NBA Power Rankings: Check Top 10 Full List and other Tidbits, Shockingly Denver Nuggets’ Star Guard Position is Questionable
The Dallas Mavericks finished last week with a 3-1 record, led by the impressive play of Luka Doncic. The Slovenian superstar received the Western Conference Player of the Week award after averaging 36.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 11.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 41.0 minutes per game.
Despite losing to the Denver Nuggets while trailing by 36 points, the shorthanded Mavs are still in the top 10 in ESPN’s latest NBA power rankings. The team continues to navigate a lengthy injury report that includes Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber. However, the excellence Doncic provides continues to power Dallas.
“Luka Doncic might be playing the best basketball of his career at a time the injury-ravaged Mavericks desperately need him,” Tim MacMahon writes as ESPN moved the Mavs up from No. 10 to No. 9 in their rankings.
“He has broken his own franchise record by scoring at least 30 points in 11 consecutive games. He averaged 35.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 10.4 assists in 39.5 minutes per game during that stretch, carrying a massive burden with several key Mavs dealing with injuries, including the right heel contusion that has sidelined co-star Kyrie Irving since Dec. 8.
“One member of the supporting cast who has stepped up: Dante Exum, who has averaged 16.1 points and 4.6 assists as a starter over the past seven games to help Dallas go 5-2.”
The Mavs will continue a challenging week of scheduled opponents, beginning with a return to action on Wednesday against the surging Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas will then play an away-home back-to-back that starts on Friday against the Houston Rockets, ends against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center.
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Transcendent big man who can score, pass, and read the floor better than almost any player in recent memory.
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
- Steph Curry Leaves No Room for Debate About His Legacy
An absolute magician still capable of pulling off minor miracles to buoy an aging dynasty
Embiid started this season embroiled in James Harden’s trade drama, with the sour taste of yet another early playoff exit still lingering. A month later, he’s on pace for his third scoring title in a row, leading perhaps the East’s second-best team, and dishing way more assists than ever before. Even after winning an MVP award, Embiid is still adding elements to his skill set. —Zach Kram
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Bad motherfucker who somehow has more to prove after winning his first MVP.
Shot Blocking
Interior Scoring
Injury Concerns
Finisher
03
02
04
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
- The Fire That Forged Giannis Antetokounmpo
A generational force of nature who can’t be denied, deterred, or—in some matchups—even challenged.
Positional VersatilityInterior Scoring
Human Highlight
Dad Jokes
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Prodigious offensive conductor who has no weaknesses when the ball touches his hands.
Passing Virtuoso
Pull-up Threat
Clutch GeneInterior Scoring
06
05
06
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Perennial MVP candidate whose age belies a mature, all-around skill set.
Positional Versatility
AthleticismClutch Gene
Rebounding10
09
07
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
The most dangerous and well-rounded shooting guard in the world.
Pull-up ThreatClutch Gene
Movement Shooter
Ballhandling
13
10
08
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Clever, adaptive scorer who always finds his way into the heart of the defense.
Interior ScoringPull-up ThreatBallhandling
Feel for the Game
04
07
09
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
- Kevin Durant Is Learning to Let Go
The perfect offensive player: positionless, efficient, fluent in scoring close to or far from the basket.
Pull-up Threat
On-Ball DefensePositional Versatility
Extremely Online
12
12
10
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
A King adapting to a new world order and changing the ways he dominates.
Potential GOAT
Floor GeneralFeel for the GamePositional Versatility
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Fine purveyor of coffee, hustle plays, confrontational moments, and postseason heroics.
Clutch GeneFeel for the GameOn-Ball Defense
Barista
32
23
12
The engine behind the most efficient offense in NBA history deserves a big boost in the rankings. But this jump isn’t just about the Pacers’ team success; it’s about Haliburton’s individual growth, too. He might win the assist title while posting a 50/40/90 season, which puts him on the short list for best offensive players in the sport. —Zach Kram
Champion
MVP
All-NBA
Playmaking maestro with the creativity and infectious spirit to become an elite offensive engine.
Passing VirtuosoFeel for the GameHuman HighlightPull-up Threat
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