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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. 40-16. Previous: 13th. Phoenix Suns. 2. team. 66

Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 126-120, Beat Miami Heat 106-86, Beat Sacramento Kings 122-114, Lost to San Antonio Spurs 111-85

This Week: 4/19 at Milwaukee Bucks, 4/21 at Philadelphia 76ers, 4/22 at Boston Celtics

Coming into Saturday night, the Phoenix Suns were the hottest team in the league, winners of 11 of their last 12 games. Perhaps they were looking ahead to a hellacious Eastern Conference road trip that includes dates with the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks before finishing out the month at home against the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz. Whatever the reason, a Saturday loss to San Antonio was never close.

Despite that, it is hard to dock the Suns much. The stretch they’ve had over the last few weeks has been dominant and they find themselves just a game behind the Utah Jazz in the standings for the best overall record in the league. They are one of only two teams to hit the 40-win threshold and would be on pace for 58 wins in a normal season.

These next two weeks promise to be a bloodbath, but they will also be essential for the perception of the Suns across the league. Many casual fans are likely unaware of just how good the Suns have been this season. If they can go on the road with earlier games against known quality teams and come out with a winning record, many will finally begin to take notice of the rise of the Phoenix Suns.