It was a brief week for groups throughout the league because the NBA All-Star weekend occurred. The San Francisco three-day festivities have a good time the highest gamers on the midway mark of the 2024-25 common season.
After Group Shaq OGs received the formidable four-team All-Star match, Stephen Curry was named the All-Star Sport MVP. Now that the much-needed break is over, the NBA prepares for the common season’s stretch run forward of the playoffs.
Earlier than the break, Luka Doncic made his long-awaited Los Angeles Lakers debut. He had two quiet performances however hopes to knock off rust from a calf pressure that price him two months. In the meantime, the Dallas Mavericks proceed to take care of the apocalyptic fallout of the stunning deadline deal weeks after.
All through the 2024-25 season, Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings. Right here is the newest version for the Feb. 10-16 week:
30. Washington Wizards (9-45)
Earlier Rating: 30
The Wizards have misplaced 4 in a row. They continue to be the league’s worst crew. Khris Middleton penciled a heartful goodbye letter to the Bucks. He hasn’t had an opportunity to play for his new squad but, however count on the veteran to remain in DC for the remainder of the season.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (13-42)
Earlier Rating: 29
The Pelicans are in an analogous spot. They snapped a nine-game shedding streak with a win over the Kings. CJ McCollum scored 43 factors to make sure the victory earlier than the All-Star break. Accidents have ruined New Orleans’ season. Even with Zion Williamson again, they do not have the depth.
28. Charlotte Hornets (13-39)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Hornets have been humiliated when the Lakers rescinded their deal for Mark Williams. They cannot even make a commerce with out trying like fools. They’re going to dispute the declare nevertheless it’s a shedding battle for Charlotte. All they will do is welcome Williams again and attempt to transfer him once more within the offseason.
27. Utah Jazz (13-41)
Earlier Rating: 28
With all people centered on the Lakers, the Jazz collected a cool win over them. Lauri Markkanen scored 32 factors. Whereas Utah hoped for it to lose out and be on the backside of the standings, not on the expense of Markkanen’s fast decline from an All-Star to common starter. This was a pleasant retro efficiency from him.
26. Toronto Raptors (17-38)
Earlier Rating: 26
The Raptors wasted little time to lock down Brandon Ingram. They signed him to a three-year, $120 million extension. He could not get a brand new take care of the Pelicans, so seeing him get signed together with his new squad should not be a shocker. He’ll be a scoring increase for Toronto and will assist it return to the playoffs subsequent season.
25. Brooklyn Nets (20-34)
Earlier Rating: 25
The Nets have received three in a row. The uncommon win streak most likely has Brooklyn’s entrance workplace panicking. All of the strikes they made this season are about bettering their lottery odds. Whereas it has been enjoyable to see D’Angelo Russell have a classic efficiency, that might hinder their odds of including a excessive lottery choose.
24. Chicago Bulls (22-33)
Earlier Rating: 24
The Bulls have misplaced 4 in a row. They have been blown out in two straight video games towards the Pistons earlier than the All-Star break. That should’ve left a nasty style in Chicago’s mouth. They scored 29 factors within the first half of their first loss to Detroit. That is humiliating to do within the trendy NBA.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (20-34)
Earlier Rating: 22
The Sixers have misplaced 5 in a row. The one saving grace is that they’re within the East. Due to the Bulls, they continue to be within the hunt for the play-in image. Nonetheless, it has been an terrible 12 months for Philadelphia. They entered the season with title aspirations and are clinging onto a postseason spot. Paul George has appeared terrible and is a candidate for the worst contract within the NBA.
22. Portland Path Blazers (23-32)
Earlier Rating: 20
It was a enjoyable month for the Path Blazers however a shedding streak has them again to actuality. After flirting with a doable postseason push, Portland has dropped three straight. All three have been blowout losses to the Timberwolves and Nuggets twice. Simply goes to point out the hierarchy of the West and that they are nonetheless some time away from contending.
21. Miami Warmth (25-28)
Earlier Rating: 18
The Warmth have misplaced 4 straight. They’ve handled a abdomen bug that is hit most of their roster. After trying like they have been going to select up their most spectacular win but, the Thunder went on a 32-8 run to shut out a 21-point comeback. Miami is over the Jimmy Butler saga and can pivot to a hopeful playoff push.
20. San Antonio Spurs (23-29)
Earlier Rating: 21
The mischievous Spurs tried to discover a loophole on the most important stage. Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul have been paired collectively within the All-Star Expertise Problem. To rapidly end the obstacles, they purposely missed each shot and set a file time. The NBA was upset with the trick and disqualified them. Regardless of that, it was the funniest a part of Saturday’s occasion.
19. Atlanta Hawks (26-29)
Earlier Rating: 23
The Hawks misplaced a thriller earlier than they went into the All-Star break. A 149-148 OT loss to the Knicks gave Atlanta followers excessive leisure earlier than the week off. Trae Younger had video-game-esque numbers of 38 factors and 19 assists. It is nonetheless a travesty he was left off the preliminary All-Star roster earlier than he was added as an damage alternative.
18. Phoenix Suns (26-28)
Earlier Rating: 16
Kevin Durant made historical past when he joined the 30K level membership. He is solely the eighth participant in NBA historical past to succeed in that mark. Even at 36 years outdated, he is nonetheless one of many league’s prime gamers. It is a disgrace his twilight years are wasted for a borderline playoff squad with the Suns. That’ll certainly change within the offseason as Phoenix cannot afford one other mediocre marketing campaign.
17. Orlando Magic (27-29)
Earlier Rating: 19
It is All-Star weekend, which suggests it is time for the annual reminder that Mac McClung is the world’s finest dunker. He simply received his third straight Dunk Contest. The occasion’s spotlight was when he dunked over a automobile. The Magic have him on a two-way deal, which meant they got further publicity for the occasion.
16. Sacramento Kings (28-27)
Earlier Rating: 17
The brand new-look Kings have discovered a little bit of a groove. They received three straight earlier than they misplaced to the Pelicans. Zach LaVine has changed De’Aaron Fox as their top-scoring guard. To assist with the backup guard spot, they introduced in Markelle Fultz. The Kings are decided to make a playoff push regardless of drastic roster modifications.
15. Golden State Warriors (28-27)
Earlier Rating: 15
All eyes have been on San Francisco because it hosted All-Star weekend. Loads of present and former Warriors have been celebrated on the occasion. They’ve entered the twilight stage of their window with Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced. It is solely becoming to see each gamers make headlines for the precise and unsuitable causes. Curry was named the All-Star MVP and Inexperienced hated that the Rising Stars winner performed within the All-Star Sport.
14. Detroit Pistons (29-26)
Earlier Rating: 14
The Pistons have received 4 in a row. The proud fanbase was excited to see Cade Cunningham make his All-Star debut. They’ve come a great distance from being the league’s worst crew over the previous couple of years to one of many largest surprises. Cunningham has began to reside as much as his pre-draft standing as a franchise-altering piece.
13. Dallas Mavericks (30-26)
Earlier Rating: 13
No one cares that the Mavericks have received 4 of their final 5 video games. As a substitute, chaos has engulfed Dallas within the aftermath of the Luka Doncic commerce. To make issues worse, Anthony Davis might be out with an adductor pressure for not less than a month. Daniel Gafford may also be out for not less than a month with an MCP sprain. Dallas followers are being kicked out of video games for being upset concerning the Doncic deal. It simply worsens for the Mavericks and is attending to a poisonous degree.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (29-24)
Earlier Rating: 12
The Bucks obtained a shock win over the Timberwolves with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out. It was freshly-acquired Kyle Kuzma who led the upset. Regardless of the manufacturing, Middleton’s exit continues to be emotional for Milwaukee. He was a franchise icon that helped them win a championship in 2021.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-25)
Earlier Rating: 9
After two unhealthy losses to the Cavaliers and short-handed Bucks, the Timberwolves had one in every of their finest wins of the season to go into the All-Star break. With out Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, Minnesota upset the Thunder for an announcement win. Naz Reid stepped up with a monster outing. The Timberwolves may very well be a playoff menace.
10. Indiana Pacers (30-23)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Pacers averted a nasty loss after they beat the Wizards in extra time. Obi Toppin went off for 31 factors and 10 rebounds. Indiana enters the All-Star break with some much-needed relaxation. It hovered round .500 for a lot of the season and hopes to seize some playoff magic once more.
9. LA Clippers (31-23)
Earlier Rating: 11
The Clippers have received three in a row. Their newest win was one of many extra enjoyable ones of this season. Norman Powell scored 41 factors and James Harden had 32 factors in an extra time win over the Jazz. The latter logged 49 minutes as he ready for All-Star weekend. The 35-year-old’s sturdiness has all the time been one in every of his extra spectacular options.
8. Houston Rockets (34-31)
Earlier Rating: 8
No different crew wanted the All-Star break greater than the Rockets. They slowly crawled to the end line with a 3-7 file of their final 10 video games. Proper earlier than they went on trip, the Warriors returned to being their boogeyman with a win over them. A minimum of Houston had a rooting curiosity within the weekend festivities as Alperen Sengun was an All-Star and Amen Thompson was on the Rising Stars winner squad.
7. New York Knicks (36-18)
Earlier Rating: 7
The Knicks received a thriller towards the Hawks in a 149-148 extra time victory. Jalen Brunson hit the game-winner and Karl-Anthony Cities scored 44 factors. The duo have been named All-Star starters. New York has one of many league’s finest offenses due to them.
6. Los Angeles Lakers (32-20)
Earlier Rating: 6
The Lakers noticed Doncic lastly make his debut. It is nonetheless surreal to see him within the purple and gold. He is had two quiet begins however count on the All-Star break to do him some good as he returns from a calf contusion. He is single-handedly modified the course of the Los Angeles franchise and the West’s playoff image for the foreseeable future.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (36-18)
Earlier Rating: 4
Ja Morant scored 26 factors towards the Suns of their lone win this previous week. If the Grizzlies hope to be taken as a critical menace, he have to be the undisputed finest participant. No offense to All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr., however Memphis will solely be scary led by Morant.
4. Denver Nuggets (36-19)
Earlier Rating: 5
The Nuggets have received eight in a row. They’ve caught fireplace and may very well be within the hunt for the second seed. Whereas Nikola Jokic will get all of the headlines because the three-time MVP winner competes for a fourth award, Jamal Murray has turned his season round. He scored 55 factors in a win over the Path Blazers. If he returns to kind, Denver might be a scary title menace.
Earlier Rating: 3
The Celtics have received three in a row. Irrespective of the standard, it is all the time an satisfying expertise for them to beat up on the hated Warmth. Boston is firmly positioned within the second seed. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been their two All-Star representatives on the weekend
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10)
Earlier Rating: 2
The Cavaliers proceed to be a win machine. They’ve received 4 in a row. They hit a gentle a part of their schedule with loads of gimmes. They have been the one crew to ship three All-Star gamers with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Straightforward to try this within the East.
Earlier Rating: 1
With the primary seed principally wrapped up, the Thunder will spend the remainder of the season getting Chet Holmgren again on observe. They’re slow-rolling his return from a three-month absence as a result of a hip fracture. If he can return to his pre-injury kind, OKC might be an excellent scarier menace within the playoffs.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: All-Star weekend takes place; Luka’s Lakers debut
