NBA Power Rankings Week 17: A new number one and a lot of injuries

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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81. . 23-34. Previous: 22nd. Toronto Raptors. 21. team

Last Week: Lost to New York Knicks 102-96, Lost to Atlanta Hawks 108-103, Beat San Antonio Spurs 117-112, Beat Orlando Magic 113-102

This Week: 4/18 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 4/21 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 4/24 at New York Knicks

To understand the issues the Toronto Raptors have faced this season, look no further than the number of games played by the biggest names on the roster this week. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet missed three of the four games. OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. each missed two. Even Pascal Siakam was out for one of the contests.

This type of lineup variability is tough to deal with, even for one of the most respected tacticians in the league in Nick Nurse. This is not to say the week was without highlights. Paul Watson got his first start of the season on Friday and went off for 30 points, hitting eight of his 11 3-point attempts. In the same game, two-way prospect Yuta Watanabe added 21 points. Then there was a continuing trend that bears watching.

Since April 1, rookie Malachi Flynn has become noticeably more comfortable and the on-court production has gone with it. He is averaging 13.6 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game this month on shooting splits of .395/.400/.800. The first-round pick is starting to fit in nicely with the rest of the team, another example of the exemplary player development this organization has become known for.