NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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. 13-15. Previous: 22nd. New York Knicks. 22. team. 27

Last Week: Lost to Miami Heat 109-103, Lost to Miami Heat 98-96, Beat Washington Wizards 109-91, Beat Houston Rockets 121-99

This Week: 2/15 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 2/17 at Orlando Magic, 2/20 vs. San Antonio Spurs

Even with two wins to end the week, the New York Knicks have to be coming away from a week that was disheartened. Losing Mitchell Robinson for four to six weeks with a broken hand is a gut punch for a young team finally starting to build something this season. The defense should hold to an extent for the Knicks because of the effort they give on a nightly basis, but missing out on Robinson hurts nonetheless.

In other news, the Knicks were able to add Derrick Rose to the fold. The fit still feels somewhat odd with Immanuel Quickley’s emergence this year and Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks and Austin Rivers still getting minutes, but a reunion with Tom Thibodeau and a former Chicago Bull tends to be like Thanos: inevitable.

Rose made it clear this was where he wanted to be and he was solid in his return to the Big Apple, averaging 14.7 points, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals a night in his three games this week. The cost for New York made the gamble ultimately fine. Even if the roster fit is weird, bringing in a bench scorer of Rose’s caliber at the cost of Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick is an easy call.