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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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

25. Sacramento Kings

Last Week: Lost to Golden State Warriors 117-113, Beat Dallas Mavericks 113-106, Lost to Utah Jazz 154-105, Beat Los Angeles Lakers 110-106

This Week: 5/2 at Dallas Mavericks, 5/4 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 5/5 at Indiana Pacers, 5/7 vs. San Antonio Spurs

For the purposes of the Sacramento Kings it is worth looking at the portion of the month after De’Aaron Fox went out of the lineup, even if that was just the last four games of the month. The star guard was tremendous this month but that was never in doubt. The most important thing for the future of the team was the rest of the team around him continuing to develop to one day finally end the longest playoff drought in the league.

Rookie Tyrese Haliburton stepped up in a big way in his absence. The young guard posted a line of 18.5 points, 9.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals a night on shooting splits of .469/.333/1.00. He has been a solid driving force to two wins in the final week of the month and his teammates are benefitting from his poise.

Chief among those benefitting is Richaun Holmes. The free-agent-to-be has had a quietly solid year and this week was no different. He posted a line of 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game and has anchored the paint for a team that is lacking any other meaningful presence down low (apologies to the ever-injured Marvin Bagley III). If Fox is to miss the rest of the season, the pair of Holmes and Haliburton may have to continue to carry the Kings.