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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Speculation is running high for two of the most historic franchises in the NBA, and it’s got little to do with the performance on the floor and, instead, everything to do with how the injury report shapes up. The Lakers and Celtics have shown themselves to be sort-of contenders, but their ability to remove the qualifier and become full-on contenders will depend on how things change for their health.
For the Celtics, it’s all about Jayson Tatum, with a new NBC documentary sparking chatter that Tatum will return to the floor when the film released in March. Tatum is coming back from an Achilles tendon injury, and has vacillated on when–and, indeed, whether–he will return this season. But putting Tatum back onto a team that has surprised most observers by ranking No. 2 in the East gives Boston a shot at a Finals return in a weak Eastern Conference.
Over the All-Star break, meanwhile, the Lakers made it clear that their fate in the stretch run hinges on health. The team has played just eight games with Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and LeBron James upright and able at the same time.
As James said: “Most important for our ball club right now is health. I can’t state it any more clear. Not quite sure how many games we’ve had where we’ve had a full roster. We’re over the halfway point and there’s not been many games. Obviously I know it’s been a lot more than over half, for sure, and probably even plus that.
“Our success is going to come down to obviously our health.”
That may well be true for everyone in the playoff chase. But for these two marquee franchises, it is especially so.
NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Still the Best
The Oklahoma City Thunder started the year on a 24-1 run. Since then, they’re a relatively mediocre 18-13, and have four losses against the Spurs. Should they still hold the top spot in the rankings? It is a fair question, especially after the team was drubbed by 17 points by the Bucks before the break.
Still, OKC has been playing this month without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is out with an abdominal injury, and still sit atop the very tough Western Conference. They’re No. 4 in the league in offensive efficiency, and No. 1 in defensive efficiency. Even if they’re in a mid-season lull, that still qualifies them as the best team in the NBA.
Thunder, 42-14.
Pistons, 40-13.
Spurs, 38-16.
Nuggets, 35-20.
Knicks, 35-20.
Celtics, 35-19.
Cavaliers, 34-21.
Rockets, 33-20.
Lakers, 33-21.
Suns, 32-23.
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City
NBA Part II Rankings: Charlotte’s Impressive Web
Don’t look now but the surprise team that has caught fire in the Eastern Conference has been … the Charlotte Hornets. The team has won 10 of its last 11 games and finds itself firmly in the East play-in tournament. Reminder: The Hornets have not been to the NBA playoffs in 10 years. Going back to a 150-point outing on January 10 against Utah, the Hornets are No. 2 in the NBA in offensive efficiency with a rating of 120.2.
Raptors, 32-23.
Timberwolves, 34-22.
Sixers, 30-24.
Warriors, 29-26.
Hornets, 26-29.
Magic, 28-25.
Heat, 29-27.
Trail Blazers, 27-29.
Clippers, 26-28.
Hawks, 26-30.
NBA Power Rankings Part III: Tank-a-thon in Full Effect
We have heard some wild suggestions on how to get rid of tanking in the NBA, and certainly, the league has fought against it for years now. Nothing has worked, though, and until s olution crops up, we are left with the spectacle of at least seven franchises actively trying to lose games.
Bulls, 24-31.
Bucks, 23-30.
Grizzlies, 20-33.
Mavericks, 19-35.
Jazz, 18-38.
Nets, 15-38.
Pelicans, 15-41.
Pacers, 15-40.
Wizards, 14-39.
Kings, 12-44.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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