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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: April review and the rising Phoenix Suns

By Corey Rausch

Apr 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the Miami Heat in the second half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the Miami Heat in the second half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

11. Atlanta Hawks

Last Week: Beat Milwaukee Bucks 111-104, Lost to Detroit Pistons 100-86, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 127-83, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 126-104, Beat Chicago Bulls 108-97

This Week: 5/3 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 5/5 vs. Phoenix Suns, 5/6 at Indiana Pacers

April was off to such a positive start for the Atlanta Hawks before the health issues finally caught up with them. The Hawks finished the month 11-5 which was the second-best mark in the league, but that comes with the caveat that the final three games were losses. They finished top 15 in both offensive and defensive rating but made the top-10 in neither statistic (11th and 15th respectively). Kris Dunn finally made his season debut but it came at a time when Trae Young went out with an injury.

The best news is that April saw Bogdan Bogdanovic come alive for the Hawks. Over the course of the month, he averaged 21.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game on shooting splits of .490/.485/.850. He is an explosive offensive talent. Now that he is healthy, he is showing why the Milwaukee Bucks ran afoul of the league office to go after him during the offseason.

The Hawks need to get healthy before the postseason begins if they hope to be any sort of competitive threat in the first round. De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter are all dealing with issues of varying degrees and all of them will be important if the Hawks hope to get out of the first round.