We laugh at prognosticators who say things like “if the season ended today…” and then reveal anything surprising. Well, we’re approaching the point that “if the season ended today” is becoming a possibility, with everyone keeping a closer eye on the standings with only three full weeks left in the 2020-2021 regular season. The play-in games are less than a month away, and nearly every playoff spot is up for grabs.

The Los Angeles Clippers continued their strong play to take the lead in this week’s Power Rankings, but the Brooklyn Nets are closing in on them thanks to Kevin Durant’s return. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are also climbing, even if they couldn’t extend their winning streak to ten games with a Monday night loss to the Suns. However, they are within striking distance of the top five.

Even with facing Trae Young’s injury, the Atlanta Hawks rose four spots in this week’s rankings, and the Washington Wizards jumped a few spots as a long winning streak pushed them into play-in contention. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, seemed to have worked things out last week, only to drop a few positions in this week’s version of the Power Rankings.

Let’s get into finding out where everyone else landed during this week’s Power Rankings.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Los Angeles Clippers (43-20, Last Week’s Ranking: 5)

The Clippers have won all three games this week without Kawhi Leonard, including one against the Grizzlies with a starting lineup of Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, and Ivica Zubac — things are definitely on-par for L.A. Paul George continued his strong play this week, averaging 33 points and 12.5 rebounds in two games, while Morris has stepped up in Leonard’s absence, averaging 20.5 points on 43 percent 3-point shooting in two games this week. The Clippers have won 11 of their last 12 games and are two-and-a-half games behind the Suns for second in the West’s top seeding race.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Phoenix Suns (43-18, Last Week’s Ranking: 3)

The Suns went 2-2 in the first four games of their grueling five-game road trip, winning against the Bucks and Sixers before losing to the Celtics and Nets. Chris Paul averaged 21.5 points and 9.3 assists per game this week and starting out his 18th week of the year scoring every clutch bucket down the stretch to down the Knicks and end the longest winning streak in the NBA, while Devin Booker put up 23.5 points per game on 50 percent 3-point shooting. Jae Crowder was unable to play in both of the team’s defeats this week, highlighting his significance to the team on both ends of the floor.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Brooklyn Nets (41-20, Last Week’s Ranking: 4)

Kevin Durant is back from his hamstring problems, and he led the Nets to a major win over the Suns on Sunday, scoring 33 points in 28 minutes to top off a 3-1 week for Brooklyn. Though James Harden is still out, Kyrie Irving scored 27.3 points, 9.8 assists, and seven rebounds per game this week while shooting 40% from 3-point range, and Joe Harris added 17 points per game on 57 percent 3-point shooting. Brooklyn is back in the driver’s seat for No. 1 in the East, but injury concerns are arising as James Harden’s hamstring condition issued more setbacks that will further inhibit his return.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Utah Jazz (44-17, Last Week’s Ranking: 2)

Thanks to a head-scratching loss to the Timberwolves, the Jazz were unable to complete a 3-0 week after defeating the Lakers and Rockets without the services of Donovan Mitchell, who is still recovering from an ankle injury. Bojan Bogdanovic’s hot shooting continued this week, as he made 44 percent of his 3-pointers while scoring 21 points per game.

Moreover, Jordan Clarkson has taken on more scoring responsibilities, averaging nearly 20 points per game this week on 39 percent 3-point shooting.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. New York Knicks (34-28, Last Week’s Ranking: 14)

The Knicks won three more games this past week but lost their bid at 10 straight wins games with a heart-searing loss to the Phoenix Suns down the fourth-quarter stretch, ending their winning streak at nine games. During the string, while the league’s No. 1 defense continues to stifle opposing offenses, the Knicks’ offense was remarkably dominant, scoring 118.7 points through 100 possessions.

Julius Randle, who averaged 29 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 57 (!) percent 3-point shooting this week, has played a key role, as have RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose, and Reggie Bullock. Game after game, the Knicks continue to look the part of an arduous playoff contender.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Milwaukee Bucks (37-23, Last Week’s Ranking: 7)

The Milwaukee Bucks lost in overtime to the Suns before winning back-to-back games against the 76ers and losing to the Hawks on Sunday. Milwaukee comfortably led by double digits in the fourth quarter against Atlanta, but the game was lost due to a late Hawks run.

On 61 percent shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28.8 points and 13 rebounds per game, while Khris Middleton contributed 19.3 points on 39 percent 3-point shooting.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Denver Nuggets (40-21, Last Week’s Ranking: 8)

After Jamal Murray’s devastating injury, the Nuggets have won six of their last seven games, including three of four this past week. Out of necessity, Nikola Jokic has become more aggressive in the pursuit of his own shot, scoring 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this week, while Michael Porter Jr. has impressively assumed the position of their second scorer, averaging 25.8 points while impressively knocking down 55 percent of his averaged 10 threes attempted per game.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Atlanta Hawks (34-28, Last Week’s Ranking: 12)

Atlanta jumps up four spots in this week’s rankings, and many who believe the Hawks are legit will point to their back-to-back victories over the Heat and Bucks without Trae Young. Young left the game early with an ankle injury, and the team’s only loss this week came in overtime to the blazing-hot Knicks. Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to play a key role in the offense, scoring and facilitating, while Kevin Huerter has moved into a playmaking role in Young’s absence. Atlanta is now tied with the Knicks, who they’d meet in the 4-5 matchup if the season ended today.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Philadelphia 76ers (40-21, Last Week’s Ranking: 1)

What a turn of events…

Last week, the 76ers seemed to be in good shape for the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. Now, not so much. With the Bucks quietly climbing in the East, they’re in danger of dropping to No. 3 after four consecutive defeats.

Philly faced a red-hot Steph Curry in their first game without Ben Simmons, then faced two of the league’s best teams in the Suns and Bucks. Tobias Harris also missed two games, and Joel Embiid was kept out of the team’s loss to Milwaukee on Saturday. Despite this, teams have had to find ways to win this season without having a full roster, and the 76ers are not exempt from that.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Golden State Warriors (31-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 16)

Steph Curry has finally cooled off — for one night only, that is. A rough 2-14 off-night against the Wizards was sandwiched between outstanding games against the 76ers, Nuggets, and Kings in which the two-time MVP  shot 21 for 40 from beyond the arc in the other three games, averaging nearly 40 points per game.

Due to health and safety policies, Kent Bazemore and Damion Lee are out, which means Kelly Oubre Jr., who averaged 18.8 points and six rebounds this week, will have more chances to stand out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Dallas Mavericks (33-27, Last Week’s Ranking: 11)

After losing four of their previous five games, the Mavericks rebounded this week by defeating the Pistons and then sweeping the Lakers in a two-game series. Luka Doncic averaged 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds over the course of the week, including a game-winning step-back 3-pointer against the Lakers on Saturday. Dallas is now just one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference’s fifth seed, and with the Lakers slipping through the cracks, they could very well leapfrog them in the Western Conference standings.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Boston Celtics (32-29, Last Week’s Ranking: 10)

After a recent hot streak, the Celtics have lost to the Bulls, Nets, and Hornets this week, despite a strong victory over the Suns. Boston was without Jaylen Brown for two of the games, but Evan Fournier returned after a two-game absence in which he struggled to make a field goal and scored only two points in 42 minutes. Jayson Tatum cooled off a lot, shooting just 34% from the field last week. Entering the final three weeks of the season, Boston is experiencing injury woes at the most inconvenient time.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Miami Heat (32-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 13)

The Heat won three games against weaker teams this week but fell to the Hawks without Trae Young in a game that could determine the Eastern Conference playoff picture. This week, Kendrick Nunn led the team in scoring, averaging 20.5 points on 47 percent 3-point shooting, while Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler continued to make consistent contributions.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Washington Wizards (27-34, Last Week’s Ranking: 22)

The Wizards have enchanted the NBA, winning four more games this week to extend their winning streak to eight games, and 11 games in a row with Bradley Beal in the lineup. The offense is obviously clicking, but the defense has been impressive for a team that came close to setting an NBA record for a horrendous defensive effort last season. They allowed just 104.3 points per 100 possessions this week, and if Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook can keep this up heading into the Play-In Tournament…watch out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Los Angeles Lakers (36-25, Last Week’s Ranking: 6)

The defending champions drop even lower in this week’s rankings, and even with Anthony Davis returning to the lineup this past week, the rust on him is inconspicuous.

In his first two games back, the big man scored 10.5 points in 22.5 minutes, and he was understandably rusty. With Davis easing back into the lineup and LeBron James still out, Dennis Schroder has continued to be the offensive driver, carrying the load as Frank Vogel’s No. 1 scoring option, averaging 18.7 points and 9.7 assists on 43 percent 3-point shooting in three games this week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. San Antonio Spurs (31-29, Last Week’s Ranking: 18)

The Spurs have had an ease-filled 3-1 week after a difficult schedule following the All-Star break. DeMar DeRozan’s late jumpers gave the Spurs a crucial victory over the Pelicans on Saturday and Washington on Monday, giving them some breathing space in the battle for a Western Conference play-in spot. In three games this week, DeRozan averaged 21.7 points and six assists, while Derrick White averaged 21.5 points on 40 percent 3-point shooting.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Memphis Grizzlies (31-29, Last Week’s Ranking: 15)

Following a heartbreaking overtime defeat to the Nuggets on Monday, the Grizzlies lost to the Clippers before winning back-to-back games over the Blazers to tie them in losses. Jaren Jackson Jr. made his much-anticipated return to the court, which some feared would have to wait until next season. The franchise big man and former top-3 selection showed Grizzlies fans what they’d been missing since last August, as the Michigan State product averaged 19 points and 2.5 blocks in 21 minutes in two games this past week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Charlotte Hornets (30-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 17)

Charlotte drops a spot in the rankings after losing six of its previous seven games, but they ended the week on a high note, defeating both the Cavaliers and Celtics. In a balanced offensive effort against Boston, four Hornets scored 20 points or more as Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and Terry Rozier all averaged over 18 points per game last week. They continue to hold down the fort in anticipation of Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball’s return.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Portland Trail Blazers (32-28, Last Week’s Ranking: 9)

Portland had a difficult week, losing three games by a combined four points before losing to the Grizzlies on Sunday, extending their losing streak to five games. It’s been a difficult run for the Blazers, who are now tied for eighth place in the West with the No. 8 Grizzlies in terms of losses and are just a game and a half ahead of the No. 10 Warriors. Also, the battery in the proverbial Dame Time watch might be out of juice, considering the Weber State product shot under30 percent from 3-point range in three games this week after returning from a hamstring injury. Upon returning from his own injury, Jusuf Nurkic has continued to play well, putting up 16.7 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in three games.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Indiana Pacers (29-31, Last Week’s Ranking: 19)

The Pacers have won three straight games despite having no healthy centers on the roster. Oshae Brissett, who recently signed a long-term contract with Indiana, took advantage of the extra chance this week, scoring 15 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. The offensive attack was led by Malcolm Brogdon (24.3 points per game) and Caris LeVert (22.3), with Edmond Sumner scoring 15 points per game off 54 percent shooting from deep.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. New Orleans Pelicans (27-34, Last Week’s Ranking: 20)

This week, the Pelicans lost to the Spurs and the Nets, with their only win coming against the Magic, making a play-in place look increasingly unlikely. This week, Zion Williamson was a beast (because of course, he was), averaging nearly 30 points and 9.3 rebounds on 67 percent shooting, while Brandon Ingram added 26.7 points and 5.7 assists.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Toronto Raptors (26-35, Last Week’s Ranking: 21)

The Raptors only played two games this week, beating the Nets with a full roster for the first time before falling to the Knicks. In the two games, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Fred VanVleet each scored 22 points and went 27 for 34 from 3-point range. Kyle Lowry returned to the lineup after missing Toronto’s previous ten games, averaging nine points, seven assists, and seven rebounds per game this past week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Chicago Bulls (26-35, Last Week’s Ranking: 23)

The Bulls began the week with a major road win over the Celtics, led by Nikola Vucevic’s 29 points and nine rebounds, and later beat the Hornets after losses to the Cavs and Heat. With Zach LaVine out of the lineup, the Bulls have won three of their last five games, which is a step in the right direction.

Additionally, Coby White is finding his bearings about himself during a Sophmore Slump of a second year for the UNC product. White averaged 20.5 points and 5.3 assists on 43 percent 3-point shooting for the week – a noteworthy and commendable improvement.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. Sacramento Kings (25-36, Last Week’s Ranking: 24)

The Kings split with the Wolves before falling to the Warriors on Sunday, and they learned that De’Aaron Fox would be out for at least 10 days due to health and safety regulations. His absence would likely put an end to the Kings’ slim playoff hopes, but it will give Tyrese Haliburton more offensive confidence, as he averaged 15.7 points and 7.7 assists on 42 percent shooting from downtown last week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-40, Last Week’s Ranking: 25)

With a win over the Bulls and defeats to the Pistons, Hornets, and the Wizards, the Cavs went 1-3 this week. Before sitting out Sunday’s loss to Washington, Collin Sexton averaged 28.7 points on 50 percent 3-point shooting in three games, while Darius Garland averaged 25.8 points and 6.3 assists on 48 percent 3-point shooting. Jarrett Allen also surpassed his previous high of 27 points and snatched 12 rebounds in a contest against the Wizards.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-41, Last Week’s Ranking: 26)

Three more games, three more defeats for OKC, which has now lost 13 in a row with no sign of stopping the tank. Fans must keep reminding themselves that this is the right course of action for the future, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to watch. Darius Bazley has stepped up his game this week, scoring 24 points per game despite his low productivity.

LuGuentz Dort scored 18 points in the only game he was allowed to suit up for this week while rising rookie Theo Maledon averaged 14.3 points on 53 percent 3-point shooting in three games.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

27. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-44, Last Week’s Ranking: 29)

The Wolves had somewhat of a successful week, splitting two games with the Kings before claiming a convincing victory in Utah on Saturday. With Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell in the lineup, Minnesota now has a winning record, something to build on for next season now that they’ve been formally eliminated from this year’s playoffs. Towns, Russell, and Anthony Edwards all scored at least 22 points per game and shot a combined 38 percent from three-point range this week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

28. Detroit Pistons (19-43, Last Week’s Ranking: 28)

The Mavs, Spurs, and Pacers were Detroit’s only victories this week, and they were followed by defeats to the Mavs, Spurs, and Pacers. The Pistons have been resting a large portion of their roster almost every other game, so there will be plenty of opportunities as the season finishes up. Despite playing in just two games this week, Jerami Grant averaged 25.5 points on 45 percent shooting.

Isiah Stewart seems like a piece to keep around, as the rookie has impressed Dwayne Casey and the rest of the coaching staff once he steps onto the court and Mason Plumlee rests, averaging 13 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in two starts this week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

29. Orlando Magic (18-43, Last Week’s Ranking: 27)

The Magic were blown out by the Hawks, Pelicans, and Pacers this past week, and at one point where it looked like their five-game losing streak was going to end in upset fashion entering the fourth quarter with a slim lead over the defending champion Lakers, they succumbed to the league’s 21st most-efficient offense, extending their losing streak to six games and 10 in a row.

Not all was sour this week, however, as six Orlando players averaged double figures in scoring, with Cole Anthony leading the way with 15 points per game. It’ll only be a matter of time before the Magic are knocked out of the playoffs and can start planning for next season.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

30. Houston Rockets (15-46, Last Week’s Ranking: 30)

Houston had a tough week of games and, predictably, lost all four, effectively eliminating the team from playoff contention. For most of the season, the Rockets have used a MASH machine to garner different makeshift starting fives throughout the year, and with John Wall recently sidelined for the rest of the season, it seems just a matter of time until other players like Christian Wood are also benched for the season.

Photo Cred: Fox Sports 1430