NBA power rankings: Injuries and other issues could affect Western Conference playoff race
Injuries and other availability issues could take a toll on some of the top contenders in the Western Conference playoff race over the final month of the regular season.
Some of the league’s biggest stars were listed on their teams’ injury reports going into Saturday’s games with a number of showdowns set to take place in the West.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic probably won’t be out long with a left thigh strain, but he was expected to miss a pivotal game against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have their own problems to deal with. The prognosis wasn’t as good for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who could miss the rest of the regular season with a left ankle sprain.
Several teams are tightly bunched in the West in what could be a battle of attrition in the final weeks of the regular season. The conference-leading Denver Nuggets and second-seeded Sacramento Kings are relatively healthy, but the Grizzlies, Suns, Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans all have issues.
The Grizzlies are missing Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (Achilles) and Ja Morant, who remains away from the team after appearing to brandish a firearm in an Instagram Live video. Adams will be reevaluated before the playoffs. Clarke is done for the year.
The Grizzlies announced Wednesday that Morant would miss at least four more games with coach Taylor Jenkins later telling reporters there are “definitely steps that are going to need to be met personally and professionally” before Morant can return to the team.
The Suns said Durant will miss at least three weeks with an ankle injury after going down during pregame warmups before Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant will miss Saturday’s game against the Kings and a March 24 rematch in Sacramento. The Suns trail the Kings by 2 ½ games in the West.
The Lakers are trying to hold onto a play-in spot in the West, but they will have to do so without LeBron James, who is expected to miss at least two more weeks with a right foot tendon injury. The Lakers and Pelicans, who are missing Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Jose Alvarado (tibia), are tied for ninth in the West.
With all that in mind, here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 3/10
1. Milwaukee Bucks (48-18)
Last week: 1
2. Boston Celtics (46-21)
Last week: 2
3. Denver Nuggets (46-21)
Last week: 3
4. Philadelphia 76ers (44-22)
Last week: 4
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27)
Last week: 6
6. Sacramento Kings (39-26)
Last week: 7
7. Memphis Grizzlies (39-26)
Last week: 5
8. New York Knicks (39-29)
Last week: 8
9. Phoenix Suns (37-29)
Last week: 9
10. Brooklyn Nets (38-29)
Last week: 10
11. Miami Heat (36-32)
Last week: 11
12. Los Angeles Clippers (35-33)
Last week: 13
13. Golden State Warriors (34-33)
Last week: 12
14. Dallas Mavericks (34-33)
Last week: 14
15. Atlanta Hawks (34-33)
Last week: 16
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-34)
Last week: 15
17. New Orleans Pelicans (32-34)
Last week: 18
18. Los Angeles Lakers (33-34)
Last week: 20
19. Toronto Raptors (32-36)
Last week: 17
20. Utah Jazz (32-35)
Last week: 19
21. Washington Wizards (31-36)
Last week: 21
22. Portland Trail Blazers (31-36)
Last week: 22
23. Oklahoma City Thunder (31-35)
Last week: 24
24. Chicago Bulls (30-36)
Last week: 23
25. Indiana Pacers (30-37)
Last week: 25
26. Orlando Magic (27-40)
Last week: 26
27. Charlotte Hornets (22-46)
Last week: 27
28. San Antonio Spurs (17-49)
Last week: 28
29.. Houston Rockets (15-51)
Last week: 30
30. Detroit Pistons (15-52)
Last week: 29
This story was originally published March 11, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
