“Philadelphia 76ers Set to Bolster Lineup with 6’10” Forward Averaging 18.6 PPG, Joining Forces with Paul George for Development”
Are the Philadelphia 76ers about to make a major move to strengthen their lineup? Reports suggest that a 6’10” star forward, known for averaging an impressive 18.6 points per game, is on the verge of joining the team. This exciting addition is set to develop under the mentorship of NBA veteran Paul George, promising a dynamic duo that could shake up the league. Stay tuned for updates on this potential game-changing partnership! #NBA #Philadelphia76ers #PaulGeorge #Basketball #SportsNews
New Signing Alert: Lonnie Walker Joins Philadelphia 76ers on Two-Year Deal
Get ready Sixers fans, because Lonnie Walker is officially joining the team on a two-year deal! The dynamic shooting guard brings a combination of speed, skill, and scoring ability to the court, making him a valuable addition to the roster.
With his impressive track record and potential for growth, Walker is sure to make a big impact on the team’s performance this season. Stay tuned for exciting updates and highlights as he suits up in the iconic Sixers jersey and takes the court alongside his new teammates.
Don’t miss out on the action – show your support for Lonnie Walker and the Philadelphia 76ers as they strive for success in the upcoming season! #LonnieWalker #Sixers #NewSigning
In a surprising move, the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a two-year deal with Lonnie Walker. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard brings a versatile skill set to the Sixers, including his ability to score from all three levels and play solid defense.
Walker, a former first-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs, has shown flashes of potential in his young career and could be a valuable addition to the Sixers’ roster. His athleticism and scoring ability will provide a boost to the team’s backcourt, and his defensive prowess will help shore up the perimeter defense.
The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is expected to be a solid move for both Walker and the Sixers. With a young core of talent led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the addition of Walker could help elevate the team to new heights in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
Guerschon Yabusele is garnering trade interest in his second stint in the NBA.
The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Keith Pompey named Yabusele as the Philadelphia 76ers’ “most enticing trade target for opposing teams” ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
Pompey named the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets as teams interested in acquiring the former 2016 first-round pick.
Yabusele began his NBA career by playing two seasons with the Boston Celtics before the team waived him in the summer of 2019.
He spent several years playing professionally in China, France and Spain before the Sixers brought Yabusele back to the NBA on a one-year veteran minimum contract.
Having played his way into a starting role while averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Yabusele has likely out-earned his $2 million salary this season.
The Sixers likely aren’t in a position to give him a raise next season after committing to pay more than $135 million to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in 2025-26.
Deciding whether to take advantage of the jump in Yabusele’s value to trade him this winter could hinge on if the Sixers see themselves as a postseason contender.
Heading into Sunday with a 19-28 record, the Sixers one game back from the Chicago Bulls for the last play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
If the Sixers decide to push for the play-in round, keeping Yabusele, who played well during a recent four-game winning streak that lifted Philadelphia closer to the playoff picture, could be key to the team’s postseason hopes.
If Philadelphia decides to sell at the deadline, however, the team could be better served by taking advantage of Yabusele’s value to a win-now team by picking up draft assets.
SNY’s Ian Begley previously reported that the Knicks had checked in with the Sixers regarding Yabusele, and that his .400 shooting on 3.9 attempted 3-pointers per game could “benefit a Knick team that wants to keep the floor spread on offense.”
The Nuggets have been in need of frontcourt depth throughout the 2024-25 season. Denver’s bench has contributed 10.2 points per game, good for 27th in the NBA, through 49 games this season. Adding Yabusele as a depth option behind Nikola Jokić could help this team gear up for a playoff run.
The Celtics added to their frontcourt depth ahead of the 2024 trade deadline by adding Xavier Tillman Sr., but Tillman’s playing time has dropped to an average of just seven minutes through 26 games so far this season. Replacing him with Yabusele could be a bench upgrade for the defending champions.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a hot topic of discussion in recent days as rumors swirl around potential trades involving forward Guerschon Yabusele. Several teams, including the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets, are reportedly interested in acquiring the talented young player.
Yabusele, a former first-round draft pick, has shown flashes of potential during his time with the 76ers, but has struggled to find consistent playing time on a deep roster. With the trade deadline approaching, Philadelphia may be looking to move Yabusele in exchange for assets that can help bolster their playoff push.
The Knicks, Celtics, and Nuggets are all in need of frontcourt depth and could benefit from adding a player like Yabusele to their roster. While no trade has been finalized yet, discussions are said to be ongoing and a deal could materialize in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 76ers trade rumors involving Guerschon Yabusele, as news, scores, highlights, stats, and rumors continue to develop.
As the Philadelphia 76ers battled it out against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, their star guard Tyrese Maxey moved up the team’s leaderboard in shooting from beyond the arc.
With six three-pointers made against the Nuggets, Maxey surpassed Kyle Korver.
He’s now chasing Robert Covington and Allen Iverson in most three-pointers made in team history.
Tyrese Maxey now has the third-most made 3-pointers in #Sixers franchise history (662), behind only Robert Covington and Allen Iverson.
Maxey accomplished that feat in a little over 300 games. Although he entered the NBA with a question mark surrounding his three-point shooting, Maxey erased all doubt by his sophomore season.
In year two, Maxey averaged 43 percent from three on four attempts per game. During his third season, he knocked down 43 percent of his shots from deep on six shots per game.
Last season, Maxey upped his attempts to eight per game. While his efficiency took a slight dip, he still managed to be 37 percent from three while averaging 26 points per game.
The 2024-2025 NBA season has seen another slight climb in attempts from deep for Maxey. However, a slow start to the year caused his percentage to take a notable drop.
Through 40 games, Maxey is averaging 34 percent from three. However, he’s been scoring at a career-high clip, averaging 28 points per game.
Maxey is now 58 threes away from surpassing Covington. The former Sixers forward achieved 724 threes made in 323 games with the 76ers.
The leader of the franchise, Allen Iverson, has nearly 220 more threes made than Maxey right now. Iverson accomplished that in over 700 games with the 76ers.
In a historic game against the Denver Nuggets, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers put on a show that will be remembered for years to come. Maxey scored a career-high 39 points, becoming the youngest player in 76ers history to score that many points in a game.
Not only did Maxey light up the scoreboard, but he also displayed his all-around skills by adding seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals to his impressive stat line. His performance helped lead the 76ers to a dominant 123-104 victory over the Nuggets.
In addition to his scoring outburst, Maxey’s energy and hustle on both ends of the court were instrumental in the team’s success. He was relentless in attacking the basket, drawing fouls, and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
With this historic performance, Tyrese Maxey has solidified himself as a rising star in the NBA and a key player for the Philadelphia 76ers. Fans can’t wait to see what he will accomplish next as he continues to make his mark on the league.
The Boston Celtics are narrowly holding onto the second place spot in the Eastern Conference, just 1.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks. If Boston wants to become repeat NBA Champions, they’ll have to make some big moves by the NBA trade deadline.
One prediction has the Celtics trying to land a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. However, it could cost fan-favorite guard Jrue Holiday. This season, Holiday is averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 total rebounds, 3.7 assists, and one steal per game.
Additionally, Boston has released their injury report for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and it features something that is rarely seen on an NBA inury report.
Here are some stories to help get you all caught up on everything to do with the Boston Celtics. Click the title to see the entire story:
In this post, we’ll be discussing the latest trade prediction involving Jrue Holiday, a rare injury report against the 76ers, and more.
Trade Prediction: Rumors have been swirling that Jrue Holiday could be on the move once again, with several teams reportedly interested in the talented guard. The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat are among the teams that have been linked to a potential trade for Holiday. It will be interesting to see where he ends up and what impact he can make on his new team.
Rare Injury Report: In a recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jrue Holiday suffered a rare injury that has sidelined him for the foreseeable future. The injury, which has not been disclosed, is said to be minor but could still keep him out of action for a few games. It’s always concerning when a key player goes down with an injury, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on Holiday’s recovery and return to the court.
More News: In other NBA news, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to dominate the league, while the Brooklyn Nets are making waves with their recent trade for James Harden. The race for the playoffs is heating up, and it’ll be interesting to see which teams come out on top in the end.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jrue Holiday, the latest trade rumors, injury reports, and more in the world of basketball. Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
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Jrue Holiday trade prediction, rare injury report, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA trade rumors, injury updates, basketball news
The 34-15 Boston Celtics will make the trip to Pennsylvania’s Wells Fargo Center to take on the 19-28 Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday (Feb. 2) afternoon after sneaking by the 12-37 New Orleans Pelicans 118-116 on the road this past Friday (Jan. 31) evening.
The Celtics will look to win their third game in a row for the first time since the start of last month, while the Sixers hope to regain the shaken momentum they had before a close loss to the 29-19 Denver Nuggets, having won their prior 4 contests. As banged up as Philly is, the Celtics can’t afford to take the 76ers lightly.
Let’s take a look at player health for both teams, likely starters, and how to watch or stream the game.
Player injuries
For the Celtics, a clean bill of health is on the table.
For the 76ers, Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (finger), KJ Martin (foot), and Jared McCain (knee) are out. Caleb Martin (hip) and Andre Drummond (toe) are questionable.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is set to take place on February 2nd, and fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown between these two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game:
Stream: The game will be broadcast on ESPN, so fans can tune in to watch the action live on television or stream it online through the ESPN app.
Lineups: Both teams are expected to field their strongest lineups for this matchup, with key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way for the Celtics, and Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons anchoring the 76ers.
Injury Reports: The Celtics are currently dealing with some injury concerns, with Marcus Smart and Al Horford listed as questionable for the game. On the other hand, the 76ers are relatively healthy, with no major injuries to report.
Broadcast: In addition to ESPN’s coverage of the game, fans can also listen to the action on the radio through local stations or follow live updates on social media.
With both teams vying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, this matchup is sure to be a thrilling and competitive affair. Don’t miss out on all the action as the Celtics take on the 76ers in what promises to be an exciting game of basketball.
Maxey also had nine assists, but it wasn’t enough to extend the 76ers’ four-game winning streak. Guerschon Yabusele set a career high with 28 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 27.
Takeaways
Nuggets: Russell Westbrook left the game with a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter when he was stripped by Ricky Council IV. Coach Michael Malone called time and Westbrook limped off, heading straight to the Nuggets’ locker room. He did not return.
76ers: Maxey had his 13th straight game of 28 or more points and fourth straight 30-point outing.
Key moment
Jokic had 13 points in the fourth quarter and Maxey 12. He tied it for the final time at 130 before Jokic’s 3-pointer.
Key stat
The Nuggets, who lead the NBA in field goal percentage at 50.3, shot 65.9% (54 for 82) from the field. Six players were in double figures, with Strawther and Christian Braun (15 points) leading a 39-17 edge in bench scoring.
Next up
The 76ers continue a six-game homestand against Boston on Sunday. The Nuggets finish a five-game trip in Charlotte on Saturday.
What a thrilling game between the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers last night! The Nuggets came out on top with a narrow 137-134 victory in a high-scoring affair.
Both teams were firing on all cylinders offensively, with multiple players putting up impressive numbers. The Nuggets were led by their dynamic duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, who combined for 63 points. Murray was particularly hot from beyond the arc, knocking down seven three-pointers on his way to a team-high 35 points. Jokic, as usual, stuffed the stat sheet with a triple-double, recording 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists.
The 76ers, meanwhile, were led by their All-Star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Embiid dominated in the paint, scoring 40 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Simmons controlled the game with his playmaking, dishing out 14 assists to go along with his 23 points.
The game went back and forth throughout, with both teams trading big shots in the final minutes. In the end, it was the Nuggets who made the plays when it mattered most, securing the win in a thrilling finish.
This victory moves the Nuggets to a 33-15 record, solidifying their position near the top of the Western Conference standings. The 76ers, on the other hand, fall to 28-20 but remain in the playoff picture in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Overall, it was a highly entertaining game that showcased the talent and competitiveness of both teams. Fans of both the Nuggets and the 76ers can be proud of their teams’ performances in what was truly a game to remember.
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Nuggets vs 76ers game recap, Nuggets 137-134 76ers, January 31 2025, NBA game recap, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA highlights, game summary, player stats, final score.
The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Philadelphia 76ers for the second and final time this season, and it will be without their star defensive forward, Jarred Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt has been ruled out for tonight’s contest due to right foot surgery recovery.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha shared via X.
Update: Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) is out for tonight’s game at Philadelphia, per the Lakers.
This comes as no surprise, as the Lakers are being extremely cautious with Vanderbilt and his foot issues.
Prior to Vanderbilt’s first game on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, he was approaching a full calendar year since stepping on the court for L.A.
The Lakers want to be sure that he is healthy and ready to go for the rest of the season, and not playing in back-to-back games will be key to that.
Vanderbilt has played in two games for the Lakers this season after recovering from surgery on both feet.
However, the team is slowly getting him back up to speed.
He hasn’t played more than 13 minutes in a game yet.
The star defensive forward has been solid so far, being the defensive pesk the Lakers desperately needed.
In two games, he is averaging 3.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.
In Monday’s match against the Charlotte Hornets, Vanderbilt was solid, recording four points, two steals, and two rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
After undergoing surgeries to both feet during the offseason, followed by a lengthy rehab process, it comes as no surprise that Vanderbilt will continue to have heavy restrictions right out of the gate.
Prior to Saturday’s game at Golden State, Vanderbilt was last on the court Feb. 1, 2024, against the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers were undermanned in that contest as they were without their two best players, Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Vanderbilt is arguably their best perimeter defender, as he can defend positions one through four. He is an apex athlete, and his return should result in the Lakers having a slightly better defense.
The 25-year-old will be missed for tonight’s contest, but in all likelihood, he will be back for Thursday’s matchup against the lowly Washington Wizards.
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that forward Jarred Vanderbilt will be ruled out for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Vanderbilt, who has been dealing with a knee injury, will not be available to play in the matchup.
This news comes as a blow to the Lakers, as Vanderbilt has been a key contributor off the bench for the team this season. His energy and hustle on both ends of the court will be missed, especially against a tough opponent like the 76ers.
It remains to be seen how long Vanderbilt will be sidelined with his injury, but the Lakers will need to find ways to compensate for his absence in the meantime. Hopefully, he will be able to make a speedy recovery and get back on the court soon.
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Lakers, Jarred Vanderbilt, ruled out, 76ers, NBA, injury update, basketball, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA news, sports injury, player update
The trade deadline is a mere week away now on Feb. 6. Now is the time for teams to begin figuring out where they stand and how they plan to attack the deadline at this stage of the season.
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been a machine and the Boston Celtics have been terrific while the Philadelphia 76ers have been struggling all season amid injuries, but are beginning to really surge. The New York Knicks have been terrific while the Orlando Magic cannot be forgotten about once they get healthy. The Milwaukee Bucks have begun to surge as well after their slow start along with the Indiana Pacers.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at the top while teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks will be teams to worry about as well.
With that said, here is the 12th edition of the NBA Power Rankings:
30. Washington Wizards (6-40)
Previous ranking: 30
The Wizards have lost 15 in a row and need to make a move before the deadline. The youngsters are getting valuable reps to develop in this league, but there is no real reason for keeping Kyle Kuzma on the roster. The goal has to be developing Alex Sarr and others while positioning themselves for the lottery.
29. Utah Jazz (10-35)
Previous ranking: 29
The Jazz have to love what they are getting out of their younger players. While it hasn’t led to wins just yet, Utah is getting a lot of strong play out of guys like Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, and Brice Sensabaugh. Now, the Jazz have to try and move their veterans to see if they can get add to their stockpile of young talent.
28. Charlotte Hornets (12-32)
Previous ranking: 27
The Hornets have been an average defensive team as they rank 16th in defensive rating, but they have been disastrous on the offensive ranking 27th in offensive rating. Charlotte has its eyes on wining the lottery as Brandon Miller is out for the season and the Hornets should focus on that as well as hoping LaMelo Ball can stay healthy the rest of the way.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (12-36)
Previous ranking: 25
The Pelicans continue to be disastrous. They have lost four in a row as they continue to deal with injuries and inconsistent play. One has to wonder about the status of coach Willie Green and whether his seat is getting warm down in New Orleans. On the bright side, Trey Murphy III has been terrific for the Pelicans.
26. Brooklyn Nets (15-33)
Previous ranking: 26
The Nets are fully embracing the tank as they have their eyes on the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. This is good for the franchise as they move into the future, but it hurts the present as coach Jordi Fernandez looks to create a culture in Brooklyn. One has to wonder if the Nets will make another deal ahead of the deadline as they move forward with the rebuild.
25. Toronto Raptors (15-32)
Previous ranking: 28
The Raptors have won five in a row including beating teams like the Magic and the Hawks (twice). While Toronto is not going to contend for a postseason spot in 2025, it’s obvious that coach Darko Rajakovic and Co. are laying down the foundation for the future. The Raptors have a good young core led by Scottie Barnes and they need to build around it.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (18-29)
Previous ranking: 24
The Blazers just seem stuck. While they are losing enough to be in the lottery, it hasn’t been at the rate it needs to be in order to truly be in the Flagg sweepstakes. With that being said, guys like Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan have been good additions to the roster. The goal for Portland now has to be focused on the development of Scoot Henderson and the youngsters.
23. Chicago Bulls (20-28)
Previous ranking: 22
The Bulls are still holding onto their core at the moment, but with the deadline now rapidly approaching, it has to change. As mentioned in this spot all season, Chicago is going nowhere with Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Lonzo Ball at the moment. All three are talented as ever and the Bulls should get a nice return for either player as they move forward.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (19-27)
Previous ranking: 23
The Sixers have followed up a miserable 7-game losing skid with a 4-game winning streak now and are only percentage points back of the Bulls for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off some impressive wins over the Cavaliers and Lakers and Tyrese Maxey appears to have his joy back. If they get healthy, a rather huge if, this team can be scary in the East.
21. San Antonio Spurs (20-24)
Previous ranking: 21
The Spurs have dropped two in a row following a big win over the Pacers in Paris. They dropped the rematch with Indiana and then lost to the Clippers at home. San Antonio now has some work to do as it is 2.5 games back of the Kings for the final play-in spot in the West as the season progresses.
20. Atlanta Hawks (22-25)
Previous ranking: 16
The Hawks are in a bit of a freefall as they have lost six in a row and lost Jalen Johnson for the rest of the season. As injuries begin to take their toll in Atlanta, the Hawks are now No. 9 in the East and are only 2.5 games ahead of the Bulls and the Sixers in the play-in standings. It will be up to Trae Young to keep Atlanta afloat and in the playoff race.
19. Miami Heat (23-23)
Previous ranking: 19
The Heat have to figure out the Jimmy Butler saga as they move forward. The star forward has been suspended for a third time and Miami is still adjusting to playing without the disgruntled forward. On the bright side, coach Erik Spoelstra has finally given Kel’el Ware the playing time he needs and Bam Adebayo can play more power forward.
18. Sacramento Kings (24-23)
Previous ranking: 15
The Kings now have to figure out the De’Aaron Fox situation as they will begin taking trade calls on their star guard. They have worked their way back into the play-in tournament in the tough Western Conference, but the potential Fox drama looms over them now as they move forward and one has to wonder what the front office will do leading into the 3 p.m. EST deadline on Feb. 6.
17. Detroit Pistons (23-24)
Previous ranking: 14
The Pistons have run into a tough stretch of their schedule and have been delivered a dose of reality. While Cade Cunningham continues to play like a star and Malik Beasley has been fantastic as a floor spacer, they need another ball-handler and scorer to take pressure off Cunningham. If Jaden Ivey can return from his injury, it would be a big help on the offensive end.
16. Golden State Warriors (24-23)
Previous ranking: 20
The Warriors are still a competitive bunch as Stephen Curry has been terrific on the offensive end and the role players understand what they are supposed to do. They just have to find some consistency. One has to wonder if they can feasibly pull off a Jimmy Butler deal and have him team up with Curry and Draymond Green in The Bay.
15. Phoenix Suns (24-22)
Previous ranking: 18
The Suns have had a chaotic season led by the benching of Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic being phased out of the rotation a bit. With that being said, when Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are healthy, the Suns are a lethal offense as there are not many in this league who can match up with either player. Beal is still a player who can produce off the bench for Phoenix.
14. Orlando Magic (24-24)
Previous ranking: 13
The Magic have stumbled, but getting Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Goga Bitadze back on the floor to join Paolo Banchero should settle them down and get them back on track. Orlando was near the top of the standings in the East and should make another run up the standings when it gets back into the groove of things.
13. Dallas Mavericks (26-22)
Previous ranking: 17
The Mavericks are still awaiting the return of Luka Doncic from injury, but until then, Dallas can rely on Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson to lead the charge on the offensive end. It also doesn’t hurt that PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford are there to chip in when the time calls for it. When Doncic returns, the Mavs will be a competitive bunch in the West.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (26-21)
Previous ranking: 12
Have the Wolves figured it out? Are they one, big happy family in Minnesota? They have won four in a row and are creeping up on the Clippers on getting out of the play-in tournament and into the top 6. The duo of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle still has some work to do, but Minnesota has enough talent to make this work. It has been a bit of a down season, but the Wolves can get this done.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (26-19)
Previous ranking: 11
The Lakers are dealing with yet another Anthony Davis injury and one has to wonder how they will go about surviving his absence. Of course, LeBron James is still playing at a high level, but they will need Rui Hachimura to step up and will lean on Jarred Vanderbilt a bit more than maybe they would have liked at this moment when considering he hasn’t played much basketball in the past year.
10. Indiana Pacers (26-20)
Previous ranking: 9
The Pacers are back to being an offensive juggernaut as they are in the top 10 in the league i offensive rating, but defense continues to be an issue. It will be hard for Indiana to truly contend in the East if it can’t get enough stops. While Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are a talented duo and Myles Turner is an elite shot blocker, the Pacers need to get defensive out on the floor.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (27-20)
Previous ranking: 10
The Clippers are 7-2 with Kawhi Leonard in the lineup which shows how talented LA is with he and James Harden leading the way. Harden, especially, deserves a ton of credit for the job he has done in 2024-25 as a leader and somebody who can get after it on the offensive end still at his advanced age.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (26-19)
Previous ranking: 8
The Bucks took a bad loss to the Blazers on Tuesday, but they are still sitting at No. 5 in the East thanks to the strong play of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. The role players continue to do a good job for this group and coach Doc Rivers has been pushing the right buttons. One has to wonder if Milwaukee makes a move at the deadline.
7. Denver Nuggets (28-19)
Previous ranking: 7
The Nuggets have lost three in a row including a bad one to the Bulls in Chicago. With that being said, as long as Nikola Jokic is out there, Denver is dangerous. The Nuggets are continuing to get strong efforts out of Jamal Murray and others which makes Denver a serious contender in the Western Conference. This team did just win a championship two years ago, after all.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (31-16)
Previous ranking: 6
A lot of experts aren’t taking the Grizzlies seriously, but when this team is healthy, they are dangerous. Memphis has been a strong team all season long and with stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizz should be considered a contender as they sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings.
5. New York Knicks (32-16)
Previous ranking: 5
The Knicks have won five in a row including wins over teams like the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Kings who have all been surging. New York is sitting at No. 3 in the East and is just a game back of the Celtics for the No. 2 seed. The Knicks are jelling at the right time as they continue to move forward with their season.
4. Houston Rockets (32-14)
Previous ranking: 4
The Rockets have been stifling on the defensive end all season and are looking to solidify their status as title contenders in the West. The young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson has been fantastic and coach Ime Udoka deserves so much credit for getting this group to mesh together. Fred VanVleet has been a calming influence as well.
3. Boston Celtics (33-15)
Previous ranking: 3
The Celtics have been on cruise control throughout the season following their hot start, but Boston still has work to do. While they are the defending champs and they are the favorites to come out of the East again, they have to hold off the Knicks in the standings and they need to assert themselves again.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (38-9)
Previous ranking: 2
The Cavs dropped three in a row–including two to the Rockets and one to the very short-handed Sixers–but they bounced back with wins over the Pistons and the Heat to get back on track. Cleveland has still been a machine all season long led by All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell as well as Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and a cast of proven role players.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-9)
Previous ranking: 1
The Thunder are going to be a scary bunch heading into the playoffs led by star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and big man Chet Holmgren when he does return from injury. Oklahoma City is going to likely going to be the No. 1 seed in the West, but one has to wonder if it will be the favorites. Teams like the Mavericks and Nuggets have proven themselves in the postseason. The Thunder will have to do the same.
The Philadelphia 76ers are on the rise in the Eastern Conference standings, making a strong surge towards the top. With key players like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons leading the way, the team has been on a winning streak and climbing up the ranks.
Their recent victories have showcased their talent and potential to compete with the best teams in the league. The 76ers’ defense has been stellar, shutting down opponents and forcing turnovers to create scoring opportunities.
Fans are buzzing with excitement as the team continues to dominate on the court and show their strength in the Eastern Conference. With their recent success, the 76ers are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with and a serious contender for the playoffs.
Keep an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers as they make their way up the Eastern Conference standings and look to make a deep postseason run. #TrustTheProcess #76ersNation
Recently OKC has struggled to generate offense outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — and he’s nearly been able to win games by himself with his increasingly absurd point totals — but there’s certainly no cause for panic. They’re still first in defense, sixth in offense and first in net rating by a country mile.
The fact that the Cavs lost three games in a row recently and they still only have NINE losses all season shows just how magical this run has been for them. Still, the defense has been a real cause for concern, as they’re now 26th in the league in January with a 9-5 record during the month.
The Rockets have now picked up nine combined wins against the Cavs, Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies and Nuggets — how’s that for big-game pedigree? Amen Thompson is the talk of the league with his performance since moving into the starting lineup in place of the injured Jabari Smith Jr. in early January. Thompson is averaging 18.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks as the Rockets have gone 9-2 in that stretch.
The roller coaster season continues for the Celtics, who can still — at times — look like the hands-down favorite to win the title. But at other times they put up 96 points in a blowout loss to the Lakers *shrug emoji*. Kristaps Porzingis is in the midst of a scorching-hot stretch, averaging 20.5 points and eight rebounds over his last 12 games on absurd 51/51/87 shooting splits.
The Knicks scored 99 points in a win over the Nets last week and then were like, screw that. All they did was put up 408 points over their next three games — all wins — to set a franchise record for a three-game span. They’ve now won five in a row, and the last three have come against the then-red-hot Kings, the Grizzlies and the Nuggets — just the type of quality wins they’ve been lacking even in such a tremendous season.
The Memphis defense hasn’t exactly been locking up lately, allowing 120, 126 and 143 points in three of their last four games. Fortunately their offense is so good that they still won two of those, which makes six of seven overall. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been the engine, averaging 23 points on 50/39/82 splits during that stretch.
Denver has allowed 126 points per 100 possessions during its three-game losing streak, and it’s nearly impossible to win on the road with defense that porous. After a historic 35-22-17 line in a win over the Kings, Nikola Jokic has been somewhat human — not good enough if the Nuggets defense is going to be this bad.
Oh hey, check out Kawhi Leonard’s line from Wednesday’s win over the Spurs: 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds on 11-of-19 shooting in 28 minutes. Uh oh. Leonard, James Harden, Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac all scored over 20 points in the win, a blueprint for how effective this offense can be moving forward.
Damian Lillard has been on a tear his last seven games, averaging 28 points, six rebounds and seven assists during that span, including back-to-back triple-doubles — nearly doubling his career total — against the Heat and Clippers. Milwaukee has won seven if its last 10 games, but just can’t make up any ground on the streaking Knicks.
Did you know that the Pacers’ starting lineup of Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner has the second-best net rating of any five-man unit in the NBA with at least 200 minutes under its belt? Yep, that’s better than the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets and Knicks. Indiana has won 11 of 14 games and moved into a virtual tie with the Bucks for the No. 4 seed in the East.
The momentum of the Lakers’ four-game win streak (including a home thumping of the rival Celtics) came to a screeching halt on Tuesday, when they not only lost to the injury-ravaged 76ers, but also saw Anthony Davis go down with an injured abdominal muscle which will keep him out at least a week. Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko have filled in at center when Davis has been out, but JJ Redick has also seen success with small-ball lineups.
Dallas has put together a nice stretch as it awaits the eventual return of Luka Doncic, winning three of four games, including one in OKC. P.J. Washington has been a kind of bellwether for the Mavs, as he’s shooting 45% from 3-point range in wins, compared to just 25% in losses.
Four straight wins for the Wolves, who have been getting it done on both ends of the floor. Jaden McDaniels is one of the key components, as he’s starting to turn around his disappointing season with averages of 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 55/41/82 splits over his last 10 games.
Well you can’t rattle off that many wins without expecting to eventually hit a few bumps in the road. In the Kings’ case, those bumps have literally happened ON the road, as they’ve fallen to the Nuggets, Knicks and 76ers during their current trip. The defense, which had been the key to their recent success, has fallen off of late.
The Warriors are back above .500 after their biggest win of the season on Wednesday against the league-best Thunder — their third victory in the last four games. Steve Kerr has been playing every card he has, even starting rookie stretch-big Quinten Post against OKC, but the good news is they’re starting to get healthy. However, it still seems like Golden State has to do something, even if it’s a fringe move, in advance of next week’s deadline.
The Suns have won seven of their last 10 games as Devin Booker has caught fire, averaging 29 points on 49/38/91 splits during that stretch. Nick Richards has fit right in as the team’s new starting center, putting up 11 points and 10 rebounds per night. Now, will Jimmy Butler be their next acquisition? And if so, how much does that raise their ceiling?
The return of Paolo Banchero hasn’t exactly been the boon Magic fans were hoping for, as they’ve gone 2-7 since he came back from an oblique injury. The offense has been putrid with him on the floor during that stretch, averaging a meager 99 points per 100 possessions.
Miami appears to be out of the Jimmy Butler business — at least for the foreseeable future — and now the question is whether any offer will be enticing enough for Pat Riley and Co. to pull the trigger. In the meantime the Heat are staying right on the fringe of the coveted No. 6 seed, which would avoid the Play-In round.
The Pistons had a rough end to their road trip with three straight losses, but overall they’re still in good shape in terms of their postseason positioning. Of all Detroit’s accomplishments this season, going from 25th to 16th in defense has to be one of the most impressive.
Man, what a bummer. Jalen Johnson is one of the most exciting players in the league, and now that he’s out for the rest of the season, the Hawks’ “puncher’s chance” status has all but evaporated. Johnson is one of just five players this season averaging at least 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game. The others are Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Sengun.
Wemby showed just how special he is in the Paris games, but unfortunately the Spurs have continued to drop farther out of Play-In contention. San Antonio has now lost eight of its last 10, allowing a league-worst 121 points per 100 possessions during that stretch.
Just a classic Bulls week, getting blown out by the struggling Warriors and 76ers before somehow beating the Nuggets. Chicago is at risk of losing its No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference as the streaking 76ers are hot on their tail. This is going to be a very interesting trade deadline.
Here … come … the … Sixers? Four straight wins — all without Joel Embiid and two and a half without Paul George — have provided a brief glimmer of hope that this season might not end up as a total wash. Tyrese Maxey has taken matters into his own hands offensively, averaging 33 points and 6.5 assists during the winning streak on 53% shooting. Philadelphia is now one game behind the Bulls in the loss column for the final East Play-In spot, and who would have thought that would be a positive development at this stage in the season?
Five wins in six games for the Blazers, who have come back from the dead to make a push toward the 20-win mark. Defense has been the key, as they’ve allowed just 106 points per 100 possessions during that stretch. Deandre Ayton has been a monster of late, averaging 19 points and 14 rebounds in his last three games.
Would you look at that? Five straight wins for the Raptors, who have absolutely locked up defensively to the tune of 97 points per 100 possessions. No, the competition hasn’t been great, but these certainly weren’t games that Toronto was winning earlier this season.
The Nets finally found a team they could beat, but unfortunately it was a bad win for their tanking efforts as they distanced themselves further from the Hornets and Pelicans. Brooklyn is 3-12 in its last 15 games with a minus-12 net rating — only the Wizards have been worse.
Whenever it seems the Hornets are starting to build a little momentum, LaMelo Ball gets hurt. Charlotte is 1-12 this season without him, so, yeah, the outlook is bleak until he can come back.
New Orleans has most of its players back — outside of Brandon Ingram who has essentially been replaced by Trey Murphy — and yet it’s still lost four straight after a brief winning stretch. The good news is Zion Williamson looks healthy and dynamic, averaging nearly 30 points over his last three games on 63% field goals.
Lauri Markkanen’s weird season continues, as he’s gone 3 for 20 from 3-point range over his last two games. Rookie Isaiah Collier stayed on his upward trajectory, however, averaging 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds in the previous three games on 52% shooting.
The league’s first 40-loss team has shown no signs of improvement, dropping six straight games by double-digits, and 15 straight overall. The good news is that Jordan Poole thinks he’s “definitely” an All-Star … we won’t hold our breath on that one.
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6-41
The NBA season is in full swing and teams are starting to separate themselves in the standings. In this week’s power rankings, the New York Knicks have surged into the top five thanks to their high-scoring offense. The Golden State Warriors have also made a huge jump up the rankings, while the Philadelphia 76ers are gaining momentum with some key wins.
1. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets remain at the top of the power rankings with their star-studded lineup and high-powered offense. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving have been unstoppable on the court, leading the Nets to a league-best record.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with, despite some recent injuries to key players. LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to lead the way for the Lakers, who are looking to defend their title this season.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are once again among the top teams in the league. The Bucks have been dominant on both ends of the court and are a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
4. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season, led by Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. The Knicks have been lighting up the scoreboard with their high-scoring offense and have quickly climbed the rankings.
5. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have made a huge jump in the power rankings thanks to the return of Stephen Curry and the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr. The Warriors are back to their winning ways and are a team to watch as the season progresses.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are gaining momentum behind the play of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Sixers have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and are looking like a serious threat in the East.
As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how these teams continue to perform and if any other teams can make a push up the power rankings. Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA season.
Tags:
NBA Power Rankings, Knicks, Warriors, 76ers, high-scoring, top five, huge jump, momentum, basketball, sports, rankings, NBA teams, scoring leaders, game analysis, player performance
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