The Detroit Pistons were getting throttled early against the Indiana Pacers last night and it looked as if the game might be over before the first quarter.
Then Malik Beasley entered the game and started to hit shots and before long Detroit had cut into Indiana’s lead and made a game of it.
Beasley finished with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting from long range that kept the Pistons at least within shouting distance early in the game.
It has been a common theme this season, as Beasley has been one of the best shooters in the NBA, hitting over 40 percent of his 3-point shots and making more of them in total than all but one player in the league.
When the Pistons signed Beasley to a one-year deal late last offseason I didn’t think much of it other than, “ah, another expiring contract to trade at the deadline,” but that sentiment has changed to “how can we keep this guy?” after Beasley has been the best value in the NBA.
Malik Beasley: The NBA’s best value
When you look at players in Beasley’s salary range, they are mostly guys on rookie deals or back of the bench veterans who don’t see much action.
They aren’t guys averaging 16 points per game and 2nd in the NBA in 3-pointers made. Beasley isn’t a great defender, but you still won’t find a better value in the NBA than his $6 million deal.
But he’s not just a shooter, Beasley has been a huge part of the culture the Pistons are trying to build. He’s a leader on and off the floor and also a guy who does it by example, as he’s the first one to practice every day, showing the young players the type of dedication and work ethic required to have a long career in the NBA.
He’s been the perfect player in multiple ways, which begs the question of what is going to happen to him at the end of the season.
Will the Detroit Pistons re-sign Malik Beasley?
Beasley had some thoughts on the topic here that you can read for yourself, but regardless of his desires, it is going to be difficult for the Pistons to bring him back.
As a guy on a one-year deal, the Pistons can’t extend Beasley’s contract and will only own his non-Bird rights at the end of the season, which limits what they can offer him to 120% of his current salary.
That’s not going to be enough to keep him, as some team is almost certainly going to offer more than $7.2 million after the way he’s played this season.
That doesn’t mean the Pistons can’t bring him back and it will all depend on their salary cap situation, but if they want to make a big move elsewhere, it’s not going to be easy.
Enjoy Beasley while you can, as he may not even make it in Detroit through the trade deadline and it’s going to be challenging for him to return next season, though I hope they find a way to do it, as he’s been fun to watch and a big part of this team’s improvement.
The Detroit Pistons guard has proven to be the unquestioned steal of the offseason and here’s why:
1. Stellar performance on the court: The guard has been lighting up the scoreboard and making big plays for the Pistons. They have been a key contributor to the team’s success and have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the league.
2. Value for money: Despite being signed for a relatively low salary, the guard has outperformed expectations and provided excellent value for the Pistons. They have shown that they are worth much more than what they are being paid.
3. Impact on the team: The guard’s presence on the court has had a significant impact on the Pistons’ overall performance. They have provided leadership, scoring, and defensive prowess, helping the team win games and climb up the standings.
Overall, the Pistons guard has proven to be a steal of the offseason and a valuable asset to the team. Fans and analysts alike are excited to see what they will accomplish in the rest of the season.
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pistons guard, steal of the offseason, nba news, basketball, player analysis, detroit pistons, nba steals, sports analysis, player performance, offseason acquisitions
Earlier this month, the Detroit Pistons hinted at the possibility of having a representative in the 2025 NBA 3-Point Competition.
Before a matchup on the road against the New York Knicks, Beasley sported a custom hoodie suggesting he would be a participant once again.
The team’s social media account noted that Beasley was “three-point contest ready.”
While it seemed the Pistons were officially announcing Beasley would be a part of the sharpshooting action, the veteran guard couldn’t say for sure if he was officially a part of the contest or not.
“I said yes, but we’re just waiting to see. All the All-Stars have to pick. They get the first dibs. Once the All-Stars decide, they’ll let me know if I get in.”
In 46 games with the Pistons this season, Beasley has once again established himself as one of the NBA’s top shooters from beyond the arc.
Seeing the court for an average of 28 minutes, Beasley has knocked down 40 percent of his threes on nine attempts per game. He’s been one of the Pistons’ top scorers, averaging 16 points per game.
Throughout his career, which started in 2016 with the Denver Nuggets, Beasley has grown into being one of the most efficient three-point scorers.
His success from beyond the arc didn’t come right away. Throughout his first two seasons, Beasley averaged just 34 percent from deep in 84 games with the Nuggets.
During his third NBA season, Beasley averaged 40 percent from deep in 81 games of action. Since then, Beasley has been a 39 percent shooter from three.
Last year, Beasley came up short in the competition against his Milwaukee Bucks teammate, Damian Lillard. He hopes to get a shot at redemption this year, as earning a trip to the competition is one of his biggest goals for the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Malik Beasley, shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons, recently spoke out about his chances in the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest. Beasley, known for his sharpshooting abilities, expressed his excitement and confidence heading into the competition.
“I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills in the 3-Point Contest,” Beasley said. “I’ve been putting in a lot of work in practice and I feel confident in my ability to compete against some of the best shooters in the league.”
Beasley, who is currently shooting 38% from beyond the arc this season, is considered a strong contender for the contest. His quick release and consistent shooting stroke have made him a threat from long range, and he is eager to prove himself on the national stage.
“I know there are a lot of great shooters out there, but I believe in my ability to come out on top,” Beasley added. “I’m going to bring my A-game and give it my all to represent the Pistons and show what I can do.”
Fans of the Detroit Pistons are eagerly anticipating Beasley’s performance in the 3-Point Contest and are hopeful that he can bring home the victory. Be sure to tune in to the NBA All-Star Weekend to see if Malik Beasley can rise to the occasion and come out on top in the highly-anticipated competition.
The Detroit Pistons are back home at the friendly confines of Little Caesars Arena after a grueling five-game road trip. The Pistons started that trip with two wins, but then dropped three straight. They are looking to right the ship tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have their own woes to contend with. Key starters Luka Doncic and Derrick Lively remain out for the Mavs. In their place, Kyrie Irving has to carry the scoring load while Daniel Gafford has to try and pick up the slack in the paint. Irving will be playing his first game since failing to make the All-Star team, and will be matched up with Cade Cunningham, who was named an All-Star reserve for the first time.
This is also a potential revenge game for Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. facing his former Mavs teammates, and Quentin Grimes, who enjoyed a brief tenure with the Pistons but was dealt in the Hardaway move, and Spencer Dinwiddie, an old friend who loves to be a thorn in the side of the team who drafted and gave up on him. The Pistons will be without key reserve Isaiah Stewart, who received a one-game suspension following his actions and eventual ejection against the Indiana Pacers.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -1.5
Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
Are you ready for some basketball action? Tonight, the Detroit Pistons will be facing off against the Dallas Mavericks in what promises to be an exciting game.
Game Time: The game is set to tip off at 7:30 PM ET.
TV: You can catch all the action on your local sports network or stream it online.
Odds: The Mavericks are currently favored to win this matchup, but anything can happen in the world of sports.
Join us in this GameThread to discuss the game as it unfolds, share your thoughts on the players’ performances, and make your predictions for the final score. Let’s cheer on our favorite team and enjoy a night of thrilling basketball action! Go Pistons! Go Mavs! #PistonsvsMavs #GameThread #NBA.
The fourth-year guard has flashed his star potential throughout his career, but has taken his game to another level this season. No longer is Cade flashing that potential, he’s realizing it and has blossomed into the star that Detroit desperately needed.
And now he’ll be recognized with his first NBA All-Star nod.
Cunningham was chosen by the NBA’s coaches as a reserve on the Eastern Conference team, marking the first appearance by a Pistons player in the All-Star Game since 2018-19 when Blake Griffin made it in his last stand.
Ironically, that was the last time the Pistons made the playoffs, too.
Cade is also the first Detroit guard to make the cut since 2008-09 when Allen Iverson was voted a starter. We don’t dive into that because, again, ironically, what season was the beginning of the dark ages for Detroit Basketball.
Maybe Cade’s time is the start of the new age?
Cunningham is averaging career-highs across the board with 25 points, 9.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game. Inefficiency, a struggle earlier in his career, has become a non-issue as Cade is shooting a career-best 45% from the field and 36% from three while averaging 1.7 stocks (steals + blocks) per game.
There’s so many areas you can point to where Cade has leveled up this season. He’s got a masterful control of the game and finally has the right kinds of teammates surrounding him to be at his best. Spacing has been his friend, and the chemistry he’s built with the core young guys — as well as the newcomers — is apparent on a nightly basis.
This is what you hope for when you take a guy No. 1 overall. Pistons fans have sat in front of their TV summer after summer, watching the team (somehow) continue its losing ways in the NBA draft lottery.
Landing Cunningham in 2021 was the move. It was the draft where there was a DUDE at the top. Imagine being lucky enough to get the top pick this past summer instead of 2021? I don’t even want to think about it.
Cade missed his entire sophomore season with a shin issue after an encouraging rookie year. While many pundits applauded his draft mates as being better players, Cunningham’s steady rise is finally coming to fruition now.
I can’t really think of another superstar who has had to wade through the muck to get to the point where Cade is now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder had as similarly miserable start to their tenure, and look where they are now.
SGA’s the MVP frontrunner and the Thunder are amongst favorites to win it all.
Cade and the Pistons have a long way to go on both of those fronts, but this is a sign of progress in a season of progress.
Detroit’s rebuild stagnated before Cade and, seemingly, during Cade’s time here. Now it feels like the Pistons have their budding superstar and he’s surrounded by the infrastructure needed to not waste this moment.
So, hey, let’s be excited. This is a big moment, because, frankly, a team like the Pistons doesn’t get this spotlight very often. It’s a big step in Cade’s trek toward being among the league’s elite, and it’s another step in the Pistons rise to relevance.
Next up, prominence.
Congrats and see ya in San Fran, Cade.
The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is proving himself to be an NBA All-Star in the making. With his impressive performance on the court and his leadership skills off the court, Cunningham is quickly becoming a rising star in the league.
Since being drafted as the number one overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham has shown his ability to score, facilitate plays, and play solid defense. His versatility and basketball IQ have earned him the respect of his teammates, coaches, and fans.
Cunningham’s work ethic and determination to improve his game are evident in his performance night in and night out. His ability to take over games and make clutch plays in crucial moments is a testament to his maturity and poise on the court.
As the season progresses, it is clear that Cunningham is on the path to becoming an NBA All-Star. With his skillset, work ethic, and leadership qualities, there is no doubt that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the league for years to come. The Detroit Pistons have a bright future ahead with Cade Cunningham leading the way.
The Detroit Pistons breakout star was officially named a reserve for the 2025 All-Star Game on Thursday, becoming the first player from the franchise to make the game since Blake Griffin in 2019. The 6-foot-6 guard is enjoying a career season, averaging 25 points, 9.3 assists, 6.4 rebounds and nearly a full block and steal per game. The rosters for the Eastern and Western conferences were revealed on TNT on Thursday night, though the game won’t feature conference affiliations.
Cunningham’s profile has risen along with the Pistons, who entered Thursday 23-24 and in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, half a game behind the Miami Heat for the top play-in tournament spot. But before Cunningham can attempt to lead the Pistons to their first playoff appearance since 2019 — and potentially their first playoff victory since 2008 — he’ll have a shot at pulling down a $125,000 check next month.
Cunningham’s selection drew the approval of Charles Barkley during the reveal: “I’m so happy for that kid,” Barkley said.
Rounding out the East reserves: Lillard, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and Miami’s Tyler Herro.
In the West, the roster was filled out with Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, L.A. Lakers’ Anthony Davis, L.A. Clippers’ James Harden, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State), Houston’s Alperen Sengun, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams and San Antonio’s Victory Wembanyama.
2025 NBA All-Star schedule
The 2025 NBA All-Star weekend is scheduled for Feb. 14-16 in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Friday night will feature a pair of events at different arena on either side of the Bay Area, with the All-Star Celebrity Game at Oakland Arena and the Rising Stars tournament, featuring four eight-player teams of rookies, sophomores and G League stars at Chase Center in San Francisco. The winning Rising Stars team will compete in Sunday’s NBA All-Star tournament
Saturday night will feature the skills competition at Chase Center, with an overall skills challenge, a 3-point contest and the slam dunk contest.
The All-Star tournament is the centerpiece of Sunday night at Chase Center. The four eight-player teams will face off in approximate 25-minute heats, with the winner being the first team to 40 points. The first semifinal will tip off at 8:20 p.m. and the second at approximately 9:10. The final, featuring the semifinal winners, is slated to tip off around 10 p.m.
2025 NBA All-Star Game format
Two guards and three frontcourt players in each conference qualify as “starters,” though the league will play the game as a mini-tournament on Feb. 16 featuring three eight-player teams of NBA All-Stars and one squad from Feb. 14’s “Rising Stars” tournament. The NBA starters and reserves will be distributed among the three teams in draft next Thursday by TNT broadcasters O’Neal, Barkley and Kenny Smith. The teams — “Team Shaq,” “Team Chuck” and “Team Kenny” — will face “Team Candace,” with former WNBA star Candace Parker as team GM.
What’s at stake in 2025 NBA All-Star Game?
There’s big money on the line for the 24 NBA stars and eight prospects, according to the league’s web site: “The four teams participating in the NBA All-Star Game will compete for a prize pool of $1.8 million, with each player on the championship-winning team receiving $125,000, each player on the second-place team receiving $50,000 and each player on the third- and fourth-place teams receiving $25,000.”
How 2025 NBA All-Stars are selected
The All-Star reserves are selected by a vote of the NBA’s 30 head coaches. The starters were selected by weighing the fan, player and media votes. Fan votes account for 50% of the score, and players and media each account for 25%.
2025 NBA All-Star Game ‘starters’
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell got the nods last week as the East starters. Filling out the East lineup: New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokoumpo and Boston’s Jason Tatum.
For the West, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the backcourt starters, with Denver’s Nikola Jokić, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant and the Lakers’ LeBron James in the frontcourt.
In a historic moment for the Detroit Pistons, rookie sensation Cade Cunningham has been named as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. The young guard has taken the league by storm with his impressive play and has quickly established himself as one of the top young talents in the NBA.
Cunningham’s selection to the All-Star Game is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. Despite being a rookie, he has shown poise and maturity beyond his years, leading the Pistons to an unexpected playoff push in his first season.
Fans and analysts alike have been impressed with Cunningham’s all-around game, as he has showcased his scoring ability, playmaking skills, and defensive prowess on a nightly basis. His selection to the All-Star Game is well-deserved and serves as a validation of his impact on the league.
As Cunningham continues to develop and improve, the future looks bright for both him and the Pistons. With his selection to the All-Star Game, he has solidified his status as a rising star in the NBA and a key piece of Detroit’s rebuild.
Congratulations to Cade Cunningham on this well-deserved honor, and we look forward to seeing him shine on the All-Star stage. #Pistons #CadeCunningham #NBAAllStar
Roughly an hour before each Detroit Pistons game, Cade Cunningham emerges from the locker room for his pregame routine. Before a single shot gets taken and sometimes before Cunningham laces up his player-edition Nike G.T. Cuts, he connects with Pistons assistant coach Jarrett Jack at half court.
Jack, a former 13-year NBA veteran, is the coach closest to Cunningham and the one who works with him. To warm up, one tosses a basketball ball near the arena’s scoreboard, almost like a football, while the other waits for it to fall. They switch and the same thing occurs for a few minutes.
This might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of Cunningham’s career season. They are just tossing up a ball in the air. This act personifies Jack and Cunningham’s relationship — a bond that has contributed to Cunningham’s successful season.
“I don’t really know where it started from,” Cunningham told The Athletic recently. “I don’t know what made us start doing that. The throwing thing, it’s just for me to touch up, try to get as much rotation on the ball as I’m throwing it like a football. It’s fun. … It’s like our little (pregame) test.”
The Pistons (23-24) have improved this season with Cunningham elevating his play. But his offseason work, leadership and the resolve he developed from an arduous 2023-24 season have molded him into a formidable 2025 NBA All-Star candidate.
When Jack was hired in 2023, it didn’t take long for the two to connect.
“It wasn’t too long after that,” Cunningham said. “It was my first time having a veteran, NBA, long-time point guard that I was able to connect with that I knew of. I watched him play as a kid. So, it was easy for me to connect with him, ask him about pick-and-rolls or anything.”
The NBA All-Star reserves will be revealed Thursday, and Cunningham should be the first Pistons player to be selected since Blake Griffin earned the honor in 2019. He’d also be the first Detroit guard to earn an All-Star bid since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson in 2009. So what makes Cunningham an All-Star?
“First, just letting him know how lethal he is (in the post),” Jack said. “I thought he would venture down there occasionally, rather than being a little bit more deliberate in the spots he wants to operate from. I’m like, ‘Look man, the post is kind of an easy command center for you.’
“If they play you one-on-one, we’ll take that matchup every night, especially if we can run them into a pick-and-roll with a small or someone who doesn’t want to switch. And then if they double, you’re a willing passer, which allows rhythm shots for your role players and forces defenses to be in rotation.
“If they mess up, you can pick them apart three to five feet from the basket.”
In this video, 6-foot-9 Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, but Cunningham takes him to the post and scores, just as Jack mentioned. Cunningham shoots his highest percentage (53.6) from less than five feet, which makes sense given his 6-foot-6 frame.
The more isolated looks he gets in the post, regardless of who’s guarding him, the better.
When Cunningham has a smaller defender on him in the post, he’s likely going to draw another defender, which causes the defense to be out of position.
In this play, Cunningham has a height advantage of five inches over Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. Cunningham backs him down, forcing Luke Kornet to rotate over as a help defender.
Kornet leaves Ron Holland II open for a 3-pointer, and Cunningham skips it across the court for the easy triple by Holland. Consistently this season, Cunningham makes plays out of double-teams to create easy shots for his teammates.
And finally, watch how Cunningham creates offense for himself. He seeks out a mismatch with Darius Garland, who was initially guarding Tim Hardaway Jr. Cunningham gets Garland into a screen-and-roll situation, knowing Garland would switch to him.
Cunningham takes Garland into the post, is patient as Jarrett Allen rotates over to help, steps back and sinks a jumper over the outstretched arms of both Garland and Allen.
The Jack-inspired conversations that help lead to these actions are important to Cunningham.
“I already had a skill set down there (in the post),” Cunningham said. “It was something he said I could draw a lot more attention doing by getting comfortable down there throughout the game. First couple of games, I got straight to it and I felt like I was converting for us every possession early on.
“Then it kind of just stuck, I kind of just stuck with it and it became more and more a part of our offense.”
And it just isn’t the on-court improvements, Jack also is excited about Cunningham’s maturity.
“He’s a joy to be around,” Jack said with a smile. “There’s some guys in that position to maybe use their status to maybe not be so cool, or maybe not be so inclusive with the group. But he’s very much a part of the guys, part of this thing and I think it shows true to what he and what we went through last year.
“To meet that head-on, take it on the chin and now come back and take on a new challenge — and he’s got us potentially fighting for a playoff spot.”
Pistons assistant coach Jarrett Jack and guard Cade Cunningham analyze some video before a game. (Chris Schwegler / NBAE via Getty Images)
Cunningham’s leadership has teammates having career seasons or the best seasons they’ve had in years.
Before Jaden Ivey broke his left fibula, he was on pace for career bests in points, field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage, rebounds and steals.
Malik Beasley is working on his second-highest scoring season and is on pace to shatter his previous high for made 3s in a season.
Cunningham will find out Thursday if he’s an All-Star for the first time.
The NBA announced its All-Star starters on Jan. 23 with Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson earning the nod for the Eastern Conference backcourt. Cunningham is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Mitchell with a better field-goal percentage. He also is posting more rebounds and assists than Brunson, while averaging one fewer point.
Factor in Cunningham’s impact on Detroit winning nine more games this season than it did the entire 2023-24 season, and he has a legitimate All-Star case. Entering Wednesday, the combo guard is averaging 24.8 points on 45.2 percent shooting (36.3 percent on 3-pointers), 9.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds. All are career highs.
He also has 20 double-doubles this season and his seven triple-doubles only trail Domantas Sabonis (eight) with LeBron James (nine) and Nikola Jokić (21). Both James and Jokić were selected as All-Star starters last week.
And Cunningham believes he should be in San Francisco playing with the best of the best on Feb. 16.
“Whenever I’m on the court every night, I feel like I’m the best player,” Cunningham said. “I try to do whatever it takes to help my team win, and my teammates have made me look great this year. I’m just trying to help my team win, and we’ll see what happens with it.”
(Top photo of Cunningham: Chris Schwegler / NBAE via Getty Images)
Cade Cunningham, the talented rookie guard for the Detroit Pistons, has been turning heads with his impressive play and sheer talent on the court. With the NBA All-Star game just around the corner, it’s time to make a case for why Cunningham deserves to be among the league’s elite players in his very first season.
First and foremost, Cunningham’s stats speak for themselves. Averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, he has shown that he can contribute in multiple facets of the game. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate for his teammates makes him a versatile threat on the court.
Additionally, Cunningham has shown a maturity and poise beyond his years. Despite being a rookie, he has displayed a high basketball IQ and a knack for making the right plays in clutch situations. His leadership on the court has been instrumental in the Pistons’ recent success, and his impact on the team cannot be understated.
Furthermore, Cunningham’s impact goes beyond just his individual stats. He has helped elevate the play of his teammates and has been a key factor in the Pistons’ improved performance this season. His presence on the court has made everyone around him better, and his influence on the game is undeniable.
In conclusion, Cade Cunningham has proven himself to be a standout player in his rookie season, and his performance warrants serious consideration for a spot on the NBA All-Star team. His impressive stats, leadership qualities, and impact on the Pistons make a strong case for why he deserves to be among the best players in the league this season. Let’s hope the coaches and fans recognize his talent and vote him into the All-Star game.
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Cade Cunningham, NBA All-Star, Pistons guard, basketball, deserving, recognition, talent, young player, rising star, NBA season, standout performance
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We’re one week from the 2025 NBA trade deadline, and while there haven’t been any major moves leading up to Feb. 6, there have been developments across both conferences.
With All-Star guards potentially on the move, teams will be keeping a close eye on the standings as they push through the regular season. Are there any league-shifting trades in the works? How will that affect a team’s strategy moving forward? Also, how will it affect our power rankings?
All good things to ponder as our NBA insiders break down this week’s list.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein picked up where he left off after sitting out five games because of a lower calf strain, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and a block in a win over Portland on Sunday. The Thunder are 23-2 when Hartenstein plays. Four of Oklahoma City’s eight losses have occurred when the Thunder didn’t have Hartenstein or fellow 7-footer Chet Holmgren, with one loss coming on the night Holmgren fractured his pelvis earlier this season. — Tim MacMahon
Next games: @ MIA (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Jan. 30), vs. DAL (Feb. 2), vs. BOS (Feb. 4)
To start the season, it took Cleveland 20 games before it picked up its third loss. Last week, the Cavs dropped three in a row, their longest losing streak this season. Each of the defeats was gutting in its own way: Darius Garland missed two potential winning free throws with 2.1 seconds left against Houston; Ty Jerome‘s career-high 33 points weren’t enough to get by a Joel Embiid-less Sixers squad; and then another loss to the Rockets despite a 17-point rally in the fourth. — Dave McMenamin
Next games: vs. CHI (Jan. 29), @ NO (Jan. 31), @ PHI (Feb. 2), @ CLE (Feb. 4)
Boston suffered another loss Monday, this time to the Rockets on a last-second shot, dropping the Celtics to 13-11 since Dec. 7. But over that stretch, Boston still ranks eighth in offense, fourth in defense and third in net rating. Considering that Boston is coming off yet another deep Finals run, had three players in the Olympics, went to Abu Dhabi during the preseason and the general malaise that comes with a long season, it’s hard to get too concerned about a team that has stayed consistently near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. — Tim Bontemps
Memphis won six in a row before a rough road setback Monday against the Knicks. Jaren Jackson Jr. has developed into a go-to scorer as the Grizzlies continue to tinker with a new wide-open offense that could prove problematic for teams in the postseason. First, Memphis needs to solve its issues dealing with physical teams and the Grizzlies will get another test in that respect Thursday against a Rockets squad that has beaten them three times this season. — Michael Wright
Next games: @ MEM (Jan. 30), vs. BKN (Feb. 1), @ NYK (Feb. 3), @ BKN (Feb. 4)
Coming off its 16th clutch win of the season Monday at Boston, Houston bested Atlanta on the road Tuesday on the second night of a back to back. The Rockets are tied with the Suns for clutch victories this season, and they’ve won 10 of their past 12 outings and 10 of their past 11 on the road. Second-year forward Amen Thompson is surging, scoring 20-plus points in three of his past six games as Houston collected three wins in the last week over the East-leading Cavaliers and Celtics before Wednesday’s win at Atlanta. — Wright
Next games: vs. DEN (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Feb. 1), vs. HOU (Feb. 3), @ TOR (Feb. 4)
The Knicks had gone 45 years without a 143-point showing in a regulation contest before doing it in back-to-back games Saturday and Monday. The NBA’s second-most efficient offense notched consecutive wins over the Kings and Grizzlies by that tally — the Knicks’ 60th straight win when holding at least a 15-point lead, the longest active streak in the NBA. The Knicks will continue to be tested, though: They have the East’s hardest remaining slate as they head into February and are only one game behind the second-place Celtics. — Chris Herring
Next games: @ NYK (Jan. 29), @ PHI (Jan. 31), @ CHA (Feb. 1), vs. NO (Feb. 3)
After winning eight of nine games, the Nuggets opened a five-game road swing with consecutive losses at Minnesota and Chicago. Aaron Gordon has been ramping up in his return from a calf injury and has yet to play more than 25 minutes in his past eight games coming off the bench. But Russell Westbrook has played well, shooting 62.7% and averaging 13.1 points and 5.6 assists, in his past six games. — Ohm Youngmisuk
With wins in nine of their past 12 games, the Bucks have taken hold of the No. 4 seed in the East as they try to at least secure home-court advantage in the first round. The next three games for Milwaukee will provide a test against playoff teams from the Western Conference: on the road against San Antonio before hosting Memphis then heading to Oklahoma City on a back-to-back. — Jamal Collier
Next games: @ SA (Jan. 29), @ CHA (Jan. 31), @ TOR (Feb. 2), vs. LAL (Feb. 4)
The Clippers have three players who have arguments to make the All-Star Game: James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. Harden has a double-double in six of his past eight games, averaging 23.1 points and 10.2 assists in that span. After having 40 points and nine assists in a win over Milwaukee last Saturday, Harden became the seventh player with at least three 40-point games in a season at age 35 or older in NBA history. He also has 10 games with 20 points and 10 assists this season, joining LeBron James, Steve Nash and Lenny Wilkens as the only players 35 or older to do so, according to ESPN research. — Youngmisuk
Over the Lakers’ four-game win streak coming into Tuesday, Anthony Davis averaged 32.8 points on 58.2% shooting, 15 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. The dominant stretch happened to coincide with Davis telling ESPN’s Sham Charania that, “I think we need another big,” before the trade deadline passes. That momentum came crashing down for both Davis and L.A. in Philly on Tuesday night, with Davis exiting early because of an abdominal strain and the Lakers getting blown out. — McMenamin
Next games: @ PHX (Jan. 29), @ UTA (Jan. 30), vs. WAS (Feb. 1), vs. SAC (Feb. 3)
Wolves coach Chris Finch took issue with the team’s second-half performance during a win over the Hawks on Monday, calling out the best players for not coming out with more intensity. Minnesota has still won three games in a row, climbing up to seventh place in the Western Conference. They’ll have a chance to win back the confidence of their coaches, beginning with back-to-back road games in Phoenix and Utah. The Wolves then return home to host the Wizards and Kings. — Collier
Next games: vs. DET (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Feb. 1), @ UTA (Feb. 3), @ POR (Feb. 4)
After a two-game trip to Paris, the Pacers return home for a game for the first time in 11 days on Wednesday against the Pistons. Indiana split games with San Antonio while in France and has continued to look like a different team since the calendar flipped to 2025. Since the beginning of January, the Pacers rank sixth in offensive efficiency and fourth in defensive efficiency. Indiana’s 10.2 net rating this month is the second best in the NBA, behind only Oklahoma City. — Collier
Next games: @ NO (Jan. 29), @ DET (Jan. 31), @ CLE (Feb. 2), @ PHI (Feb. 4)
Klay Thompson‘s 21-point explosion in the first quarter of Monday’s blowout win over the Wizards was more than he had scored in his previous three games combined. He matched a franchise record and his own this season by making seven 3-pointers in the quarter. “You do that, it reminds you that there’s greatness still within you,” Thompson said postgame. — MacMahon
Next games: vs. MIN (Jan. 29), @ GS (Jan. 31), @ POR (Feb. 1), @ POR (Feb. 3)
Benched center Jusuf Nurkic caused some waves last week when he told the Arizona Republic that he and coach Mike Budenholzer “don’t have a relationship.” But it’s hard to argue with Budenholzer’s faith in newly-acquired big man Nick Richards. Since trading with Charlotte for Richards earlier this month, the Suns are 4-1 and he has fit in swimmingly — averaging 11.8 points on 62.9% shooting and 11.2 rebounds. — McMenamin
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday the Kings are expected to open up talks to trade De’Aaron Fox before next Thursday’s deadline, which would take Sacramento in a different direction. Currently built to win now with veteran starters DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings will have a difficult time replacing Fox who is averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists. Sacramento’s decision has a ripple effect on the Hawks, who get the Kings’ first-round pick from the Kevin Huerter trade if it lands outside the top 12 picks. — Kevin Pelton
Next games: @ IND (Jan. 29), vs. DAL (Jan. 31), vs. CHI (Feb. 2), vs. ATL (Feb. 3)
Since their five-game winning streak to start January, the Pistons have been no more than two games in either direction from .500. An impressive pair of wins last week at Houston and Atlanta were followed by more disappointing performances in a loss at Orlando and a 19-point defeat Monday against the East-leading Cavaliers. After wrapping up their five-game trip Wednesday in Indiana, Detroit will be home through the All-Star break. — Pelton
With Jimmy Butler now suspended through the trade deadline, the Heat will get a 10-day respite from the nonstop drama surrounding their star forward. The question is still the same one that has lingered over the franchise for months: Will there be a suitable deal for Butler by 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6, or will this standoff drag on for the rest of the season and into the summer? — Bontemps
On Saturday, the Magic had their top three players (Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner) available at the same time for a game since October, and they ended a five-game losing streak with a win over Detroit. The good health was short-lived: Suggs subsequently sat out Monday because of a quadriceps contusion as Orlando lost a double-overtime heartbreaker in Miami. The Magic are 16-9 with a plus-4.2 differential in the 25 games Suggs and Wagner have played together, despite Banchero sitting out the majority of them. — Pelton
The Warriors are in the middle of a stretch in which they play eight of nine games at home but have lost three of the first six games in that span. Stephen Curry has said that this stretch could “make or break” the Warriors’ season as they try to stay above water without Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. Green (calf) has been cleared to return to practice later this week, but Kuminga will be out for at least another two weeks after injuring his ankle on Jan. 4. The Warriors, who beat Utah on Tuesday, host Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Orlando. Following that, Golden State plays seven consecutive road games and won’t return to Chase Center until after the All-Star break. — Youngmisuk
Next games: vs. LAC (Jan. 29), vs. MIL (Jan. 31), vs. MIA (Feb. 1), @ MEM (Feb. 3)
Losers of four of their last five, San Antonio hosts former Spur Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs should be well-rested after spending last week in Paris for two games against Indiana, which included a 38-point loss in which San Antonio coughed up a season-high 24 turnovers. Victor Wembanyama scored only three points on three field-goal attempts in the second half. But he has produced three consecutive showings with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, one shy from tying a career-high four straight outings putting up those numbers. — Wright
Next games: @ CLE (Jan. 30), @ IND (Feb. 1), @ DET (Feb. 3), vs. SA (Feb. 5)
Atlanta has taken six straight losses since beating the defending champion Celtics on the road in overtime. How bad has the Hawks’ offense been in that span? The Hawks join the tanking Nets and Wizards as the only teams to score less than 100 points per 100 possessions over the past five outings. To be fair, Trae Young sat out Monday in a loss against the Wolves, but that still doesn’t explain the Hawks’ struggles. De’Andre Hunter had a career-best 35 points against Minnesota, but the Hawks will need other players stepping up to stay in contention. — Herring
Next games: vs. SAC (Jan. 29), vs. DEN (Jan. 31), vs. BOS (Feb. 2), vs. DAL (Feb. 4)
To show how weak the bottom of the Eastern Conference is: The 76ers lost seven games in a row earlier this month before pulling off back-to-back victories over the Cavaliers and Bulls and gained a game on the 10th-place Bulls in that span. This is why the ongoing belief is that no matter how hard Philadelphia tries, it’s probably going to remain in the fight for a play-in spot until the end of the season. — Bontemps
Next games: @ BOS (Jan. 29), @ TOR (Jan. 31), @ DET (Feb. 2), vs. MIA (Feb. 4)
The Bulls picked up an upset victory over the Nuggets this week before heading out on a three-game trip, which takes them through Boston, Toronto and Detroit. But the Bulls are expected to be without their leading scorer Zach LaVine, who will sit out the trip for personal reasons. LaVine’s wife posted on social media that she’s expecting the birth of their third child. — Collier
Next games: vs. ORL (Jan. 30), vs. PHX (Feb. 1), vs. PHX (Feb. 3), vs. IND (Feb. 4)
The Blazers’ four-game winning streak, including a perfect 3-0 trip to the Southeast, was their longest since starting the 2022-23 season 4-0 when Damian Lillard led the way. Even the loss that ended the streak was impressive: a 10-point loss at home to the league-leading Thunder. It’s no coincidence the uptick came with Deni Avdija‘s return to the lineup. Avdija averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals in those five games. After combining for only 17 points in his first three games back on the bench, all wins, Scoot Henderson had 25 against Oklahoma City. — Pelton
Next games: @ WAS (Jan. 29), vs. CHI (Jan. 31), vs. LAC (Feb. 2), vs. NYK (Feb. 4)
After beating New Orleans on Monday night, Toronto has now won six of its last seven games, including sweeping a two-game series in Atlanta and beating the defending champion Celtics. It has been a nice uptick in form for a Raptors team that won only two games in December and is again without Immanuel Quickley, this time because of a left hip strain. — Bontemps
It has been tough sledding for Brooklyn, which has lost seven straight — and 12 of its past 13 — heading into a Wednesday matchup with the Hornets. Center Nic Claxton has struggled this season and is amid a career-worst 54.0% in efficiency shooting from the field. But with the Nets in a rebuilding season, the young big has shown great potential and instincts. — Herring
Next games: vs. BKN (Jan. 29), vs. LAC (Jan. 31), vs. DEN (Feb. 1), vs. WAS (Feb. 3)
The team had a different leading scorer for each of its past four games, a positive for a club whose leading scorer, LaMelo Ball, averages upward of 28 points. The Hornets, now second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings, can desperately use some development beyond Ball’s ability to score; particularly with second-year wing Brandon Miller out indefinitely because of a wrist injury. — Herring
New Orleans finished its most recent three-game trip winless, after cobbling together four straight victories before the start of the trek. The Pelicans face a banged-up Dallas squad Wednesday with Zion Williamson coming off back-to-back games with 28 points or more with seven-plus rebounds. Brandon Ingram, a mainstay in trade-deadline rumors, hasn’t played since Dec. 7 (left ankle sprain), and it doesn’t appear he’ll be back soon. New Orleans is 4-22 this season against sub-.500 teams with an upcoming schedule that includes the Mavericks, Celtics and two road clashes against the Nuggets. — Wright
Veteran power forward/center John Collins doesn’t play often these days, but his rare performances haven’t diminished trade interest in him. Collins played in only two games during Utah’s 3-14 stretch entering Tuesday night’s matchup with the Warriors in which Collins sat out. He averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 62.1% from the field in his two appearances over the past month. — MacMahon
Next games: vs. TOR (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Jan. 30), @ MIN (Feb. 1), @ CHA (Feb. 3)
Washington has lost 14 straight games and has won a total of only 21 games since the beginning of last season. Kyle Kuzma indicated he wanted to be more aggressive, which means not fitting into the franchise’s direction of developing its young prospects. After having 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 119-109 loss at Phoenix on Saturday, Kuzma told reporters, “I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we’re doing here, and just really played in the moment.” Perhaps Kuzma will be more open to trade discussions this time than he was last season at the deadline. — Youngmisuk
As the NBA season heats up, the top contenders in the league are holding steady in the power rankings, while the Detroit Pistons are making a climb up the ranks.
At the top of the list, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks continue to dominate with their star-studded lineups and impressive performances on the court. These teams are proving to be the frontrunners for the championship title this season.
However, the Detroit Pistons have been quietly making a name for themselves with their recent success. Led by young stars like Cade Cunningham and Jerami Grant, the Pistons have been impressive in recent games and have climbed their way up the power rankings.
With their strong defense and improving offense, the Pistons are becoming a team to watch as they continue to exceed expectations and compete with some of the top teams in the league.
As the NBA season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the power rankings continue to shift and evolve. Will the top contenders maintain their positions, or will up-and-coming teams like the Pistons continue to make a push for the top spot? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the competition in the NBA is fierce, and anything can happen on any given night.
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We’re one week from the 2025 NBA trade deadline, and while there haven’t been any major moves leading up to Feb. 6, there have been developments across both conferences.
With All-Star guards potentially on the move, teams will be keeping a close eye on the standings as they push through the regular season. Are there any league-shifting trades in the works? How will that affect a team’s strategy moving forward? Also, how will it affect our power rankings?
All good things to ponder as our NBA insiders break down this week’s list.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein picked up where he left off after sitting out five games because of a lower calf strain, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and a block in a win over Portland on Sunday. The Thunder are 23-2 when Hartenstein plays. Four of Oklahoma City’s eight losses have occurred when the Thunder didn’t have Hartenstein or fellow 7-footer Chet Holmgren, with one loss coming on the night Holmgren fractured his pelvis earlier this season. — Tim MacMahon
Next games: @ MIA (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Jan. 30), vs. DAL (Feb. 2), vs. BOS (Feb. 4)
To start the season, it took Cleveland 20 games before it picked up its third loss. Last week, the Cavs dropped three in a row, their longest losing streak this season. Each of the defeats was gutting in its own way: Darius Garland missed two potential winning free throws with 2.1 seconds left against Houston; Ty Jerome‘s career-high 33 points weren’t enough to get by a Joel Embiid-less Sixers squad; and then another loss to the Rockets despite a 17-point rally in the fourth. — Dave McMenamin
Next games: vs. CHI (Jan. 29), @ NO (Jan. 31), @ PHI (Feb. 2), @ CLE (Feb. 4)
Boston suffered another loss Monday, this time to the Rockets on a last-second shot, dropping the Celtics to 13-11 since Dec. 7. But over that stretch, Boston still ranks eighth in offense, fourth in defense and third in net rating. Considering that Boston is coming off yet another deep Finals run, had three players in the Olympics, went to Abu Dhabi during the preseason and the general malaise that comes with a long season, it’s hard to get too concerned about a team that has stayed consistently near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. — Tim Bontemps
Memphis won six in a row before a rough road setback Monday against the Knicks. Jaren Jackson Jr. has developed into a go-to scorer as the Grizzlies continue to tinker with a new wide-open offense that could prove problematic for teams in the postseason. First, Memphis needs to solve its issues dealing with physical teams and the Grizzlies will get another test in that respect Thursday against a Rockets squad that has beaten them three times this season. — Michael Wright
Next games: @ MEM (Jan. 30), vs. BKN (Feb. 1), @ NYK (Feb. 3), @ BKN (Feb. 4)
Coming off its 16th clutch win of the season Monday at Boston, Houston bested Atlanta on the road Tuesday on the second night of a back to back. The Rockets are tied with the Suns for clutch victories this season, and they’ve won 10 of their past 12 outings and 10 of their past 11 on the road. Second-year forward Amen Thompson is surging, scoring 20-plus points in three of his past six games as Houston collected three wins in the last week over the East-leading Cavaliers and Celtics before Wednesday’s win at Atlanta. — Wright
Next games: vs. DEN (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Feb. 1), vs. HOU (Feb. 3), @ TOR (Feb. 4)
The Knicks had gone 45 years without a 143-point showing in a regulation contest before doing it in back-to-back games Saturday and Monday. The NBA’s second-most efficient offense notched consecutive wins over the Kings and Grizzlies by that tally — the Knicks’ 60th straight win when holding at least a 15-point lead, the longest active streak in the NBA. The Knicks will continue to be tested, though: They have the East’s hardest remaining slate as they head into February and are only one game behind the second-place Celtics. — Chris Herring
Next games: @ NYK (Jan. 29), @ PHI (Jan. 31), @ CHA (Feb. 1), vs. NO (Feb. 3)
After winning eight of nine games, the Nuggets opened a five-game road swing with consecutive losses at Minnesota and Chicago. Aaron Gordon has been ramping up in his return from a calf injury and has yet to play more than 25 minutes in his past eight games coming off the bench. But Russell Westbrook has played well, shooting 62.7% and averaging 13.1 points and 5.6 assists, in his past six games. — Ohm Youngmisuk
With wins in nine of their past 12 games, the Bucks have taken hold of the No. 4 seed in the East as they try to at least secure home-court advantage in the first round. The next three games for Milwaukee will provide a test against playoff teams from the Western Conference: on the road against San Antonio before hosting Memphis then heading to Oklahoma City on a back-to-back. — Jamal Collier
Next games: @ SA (Jan. 29), @ CHA (Jan. 31), @ TOR (Feb. 2), vs. LAL (Feb. 4)
The Clippers have three players who have arguments to make the All-Star Game: James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. Harden has a double-double in six of his past eight games, averaging 23.1 points and 10.2 assists in that span. After having 40 points and nine assists in a win over Milwaukee last Saturday, Harden became the seventh player with at least three 40-point games in a season at age 35 or older in NBA history. He also has 10 games with 20 points and 10 assists this season, joining LeBron James, Steve Nash and Lenny Wilkens as the only players 35 or older to do so, according to ESPN research. — Youngmisuk
Over the Lakers’ four-game win streak coming into Tuesday, Anthony Davis averaged 32.8 points on 58.2% shooting, 15 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. The dominant stretch happened to coincide with Davis telling ESPN’s Sham Charania that, “I think we need another big,” before the trade deadline passes. That momentum came crashing down for both Davis and L.A. in Philly on Tuesday night, with Davis exiting early because of an abdominal strain and the Lakers getting blown out. — McMenamin
Next games: @ PHX (Jan. 29), @ UTA (Jan. 30), vs. WAS (Feb. 1), vs. SAC (Feb. 3)
Wolves coach Chris Finch took issue with the team’s second-half performance during a win over the Hawks on Monday, calling out the best players for not coming out with more intensity. Minnesota has still won three games in a row, climbing up to seventh place in the Western Conference. They’ll have a chance to win back the confidence of their coaches, beginning with back-to-back road games in Phoenix and Utah. The Wolves then return home to host the Wizards and Kings. — Collier
Next games: vs. DET (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Feb. 1), @ UTA (Feb. 3), @ POR (Feb. 4)
After a two-game trip to Paris, the Pacers return home for a game for the first time in 11 days on Wednesday against the Pistons. Indiana split games with San Antonio while in France and has continued to look like a different team since the calendar flipped to 2025. Since the beginning of January, the Pacers rank sixth in offensive efficiency and fourth in defensive efficiency. Indiana’s 10.2 net rating this month is the second best in the NBA, behind only Oklahoma City. — Collier
Next games: @ NO (Jan. 29), @ DET (Jan. 31), @ CLE (Feb. 2), @ PHI (Feb. 4)
Klay Thompson‘s 21-point explosion in the first quarter of Monday’s blowout win over the Wizards was more than he had scored in his previous three games combined. He matched a franchise record and his own this season by making seven 3-pointers in the quarter. “You do that, it reminds you that there’s greatness still within you,” Thompson said postgame. — MacMahon
Next games: vs. MIN (Jan. 29), @ GS (Jan. 31), @ POR (Feb. 1), @ POR (Feb. 3)
Benched center Jusuf Nurkic caused some waves last week when he told the Arizona Republic that he and coach Mike Budenholzer “don’t have a relationship.” But it’s hard to argue with Budenholzer’s faith in newly-acquired big man Nick Richards. Since trading with Charlotte for Richards earlier this month, the Suns are 4-1 and he has fit in swimmingly — averaging 11.8 points on 62.9% shooting and 11.2 rebounds. — McMenamin
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday the Kings are expected to open up talks to trade De’Aaron Fox before next Thursday’s deadline, which would take Sacramento in a different direction. Currently built to win now with veteran starters DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings will have a difficult time replacing Fox who is averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists. Sacramento’s decision has a ripple effect on the Hawks, who get the Kings’ first-round pick from the Kevin Huerter trade if it lands outside the top 12 picks. — Kevin Pelton
Next games: @ IND (Jan. 29), vs. DAL (Jan. 31), vs. CHI (Feb. 2), vs. ATL (Feb. 3)
Since their five-game winning streak to start January, the Pistons have been no more than two games in either direction from .500. An impressive pair of wins last week at Houston and Atlanta were followed by more disappointing performances in a loss at Orlando and a 19-point defeat Monday against the East-leading Cavaliers. After wrapping up their five-game trip Wednesday in Indiana, Detroit will be home through the All-Star break. — Pelton
With Jimmy Butler now suspended through the trade deadline, the Heat will get a 10-day respite from the nonstop drama surrounding their star forward. The question is still the same one that has lingered over the franchise for months: Will there be a suitable deal for Butler by 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6, or will this standoff drag on for the rest of the season and into the summer? — Bontemps
On Saturday, the Magic had their top three players (Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner) available at the same time for a game since October, and they ended a five-game losing streak with a win over Detroit. The good health was short-lived: Suggs subsequently sat out Monday because of a quadriceps contusion as Orlando lost a double-overtime heartbreaker in Miami. The Magic are 16-9 with a plus-4.2 differential in the 25 games Suggs and Wagner have played together, despite Banchero sitting out the majority of them. — Pelton
The Warriors are in the middle of a stretch in which they play eight of nine games at home but have lost three of the first six games in that span. Stephen Curry has said that this stretch could “make or break” the Warriors’ season as they try to stay above water without Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. Green (calf) has been cleared to return to practice later this week, but Kuminga will be out for at least another two weeks after injuring his ankle on Jan. 4. The Warriors, who beat Utah on Tuesday, host Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Orlando. Following that, Golden State plays seven consecutive road games and won’t return to Chase Center until after the All-Star break. — Youngmisuk
Next games: vs. LAC (Jan. 29), vs. MIL (Jan. 31), vs. MIA (Feb. 1), @ MEM (Feb. 3)
Losers of four of their last five, San Antonio hosts former Spur Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs should be well-rested after spending last week in Paris for two games against Indiana, which included a 38-point loss in which San Antonio coughed up a season-high 24 turnovers. Victor Wembanyama scored only three points on three field-goal attempts in the second half. But he has produced three consecutive showings with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, one shy from tying a career-high four straight outings putting up those numbers. — Wright
Next games: @ CLE (Jan. 30), @ IND (Feb. 1), @ DET (Feb. 3), vs. SA (Feb. 5)
Atlanta has taken six straight losses since beating the defending champion Celtics on the road in overtime. How bad has the Hawks’ offense been in that span? The Hawks join the tanking Nets and Wizards as the only teams to score less than 100 points per 100 possessions over the past five outings. To be fair, Trae Young sat out Monday in a loss against the Wolves, but that still doesn’t explain the Hawks’ struggles. De’Andre Hunter had a career-best 35 points against Minnesota, but the Hawks will need other players stepping up to stay in contention. — Herring
Next games: vs. SAC (Jan. 29), vs. DEN (Jan. 31), vs. BOS (Feb. 2), vs. DAL (Feb. 4)
To show how weak the bottom of the Eastern Conference is: The 76ers lost seven games in a row earlier this month before pulling off back-to-back victories over the Cavaliers and Bulls and gained a game on the 10th-place Bulls in that span. This is why the ongoing belief is that no matter how hard Philadelphia tries, it’s probably going to remain in the fight for a play-in spot until the end of the season. — Bontemps
Next games: @ BOS (Jan. 29), @ TOR (Jan. 31), @ DET (Feb. 2), vs. MIA (Feb. 4)
The Bulls picked up an upset victory over the Nuggets this week before heading out on a three-game trip, which takes them through Boston, Toronto and Detroit. But the Bulls are expected to be without their leading scorer Zach LaVine, who will sit out the trip for personal reasons. LaVine’s wife posted on social media that she’s expecting the birth of their third child. — Collier
Next games: vs. ORL (Jan. 30), vs. PHX (Feb. 1), vs. PHX (Feb. 3), vs. IND (Feb. 4)
The Blazers’ four-game winning streak, including a perfect 3-0 trip to the Southeast, was their longest since starting the 2022-23 season 4-0 when Damian Lillard led the way. Even the loss that ended the streak was impressive: a 10-point loss at home to the league-leading Thunder. It’s no coincidence the uptick came with Deni Avdija‘s return to the lineup. Avdija averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals in those five games. After combining for only 17 points in his first three games back on the bench, all wins, Scoot Henderson had 25 against Oklahoma City. — Pelton
Next games: @ WAS (Jan. 29), vs. CHI (Jan. 31), vs. LAC (Feb. 2), vs. NYK (Feb. 4)
After beating New Orleans on Monday night, Toronto has now won six of its last seven games, including sweeping a two-game series in Atlanta and beating the defending champion Celtics. It has been a nice uptick in form for a Raptors team that won only two games in December and is again without Immanuel Quickley, this time because of a left hip strain. — Bontemps
It has been tough sledding for Brooklyn, which has lost seven straight — and 12 of its past 13 — heading into a Wednesday matchup with the Hornets. Center Nic Claxton has struggled this season and is amid a career-worst 54.0% in efficiency shooting from the field. But with the Nets in a rebuilding season, the young big has shown great potential and instincts. — Herring
Next games: vs. BKN (Jan. 29), vs. LAC (Jan. 31), vs. DEN (Feb. 1), vs. WAS (Feb. 3)
The team had a different leading scorer for each of its past four games, a positive for a club whose leading scorer, LaMelo Ball, averages upward of 28 points. The Hornets, now second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings, can desperately use some development beyond Ball’s ability to score; particularly with second-year wing Brandon Miller out indefinitely because of a wrist injury. — Herring
New Orleans finished its most recent three-game trip winless, after cobbling together four straight victories before the start of the trek. The Pelicans face a banged-up Dallas squad Wednesday with Zion Williamson coming off back-to-back games with 28 points or more with seven-plus rebounds. Brandon Ingram, a mainstay in trade-deadline rumors, hasn’t played since Dec. 7 (left ankle sprain), and it doesn’t appear he’ll be back soon. New Orleans is 4-22 this season against sub-.500 teams with an upcoming schedule that includes the Mavericks, Celtics and two road clashes against the Nuggets. — Wright
Veteran power forward/center John Collins doesn’t play often these days, but his rare performances haven’t diminished trade interest in him. Collins played in only two games during Utah’s 3-14 stretch entering Tuesday night’s matchup with the Warriors in which Collins sat out. He averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 62.1% from the field in his two appearances over the past month. — MacMahon
Next games: vs. TOR (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Jan. 30), @ MIN (Feb. 1), @ CHA (Feb. 3)
Washington has lost 14 straight games and has won a total of only 21 games since the beginning of last season. Kyle Kuzma indicated he wanted to be more aggressive, which means not fitting into the franchise’s direction of developing its young prospects. After having 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 119-109 loss at Phoenix on Saturday, Kuzma told reporters, “I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we’re doing here, and just really played in the moment.” Perhaps Kuzma will be more open to trade discussions this time than he was last season at the deadline. — Youngmisuk
As the NBA season heats up, the top contenders in the league are holding steady in the power rankings, while the Detroit Pistons are making a climb up the ranks.
At the top of the list, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks continue to dominate with their star-studded lineups and impressive performances on the court. These teams are proving to be the frontrunners for the championship title this season.
However, the Detroit Pistons have been quietly making a name for themselves with their recent success. Led by young stars like Cade Cunningham and Jerami Grant, the Pistons have been impressive in recent games and have climbed their way up the power rankings.
With their strong defense and improving offense, the Pistons are becoming a team to watch as they continue to exceed expectations and compete with some of the top teams in the league.
As the NBA season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the power rankings continue to shift and evolve. Will the top contenders maintain their positions, or will up-and-coming teams like the Pistons continue to make a push for the top spot? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the competition in the NBA is fierce, and anything can happen on any given night.
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NBA Power Rankings, Top contenders, Pistons climb, NBA standings, basketball rankings, sports news, NBA analysis, playoff race, NBA teams, league leaders, basketball updates.
