nba power rankings: clippers and kawhi surge, as knicks make run in east
We're about a month away from the 2024 NBA trade deadline (Feb. 8, 3 p.m. ET), and things are starting to heat up around the league. As trade deadline rumblings start to get louder throughout the month'
Top-5
No.1: Boston (28-8)
Even after a couple of close losses to the Thunder and Pacers in the past two weeks, Boston still ranks second in the league in offense and defense and has a healthy lead in net rating at plus-10.4 points per 100 possessions. All the while, the Celtics have had a rotating cast of characters in and out of the lineup because of injuries. The next week sees Boston host its counterparts atop the West in the Timberwolves, as well as the return of former coach Ime Udoka with the Rockets on Saturday.
No.2: Denver (26-12)
When Nikola Jokic does something eye-popping, it's typically some statistical feat that hasn't been done since Wilt Chamberlian's playing days. On Sunday, Jokic took just three shots and scored only four points but had 16 assists and five blocks, becoming just the third player with at least 15 assists and five blocks in a game since blocks became an official stat in 1973-74, joining Jamaal Tinsley and Jalen Rose. Denver has won 12 of its past 15 games but will play on the road in six of its next eight, including a five-game East Coast swing. The Nuggets' record is just 11-8 away from Denver.
-- Youngmisuk
No.3: Minnesota (26-10)
The Timberwolves remain atop the West with the second-best record in the NBA, but their lead over the Thunder and Nuggets has dwindled to one game. The Wolves dropped three of their past five games heading into a back-to-back against a pair of Eastern Conference contenders. After defeating the Magic on Tuesday night, they'll have a showdown with the Celtics on Wednesday
No.4: Oklahoma City (24-11)
Chet Holmgren had his third 30-point performance of the season in Monday's win over the Wizards, and he has shot better than 60% from the floor in all of them. Holmgren has surprised many scouts and coaches around the league by instantly establishing himself as an efficient and effective scoring complement to MVP candidat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Holmgren is averaging 17.8 points while shooting 55.1% from the floor and 40.9% from 3-point range. No rookie has ever averaged that many points with an effective field goal percentage as high as Holmgren's (62.4)
No.5: Milwaukee (25-12)
Milwaukee has dropped four of its past five games, avoiding a losing streak with a narrow victory over San Antonio last week. The Bucks' defense ranks 25th since the start of the month, causing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to blast the team's effort on that end after a loss to the Rockets over the weekend. The next three games will be a test, as the Bucks host Boston, Golden State and Sacramento.