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

By Corey Rausch

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)
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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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

100. . 6-3. Previous: 11th. Indiana Pacers. 6. team

Last Week: Beat/OT New Orleans Pelicans 118-116, Beat Houston Rockets 114-107, Lost to Phoenix Suns 125-117

This Week: 1/11 at Sacramento Kings, 1/12 at Golden State Warriors, 1/14 at Portland Trail Blazer, 1/16 at Phoenix Suns

The Indiana Pacers are really good. They may have finished off their week with a loss to another up and coming team but that does not change the fact that they have exceeded expectations thus far. T.J. Warren missed the entire week and the offense has not missed a beat.

This can be mostly credited to their top two stars: Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon specifically feels different from last year. He played an other-worldly 42.1 minutes per game this week and posted stunning numbers: 29.7 points, 8.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. The efficiency is even more unbelievable: 54.1 percent from the floor and 60.0 percent from 3-point range.

Sabonis is playing similar to last season, which is impressive in and of itself. Even those who questioned his All-Star worthiness last season have to be kicking themselves now. Look at his line in the loss against the Phoenix Suns: 28 points and 22 rebounds. He is completely unstoppable.

Myles Turner has been a revelation on the defensive end of the ball, blocking everything in sight. He averaged 4.0 swats per game this week and that was below his season average. The Indiana Pacers are thriving under their new coach Nate Bjorkgren. Maybe everyone who bashed the firing of Nate McMillan last season could have been wrong after all.