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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11. team. 18. . 31-26. Previous: 15th. Boston Celtics

Last Week: Beat Denver Nuggets 105-87, Beat Portland Trail Blazers 116-115, Beat Los Angeles Lakers 121-113, Beat Golden State Warriors 119-114

This Week: 4/19 vs. Chicago Bulls, 4/22 vs. Phoenix Suns, 4/23 at Brooklyn Nets

Without much fanfare, the post-trade deadline Boston Celtics have been a much more coherent basketball team and are starting to get on a roll at the perfect time. Since the deadline, the Celtics are tied with the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets for most wins in the league at 10 and have climbed back into a comfortable position to get out of the first round of the playoffs. As expected, much of this is on the back of their two All-Stars.

First, Jayson Tatum has taken over as of late, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He has been very open about his post-COVID struggles, detailing the scary issues of needing an inhaler for the first time in his life. As he is starting to get more used to his essentially new body, the rest of the league is experiencing his tour de force.

Not far behind him, Jaylen Brown is back on the track he was at the beginning of the season. Since the deadline, he is averaging 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. His development as the consistent second option, shifting the burden off Kemba Walker, is essential for the Celtics moving forward.

New additions Evan Fournier, Jabari Parker and Luke Kornet have provided a spark that the team was lacking before, albeit in a limited sample. For a team that looked stale just over a month ago, this is a welcome change of pace.