Kevin Durant, the biggest name to switch teams last week, will not debut with the Suns until after the All-Star break. But many teams got to trot out their new-look lineups over the weekend following a busy trade deadline, including the Mavs, who featured Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić for the first time on Saturday.
Elsewhere around the Association, the Bucks and Cavaliers won’t stop winning and the Spurs can’t stop losing. See where the entire league stands with just a few days remaining before the All-Star break commences on Friday.
1. Boston Celtics
Record: 41–16
Previous ranking: 1
Jayson Tatum and Derrick White together powered the Celtics to an undefeated week that included two quality wins against fellow contenders. Tatum led the way with 34 against the Pistons and 41 versus the Hornets, both double-digit victories against the worst teams in the conference. Against the 76ers and Grizzlies, White led the team with 19 and 23 points, respectively, and set new career highs with 33 points and eight threes against Charlotte. Boston is still without Marcus Smart (ankle), Malcolm Brogdon (sore Achilles) missed the Memphis game, and Jaylen Brown left early against Philadelphia due to a facial fracture and was out for the remainder of the week.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 39–17
Previous ranking: 4
Milwaukee is closing in on Boston for the best record in basketball with a Tuesday matchup between the two powerhouses looming. The Bucks added to their season-long 10-game winning streak last week by sweeping their three-game, West Coast road trip. They downed the Trail Blazers and then beat the Lakers and Clippers on consecutive nights as Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 38 and 35 points, respectively. This recent run of victories has come without Bobby Portis (knee), but Khris Middleton has been more consistently available and playing better. The front office also acquired Jae Crowder at the deadline to add to one of the league’s best defenses.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 36–19
Previous ranking: 2
After Philadelphia lost to Boston on the road, its first time losing back-to-back games since December, it responded with two consecutive wins against the New York teams over the weekend. Joel Embiid built on his league-best scoring average with 35 points versus the Knicks and 37 to beat Brooklyn, and Harden scored 29 in his return to Barclays Center, nearly a year to the day after he was traded to the 76ers. A five-game home stand at the Wells Fargo Center against stiff competition is ahead, aside from Monday’s game against the Rockets.
4. Denver Nuggets
Record: 39–18
Previous ranking: 3
Two days after the Nuggets blew out the Timberwolves by 34 at home, they kicked off their three-game road trip with a double-digit defeat at the hands of the Magic. Denver could do no wrong against Minnesota as it scored a season-high 146 points on hyper-efficient shooting. In Orlando, though, that production tailed off despite a season-best 37 points from Aaron Gordon. With no Gordon (rib contusion) or Jamal Murray (knee), Nikola Jokić put together his league-leading 20th triple double of the year in a convincing victory. The three-game road trip ends Monday night in Miami.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 37–22
Previous ranking: 7
The Cavaliers just keep on winning. They added four victories to their running total last week to make it six in a row, their longest streak since the beginning of the season. Jarrett Allen took over with 20-plus points in each game, his best scoring stretch all year. Cleveland’s latest victims were Washington, Detroit, New Orleans and Chicago, and the closest margin of victory was eight points against the Bulls. The Cavs have a big game Wednesday against the 76ers, whom they trail by just one game for third place in the East.
6. Sacramento Kings
Record: 32–24
Previous ranking: 8
Sacramento beat Houston in back-to-back games on the road last week, first by 20 and then by two. Rookie Keegan Murray went for a career-high 30 points and set a franchise record of eight threes in the blowout win, and De’Aaron Fox took over in the next game with 31 points and 11 dimes. He was the Kings’ best player again in a two-game set at home against the Mavericks, which they split. Fox finished with 33 in an eight-point loss and then 36 in a high-scoring victory in overtime. The Kings are within striking distance of second-place in the conference with two games left before the All-Star break, where Domantas Sabonis and Fox will represent the Beam Team.
Watch NBA games live with fuboTV: Start a free trial today!
7. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 34–22
Previous ranking: 5
The Grizzlies pulled themselves out of their slump with a pair of wins last week against the Bulls and Timberwolves. Over the weekend, though, they lost to the Celtics for the second time this season, this time by 10. Memphis made a marginal move to add shooting in the form of Luke Kennard at the deadline, and he made his debut against Boston. The Grizzlies’ grip on second place in the West is slipping with Steven Adams (PCL) still sidelined and games against the 76ers and Nuggets approaching.
8. Miami Heat
Record: 32–25
Previous ranking: 9
The Heat handled their business against lesser teams last week, although they did have some close calls. Bam Adebayo matched a season-high 38 points in a five-point win against the Pacers while Tyler Herro led the team with 31 in a two-point victory over the Rockets and then 23 in a four-point overtime win in Orlando. Miami hosts Denver on Monday and is expected to be without Herro. Later in the week, the Heat head to Brooklyn, which they trail by 1.5 games for fifth place.
Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports
9. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 31–27
Previous ranking: 14
Luka Dončić (heel) returned to the court for the first time in five games Saturday and shared the court with Kyrie Irving for the first time. The All-Star duo combined for 55 points in an overtime loss to the Kings. Irving paced the team in the two games prior with 25 in a win over Sacramento and 24 in his debut, a road win against the Clippers. After a few weeks of shaky play, the Mavericks seem to have righted the ship and would hold home court advantage if the playoffs began today. They have a tough task ahead later this week against the Nuggets on the road.
10. New York Knicks
Record: 31–27
Previous ranking: 10
The Knicks were a blown fourth-quarter lead against the 76ers away from an undefeated week. They still won two out of three as they outlasted the Magic on the road and got past the Jazz at home in a shootout with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle combining for 69 points. New York has as good a shot as ever to end its nine-game losing streak against Brooklyn at Madison Square Garden on Monday in the third meeting of the season between the cross-town foes.
11. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 31–28
Previous ranking: 11
Los Angeles made a flurry of moves at the deadline to improve its roster, adding Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee to the supporting cast assembled around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. None of the new acquisitions played for the Clippers last week and they went 1–2. L.A. beat Brooklyn on the road and returned home only to fall against Dallas and Milwaukee. It has a big week ahead with a pair of nationally televised games against the Warriors and Suns.
12. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 33–23
Previous ranking: 6
The Nets blew up a contender midseason. The front office traded away Kyrie Irving and then Kevin Durant in the last 10 days and recouped a haul of picks and players to a team that’s, for now, still firmly in the playoff picture. Brooklyn is no doubt a better defensive team with forwards Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith joining ace Nic Claxton in the starting lineup. Spark plug Cam Thomas also continued his offensive onslaught last week with a third consecutive game with 40-plus points. The new-look Nets pushed the 76ers to the brink over the weekend, but came up just short.
13. Phoenix Suns
Record: 31–27
Previous ranking: 18
The Suns got two shots in the arm last week when Devin Booker (groin) made his highly anticipated return and the front office acquired Durant from the Nets just a few days after beating them in Brooklyn. It will be some time before Durant makes his debut in Phoenix, but the team is in much better shape with Booker back, and Deandre Ayton has played some of his best basketball of late. After a 2–1 week, the Suns are set to host the Kings and Clippers over the next few days.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 30–29
Previous ranking: 12
The Timberwolves’ road trip got off to a rough start in Denver when they gave up 146 points in a blowout loss. They responded in turn the next night with 143 points of their own in a huge win in Salt Lake City, though. Anthony Edwards paced the team with 31 points and accounted for four of its 23 made threes. Minnesota was again on the wrong side of a 20-plus point decision Friday night in Memphis when the Grizzlies evened the season series, 2–2. The road trip wraps up Monday evening in Dallas.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 27–28
Previous ranking: 15
The Thunder got lit up by 27 on the road against the Warriors last Monday in an utter defensive lapse. Their defense wasn’t much better the next night in L.A., but their offense was enough to power the team to a victory over the Lakers in the game where LeBron James set the scoring record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander logged his fifth 40-plus-point game of the season Friday night in a win over Portland to make it two in a row. Oklahoma City, which currently holds the last spot in the play-in tournament, gets a struggling New Orleans team and then Houston before the All-Star break.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 29–28
Previous ranking: 16
Trae Young got the Hawks back above .500 with a pair of marvelous performances last week. After a poor shooting night in a loss on the road to New Orleans, he returned home and lit up the Suns for 36 points and 12 assists and then tallied 24 points and 17 dimes against the Spurs. A Monday night game is Charlotte is Atlanta’s last road game for the remainder of the month.
17. Golden State Warriors
Record: 28–28
Previous ranking: 13
The Warriors showed what they’re capable of even without Steph Curry on Monday against the Thunder. They lit up OKC for 141 points, the third-most they’ve scored this season, as Klay Thompson finished with 42 points on 12 three-pointers. Golden State crashed back to Earth later in the week with losses to the Trail Blazers and Lakers despite solid outings by Jordan Poole.
18. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 29–28
Previous ranking: 17
New Orleans has battled back to a winning record but was hit with bad news regarding Zion Williamson’s status. He reaggravated the hamstring injury that has kept him out since Jan. 2 and is not expected to be back until weeks after the All-Star break. The Pelicans had lost 10 in a row but have now won three of four after they split their light two-game schedule last week with a win against the Hawks and a loss to the Cavaliers. Up next is a four-game road trip that begins Monday in OKC.
19. Washington Wizards
Record: 26–29
Previous ranking: 21
The Wizards put an end to their three-game skid last week without Kyle Kuzma (ankle). After suffering a blowout at home to Cleveland, Washington rebounded to beat Charlotte behind 36 points and eight three-pointers from Kristaps Porzingis. Bradley Beal led the team with 32 over the weekend in a win over Indiana. Kuzma is questionable for Monday’s game at Golden State, the first leg of a three-game road trip.
20. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 26–31
Previous ranking: 20
The Lakers won their first game with their new pieces post-deadline, and they did so without James. D’Angelo Russell slid right into the starting lineup in his return to L.A., which resulted in a win over the Warriors thanks to another stellar game from Dennis Schröder. Jarred Vanderbilt, who also came over in the Russell Westbrook trade, was solid off the bench while Malik Beasley’s debut in purple and gold was more inconspicuous. It was a busy week overall for Los Angeles with James passing Kareem Adbul-Jabbar for first place on the all-time scoring list, albeit in a loss to the Thunder. Time is running out for the Lakers to turn things around as they are still two games back from the play-in.
21. Utah Jazz
Record: 28–30
Previous ranking: 19
Utah added to its treasure trove of draft capital when it added a first-round pick from L.A. in the three-team Westbrook trade. The Jazz lost three games total last week and four of their last five, but the future is bright in Salt Lake City given the young core the front office has assembled. Lauri Markkanen built on his surprise All-Star campaign with a handful of 20-point games last week, including 23 in a win over Toronto, and rookie Walker Kessler matched that point total in that same game for a season-high.
22. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 27–29
Previous ranking: 22
The Trail Blazers have their defense to blame for their recent losses. They rank third in offensive rating and 29th in defensive rating in February, and are just 3–3 so far this month. Just last week, Portland let up 127 to Milwaukee in a loss, 122 to Golden State in a win and a season-worst 138 points to the Thunder in a losing effort. Despite the tear that Damian Lillard has been on for several weeks running, the Blazers are on the outside looking in when it comes to the play-in picture. And they dealt Gary Payton II and Josh Hart, two of their better defenders, at the deadline, while acquiring Matisse Thybulle and Cam Reddish.
23. Toronto Raptors
Record: 27–31
Previous ranking: 25
Toronto was not a seller last Thursday, contrary to the expectations of many around the league. Instead, the Raptors acquired big man Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs and held onto their slew of wings. They have quietly won four of five (two out of three last week) in large part due to the play of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. The former scored 37 in a win over the Spurs and 35 in a loss to the Jazz, and the latter finished with 35 in a one-point win against the Pistons. Toronto has just one game on the schedule this week before the All-Star break begins.
24. Chicago Bulls
Record: 26–30
Previous ranking: 23
The Bulls were quiet at the trade deadline and have watched a promising three-game winning streak snowball into three straight losses. They began last week with a convincing victory over the Spurs and then hit the road where they fell to the Grizzlies, Nets and Cavaliers, all by eight or more points. DeMar DeRozan, who missed the game in Memphis with hip soreness, has been quiet by his standards so far in February, while Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević have played some of their best basketball.
25. Orlando Magic
Record: 23–34
Previous ranking: 26
The Magic put up a fight in each game they played last week but left with just one victory. At home against New York, Orlando fell by four. A few nights later it continued its run of beating the best teams in the NBA with an 11-point win over the Nuggets, powered by contributions from the second unit. The Magic lost to the Heat in overtime over the weekend and now hit the road for a quick two-game trip. Orlando, which is 10–10 so far in 2023, is 3.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the East.
26. Indiana Pacers
Record: 25–33
Previous ranking: 24
Even with Tyrese Haliburton back in action, the Pacers’ woes have continued. They added three losses last week to extend their streak to four in a row and are 5–16 in 2023 after they entered the new year three games above .500. Miami, Phoenix and Washington all got the best of Indiana with the Wizards pouring in 80 first-half points. For all their troubles, the Pacers are just two games out of a play-in spot and they have a handful of winnable games at home in the coming days.
27. Detroit Pistons
Record: 15–43
Previous ranking: 28
Detroit held onto veteran sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic at the deadline and he delivered a game-high 32 points in a double-overtime win over San Antonio on Friday, which put an end to a three-game skid. Rookie Jalen Duren posted 30 points and 17 boards in the high-scoring affair, which came after the offense failed to break 100 points in consecutive losses to the Celtics and Cavaliers earlier in the week. The Pistons lost a tight game Sunday against the Raptors, which began a three-game road trip.
28. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 15–43
Previous ranking: 27
The Hornets fell victim to the Celtics and Nuggets over the weekend and extended their run of losses to seven straight. Charlotte is winless so far in February and has fallen to last place in the Eastern Conference with five wins to 16 losses in 2023. Trading away Mason Plumlee opened up more minutes for rookie big man Mark Williams, who posted a double double against Boston in a season-high 31 minutes.
29. Houston Rockets
Record: 13–43
Previous ranking: 30
The Rockets lost two shootouts to stretch their losing streak to five. They couldn’t keep pace on the front end of a two-game set with the Kings, who hung 140 points on Houston. Two nights later, Jalen Green went for 41 in a two-point defeat against Sacramento. The Rockets lost by two again Friday night in Miami, but held the Heat below 100. Houston has a half-game lead on San Antonio for the worst record in the league.
30. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 14–43
Previous ranking: 29
The Spurs are one defeat shy of tying the Rockets for the longest losing streak in the league this season. They’ve dropped 12 in a row, including all four games last week, which kicked off a brutal nine-game road trip that takes up most of the month. San Antonio, which is dead last in defensive rating, dealt Poeltl, its top defender, to Toronto at the deadline and acquired Devonte’ Graham, who scored 31 in his debut, in a separate deal.
