POWER RANKINGS
Warriors Reign Supreme In All-Star Break Power Rankings
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA is officially off to the All-Star Break in Charlotte. It’s the perfect time to break down where the teams stand at the break.
As expected, the Golden State Warriors took the top spot after a blowing away the competition in January thanks to the return of superstar center DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie’s return bolsters what was already the most talented starting lineup in the league.
In local flavor, the Utah Jazz ended up in the top 10 after surviving a rough early schedule. The team’s potential to rise in the rankings following the All-Star Break should be especially exciting to fans.
Here’s the full list of NBA power rankings:
1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors 20-point loss in Portland entering the All-Star break was a small blip on an otherwise impressive 16-3 since January 1.
#NBAAllStar Weekend is upon us once again, #DubNation!
Here’s everything you’ll need to know about the Dubs’ activities 🌟👇 https://t.co/VQcwGG4YhX
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 15, 2019
2. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are now 13-3 without Kawhi Leonard this season which speaks to the depth they have. Pascal Siakam scored a career high 44 against the Wizards Wednesday. The addition of Marc Gasol makes them even deeper.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Who would have thought before the season that the Bucks would have a better record at the All-Star break than the Warriors at the All-Star break? The Bucks have the best record in the NBA entering the break and add Nikola Mirotic to the rotation when they return.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have won 11 of their last 13 games, Russell Westbrook has 12 straight triple doubles and Paul George has played himself into the MVP conversation.
5. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets find themselves atop the very tough Northwest Division at the break but they face the third toughest remaining schedule in the NBA when they return from the break.
Coach Malone got quite the celebration from the locker room after tonight's win and him being named a coach of the All-Star game!#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/PIZF6KuNK4
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 3, 2019
6. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers finish strong before the break with a win over the Warriors and then add former Jazzman Enes Kanter to their roster.
7. Houston Rockets
James Harden continues his historic tear with 31 straight games with 30+ points but he needs some help from his teammates if the Rockets are going to make another deep playoff run
8. Boston Celtics
The Celtics continue to deal with internal strife while the other top teams in the East made major moves at the trade deadline to improve their roster. Can the Celtics overcome their locker room drama in time for the stretch run?
Deuce stole the show at Team USA’s practice #ThisIsWhyWePlay 💚 pic.twitter.com/KNja4jreJu
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 15, 2019
9. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers made a big splash at the deadline by landing Tobias Harris but the Sixers combined record against the Raptors, Bucks and Celtics this season is 1-7. Not good.
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are 3 games ahead of last year’s pace at the break and have the second easiest remaining schedule in the league. It’s time to rack up some wins and improve their place in the standings.
2019 USA Rising Stars practice ✅#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/opmtQ2NLKX
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 15, 2019
11. Indiana Pacers
Losing Victor Oladipo for the season was a devastating blow yet the Pacers won 6 of 7 games entering the All-Star break and hold down the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference
12. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs lost 4 of 5 before the break which was part of their annual rodeo road trip. They are still in good position to make the playoffs for an NBA record 22nd straight year.
13. Sacramento Kings
Who would have thought the Sacramento Kings would have a shot at a playoff spot this season? They have already reached 30 wins for just the third time in the last 11 seasons. They are two games ahead of the Lakers in the standings.
The Young Kings were shining at Media Availability in Charlotte!
📸 » https://t.co/TNQ36axqk4 pic.twitter.com/5pRZixKyGa
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 15, 2019
14. LA Clippers
The Clippers currently sit in 8th in the Western Conference but it’s just a matter of time before the Clippers fade out of the playoff race after moving so much talent before the deadline.
15. LA Lakers
The return of LeBron hasn’t helped the Lakers break out of their slump. Thye’ve lost 7 of 10 and are just 2-4 since LeBron made his return after missing 17 games. It won’t be easy to climb back up the standings with the 9th toughest remaining schedule.
🎥 Kyle Kuzma covers a wide array of topics at Rising Stars Media Day. pic.twitter.com/ANrTIvIRP0
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 15, 2019
16. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are trying to lose games to improve their draft odds but the play of Rookie of the Year favorite Luka Doncic is making that difficult.
17. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have one of the NBA’s biggest overachievers this season. They are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference but they face the 2nd toughest schedule in the league after the All-Star break.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
Those pesky T-Wolves have dealt with an enormous amount of drama this season. They still have a shot at a playoff spot. They are just 4 games out of 8th in the West but the 4th toughest remaining schedule may be too much to overcome.
BLOWOUT.@KarlTowns to the Finals 🎮 pic.twitter.com/GKIP96eErx
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 15, 2019
19. Orlando Magic
The Magic won 5 straight before the break and are just a 1/2 game behind the Pistons for 8th in the East.
20. Charlotte Hornets
Kemba Walker continues to light it up night after night but he doesn’t have enough help. The Hornets are in the mix for a playoff spot in the East despite a losing record.
21. Detroit Pistons
It feels like the Pistons have enough talent to be more of a factor in the weak Eastern Conference yet they continue to be mired in mediocrity.
22. Miami Heat
The Dwyane Wade farewell tour rolls on through a brutal stretch that has seen the Heat lose six of their last eight games. The schedule doesn’t get easier after the break either.
Thank you for allowing us all to have this #OneLastDance with you, @DwyaneWade! pic.twitter.com/8AWDZOUCMJ
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 15, 2019
23. Washington Wizards
What a brutal season it has been for the Wizards losing John Wall for the next 12 months with a ruptured Achilles. They are 10 games below .500 but still have a shot at a playoff spot with the 6th easiest remaining schedule in the NBA.
24. Memphis Grizzlies
Marked the first time in 18 years that a Gasol wasn’t on the Grizzlies bench. It’s a dark time for Grizzlies fans as the franchise faces a lengthy rebuild.
25. New Orleans Pelicans
Things are even worse in New Orleans as the Pelicans must play out the season knowing their superstar Anthony Davis doesn’t want to be there.
New Orleans Pelicans part ways with Dell Demps https://t.co/y2N6glRsqU pic.twitter.com/UTbYHiX5Er
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 15, 2019
26. Atlanta Hawks
Remember when the Hawks traded Luka Doncic to the Mavericks on draft day? Woof.
27. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls made a shocking deal at the deadline when they added Otto Porter for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis. Porter scored a career high 37 in a win Wednesday against the Grizzlies. Could he finally break out after getting out of DC?
28. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs stink and there doesn’t seem to be much hope of that changing anytime soon. The NBA title in 2016 will make it a little easier to stomach the rebuild this franchise currently faces.
Air Cedi. ✈️
We’re off to Charlotte for #MTNDEWICERisingStars! pic.twitter.com/k9U3HiiViZ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 14, 2019
29. Phoenix Suns
The Suns are taking their lumps in the Western Conference. They have lost 15 straight entering the All-Star Break which is now the longest losing streak in the NBA after the Knicks won on Thursday.
30. New York Knicks
The Knicks are definitely not tryin’ for Zion. They had lost 18 straight games and before getting the best of the Hawks before the All-Star break. No one is tanking harder…except maybe the Suns. Can you imagine what things will be like in the Big Apple this summer if the Knicks strikeout on Zion and landing a super star or two in free agency?
2018 Draft Class ✅
Rising Stars ✅
What’s next ❓ pic.twitter.com/N4NGC1X98C— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 15, 2019
