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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. 20-36. Previous: 29th. Oklahoma City Thunder. 29. team. 149

Last Week: Lost to Utah Jazz 106-96, Lost to Golden State Warriors 147-109, Lost to Detroit Pistons 110-104

This Week: 4/18 at Toronto Raptors, 4/19 at Washington Wizards, 4/21 at Indiana Pacers, 4/23 vs. Washington Wizards

As always with the Oklahoma City Thunder, there is a different young player to talk about each week as someone else sets themselves apart. This week it is Lu Dort, the second-year undrafted standpoint who has cemented his place as one of the foundational pieces of the future.

The explosion against the best team in the league caught the attention of many. Facing down the Utah Jazz, Dort went off for 42 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. No other player for the Thunder scored even 15 points and the entire rest of the starting five combined for just 29 points.

Despite this positivity, not much else is going right for the Thunder on the court. They are tied with the Sacramento Kings for the longest losing streak in the league (nine in a row). This may be exactly what the front office wants, making the first of many first-round picks continue to add to the young core already in place.

For the time being enjoy the highlights of progression for Moses Brown, Lu Dort, Ty Jerome, Theo Maledon and even Aleksej Pokusevski. The growing pains are part of the fun of the rebuild. Dort’s big game was just the next example.