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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: Celtics surge, Warriors falter

By Jack Simone

Dec 17, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after their game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after their game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: Celtics surge, Warriors falter
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks in action against Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2021 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 115-113. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 24. New York Knicks

Record: 25-34

The New York Knicks are an absolute mess. After earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference last year, they are now in danger of missing the play-in tournament altogether. Julius Randle is struggling mightily, their offseason additions haven’t panned out, and now it has been reported that Kemba Walker will not play for the rest of the season, instead choosing to prepare for next year.

This year is pretty much the worst-case scenario for the Knicks. Moving forward, they need to pick a direction, and right now, it seems as though the best decision would be to gut the roster and prepare for the future. It’s become clear that the current roster just isn’t good enough to compete in the East.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 23. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 23-36

Dejounte Murray competing in the All-Star Game has been by far the highlight of the San Antonio Spurs’ season. And that’s great! Murray totally deserved to be an All-Star. That’s just to say that they haven’t been doing too hot in the wins column. But that’s to be expected with a team as young and inexperienced as the Spurs are.

Murray is the perfect player to build around moving forward, though, and they have some nice pieces around him. Guys like Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl have been solid this year, and with Gregg Popovich at the helm, anything can happen. However, this late into the season, a push for the play-in is probably out of the question for San Antonio.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 22. Washington Wizards

Record: 27-31

Although their record has them in a position to compete for a play-in spot, the Washington Wizards’ season is all but over. Even if they do manage to sneak their way into the play-in, not having Bradley Beal for the rest of the year seriously limits their ability to complete. Plus, the moves they made at the deadline indicate the decision to plan for the future.

Adding Kristaps Porzingis is a low-risk, high-reward move, especially considering what they gave up. But even past that, trading Montrezl Harrell for essentially nothing means that they aren’t too worried about this year. Moving forward, it’s all about trying to convince Beal to stay. Whether or not they’ll be able to do that is to be determined.