We’re past the first quarter of the NBA’s regular season, so now’s a good time to reflect on how each team has performed.
Several teams thought to be in the tanking race for Pick 1 and thus generational talent Victor Wembanyama have exceeded expectations in an unexpected twist, while a number of contenders have struggled to hit their stride.
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Of course, injuries and off-court drama have also added an entertaining element to the season as well as breakout stars and exciting rookies.
ATLANTA HAWKS (14-13) – C-
After making the splash move for Dejounte Murray in the off-season, the Hawks haven’t quite reached the heights they’d have hoped with the All-Star guard. It’s been on the offensive end where they’ve largely underwhelmed – ranked bottom 10 in the league – down from second last season, struggling badly when Trae Young is off the court. On a positive note, their defence has taken a big step forward – where they’re ranked 10th in the league compared to bottom five last campaign – an area Murray was always going to provide a boost. Currently sitting sixth in the East, the Hawks don’t appear capable of making deep playoff run and could yet shake up their roster by the deadline, with John Collins linked to trade talks.
BOSTON CELTICS (21-6) – A+
With claim to the league’s best record and No. 1 offence, the Celtics are a seriously powerful unit. Although it had a three-game losing streak snapped by Golden State over the weekend, Boston has barely stepped a foot wrong all season and is the deserving current favourites for the title. Could they make the NBA Finals in consecutive years with a rookie coach in each? It’s certainly angling that way. Jayson Tatum has spectacularly led the way and is now a bona fide MVP contender, averaging a career-highs across the board (30 points per game, 3.3 threes and 8.1 rebounds) to go with 1.1 steals, while Jaylen Brown is also going at a career-high 26.8 points per game. The scary part is the C’s have another level they can get to when gun big man Robert Williams makes his imminent return to the court to bolster them on the defensive end – where they’re already ranked top 10 in the NBA.
Celtics eclipse Suns in showdown | 01:04
BROOKLYN NETS (16-12) – B
Did we expect anything less than an eventful season in Brooklyn? The Nets have overcome a tumultuous start to the campaign including the firing of Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving’s off-court drama to get rolling in recent times to climb all the way into the East’s fourth seed – going 8-2 over their last 10 games in a run that’s at large gone under the radar. Ben Simmons’ first season with his new team has been disrupted by injury, however the Aussie’s stretch before his latest knee setback was seriously promising. Kevin Durant has been at his brilliant best all season to lead the Nets through the ups and down, but it’s still hard to trust this team and have a real gauge on whether or not it’s a genuine contender, while its defence and big man stocks remain questionable as well as the constant uncertainty around Irving. And you do have to deduct some points for the early season distractions.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS (7-20) – E
As brutal as it sounds, there’s not a lot for Hornets fans to get excited about right now – perhaps other than the unexpected possibility of landing Victor Wembanyama. It was always going to be tough goings this season without Miles Bridges followed by LaMelo Ball’s two ankle setbacks that have limited him to three games, plus Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward have also missed significant time. So they deserve some level of reprieve. But even when fully healthy, this team has struggled. They’ve ranked bottom 10 in the league defensively, and offensively, it’s been even worse – where they’re ranked dead last. While there’s clearly room to improve once they get all their stars on the park at once, the Hornets are currently closer to being a lottery team than a playoff contender – with the third-worst record in the entire NBA – yet there’s also not many exciting young prospects coming through.
CHICAGO BULLS (11-15) – D
It wouldn’t come as any great surprise if the Bulls became sellers at the trade deadline with the way their season is heading – with Monday’s buzzer-beating loss to Atlanta on an alley-oop summarising their campaign. After being one of the big improvers last season, Chicago is now dwindling in fringe play-in contention in the East – a place no one wants to be – and is ranked 20th in the NBA in offensive rating despite boasting talented duo DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine – the latter who just hasn’t looked himself this season – along with Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls haven’t quite gotten improvement they would’ve hoped for out of the likes of Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and Patrick Williams, plus Lonzo Ball’s absence has left a massive void in the back-court as impressive as Alex Caruso has been.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (17-10) – A
The Cavs traded for Donovan Mitchell hoping he’d help tip them over to be a genuine contender in the East – and he’s done exactly that. The superstar guard is playing at an MVP level – he’s averaged a career-high 29 points per game on 49% shooting from the field with four triples on 43% shooting – and most importantly, leading Cleveland to one of the best records in the league. His fit alongside Darius Garland in the back-court balances gun defensive frontcourt duo Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and makes for one of the most talented cores in the league, with the Cavs the No. 1 ranked defensive team in the league and ranked 12th offensively.
Mitchell and Cavs ruin Lebron return | 01:22
DALLAS MAVERICKS (13-13) – C-
It’s clear Luka Doncic needs help in Dallas. After making the conference finals last season, the Mavericks have failed to consistently produce despite promising form over the last fortnight. Doncic continues to play at an astronomical level – leading the league in scoring at 32.9 points per game on 50% shooting to go with 8.5 rebounds and 8.8 assists. But his supporting cast hasn’t been up to it despite a strong season from Spencer Dinwiddie, while Christian Wood has been limited to a sixth-man role. Their entire offence is basically either a Doncic isolation play or him kicking out to a three-point shooter – however the Mavericks are just a middle of the road three-point shooting team. Dallas does rank top 10 in the NBA offensively, but has been less reliable at the other end, and it can’t rely on Doncic to carry such a big load all season long. On a positive note, Aussie Josh Green has taken promising steps forward this season and could see his role expanded further as the campaign progresses and the team searches for ways to improve.
DENVER NUGGETS (16-10) – B+
The Nuggets bolstered their defensive identity over the off-season by adding Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldell-Pope, yet have somehow dropped from being the 15th ranked defensive team last campaign to 27th currently. Addressing their woes at that end of the floor is critical for Denver, to too improving its play whenever Nikola Jokic sits. Mike Malone’s bench has the third-worst net rating in the entire league and too frequently has let the team down. Despite all of this, Denver sits third in the West (sixth-best record overall) and is one of the most potent teams in the league at full strength as Jamal Murray gets back to his best form in his return from an ACL injury – underlined by a brilliant game-winning three against Portland last week. But this is ultimately a team with title ambitions, yet its current profile – particularly defensively – is currently a ways off that level, so the Nuggets wouldn’t be too thrilled with its play right now.
DETROIT PISTONS (7-22) – E+
It hasn’t been pretty, and if any team could use Victor Wembanyama, it’s the Pistons – with claim to the worst record in the entire NBA. A shin injury to Cade Cunningham that might need surgery has further compounded their issues at both ends of the floor, however it’s given Killian Hayes a chance to revive his career, while back-court partner Jaden Ivey has been one of the most impressive rookies. Bojan Bogdanovic has also been solid addition, but the reliance on him offensively highlights the lack of progress of others on this team. It’s fair to say it’s going to be a long season in the Motor City, especially if Cunningham indeed has surgery.
Doncic and Dallas down Denver | 02:28
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (14-13) – D+
After a slow start to the season, the Warriors are starting to get going, with six wins from their last nine games to climb into the West’s eight seed and look capable of pusher higher. Steph Curry has been at his stellar best, averaging 30 points per game, 5.1 threes, 6.6 rebounds and seven assists, while Golden State’s starting line-up continues to perform at a high level together. However the Warriors’ bench has the second-worst net rating in the NBA, their young players like James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga haven’t taken that next step and their defence has fallen off a cliff. Put it all together and there’s been more bad than good, yet Golden State has still put itself in a position to build into the season and mount another championship tilt.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (8-18) – D
Development of their young players is clearly the priority for the Rockets in exposing Kevin Porter Jr and Jalen Green to bigger roles and unearthing Jabari Smith Jr. – although the Pick 3 has badly struggled with his shot in shooting 38% from the field. The Alperen Sengun situation remains curious, with Houston coach Steven Silas seemingly disinclined to give the centre a key role despite the team lacking any true challengers for minutes behind him. The Rockets have actually been in better form lately, going 5-4 over their last eight games including knocking off the Bucks and Sixers, but they’re ultimately one of several teams that have their eyes on getting Pick 1 and thus generational prospect Victor Wembanyama.
INDIANA PACERS (14-13) – A
With so much commentary around the Utah Jazz’s shock hot start to the season, the Pacers have well and truly slipped under the radar. Another team thought to be in the tanking race for Victor Wenbamyama, Rick Carlisle’s side currently sits seventh in the Eastern Conference and has been one of the most fun teams to watch under the lead of breakout superstar Tyrese Haliburton. They play at a fast pace, move the ball for each other and shoot a ton of threes, while rookie Bennedict Mathurin has impressed in a sixth man role, averaging 18 points per game. Whether or not they’re gearing up for a deadline trade with a Buddy Hield or Myles Turner remains a possibility, but this is a franchise that’s never embraced all-out tank mode.
LA CLIPPERS (15-13) – B
If you could give out an ‘incomplete’ mark, it’d go to the Clippers. The favourites to come out of the Western Conference going into the season, we just haven’t seen this team at full strength nearly enough. Kawhi Leonard’s ACL setback has limited him to just eight of a possible 28 appearances – and frankly, he hasn’t looked the superstar player he once was – while Paul George himself has only played 20 games. If the star duo can get healthy – and more importantly, stay healthy – then the sky is the limit, but they can’t afford to rely on the likes of Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Norman Powell to play leading roles all season long. Despite Leonard and George’s ongoing absences, the Clippers have still managed to stay afloat in the crowded West and have a top-five ranked defence, so you have to give them a tick for making the best out of a sloppy situation.
LA LAKERS (11-15) – C-
Following a bleak 2-10 start to the season where the Lakers were in genuine lottery contention, they’ve since gone 9-5 to put playoffs back on the agenda in a stunning turnaround despite a recent three-game losing streak. Anthony Davis has been insanely good – even MVP good – and deserves a ton of credit for their bounce back. He’s averaged 32 points on 65% shooting from the field, 14 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over the last month to silence his critics. LA’s offence and three-point shooting has also improved from its grim marks earlier this season, and Russell Westbrook’s move to the bench has dividends. LeBron James, and perhaps to a greater extent, Davis, staying healthy is clearly going to be critical. Arguably the bigger question now is what – if any – moves the front officer makes after a questionable off-season, with Westbrook the most likely player to be moved and several trade targets linked to the franchise. Do the Lakers genuinely try and salvage this campaign with more win-now pieces (and likely off-load draft pick/s), or let this season play out with an eye at retooling next US summer?
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (17-9) – A
The Grizzlies again look like one of the chief contenders to come out of the West behind Ja Morant, who’s averaging career-highs across the board (27.7 points, 1.8 three-pointers and 7.8 assists). Memphis got Jaren Jackson Jr. back from off-season surgery much sooner than expected too in what’s been a huge bonus, but keeping this team healthy has proven problematic, with Desmond Bane currently sidelined with a toe injury after a red-hot start to the season from the two guard. No matter, Taylor Jenkins has this team humming with a top 10 ranked defence and offence and even more upside when Bane returns.
MIAMI HEAT (12-15) – D-
Injuries have hit the Heat harder than most teams this season as Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler in particular have struggled to consistently stay on the court. No matter, not many would’ve thought Miami would be below .500, even though the Heat largely stood still in the off-season while other teams in the East got better. A bottom 10 offence has very much dragged them down, and there’s reason to believe they can get on a run when healthy with some continuity. It’s hard to trust Miami to avoid injuries over extended stretches though, having gone into the season with the second oldest roster in the league on average age and Butler, who’s 33, plagued by ongoing setbacks in recent years.
Butler fires late to sting Clippers | 00:41
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (19-7) – A
Beyond the Celtics, Milwaukee has clearly been the next most impressive team in the East – perhaps even in the whole NBA – with the claim to the second best overall record. Giannis Antetokounmpo (averaged 31.1 points and 11.3 rebounds) keeps powering this team in another MVP calibre campaign, while a bounce back season from Brook Lopez has been one of the great feel-good stories. Lopez has averaged 14.6 points, 2.2 triples, six rebounds and a league-best three blocks – more than the likes of Anthony Davis and Myles Turner – to emerge as the current favourite for Defensive Player of the Year. Perhaps most impressively, the Bucks have sat top two in the East basically all season despite only just welcoming back Khris Middleton from off-season wrist surgery. How this team performs in the regular season is largely irrelevant though, with an eye towards winning a second championship in two years.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (13-13) – E+
OK, so the Wolves are back to .500, but they still have a case for being the biggest underachievers this season, with the addition of Rudy Gobert backfiring so far. Minnesota is actually getting outscored by opposition when the French big man is on the court as his fit Minnesota hasn’t worked out. It’s marginalised Karl Anthony Towns, who’s out for the next several weeks with a calf issue, in a power forward role and clogged up driving lines for Anthony Edwards, who even admitted he functions better in smaller line-ups. It’s ultimately been a mess for Chris Finch’s side – despite being widely touted as a 50 plus team – if not more – going into the season and a contender to come out of the West. They’re currently some ways off that level.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (18-8) – A+
Two words – real deal. New Orleans has surged into the No. 1 seed in the West amid a scintillating stretch – going 12-2 over its last 14 games including seven wins in a row. The Pelicans have been one of the most improved teams in the NBA this season in an electrifying first quarter behind one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league. So rapid has been there rise that it’s time to start taking the Pels seriously as a title contender, with only the Celtics and Bucks owning better records in the entire NBA, and New Orleans would be starting to believe in what it could achieve. Now healthy, Zion Williamson is proving he’s capable of being a franchise leader, and it’s scary to think how good this team can be when Brandon Ingram returns from a toe injury – having missed seven games in a row. They’re the only team in the NBA with a top five offence and top five defence. And we haven’t actually seen the complete core also featuring the likes of CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy play together a great deal in another ominous sign, while Aussie young gun Dyson Daniels has shined in limited opportunities. Throw in other key role players like Larry Nance Jr and Jose Alvarado and there’s no real holes on their roster.
Zion 360 DUNK leads to SCUFFLE! | 00:53
NEW YORK KNICKS (14-13) – C
You talk about a sliding doors moment for a franchise and the Knicks would surely be having major regrets about not pulling the trigger on a Donovan Mitchell trade. New York is just going at the moment in what’s been a solid but unspectacular season – although a current four-game winning streak has been promising and has pushed them into top 10 ranked offence and defence territory. Some games they look really good, and other games really bad, so the reality of what they are lies somewhere in the middle. Jalen Brunson has proven to be a great get – he’s averaged a career-best 20.1 points and 6.3 assists – but there’s still genuine question marks over RJ Barrett, who likely would’ve been moved in a Mitchell deal, despite New York handing him a four-year, $120 million extension, and Julius Randle could well find himself in a different uniform by the trade deadline despite a recent hot stretch in shades of his 2021 All-Star season.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (11-15) – B-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a shimmering bright spot for the Thunder in an up and down season for the rebuilding side, with the star guard averaging 30.8 points, six assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks on extreme efficiency (50% from the field, 93% from the line) as the frontrunner for Most Improved Player of the Year. It’s overall been a promising season for the rebuilding Thunder – that are very much prioritising the future – a season they can build off, with an 11-15 record a strong return for a team expected to finish with one of the worst records in the league – especially after losing Chet Holmgren for the whole campaign with a foot injury. Josh Giddey continues to show promising signs in year two and Pick 12 draftee Jalen Williams looks like another nice find.
ORLANDO MAGIC (7-20) – B-
Although Orlando does have claim to the third-worst record in the league and ranks bottom five in the league at both ends of the floor, there’s plenty of reasons for optimism. Pick 1 Paolo Banchero has been the runaway Rookie of the Year favourite and looked like a genuine star from the first time he took the court. Along with the likes of Bol Bol, Wendell Carter Jr and Franz Wagner, and the whacky big line-ups they’ve deployed, it’s made the Magic one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA. Of course, it’d help if they could most of their guards healthy, with Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris all missing big chunks of the season. But Orlando has ticked the box of player development – which is its priority – while staying well and truly in the mix Victor Wembanyama in an ideal result.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (14-12) – C+
Injuries have clearly hampered the Sixers, with James Harden (played 12 of a possible 26 games), Joel Embiid (18) and Tyrese Maxey (15) all limited by setbacks. But now near full strength bar Maxey, Philly is starting to figure things out and is fast climbing the East standings – currently fifth – also factoring in that several new pieces are still learning to play together. After a particularly slow start to the season, Doc Rivers’ side has won two in a row and has the fourth-best defence in the NBA. And you have to think a side with Harden, Embiid and Maxey will figure things out at the other end – where they’re currently ranked middle of the road offensively. The Sixers were considered one of the favourites to come out of the East, and they remain right in the mix.
PHOENIX SUNS (16-11) – B+
The No. 2 offensively ranked Suns have overcome the bad pre-season vibes to emerge yet again as one of the best teams in the league despite being in the midst of a four-game losing streak. They’ve impressively stayed at the top of the West though despite Chris Paul missing several weeks with a heel issue as Devin Booker (averaged career-high 27.4 points) has further ascended his game and really taken over as the No. 1 star in Phoenix. DeAndre Ayton meanwhile is quietly putting together his own brilliant season (17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds) and Mikal Bridges continues to improve. And this is with Jae Crowder still on the roster despite the two-way wing requesting a trade, and his replacement, Cam Johnson, tearing this meniscus. There’s been enough going against the Suns to warrant a drop off – and they were recently smashed by the Mavericks and Celtics before falling to New Orleans twice – but this team looks primed for another championship tilt.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (14-12) – B+
Another one of the big surprise packages early in the season, the Blazers even spent time in the West’s No. 1 seed. Unfortunately, they’ve since fallen away including going 4-6 over their last 10 games. Damian Lillard just can’t seem to stay healthy, however Anfernee Simons has taken his game to another level and Jerami Grant has been a valuable addition. The stats would suggest Portland is more of a middle of the road team than a genuine contender in the West though, ranked 23rd in defensive rating and ranked 11th in offensive rating.
SACRAMENTO KINGS (14-11) – A
Light the Beam alright! After a 0-4 start to the season, the Kings have gone 11-5 over their last 14 games to climb into the West’s fifth seed in maybe the story of the season. It’s marked Sacramento’s best start in 18 seasons since the 2004/05 team started 15-7. Only the Celtics, Suns, Nuggets, Jazz and Pelicans have better offensive ratings as Sacramento’s high octane, unselfish style that’s helped it flourish at that end of the floor. It’s possible both teams won the Tyrese Haliburton trade despite the Kings facing intense scrutiny for dealing the budding star to Indiana, with Domantas Sabonis enjoying his own strong campaign – and Sacramento clearly thriving. De’Aron Fox has been even more impressive though in a career-best, All-Star calibre campaign from the star guard.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (8-18) – D
Well … if nothing else, the Spurs are equally winning the tanking race for Victor Wembanyama out West with the Rockets. San Antonio is in the midst of a brutal stretch, going 3-16 over its last 19 games despite recently ending an 11-game losing streak with back-to-back wins. But you can’t be too critical, with the Spurs ticking every box of a tanking franchise wanting that extra valuable Pick 1 as they give big opportunities to the likes of Devin Vassell, who’s been the most impressive, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones. It’s likely set to be the fewest amount of wins this notoriously successful franchise has ever had under Gregg Popovich for a full season, with 32 wins its previous worst return under the legendary coach.
TORONTO RAPTORS (13-14) – C-
Maybe the Raptors aren’t that good? Nick Nurse’s side hasn’t been able to climb into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference all season and has just two wins from its last seven games to fall below .500. The Raptors do deserve props for maintaining their high level of play despite Pascal Siakam, who’s consolidated himself as the best player on this team, missing several weeks with an adductor strain. Defensive size and length has been their best asset, however the Raps remain desperate for an upgrade at centre and have a grim 3-11 record on the road.
UTAH JAZZ (15-14) – A
The fun little honeymoon period Utah had to start the season is over – going 5-11 over its last 16 games – although regression from their early season heights was to be expected. All in all though, the Jazz couldn’t be much happier with how things have panned out after they offloaded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert for a surplus of draft picks in the off-season – which bumps up their mark. Plus, even if they don’t embrace all-out tank mode, only one team is going to end up with Victor Wembanyama. Lauri Markkanen has led this new-look, fun Jazz team – a team a fans have loved to get behind this season – that ranks fourth in the league in offensive rating, while the likes of Kelly Olynyk, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley have also played key roles, the latter recently returning from injury. Don’t give up on this plucky Jazz side yet.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (11-16) – E
The Wizards are in a free fall, having dropped six in a row to sit a whole five games below .500. Washington has been hard to get a read on for much of the season, but it’s sitting around where most would’ve had it – in play-in contention or a fringe playoff side at best. They’ve perhaps shown their true colours in recent times amid the losing streak – and rank below average both offensively and defensively. Frankly, this team’s overall direction is confusing, where an eighth-seed finish is seemingly a best-case scenario. Kyle Kuzma has taken his game to another level and Kristaps Porzingis has been in All-Star form as two good individual stories, bit there’s otherwise been a lack of progress from the Wizards’ young players and off-season additions Monte Morris and Will Barton have had limited impact.
