NBA Power Rankings Week 3: Are the Golden State Warriors back?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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team. 93. . 7-3. Previous: 2nd. Philadelphia 76ers. 7

Last Week: Beat Charlotte Hornets 118-101, Beat Washington Wizards 141-136, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 122-109, Lost to Denver Nuggets 115-103

This Week: 1/11 at Atlanta Hawks, 1/12 vs. Miami Heat, 1/14 vs. Miami Heat, 1/16 at Memphis Grizzlies

What a sour end to the week for the Philadelphia 76ers. By the time they were up against the Nuggets, they were more accurately the seven Sixers, as that was the number of players actually able to take the court after a COVID outbreak and subsequent contact tracing removed all of their stars from the court.

It started against the Brooklyn Nets when the team learned in the first quarter that Seth Curry (who was out but on the bench) was revealed to have tested positive. The Nets were missing their top stars as well but went on to win the game against the Sixers, shaking them from their perch atop the conference. Then against the Nuggets, the only regular starter who was available was Danny Green.

Tyrese Maxey showed out in a spot start against Denver and the Sixers should take that for the positive that it is. He posted a line of 39 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Maxey proved he belongs on an NBA court even when the roster is back at full strength.

The Sixers are clearly very good but they may struggle to get many wins over the next week given the lengthy absences of their key players. Games will mostly either be postponed, forfeited or look much like the squad that suited up against the Nuggets. Be patient with the Sixers as this may be a more common thing across the league as the teams fail to properly adjust to non-bubble life.