In Week 15 of NBA Power Rankings, the Houston Rockets are back on top, the Cleveland Cavaliers are imploding and the New Orleans Pelicans are figuring things out.
After a one-week hiatus, 2017-18 NBA Power Rankings are back just in time to cover perhaps the most tumultuous two-week period of the season so far.
On the bright side, James Harden is back and the Houston Rockets have taken flight, besting the Golden State Warriors for the second time with a completely healthy lineup. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans’ superstar duo is carrying the team to new heights as it looks to finally make a push up the Western Conference ladder.
The Miami Heat are making things interesting in the East, but not nearly as much as the imploding Cleveland Cavaliers, who have stolen the spotlight thanks to abhorrent defense, Isaiah Thomas‘ underwhelming return, trade rumors and reports of emotional team meetings.
From the Rockets/Los Angeles Clippers almost fight in the secret tunnels of Staples Center to Ben Simmons vs. Kyle Lowry showdowns to Kemba Walker trade reports to James Johnson, Serge Ibaka and Arron Afflalo all throwing punches, the NBA is as stirred up as it’s been in quite some time.
In order to break it all down, here’s a look at the most recent NBA Power Rankings.
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored a career-high 25 PTS and drained a career-high 6 3's for the @SacramentoKings! #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/rnqfkcfZwc
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2018
Evan Fournier puts up a career-high 32 to lead the @OrlandoMagic at home! #PureMagic pic.twitter.com/NidfYdo2iM
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2018
Kent Bazemore hit the game-winning jumper with seconds remaining to lift the @ATLHawks to a thrilling victory over the @PelicansNBA!#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/5ihgivLnZi
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2018
.@SDinwiddie_25 is CLUTCH in January! Relive each of his three go-ahead buckets in the final seconds since the new year.#WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/Q3lXl4Mfi5
— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2018
The KP slam that sent the game into double OT at MSG!#Knicks pic.twitter.com/uhHIWIxFU3
— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/955231179346554881
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/953356193803612160
Jamal Murray puts up a career-high 38 to lead the @Nuggets at home! #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/g6uT98wT6v
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/953011400313528320
The BEST of @AntDavis23's last two games... (48p/17r, 45p/15r) for the @PelicansNBA! #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/SZmv8UNG5k
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2018
Wayne Ellington with the clutch lay-in to lead the @MiamiHEAT to the victory!#HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/RAP7r543IL
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2018
Andrew Wiggins scores a season-high 40 to lead the @Timberwolves in LA! #AllEyesNorth pic.twitter.com/Z9NjKtW7YA
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2018
Chris Paul puts up 37 points, 11 assists & 7 rebounds to lead the @HoustonRockets at home! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/dkvI35Yl4U
— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2018
Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)
Where does your favorite NBA team land in Week 15 and where SHOULD they be? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!