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

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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /

3. Denver Nuggets

Last Week: Beat Memphis Grizzlies 120-96, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 114-112, Beat Toronto Raptors 121-111, Beat LA Clippers 110-104

This Week: 5/3 at Los Angeles Lakers, 5/5 vs. New York Knicks, 5/7 at Utah Jazz, 5/8 vs. Brooklyn Nets

Despite bothersome injuries knocking out two of their starters, the Denver Nuggets were quietly the best team in the league in April. Nikola Jokic has likely hammered home his case for the MVP as he has played more than most and has carried one of the best teams in the league while his cohorts have struggled with injuries.

He is not alone anymore. Michael Porter Jr. was on a tear over the month of April, averaging 23.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on shooting splits of .553/.425/.857. This season has been about him growing into the star he looked like in high school before back injuries derailed his college career. As a healthy player, he is the perfect young prospect for any team in the league and the Denver Nuggets are benefitting from the fact that he slid to them in the draft three years ago.

The long-term projection for the Nuggets is tough. While they keep winning in the regular season, losing out on their second and fourth options — Will Barton is out with a hamstring strain — on offense will be crippling in the postseason. It will come down to whatever matchup they end up facing in the first round. Before the injuries, that was a significantly smaller concern.