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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Previous: 11th. Atlanta Hawks. 9. team. 125. . 30-26

Last Week: Beat Charlotte Hornets 105-101, Beat Toronto Raptors 108-103, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 120-109

This Week: 4/18 vs. Indiana Pacers, 4/20 vs. Orlando Magic, 4/21 at New York Knicks, 4/23 vs. Miami Heat

Outside of a frustrating loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Atlanta Hawks remain one of the hottest teams in the league. They have won nine of their last 15 games and are clearly a lock to make the postseason at this point unless something outrageous happens.

The last week felt meaningful because it was not about what Trae Young could do. He only played one out of the three games, an inefficient loss to the Bucks where he had 15 points on 17 shots. The star of the week for the Hawks was Bogdan Bogdanovic. Over the three games, he averaged 27.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game on shooting splits of .467/.528/.889. That is the player the Hawks signed up for in free agency and him delivering as the postseason nears bodes well for the Hawks turning into something more than an easy first-round exit.

Clint Capela is having a special season under the radar, with this week another perfect example. In three games, he averaged 18.3 points and 17.3 rebounds per game, anchoring the defense for a team in need. The fact that the Hawks are playing a competitive brand of basketball with Danilo Gallinari, John Collins, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish out of the lineup and Trae Young limited is promising.