizzlies permit solely 105.8 factors per 100 possessions at FedExForum and quit 112.1 per 100 in away video games. — MacMahon
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 file: 30-17
Earlier rating: 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton returned to the lineup Monday night time, and the Bucks promptly put up 150 factors towards Detroit. Milwaukee is 90-36 over the previous three seasons when Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Jrue Holiday all play, together with the playoffs. — Collier
6. Brooklyn Nets
2022-23 file: 29-17
Earlier rating: 5
Kevin Durant is out at least two more weeks as he recovers from an MCL damage in his proper knee, however the Nets appear to have lastly discovered some rhythm in his absence after wins over the Jazz and Warriors. Irving has 116 factors, 25 rebounds, 22 assists and eight steals over his previous three video games. Now the Nets head into Wednesday’s showdown towards former teammate James Harden and the 76ers. — Friedell
7. Sacramento Kings
2022-23 file: 27-19
Earlier rating: 9
The Kings’ offense is a sight to behold proper now. They’ve the No. 1 offense within the league, have scored greater than 125 factors per 100 possessions in six of their previous eight video games and tied an NBA file by making 12 3-pointers within the first quarter Monday night time. Even in a single sport with out Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento nonetheless rolled on. — Andrews
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-23 file: 29-20
Earlier rating: 7
League coaches, scouts and executives have fawned over Evan Mobley‘s budding potential ever because the Cavs drafted him and midway by way of his sophomore season, he made it identified that the time is now with a dominant 38-point, nine-rebound efficiency in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend, going 19-for-27 from the sphere. — McMenamin
9. New Orleans Pelicans
2022-23 file: 26-22
Earlier rating: 12
Since enhancing to 23-12 on Dec. 30 towards the 76ers, issues have gone downhill for the Pelicans. After Monday’s 99-98 defeat to the Nuggets, the workforce has misplaced 10 of its previous 13 video games however remains to be clinging to the fourth spot within the Western Convention standings. Monday’s loss was the Pelicans’ fifth in a row — the longest dropping streak of the season. The Pelicans have struggled offensively in that stretch, rating twenty eighth in offensive score since Dec. 31. — Lopez
10. Miami Heat
2022-23 file: 27-22
Earlier rating: 8
Miami picked up a pleasant win over the Celtics on Tuesday night time thanks partly to the sturdy play of Bam Adebayo. The Warmth large man had 30 factors and 15 rebounds within the win and is averaging 21.8 factors and 11.1 rebounds this month. He’s a serious cause the Warmth have gotten again on observe and have gained three of their previous 4. — Friedell
11. Dallas Mavericks
2022-23 file: 25-24
Earlier rating: 10
Doncic has 11 technical fouls this season (plus one which was rescinded by the league workplace) after being T’d up prior to now two video games, placing him 5 shy of an automated one-game suspension. He has lots to be pissed off about apart from officiating with the Mavs having misplaced seven of their previous 9 video games. “I am centered on profitable proper now,” Doncic stated after Tuesday’s house loss to the Wizards. “I simply preserve the thoughts on profitable.” — MacMahon
12. LA Clippers
2022-23 file: 26-24
Earlier rating: 13
As soon as once more, the Clippers are starting to indicate glimpses of how good they are often, scoring 131 to win at San Antonio and getting an entire effort on each ends in a win at Dallas. After which they opened a 23-point lead towards the Lakers solely to let it get right down to 10 earlier than needing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to shut out LeBron James and the Lakers for good. The Clippers have gained three straight now and are hoping that is the beginning of a constant run but additionally misplaced beginning energy ahead Marcus Morris Sr. to a rib damage within the first half towards the Lakers. — Youngmisuk
13. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 file: 25-24
Earlier rating: 19
A bit of optimistic damage information went a great distance for the Suns, who are actually 4-0 since Cameron Johnson returned from proper knee meniscus surgical procedure that had sidelined him since November. Johnson was close to good in a win towards the Hornets on Tuesday, scoring 24 factors on 9-for-11 capturing (6-for-7 from 3) in simply 18 minutes. — McMenamin
14. Golden State Warriors
2022-23 file: 23-24
Earlier rating: 14
It is arduous to get too excessive or low on the Warriors and what they’re doing. They’ve gained some video games it looks as if they need to have misplaced — towards Cleveland with out 4 of their starters — after which misplaced some video games they may have gained — towards the Celtics and Nets. Till the Warriors string collectively some constant video games, they are going to be precisely what their file says — .500. — Andrews
15. Atlanta Hawks
2022-23 file: 24-24
Earlier rating: 16
All through his profession, Trae Young‘s assists numbers have steadily elevated every year. After averaging 8.1 as a rookie, he is as much as 9.9 this 12 months. Younger has had consecutive 20-point, 10-assists video games towards the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets and now has 112 such video games in his NBA profession. That is the third most of any participant earlier than turning 25 in NBA historical past, in line with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. Younger trails solely Isiah Thomas (113) and Oscar Robertson (124). — Lopez
16. New York Knicks
2022-23 file: 26-23
Earlier rating: 11
New York picked up a much-needed victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night time, snapping a four-game dropping streak. It could not have come at a extra vital time, too, because the Cavs sport marked a stretch of seven out of 9 opponents with profitable information. — Bontemps
17. Utah Jazz
2022-23 file: 25-25
Earlier rating: 17
Lauri Markkanen has a minimum of 20 factors and 10 rebounds in 5 straight video games, the longest such streak of his profession. The one different gamers in Jazz historical past to have a run of 5 20-10 performances are Carlos Boozer, Karl Malone and Truck Robinson, in line with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. Markkanen is averaging 28.9 factors and 10.0 rebounds per sport in January. — MacMahon
18. Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-23 file: 23-24
Earlier rating: 18
Oklahoma Metropolis has gained seven of its previous 9 video games and has taken itself out of the Victor Wembanyama dialog. As a substitute, the Thunder firmly positioned themselves within the dialog for the play-in event. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit the go-ahead shot with 9.1 seconds remaining on Sunday to raise OKC over the Nuggets, snapping Denver’s 16-game house win streak. Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 34 factors for his twenty seventh 30-point sport of the season, trailing solely Luka Doncic for the 12 months. — Lopez
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-23 file: 24-25
Earlier rating: 20
The Timberwolves have put collectively a good stretch by way of January, and are seeing some much-needed enhancements. Their offense has been trending in the correct route, however once more, they’re doing this with out Karl-Anthony Towns. There may be nonetheless no timetable for Cities’ return. After all, the chemistry between Cities and Rudy Gobert wasn’t there when Cities was wholesome, and now with him sidelined even longer, it is unclear how he’ll be reintegrated when he is prepared. — Andrews
20. Indiana Pacers
2022-23 file: 24-25
Earlier rating: 15
Indiana snapped a seven-game dropping streak Tuesday after getting back from a 21-point deficit to beat the Bulls. Within the eight video games Tyrese Haliburton has been out due to an damage, the Pacers’ offense has fallen to twenty eighth in factors per 100 possessions. — Collier
21. Los Angeles Lakers
2022-23 file: 22-26
Earlier rating: 22
Los Angeles landed Rui Hachimura in a take care of the Washington Wizards this week, some 2½ weeks forward of the commerce deadline. The massive wing with catch-and-shoot capabilities ought to assist the Lakers’ depth, however will it push them to a surefire playoff berth? “[It] doesn’t suggest our work is completed,” stated Lakers vp of basketball operations and common supervisor Rob Pelinka. “We will proceed to observe the state of affairs with the 29 different groups.” — McMenamin
22. Chicago Bulls
2022-23 file: 22-25
Earlier rating: 23
The Bulls have three completely different three-game profitable streaks this season however have but to win 4 in a row. Within the newest mark of their inconsistency, they blew a 21-point result in the Pacers on Tuesday night time that snapped one other three-game profitable streak. — Collier
23. Toronto Raptors
2022-23 file: 21-27
Earlier rating: 24
Toronto continues to hover in place, having gone 8-9 over its previous 17 video games. Because the Raptors proceed to sit down exterior the play-in event spots, the eye on Toronto will solely improve with the commerce deadline two weeks away. — Bontemps
24. Portland Trail Blazers
2022-23 file: 22-25
Earlier rating: 21
The Blazers desperately wanted a win and bought one over San Antonio on Monday. Damian Lillard poured in 37 factors and 12 assists within the 20-point blowout win to halt a three-game dropping streak that included blowing a 25-point result in the Lakers at house. The Blazers’ win towards San Antonio was solely their fifth victory of their previous 17 video games. — Youngmisuk
25. Washington Wizards
2022-23 file: 21-26
Earlier rating: 25
Regardless of dropping Kristaps Porzingis to an ankle damage for just a few weeks and buying and selling Rui Hachimura to the Lakers, the Wizards surprised the Mavericks in Dallas for his or her third straight win. Delon Wright bought a game-sealing steal off Luka Doncic within the ultimate seconds to start out a five-game highway journey with an enormous win. Kyle Kuzma continued to shine with 30 factors towards the Mavs. — Youngmisuk
26. Orlando Magic
2022-23 file: 18-29
Earlier rating: 26
Jonathan Isaac is lastly again after two and a half years away rehabbing a knee damage — and he made a direct impression in Monday’s win over the Celtics with 10 factors in 10 minutes. With Isaac again within the fold, the Magic lastly have an opportunity to see their younger core collectively. It is an thrilling time for a younger workforce that should discover some consistency. — Friedell
27. Charlotte Hornets
2022-23 file: 13-36
Earlier rating: 27
Charlotte truly went 2-2 over the previous week, however its protection continues to be its largest drawback. The Hornets have given up a minimum of 116 factors in 9 straight video games. The group cannot discover any consistency on that finish of the ground. — Friedell
28. San Antonio Spurs
2022-23 file: 14-33
Earlier rating: 28
The Spurs’ protection has been traditionally dangerous this season. Final week, they gave up 131 factors to the LA Clippers and 147 to the Path Blazers in a pair of losses. Their factors allowed common ballooned to a league-worst 122.0. It is virtually two full factors greater than the workforce at No. 29 (Detroit Pistons — 120.3 factors allowed per sport). Opponents are capturing 50.9% towards San Antonio this season and 40.2% from deep. Each percentages are useless final within the league. — Lopez
29. Detroit Pistons
2022-23 file: 12-37
Earlier rating: 29
The Pistons gave up 150 factors Monday night time for the eleventh time in franchise historical past, which is tied with the Wizards for the third-most such video games in NBA historical past (Nuggets, 19). Detroit owns the second-worst defensive score within the NBA this season. — Collier
30. Houston Rockets
2022-23 file: 11-36
Earlier rating: 30
Jalen Green has had 41- and 42-point performances over the previous three video games, matching his profession excessive in a loss to the Hornets then bettering it in a win over the Timberwolves that snapped the Rockets’ 13-game dropping streak. The one gamers in NBA historical past to have extra profession 40-point performances at age 20 than Inexperienced’s three are James, Anthony Edwards, Durant and Doncic, in line with a Stathead.com search. — MacMahon