{"id":412405,"date":"2026-01-14T13:41:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T13:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/412405\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T13:41:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T13:41:22","slug":"nba-power-rankings-suns-on-the-rise-celtics-backslide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/412405\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Power Rankings: Suns on the rise, Celtics backslide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 NBA trade deadline is right around the corner (Feb. 5, 3 p.m. ET) and teams are hitting the midseason mark as the pace is starting to pick up around the league.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest name to kick off this trade season was <a data-player-guid=\"5745cf6d-e0cb-7585-60cd-97f7891bbeef\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277905\/trae-young\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trae Young<\/a>, as the four-time All-Star is now a <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"64d73af6-b8ec-e213-87e8-a4eab3a692e7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/wsh\/washington-wizards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Wizard<\/a> after eight seasons with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"15096a54-f015-c987-5ec8-55afedf6272f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/atl\/atlanta-hawks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Hawks<\/a>. But the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47191162\/nba-buzz-latest-live-updates-trades-intel-league\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">trade buzz<\/a> doesn&#8217;t stop there, as <a data-player-guid=\"de5f87e0-8571-a730-ade4-6d00d10b8577\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4279888\/ja-morant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ja Morant<\/a>, star guard for the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"af5d4942-aeb5-2d07-2a8a-f70b54617e51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/mem\/memphis-grizzlies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>, is officially available as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47561697\/grizzlies-entertaining-ja-morant-trade-offers-sources-say\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">team is entertaining trade offers<\/a>, per ESPN&#8217;s Shams Charania.<\/p>\n<p>As for the actual standings, keep your eyes on the race for the top six seeds and the play-in in both conferences, as teams have just over 40 games left in the regular season and only a few clear runaways for the top spots.<\/p>\n<p>With 23 days left until the trade deadline and just about three months left in the regular season, here are where our NBA insiders rank all 30 teams in this week&#8217;s power rankings.<\/p>\n<p>Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN&#8217;s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.<\/p>\n<p>Previous rankings: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46617842\/2025-26-nba-season-preview-rankings-predictions-odds-more\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Preseason<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46749209\/nba-power-rankings-where-all-30-teams-rank-one-week-2025-26-regular-season-play\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oct. 29<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46785973\/nba-power-rankings-biggest-impact-newcomer-all-30-teams-flagg-durant-mike-brown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nov. 5<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46931245\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-rank-pistons-climb-east-giannis-dominates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nov. 12<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47013116\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-rank-important-bench-role-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nov. 19<\/a>  | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47089057\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-raptors-76ers-clippers-eastern-conference-showdown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nov. 26<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47180246\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-lakers-western-conference-thunder-december-dominance\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dec. 3<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47256507\/nba-power-rankings-team-biggest-weakness\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dec. 10<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47327985\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-cavaliers-mavericks-76ers-eastern-conference\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dec. 17<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47402055\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-young-riser-most-improved-rookie-year\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dec. 24<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47455680\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-new-year-knicks-nuggets-warriors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dec. 31<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47527857\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-one-month-trade-deadline-updates-hawks-mavericks-grizzlies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jan. 7<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Jump to a team:<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#atl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ATL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#bos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BOS<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#bkn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BKN<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#cha\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CHA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#chi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CHI<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#cle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CLE<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#dal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DAL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#den\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DEN<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#det\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DET<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#gs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">GS<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#hou\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">HOU<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#ind\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IND<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#lac\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LAC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#lal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LAL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#mem\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MEM<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#mia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#mil\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#min\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIN<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#no\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NO<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#nyk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NY<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#okc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">OKC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#orl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ORL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#phi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PHI<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#phx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PHX<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#por\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">POR<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#sac\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SAC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#sa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#tor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TOR<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#utah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UTAH<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47601896\/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason#was\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WAS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1752936309_868_greyline.png\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398070_627_okc.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Positive news: <a data-player-guid=\"d4609779-e07b-36a5-910e-bc4a44a46013\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5159925\/nikola-topic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nikola Topic<\/a>, the Serbian guard drafted No. 12 by the Thunder in 2024, announced that he&#8217;s back on the court after completing a recent round of chemotherapy treatment. Topic was diagnosed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46782473\/thunder-nikola-topic-being-treated-testicular-cancer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">testicular cancer just before<\/a> the regular season, stepping away from basketball right when it appeared his NBA career was about to begin. Topic sat out his rookie season rehabbing an ACL tear but had been cleared for his preseason debut in early October, scoring 10 points in 31 minutes. Days later, the cancer diagnosis was announced. &#8212; Anthony Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398070_113_det.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The injury bug has hit the Pistons. <a data-player-guid=\"c28c6569-86f0-3c1e-bcab-b946fbc06ff6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432166\/cade-cunningham\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cade Cunningham<\/a> has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47544219\/pistons-cade-cunningham-bulls-wrist-contusion\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sat out the past two games<\/a>, and <a data-player-guid=\"6e30fca4-6751-37b6-b09a-2e4ecbec716e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433621\/jalen-duren\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Duren<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"7975a3ae-314d-5282-e1d0-b9d4d47e151a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6440\/tobias-harris\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tobias Harris<\/a> were out because of injuries. But Detroit is now riding a robust four straight days off to recover before playing Phoenix on Thursday. The Pistons&#8217; 30-point beatdown of the Knicks sent shockwaves around the league about their postseason prospects. Important to note before the deadline: The Pistons have a $14 million trade exception they can use before it expires in July &#8212; they should be looking for shooting help and perhaps a secondary scorer next to Cunningham. If there&#8217;s a short-term impact player they can acquire who can keep their books in order for the future, they will certainly explore it. &#8212; Vincent Goodwill<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/>The Pistons still sit atop of the East despite missing Cade Cunningham, who missed back-to-back games recovering from a wrist injury and Jalen Duren with an ankle injury.\u00a0ESPN Illustration<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398070_825_sa.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The dog days of the NBA season have fallen upon San Antonio and its trio of guards in <a data-player-guid=\"5f18d1cf-1c2e-3601-a04e-1a3fc84d8ef1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066259\/deaaron-fox\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">De&#8217;Aaron Fox<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"26c7892b-12d0-3b1d-9645-f881921a1a20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4845367\/stephon-castle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephon Castle<\/a> and rookie <a data-player-guid=\"d8fd1989-052d-3e45-91f2-6fda54fa5c8e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5037871\/dylan-harper\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dylan Harper<\/a>, who have struggled in recent games. When the Spurs defeated Oklahoma City on Christmas Day, they had already traveled more than 13,000 miles (more than twice the leaguewide average at that point), spending 26 of 34 days on the road, only to start January with three consecutive back-to-back sets. San Antonio knows a break is on the horizon, but it must continue to fight to maintain its standing near the top of the West. &#8212; Michael C. Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398071_231_den.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 27-13<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 7<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ DAL (Jan. 14), vs. WAS (Jan. 17), vs. CHA (Jan. 18), vs. LAL (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p><a data-player-guid=\"4ea7a8ea-43eb-1036-2128-c745eca4a55f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2528210\/tim-hardaway-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tim Hardaway Jr<\/a>. has been a tremendous bargain on a veteran&#8217;s minimum deal, averaging 13.8 points while shooting career bests of 46.3% from the field and 41.4% from 3-point range. Hardaway has benefited from playing with NBA assists leader <a data-player-guid=\"22f57511-06ae-1587-f01b-33965365ce0d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3112335\/nikola-jokic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nikola Jokic<\/a>, who has fed Hardaway on 18.7% of his buckets this season. But Hardaway has also been a huge factor in the Nuggets remaining competitive during Jokic&#8217;s absence, averaging 16.7 points and shooting 42.6% on 3s since the three-time MVP injured his knee. &#8212; Tim MacMahon<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398071_9_min.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a data-player-guid=\"78795dbf-3e02-934e-f796-d6a71375c9f5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3032976\/rudy-gobert\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rudy Gobert<\/a> is having a great season and is once again making himself a contender to finish high in Defensive Player of the Year voting. But Gobert sat out Tuesday night&#8217;s game against the Bucks because of a one-game suspension for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47592023\/minnesota-timberwolves-center-rudy-gobert-suspended-one-game\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">flagrant foul points<\/a>, and will sit out more time this season for suspensions for every additional flagrant foul he accrues &#8212; something that could become a problem for a Minnesota team that relies on his defensive impact. &#8212; Tim Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398072_277_nyk.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 25-14<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 6<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ SAC (Jan. 14), @ GS (Jan. 15), vs. PHX (Jan. 17), vs. DAL (Jan. 19)<\/p>\n<p>The Knicks were relieved when they welcomed back <a data-player-guid=\"4384c489-e5e6-695a-1c5f-b3e66edcb897\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3062679\/josh-hart\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Hart<\/a> after he sat out eight games because of an ankle injury that occurred on Christmas Day. During his absence, the Knicks went 3-5 and sported the third-worst defensive rating. Hart&#8217;s 18 points and six rebounds in their 123-114 win over Portland signaled a return to normalcy &#8212; somewhat. Owner James Dolan stated last week that he expects a Finals run with this roster. But over the past few weeks, sources say the Knicks are looking for a backup big and takers for free agent signing <a data-player-guid=\"7c8ab472-985f-cf0c-8b1c-d1d051907cff\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4017844\/guerschon-yabusele\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Guerschon Yabusele<\/a>. &#8212; Goodwill<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398072_236_bos.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, it was <a data-player-guid=\"0d5cde01-f6d3-225f-dae5-44ef3304cda2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3917376\/jaylen-brown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaylen Brown<\/a> expressing frustration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47592800\/nba-fines-celtics-jaylen-brown-35k-ref-criticism\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">with the referees<\/a> after losing to the Spurs. On Monday, it was Joe Mazzulla just repeating &#8220;illegal screen&#8221; in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47596308\/celtics-mazzulla-answers-questions-loss-illegal-screen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">response to every question<\/a> after a close loss to the Pacers. The result, though, is the same. And now Boston has dropped three of its past four games and has gone from having a chance to secure second place in the East to being in third, with the Raptors and Sixers closing in quickly. &#8212; Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398073_635_phx.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 24-16<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 10<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ DET (Jan. 15), @ NYK (Jan. 17), @ BKN (Jan. 19), @ PHI (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>Phoenix guard <a data-player-guid=\"e9d2d871-df56-3068-8d5f-e3fc27f49a96\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4437244\/jalen-green\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Green<\/a>, who has been limited to only two games all season because of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/46932310\/sources-suns-jalen-green-hamstring-least-4-6-weeks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">right hamstring strain<\/a>, is nearing a return. He announced as much while replying to <a data-player-guid=\"493046d7-fa60-d8a1-1397-b9a6dca8dedf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3136193\/devin-booker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Devin Booker<\/a>&#8216;s Instagram story this week, writing &#8220;we right there&#8221; in regard to his comeback. The Suns have been a Cinderella story so far, starting the season 24-15 (ESPN Bet set their over\/under win total at 31.5 in the preseason). &#8212; Dave McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398073_10_hou.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 23-14<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 5<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. OKC (Jan. 15), vs. MIN (Jan. 16), vs. NO (Jan. 18), vs. SA (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>Rockets coach Ime Udoka made a salient point after a recent loss, pointing out the team&#8217;s overreliance on superstar forward <a data-player-guid=\"dc324fde-eee8-98e2-09ac-d31d8ad9909e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3202\/kevin-durant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Durant<\/a>. &#8220;You take a 37-year-old out of the game for [three] minutes, and you lose a 13-point lead, 11-0 run. [We] don&#8217;t play with any aggression or confidence. [We were] mentally weak.&#8221; Call that Udoka&#8217;s way of lighting a fire under supporting cast players such as <a data-player-guid=\"d46a44b0-75e5-3475-a977-c64be5aaec40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4684740\/amen-thompson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amen Thompson<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"dad4f5fb-9739-38ac-b3b5-5d7937c29232\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4871144\/alperen-sengun\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alperen Sengun<\/a>, who is back in the lineup after a three-game absence, along with <a data-player-guid=\"b2e3effa-a7ab-3837-8d7e-da8b05577441\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4711272\/reed-sheppard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reed Sheppard<\/a>. &#8212; Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398074_771_tor.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 24-17<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 12<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ IND (Jan. 14), vs. LAC (Jan. 16), @ LAL (Jan. 18), @ GSW (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p><a data-player-guid=\"f5cf0cda-37c2-3a0c-b9c9-6c00e2b17c0d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432241\/jamal-shead\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jamal Shead<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"8cca71b9-6ade-316f-9b13-a2486e0dbd46\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5093267\/collin-murray-boyles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Collin Murray-Boyles<\/a> were the surprise standouts over the weekend in a comeback win over Philadelphia. But that victory was sandwiched between losses to Boston and Philadelphia &#8212; the two teams closest to Toronto in the standings &#8212; which helped reaffirm the Raptors&#8217; place in the Eastern Conference hierarchy. Barring an improvement before the trade deadline, they profile as fringe contenders but still a step below the conference&#8217;s top teams. &#8212; Zach Kram<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398074_999_phi.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 22-16<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 11<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. CLE (Jan. 14), vs. CLE (Jan. 16), vs. IND (Jan. 19), vs. PHX (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>The next couple of weeks could be pivotal for the 76ers, who play nine of their next 10 games at home beginning Wednesday. Philadelphia will then have only 13 of its final 34 games at home after that, meaning this is an opportunity to try to pull into the top four in the East and is a necessary stretch to capitalize on before spending a lot of time away from home late in the season. &#8212; Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398074_858_cle.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Cavs are coming off a disappointing loss to the Jazz at home, where <a data-player-guid=\"bb7bc777-960c-1ff4-57b1-cba0c72c6ca3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065732\/deandre-hunter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">De&#8217;Andre Hunter<\/a>, their prized acquisition from last year&#8217;s trade deadline, was benched for the fourth quarter. He scored two points in 17 minutes, both season lows, and coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game that Hunter was going through a prolonged slump. It has resulted in one of the worst starts to a season in his seven-year career &#8212; averaging 13.9 points on 42.5% shooting, both his lowest marks since his rookie season, while shooting a career-worst 30% from 3. &#8212; Jamal Collier<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398075_527_lal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 24-14<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 9<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. CHA (Jan. 15), @ POR (Jan. 17), vs. TOR (Jan. 18), @ DEN (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>With JJ Redick declaring that <a data-player-guid=\"40c1bcf6-675b-f217-f97c-1d628073f927\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066648\/rui-hachimura\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rui Hachimura<\/a> will come off the bench upon his return from a right Achilles issue, wading back into action on a minutes restriction, the question is whether he&#8217;ll stay there. <a data-player-guid=\"a2ffece1-7bf0-3c54-aa59-b150b6ecd315\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4592691\/jake-laravia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jake LaRavia<\/a> has enjoyed his best month as a Laker in January with Hachimura out. In his first six games of 2026 &#8212; all as a starter &#8212; LaRavia averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 51.7%, including 37.8% from 3. &#8212; McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398075_638_gs.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 22-19<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 16<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. NYK (Jan. 15), vs. CHA (Jan. 17), vs. MIA (Jan. 19), vs. TOR (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>Offseason signing <a data-player-guid=\"4701e165-6b05-a4be-91d4-1f97ca5baafc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066436\/deanthony-melton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">De&#8217;Anthony Melton<\/a> is beginning to take a firm grip of the Warriors&#8217; shooting guard position. Melton sat out the first six weeks of the season while completing the later stages of his ACL rehab. He was on a strict 20-minute limit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47192134\/sources-warriors-deanthony-melton-make-season-debut-vs-sixers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">upon his return<\/a> and hasn&#8217;t been cleared for back-to-backs. But Steve Kerr recently bumped Melton&#8217;s limit up to 25 minutes and has been regularly closing games with him on the court. <a data-player-guid=\"5dda51f1-50c9-66e1-2026-400b73f34fad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3975\/stephen-curry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Curry<\/a> recently called Melton a &#8220;prototypical&#8221; starting shooting guard after he had 22 bench points in a win. Kerr said the expectation is Melton will get cleared for 30-plus minutes and, once he does, Kerr said he planned to use all 30 &#8212; an indication that he will be the eventual starter. &#8212; Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398075_554_orl.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Magic head to Berlin and London for a pair of games against Memphis, and although Berlin is 4,900 miles from Orlando, the game is essentially home for brothers <a data-player-guid=\"a585c182-99b5-3f9f-97ec-4382128e8e9f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4566434\/franz-wagner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Franz<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"77dabd3e-f335-70aa-b04b-e579fc0efec4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3150844\/moritz-wagner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Moritz Wagner<\/a>. After tearing his left ACL last December, Moritz returned in the team&#8217;s win Sunday against New Orleans, scoring eight points. Meanwhile, after sitting out 16 games because of a sprained left ankle, Franz is nearing a return. With its loss to Philadelphia last week, Orlando is now 10-12 against teams above .500. &#8212; Bobby Marks<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398076_476_atl.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Before losing Tuesday against the Lakers, the post-<a data-player-guid=\"5745cf6d-e0cb-7585-60cd-97f7891bbeef\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277905\/trae-young\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trae Young<\/a> era had seen Atlanta win three straight games, including victories over Denver and Golden State on the road. The addition of <a data-player-guid=\"650bab3d-b658-cba4-a596-044c1e1fa8c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2490149\/cj-mccollum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CJ McCollum<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"bbbd3317-3baa-ab71-f8b5-50c5fa97fc24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4280151\/corey-kispert\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Corey Kispert<\/a> should help a roster that has been hit hard with injuries.<\/p>\n<p>In the Lakers loss, the Hawks were without <a data-player-guid=\"a1f467e2-5304-c8c1-db23-80fe313c3d7c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3102531\/kristaps-porzingis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"668a6a14-4003-d79c-c252-0ece0a960d36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3913174\/luke-kennard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luke Kennard<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"d9a14bbd-d184-3703-86ba-f0c17b732ab4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5211175\/zaccharie-risacher\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zaccharie Risacher<\/a> and had just 10 active players. An area of concern that could get addressed closer to the trade deadline is a lack of size in the frontcourt. Atlanta has allowed the eighth-most points in the paint and rank 25th in rebounding percentage. &#8212; Marks<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398076_336_mia.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 21-19<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 13<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. BOS (Jan. 15), vs. OKC (Jan. 17), @ GS (Jan. 19), @ SAC (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>Breaking News from Shams Charania<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/shams-charania\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/charania_shams.png\" width=\"40%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Download the ESPN app and enable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/shams-charania\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Shams Charania&#8217;s news alerts<\/a> to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/story\/_\/id\/43511398\/introducing-espn-reporter-breaking-news-alerts-faq-fans\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tuesday&#8217;s win against Phoenix ended a three-game losing streak for Miami, and all three of those losses (Minnesota, Indiana, Oklahoma City) were by double digits. Before scoring 127 against the Suns, the Heat ranked second to last in offensive efficiency since Dec. 1. They ranked 13th in the first six weeks of the season. <a data-player-guid=\"38b3edc5-57ff-d3ff-9aa2-2865f7f01a4c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066261\/bam-adebayo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bam Adebayo<\/a>&#8216;s offensive production is worth watching. Since Dec. 1, Adebayo has ranked fifth on the team in scoring (14.5) and is shooting 28% on 3-pointers. &#8212; Marks<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398077_926_por.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Blazers&#8217; five-game winning streak, which was ended Sunday by the Knicks, was the team&#8217;s second longest since February 2021. During the run, Portland produced impressive wins at San Antonio and back-to-back at home against Houston. The bigger loss Sunday was <a data-player-guid=\"c025f56a-78ee-3e47-be5a-f962c1b58ffb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4683021\/deni-avdija\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Deni Avdija<\/a>, who left late in the game because of back soreness and was sidelined Tuesday at Golden State. Avdija told reporters he was optimistic that he won&#8217;t miss long after feeling his back &#8220;give up on me&#8221; while landing on the rebound. On the plus side, <a data-player-guid=\"6694d3e6-7257-f217-35dc-f6911488b9f1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3995\/jrue-holiday\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jrue Holiday<\/a> played Sunday for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain in mid-November. &#8212; Kevin Pelton<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398078_14_lac.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 16-23<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 17<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. WAS (Jan. 14), @ TOR (Jan. 16), @ WAS (Jan. 19), @ CHI (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t look now, but the Clippers have won 10 out of 12 games since mid-December, including two against the East-leading Pistons. Third-year guard <a data-player-guid=\"95f0a11b-bc2d-69ef-a842-ccb34d618696\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4396818\/jordan-miller\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Miller<\/a>, a 2023 late second-round pick out of the University of Miami, has been a bright spot during that stretch. He has averaged 6.2 points on 55.1% shooting (45% from 3) in 14.2 minutes off the bench, giving the injury-riddled Clips a lift so <a data-player-guid=\"87ff907c-c68c-a82d-1215-37e05d0c62ef\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6450\/kawhi-leonard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"35b0f455-b1df-0986-121d-27d2b6c18122\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3992\/james-harden\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Harden<\/a> don&#8217;t have to do everything. &#8212; McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398078_787_mil.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Since <a data-player-guid=\"00985054-c4b3-4247-e825-ddf062d457c3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3032977\/giannis-antetokounmpo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> returned from injury, the Bucks are 5-4, a solid but unspectacular mark for a team trying to dig itself out of a massive hole. Milwaukee still hasn&#8217;t recorded a three-game winning streak this season, one of only six teams in the league (Pacers, Hornets, Kings, Wizards and Jazz) that have failed to do so, according to ESPN Research. And as a result, the Bucks still haven&#8217;t gained any ground in the standings. They begin another week stuck in 11th place and outside of the play-in tournament. &#8212; Collier<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398078_474_chi.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 18-21<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 19<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. UTAH (Jan. 14), @ BKN (Jan. 16), vs. BKN (Jan. 18), vs. LAC (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p><a data-player-guid=\"383a14a9-1113-3728-8e79-ca9d653735fc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4711294\/matas-buzelis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matas Buzelis<\/a> has proved to be Chicago&#8217;s biggest bright spot so far this season. With <a data-player-guid=\"501894e4-c167-38d3-8dda-8412203e3fcf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4871145\/josh-giddey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Giddey<\/a> injured and <a data-player-guid=\"750f545c-3cc8-fea4-91cd-828da373cc8e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395651\/coby-white\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Coby White<\/a> playing in only two of the past six games, Buzelis has stepped into more of a scoring role and flourished. Since Dec. 31, Buzelis is averaging 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.8 blocks on 47.9% shooting. Chicago does have a favorable schedule over the next week, with games against Utah, Brooklyn (twice) and the Clippers. After their loss against the Rockets on Tuesday, the Bulls have now been 18-21 through 39 games for the fourth consecutive season.  &#8212; Collier<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398079_3_mem.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Losers in six of their plast eight games, the Grizzlies are hoping recent news of their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47561810\/ja-morant-trade-guide-four-deals-memphis-grizzlies-consider\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">willingness to trade star guard<\/a> Ja Morant won&#8217;t cause too much of a distraction. Memphis initiated a soft reset of the franchise last March when it fired longtime coach Taylor Jenkins and traded <a data-player-guid=\"10c8715d-6e1c-40de-59cb-625bf16ebbc7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066320\/desmond-bane\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Desmond Bane<\/a> three months later to Orlando. And with the Grizzlies now entertaining potential offers for Morant, a full roster teardown could be on the menu with the team shifting its focus to developing younger players such as <a data-player-guid=\"1850ff23-8c8a-3775-a0b0-92d723a33197\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5112087\/jaylen-wells\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaylen Wells<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"159a15e0-7565-3b64-8101-3ac93104fcc6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4600663\/zach-edey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zach Edey<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"3c9c5de0-5d48-3e7f-9a01-36ab9af267dc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4903027\/cedric-coward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cedric Coward<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"adb1658e-da77-38eb-8a8f-0e4b44a7b0ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433083\/cam-spencer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Spencer<\/a> to play alongside <a data-player-guid=\"dbe0e9e5-0046-c414-000b-f4e629b08f5d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277961\/jaren-jackson-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaren Jackson Jr<\/a>.. &#8212; Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398079_669_cha.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, <a data-player-guid=\"ffef74e7-7cb4-3cb6-8fc3-4f01ac97fd39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432816\/lamelo-ball\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LaMelo Ball<\/a> came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season in the second game of a back-to-back and responded well, topping 30 points for only the third time all season. But Saturday&#8217;s 55-point blowout win over the Jazz overshadowed that, as it was a historically lopsided outcome. Per the <a href=\"https:\/\/duncdon.supportingcast.fm\/posts\/monday-daily-duncs-1-12-26\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dunc&#8217;d On Daily Duncs<\/a>, only three teams in NBA history have won by so many points in a season in which they won fewer than 36 games. The Hornets are on pace for 29 losses, though their minus-0.6 point differential is now better than the 24-14 Lakers. &#8212; Pelton<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398079_800_dal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 15-25<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 23<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. DEN (Jan. 14), vs. UTAH (Jan. 15), vs. UTAH (Jan. 17), @ NYK (Jan. 19)<\/p>\n<p>Upcoming NBA games on ESPN<img decoding=\"async\" data-lazyload=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/r1362869_608x342_16-9.jpg\" class=\"round lazyload\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Wednesday, Jan. 14<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810427\/cavaliers-76ers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cavaliers at 76ers, 7 p.m. ET<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810430\/nuggets-mavericks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nuggets at Mavericks, 9:30 p.m. ET<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Friday, Jan. 16<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810444\/cavaliers-76ers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cavaliers at 76ers, 7 p.m. ET<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810446\/timberwolves-rockets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Timberwolves at Rockets, 9:30 p.m. ET<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Wednesday, Jan. 21<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810475\/cavaliers-hornets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cavaliers at Hornets, 7 p.m. ET<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/game\/_\/gameId\/401810480\/thunder-bucks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thunder at Bucks, 9:30 p.m. ET<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Forward <a data-player-guid=\"cdbdcd50-106b-aad8-204e-49201a429b51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278594\/naji-marshall\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Naji Marshall<\/a> has been one of the bright spots of a difficult season in Dallas. He&#8217;s averaging career bests of 13.6 points and 54% shooting, and his production has increased to 16.9 points on 58.6% shooting in his 17 starts. He has been especially productive attacking off the dribble, shooting 60.7% off of drives. According to NBA Advanced Stats, only <a data-player-guid=\"583794eb-0f38-9bbd-3e25-9dd33b7f83b8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3945274\/luka-doncic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luka Doncic<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"8a9d9e1c-6174-0009-4883-3b4e16b492d0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066457\/austin-reaves\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Austin Reaves<\/a> have a higher field goal percentage among the players who rank in the top 50 in points off of drives. &#8212; MacMahon<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398080_465_utah.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 14-25<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 25<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ CHI (Jan. 14), @ DAL (Jan. 15), @ DAL (Jan. 17), @ SA (Jan. 19), vs. MIN (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p><a data-player-guid=\"87ff7f1b-e52a-b236-308c-878d12df8446\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066336\/lauri-markkanen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lauri Markkanen<\/a>&#8216;s availability is a pretty strong indication of how competitive the Jazz will be on a night-to-night basis. Utah is 8-6 with its star in the lineup since Dec. 1, and Markkanen is averaging 27.9 points on .507\/.383\/.856 shooting splits in that span. The Jazz lost all six games that Markkanen sat out. &#8212; MacMahon<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398081_883_bkn.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 11-26<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 26<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ NO (Jan. 14), vs. CHI (Jan. 16), @ CHI (Jan. 18), vs. PHX (Jan. 19)<\/p>\n<p>All of the good vibes from December seem to have dissipated for the Nets, who have lost seven of eight since Dec. 29. After being the best defense in December, Brooklyn slipped to 26th in January (118.8 defensive rating). The rumors will continue to swirl around <a data-player-guid=\"84f89e6d-8dd8-5b8b-bfe7-83ba59ee5121\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278104\/michael-porter-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Porter Jr<\/a>&#8216;s availability before February&#8217;s trade deadline, but there&#8217;s a bright spot amid the slide: <a data-player-guid=\"fb0aca8f-4878-3010-abe0-05b507191367\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5175643\/egor-demin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Egor Demin<\/a> has been hot from 3-point range this month, shooting 53% on over six attempts a game. &#8212; Goodwill<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398081_550_sac.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 10-30<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 28<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. NYK (Jan. 14), vs. WAS (Jan. 16), vs. POR (Jan. 18), vs. MIA (Jan. 20)<\/p>\n<p>After an extended stretch outside Doug Christie&#8217;s rotation, reserve guard <a data-player-guid=\"919db74b-1f21-4955-fa42-446e67f7811c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066262\/malik-monk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Malik Monk<\/a> has reappeared in the past three games and produced to a great degree. Monk played 26 and 32 minutes against the Rockets and Lakers, respectively, scoring 15 and 26 points in a pair of surprising upset wins. This is happening at a potentially useful time for Sacramento. The Kings explored Monk&#8217;s trade market this past summer and offered him to the Warriors in a variety of constructions for <a data-player-guid=\"fa4aeb82-1488-3163-b374-4e0cdd9cb23a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433247\/jonathan-kuminga\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47530219\/can-sacramento-kings-fixed-next-trade-deadline\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">league sources said<\/a>. Golden State has continually declined. There&#8217;s no indication that will change, but Monk is expected to remain available to the rest of the league in the lead-up to the deadline, and this recent mini-surge could provide a tiny boost to his value. &#8212; Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398081_639_ind.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 9-31<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 30<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: vs. TOR (Jan. 14), vs. NO (Jan. 16), @ DET (Jan. 17), @ PHI (Jan. 19)<\/p>\n<p>Last week was the best of Indiana&#8217;s season so far, with wins over Charlotte, Miami (by 24 points) and Boston (holding them under 100 points for the first time this season). <a data-player-guid=\"175da6ce-ca4a-d4af-7ad0-cba0c8486080\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395712\/andrew-nembhard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Andrew Nembhard<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"7c82adbb-96d7-2454-2921-535f8b8f6248\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3149673\/pascal-siakam\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pascal Siakam<\/a> both averaged 21 points in that stretch, while youngsters <a data-player-guid=\"cd5dfbac-22b2-3028-ae7b-21ce887a68a6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5106060\/jarace-walker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jarace Walker<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"0d594fa3-7e6f-3179-bafc-a240052c78e2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5157066\/johnny-furphy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Furphy<\/a> also added positive contributions. Excellent 3-point shooting helped as well, as Indiana has made at least 40% of its 3s in six games in a row. &#8212; Kram<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398082_463_was.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 record: 10-28<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 27<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next games: @ LAC (Jan. 14), @ SAC (Jan. 16), @ DEN (Jan. 17), vs. LAC (Jan. 19)<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t expect Trae Young to play for Washington anytime soon, despite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47545290\/sources-hawks-trading-trae-young-wizards-mccollum-kispert\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">joining the Wizards<\/a> in a trade last week. The four-time All-Star remains sidelined because of a leg injury, and ESPN&#8217;s Marc Spears reported that the Wizards don&#8217;t yet have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47565175\/opportunity-trae-young-savors-fresh-start-wizards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">return timeline scheduled<\/a>. Given that the Wizards have been surprisingly competitive of late &#8212; with a 7-8 record since a 3-20 start &#8212; and are focused on ensuring they keep their top-eight-protected pick in the 2026 draft, there&#8217;s an incentive to keep Young out a while longer. &#8212; Kram<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768398082_711_no.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Pelicans ended their second nine-game losing streak of the season Friday against a Washington team playing without newly acquired Trae Young, getting 30-plus points from both <a data-player-guid=\"eb0f1a26-b5a8-691b-2445-20df987f493c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4397688\/trey-murphy-iii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trey Murphy III<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"34e5ec5d-10b3-ba59-2ba1-3a3be9a1be22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395628\/zion-williamson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zion Williamson<\/a>, plus a triple-double from <a data-player-guid=\"0e7f21a8-df8c-3ace-8cf6-c7ff07c756fa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4869780\/derik-queen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Derik Queen<\/a> against his hometown team. New Orleans was competitive again in a loss Sunday at Orlando but has still sunk to the bottom of the NBA standings with just nine wins at the midpoint of a schedule that has done the Pelicans no favors. The Wizards were the only team New Orleans has played since Christmas that is currently outside the play-in. &#8212; Pelton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2026 NBA trade deadline is right around the corner (Feb. 5, 3 p.m. ET) and teams are&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":412406,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-412405","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/412406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=412405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=412405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}