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

By Corey Rausch

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)
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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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

20. team. 100. . 26-29. Previous: 21st. Indiana Pacers

Last Week: Beat Memphis Grizzlies 132-125, Lost to LA Clippers 126-115, Beat Houston Rockets 132-124, Lost to Utah Jazz 119-111

This Week: 4/18 at Atlanta Hawks, 4/19 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4/21 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 4/24 vs. Detroit Pistons

The trade for Caris LeVert is starting to pay dividends for the Indiana Pacers. Over the last week, he has been a dynamic offensive threat, averaging 27.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. He is doing everything on the court and looks like he is preparing to take the step as the best player on the team, making the path forward for the franchise slightly clearer.

He was not the only threat for the Pacers this week. Both Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis averaged more than 20 points per game, providing a three-pronged attack that is keeping the Pacers afloat in a clogged race for the back end of the play-in tournament. The issue for the Pacers is that no other player on the roster exceeded double figures, with TJ McConnell being the closest at 9.8 points per game.

Similarly, with Myles Turner out of the lineup the Pacers have struggled on the glass. Sabonis averaged 11.0 rebounds per game this week and the next closest was a tie between Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon at 4.3. Injuries have caused plenty of issues for the Pacers but something has to start clicking beyond the top three if the Pacers hope to keep the season going.