NBA Power Rankings: Knicks get red-hot, Heat go ice-cold

The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore’s basketball editors.

This week, we’re assessing where things stand as the league prepares to enter the All-Star break in mid-February.

1. Boston Celtics (37-11)

Previous: 1

While Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White deserve a lot of credit, this is still Jayson Tatum’s team. He’s the only player on the squad involved in each of Boston’s five best performing lineups.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-14)

Previous: 2

Still at the top of the Western Conference heading into the trade deadline, the Timberwolves should consider adding a reserve guard to bolster the bench. Minnesota is 2-3 when Mike Conley sits.

3. Denver Nuggets (33-16)

Previous: 7

Nikola Jokic averaged an absurd 30.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists on 60/40/79.2 shooting splits in seven games in the second half of January. During that span, Denver beat Boston (the Celtics’ first home loss), Philadelphia, and Milwaukee.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15)

Previous: 4

The Thunder are facing some adversity with Jalen Williams sidelined and back-to-back losses to the Pistons and T-Wolves. Does this prompt Oklahoma City to deal some of its draft picks for an impact player?

5. Milwaukee Bucks (32-16)

Previous: 3

The Bucks are simultaneously paying three different head coaches after hiring Doc Rivers. He took over as a pivotal five-game road swing began and opened with a loss to the Nuggets. No pressure, Doc.

6. Los Angeles Clippers (31-15)

Previous: 5

Don’t look now, but the Clippers are arguably the West’s hottest team. They’ve won against the Suns, Thunder, and Celtics over their last 10 games, and James Harden no longer looks uncomfortable facilitating their offense.

7. New York Knicks (31-17)

Previous: 12

The Knicks are an NBA-best 14-2 since acquiring OG Anunoby from the Raptors on Dec. 30. His stifling perimeter defense and 3-point efficiency is exactly what New York needed.

8. Philadelphia 76ers (29-17)

Previous: 5

There’s no doubt Joel Embiid is having another MVP-worthy season, but his continued durability issues are concerning. The All-Star center has already missed 12 games and is undergoing an MRI after injuring his left knee during Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-16)

Previous: 8

Credit J.B. Bickerstaff for making a crucial early-season adjustment. With Darius Garland and Evan Mobley sidelined, the Cavs have leaned on a 3-point-heavy approach that’s kept them afloat in the East.

10. Sacramento Kings (27-19)

Previous: 13

Despite a topsy-turvy Sacramento season, the Kings are still adept at not allowing opponents extra opportunities. They rank first in the league in both opponents’ second-chance points (11.8) and opponents’ offensive rebounds (9.3).

11. Phoenix Suns (28-20)

Previous: 15

The Suns have vaulted into a top-six spot in the West thanks to a torrid run from Devin Booker, who’s averaging an absurd 36.3 PPG on 44% shooting from deep across his last seven outings.

12. Indiana Pacers (27-21)

Previous: 14

With Tyrese Haliburton recently sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Pacers haven’t had their star duo of him and Pascal Siakam in the lineup for more than three games. Indiana patiently awaits their pairing.

13. Dallas Mavericks (26-22)

Previous: 11

In seven games since returning from an ankle injury, Luka Doncic is averaging 41 points, 12 assists, and 11.3 rebounds per game. Problem is, the Mavericks are just 2-4 during this span.

14. New Orleans Pelicans (27-21)

Previous: 10

Jordan Hawkins has given the Pelicans the outside shooting they lacked last season. The rookie guard has earned a key role in the club’s rotation, making 46% of his threes over his last 12 appearances.

15. Orlando Magic (25-23)

Previous: 16

Orlando’s fifth-best defensive rating has been boosted by an ability to guard all positions, as well as the use of a towering lineup anchored by Jonathan Isaac. Now, if the Magic could only find success on offense.

16. Utah Jazz (24-25)

Previous: 17

Welcome to the Collin Sexton revival. The Jazz guard has averaged 17.4 points this season, his most since his third campaign in the Association. His play has helped Utah climb into play-in contention.

17. Los Angeles Lakers (24-25)

Previous: 18

D’Angelo Russell is on a tear, averaging 22.7 points since returning from a back injury in January. Los Angeles has gone 7-6 over that stretch. He’s proving his worth to the Lakers amid trade rumors.

18. Miami Heat (25-23)

Previous: 9

Miami was in dire straits during the second half of January, going 1-7. Trading for Terry Rozier hasn’t helped much, as four of those losses were with the Heat’s new guard in their lineup.

19. Houston Rockets (22-25)

Previous: 19

Only three of the Rockets’ seven January wins were against teams above .500. In two of those victories (the Lakers and Jazz), their opponents dropped to .500 with the loss.

20. Chicago Bulls (23-26)

Previous: 20

While Chicago appears destined for a second straight play-in tournament spot, the Bulls shouldn’t be applauded for mediocrity. A rebuild is long overdue, and it starts with dealing Zach LaVine before next week’s trade deadline.

21. Golden State Warriors (20-24)

Previous: 21

The Jonathan Kuminga breakout might be here. Over his last seven games, the versatile forward has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. He’s proving his value with great production during big playing time.

22. Atlanta Hawks (20-27)

Previous: 23

Atlanta has regressed every season since losing in the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. With the league’s fourth-worst defensive rating, the Hawks should be major players at the trade deadline.

23. Brooklyn Nets (19-28)

Previous: 22

The Nets got an unexpected boost when Ben Simmons came back from a 38-game absence to record a near-triple-double with zero turnovers in 18 minutes versus the Jazz. However, his return was short-lived as a knee injury sidelined him for Wednesday’s contest.

24. Memphis Grizzlies (18-29)

Previous: 25

The Grizzlies are 6-6 since they lost Ja Morant for the season and have 10 other players on the injury list. This is an objectively lost season, but tune in to watch GG Jackson and his flashes of brilliance.

25. Toronto Raptors (17-30)

Previous: 24

The Raptors have embraced the rebuild after trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. The rest of the season should solely be focused on building chemistry between Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett.

26. Portland Trail Blazers (15-33)

Previous: 26

Scoot Henderson has cooled off drastically since being moved to the bench Jan. 17, a game in which he finished with just seven points. He’s had another three single-digit games since, though one was due to injury.

27. San Antonio Spurs (10-38)

Previous: 27

Having Embiid hang 70 on you probably doesn’t do your pride much good. However, Victor Wembanyama has responded admirably, putting up 22.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the five games since.

28. Washington Wizards (9-38)

Previous: 28

What do you get the team that has nothing? A new coach. Wes Unseld Jr. was sent packing and the Wizards subsequently won two straight games for the first time this season. Congrats to everyone.

29. Charlotte Hornets (10-36)

Previous: 29

The Hornets have lost 12 of 14, own the league’s worst net rating (minus-11.8), and are eyeing an eighth straight season without playoff ball, the league’s longest current drought. They’re the NBA’s most irrelevant franchise.

30. Detroit Pistons (6-41)

Previous: 30

While the season is essentially over for the Pistons, they were able to muster a massive win over the Thunder without Cade Cunningham. That might be their only highlight amid a truly dreadful campaign.