Injury is not an excuse for substandard performance!
Of course, we want a league where teams are at full strength for as many games as possible and in the most important times. Generally, that’s the playoffs. But that also means the playoff-like atmosphere that pops up in the regular season every now and again.
We cannot always get that, though. We have a “Turn Injuries Off” culture, as if player availability has always been foolproof. There will always be injuries. You have players performing in their mid-30s after more than a dozen years in the league, players who we know are chronically injured and players who are more prone to injury because of the nature of their style or body type.
It is the responsibility, then, of everyone involved in an organization to build a culture of valid “Next Man Up” instead of using injury as a reason for falling short. Management has to build 15-to-18-man rosters of professionals ready to step in and show they belong. Coaches have to scheme and motivate teams to win with whoever is available on a night-to-night basis. And while players try to do what they can to stay on the floor and healthy, others get to show what they can do in expanded roles.
But while I say all of that, injuries do stink, and they affect every team. This week’s theme in The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings will identify a notable injury from every team as we reach the second half of November. Some teams are so banged up I had too many to choose from. But others have been fortunate enough where they are, as of now, rolling out relatively full-strength rosters. Hopefully it stays that way for those squads.
A reminder: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams.
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack.
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do.
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear.
Let’s dive into Week 4 of the Power Rankings. Win/loss records and statistics are through Monday’s games.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-0)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at PHI, W vs. CHI, W vs. CHA
Offensive rating: 122.1 (first)
Defensive rating: 110.7 (seventh)
Most Notable Injury: SF Max Strus (ankle sprain)
Cleveland is off to this incredible start, and that’s with Strus sidelined for all of it. Strus started all 70 games for the Cavaliers last season, his first with the franchise. How he figures back into the lineup bears watching; coach Kenny Atkinson has already made one adjustment to his starting five, going with Isaac Okoro lately after beginning the season with Dean Wade. Strus would give Cleveland a wing the size of Okoro but with more willingness to let it fly from deep, although Okoro is shooting 44.4 percent from 3 through 15 games.
2. Golden State Warriors (10-3)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs. DAL, W vs. MEM, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 116.7 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 107.3 (fourth)
Most Notable Injury: SG De’Anthony Melton (ACL sprain)
The Warriors have taken the approach of going with an expanded rotation perhaps more than any team in the league, outside of Oklahoma City. But losing Melton, a player who was going to play a lot in any role and was likely headed for a starter role, could be a critical blow. Melton has the nickname Mr. Do Something for a reason, as he can shoot, pass and defend at the shooting guard position. Golden State still has plenty of players to cycle through, such as spot starter Lindy Waters III, allowing Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski to power the second unit. But Melton’s skill set is hard for Golden State to duplicate in one player.
3. Boston Celtics (11-3)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L vs. ATL, W at BRK, W vs. TOR
Offensive rating: 121.4 (2nd)
Defensive rating: 111.2 (9th)
Most Notable Injury: C Kristaps Porziņģis (leg surgery)
I guess folks are inspired by the Celtics only beating opponents by 10.2 points per game this season, down slightly from the full-season 11.3 differential established last season. Boston has alternated annihilations with some nailbiters, though, and getting back Porziņģis — who was assigned to begin practicing with the G League Maine Celtics on Monday — will give the Celtics a legitimate interior presence.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-3)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs. NO, W vs. PHO, L vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 114.1 (11th)
Defensive rating: 102.4 (first)
Most Notable Injury: C Chet Holmgren (right hip)
The Thunder finally lost a game with Holmgren completely out of the lineup, getting overwhelmed by the athletic size of the Dallas Mavericks a week after Holmgren fell on his hip trying to rim protect against Andrew Wiggins. The good news is that free-agent acquisition Isaiah Hartenstein (hand) appears to be nearing a return from his own injury that has delayed his debut. Coincidentally, Hartenstein’s breakout as a starter with the New York Knicks last season came after then-starter Mitchell Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his ankle and was tagged with an eight-to-10-week recovery. Hartenstein kept the starting role for the rest of the season into the postseason, then cashed out with the Thunder.
5. Houston Rockets (10-5)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs. LAC, W vs. LAC, W at CHI, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 113.2 (13th)
Defensive rating: 105.2 (third)
Most Notable Injury: C Steven Adams (knee recovery)
Houston has enjoyed a remarkably healthy start to the season. The only player in its top eight who has missed even one game is Fred VanVleet, who missed a game with a hamstring issue. Adams has only been able to play in seven of 15 games, and he has yet to reach 16 minutes as Alperen Şengün’s backup. But even the little bit of time Adams has been able to play is a bonus, as these are Adams’ first games since January 2023.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Los Angeles Lakers (9-4)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. MEM, W at SA, W at NO
Offensive rating: 117.7 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 116.9 (25th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Jarred Vanderbilt (foot surgery)
Vanderbilt has yet to debut this season, and last season was a wash, as he played only 581 minutes while dealing with heel and foot injuries. Theoretically, Vanderbilt would give the Lakers an offensive rebounder, a point-of-attack defender and an athlete who can help the NBA’s worst transition defense. The Lakers also don’t have a legitimate backup power forward if they continue to start Rui Hachimura next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, although that decision bears watching depending on what happens with emerging rookie small forward Dalton Knecht.
7. Orlando Magic (9-6)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs. CHA, W vs. IND, W vs. PHI, W at PHO
Offensive rating: 109.2 (25th)
Defensive rating: 103.9 (second)
Most Notable Injury: PF Paolo Banchero (oblique)
Banchero tore his oblique in Chicago two days after dropping 50 points on the Pacers, and the Magic lost five in a row. But they have found themselves, winning six straight games; all but five of the wins during the win streak have come by at least 10 points. Orlando is asking Franz Wagner to do everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) lately, and Wagner has responded with 29.0 points, 6.3 assists (only 1.0 turnover!), 1.5 steals and 2.8 3s (37.0 percent) during Orlando’s win streak. That, combined with Orlando’s stingy defense, might give Wagner a chance to be an All-Star this season.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (8-6)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at LAL, L at GS, W vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 115.4 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 108.6. (fifth)
Most Notable Injury: PG Ja Morant (right hip)
The Grizzlies already have won games by 24, 45 and 15 points with Morant out this season. And while Morant recovers from an injury he suffered while being unable to land properly following a collision following an alley-oop attempt, the Grizzlies are getting back players who had been out. Luke Kennard made his season debut in the game Morant was injured. Desmond Bane is back, as is Marcus Smart. Vince Williams Jr. has returned. Once Morant comes back, the only player left for Memphis to debut will be 2024 All-Rookie selection GG Jackson (foot surgery).
9. New York Knicks (8-6)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at PHI, L vs. CHI, W vs. BRK, W vs. BRK, W vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 121.1 (third)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (21st)
Most Notable Injury: C Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery)
New York has an offensively potent starting lineup. But one of the reasons center Karl-Anthony Towns is a Knick in the first place is because of the long-term injury to Robinson. New York is still thin up front, with backup power forward Precious Achiuwa missing time as well to begin the season. Getting Robinson back would allow New York to improve its rim protection.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-6)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L at POR, L at POR, W at SAC, W vs. PHO
Offensive rating: 114.5 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (12th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Julius Randle (shoulder surgery)
Randle hasn’t missed any regular-season games after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in April on his right (non-shooting) shoulder. Minnesota plays a stingy eight-man rotation at full health, and the only one of those eight players who has missed any games is 37-year-old point guard Mike Conley, who didn’t play the second game in Portland on zero days’ rest. Randle’s volume isn’t what it used to be in New York, but he is shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from 3 and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line, all of which would be four-year highs.
11. LA Clippers (8-7)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at HOU, L at HOU, W vs. UTA, W vs. GS
Offensive rating: 110.2 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 109.7 (sixth)
Most Notable Injury: PF Kawhi Leonard (knee inflammation)
Everything for the Clippers is seemingly about playing well enough to give Leonard a chance to play for a winning team. When the Warriors and Clippers met Monday night, both teams had at least 30 points allowed off turnovers. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue declared after the game that, “However we got to win, we just got to win games until we get No. 2 back.” Lue wasn’t talking about a pencil. Leonard is the only 2024 All-NBA selection who has yet to take the floor this season, but the Clippers have been a top-10 defense while they wait on him.
12. Sacramento Kings (8-7)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs. PHO, L vs. MIN, W vs. UTA, L vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 115.9 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 112.6 (14th)
Most Notable Injury: SF DeMar DeRozan (back)
Sacramento expects DeRozan, center Domantas Sabonis (back) and top reserve shooting guard Malik Monk (ankle) to be back by next week. DeRozan is the bigger concern, if only because he has so many miles on him at age 35. The absence of so many Kings scorers has put point guard De’Aaron Fox into the kind of workload that leads to extraordinary outputs (109 points on back-to-back nights for Fox over the weekend).
13. Denver Nuggets (7-5)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L at NO, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 113.7 (12th)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (18th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Aaron Gordon (calf strain)
Gordon was diagnosed with a calf strain nearly two weeks ago, and he may not return this month. It has made an already shallow Nuggets team that much more thin. But third-year forward Peyton Watson has started in Gordon’s place and has put his activity to use, averaging 13.4 points on 54.2 percent from the field as a starter to go along with 1.2 blocks. Watson’s 3-pointer has also come around, as he has made 9 of 18 attempts. Gordon’s injury opening the door to Watson’s improved confidence should pay dividends once Gordon returns.
Tier 3: The Bubble
14. Phoenix Suns (9-6)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at UTA, L at SAC, L at OKC, L at MIN, L vs. ORL
Offensive rating: 112.1 (15th)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (19th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Kevin Durant (calf strain)
Durant is 36, and a calf strain this offseason kept him from playing with Team USA until the squad left the U.S. portion of the exhibition schedule this summer. It is disappointing that Durant is missing time with the same calf issue, but it is probably not surprising that something came up. Durant began this season averaging 38.8 minutes per game, the most since his fourth NBA season. Phoenix is a little lost right now, getting outscored on the season while Bradley Beal deals with his own calf strain.
15. Dallas Mavericks (7-7)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L at GS, L at UTA, W vs. SA, W at OKC
Offensive rating: 114.8 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 111.0 (eighth)
Most Notable Injury: PF P.J. Washington (knee sprain)
Washington missed 12 days with a knee sprain, and the Mavericks suffered four straight losses in the process, all within three points. Fortunately for Dallas, Washington was able to return in time for one of the very best lines of his career: 27 points, 17 rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting in a close win at Oklahoma City. Washington shouldn’t have to be that critical. But his engagement and activity complement the Mavs, and none of their bench players showed they can be relied on to step into the lineup like Washington.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
16. Detroit Pistons (7-9)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W vs. MIA, L at MIL, W at TOR, W at WAS, L vs. CHI
Offensive rating: 110.4 (19th)
Defensive rating: 111.4 (10th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Ausar Thompson (blood clot recovery)
Thompson hasn’t played since March 9 but was recently cleared to return to action. How he will fit the Pistons is a mystery. Detroit has won seven of its last 12 games and has a top-10 defense. The backup forwards are shooter Simone Fontecchio and rookie top-five pick Ron Holland II. Taking either out of the lineup to fit Thompson does not sound convenient, but at least the Pistons can continue taking their time to make that decision.
17. Miami Heat (6-7)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at DET, W at IND, L at IND, W vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 112.1 (16th)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (11th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Jimmy Butler (ankle)
Butler returned to action Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers as a starting point guard, in place of Terry Rozier (foot). It was Butler’s first game in 10 days, and unsurprisingly, it was his best of the season (30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, zero turnovers). This is Butler’s age-35 season, and he has missed at least 15 games in each season since leaving Chicago in 2017. Butler’s protege Jaime Jaquez Jr. is now the one dealing with an ankle sprain with Butler back in the lineup.
18. Portland Trail Blazers (6-8)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W vs. MIN, W vs. MIN, W vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 106.8 (28th)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (17th)
Most Notable Injury: C Deandre Ayton (right finger)
Leave it to Ayton to suffer an injury that makes it clear to Portland how it might be better off with him out of the lineup. Portland used a top-10 pick on center Donovan Clingan while retaining center Robert Williams III from the Jrue Holiday trade in the 2023 offseason. Williams returned to the floor after missing more than a year following knee surgery, while Clingan has averaged 4.7 offensive rebounds and 4.0 blocks in three games as a starter with Ayton out, all Portland wins.
19. Atlanta Hawks (7-8)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: W at BOS, W vs. WAS, L at POR, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 112.0 (17th)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (22nd)
Most Notable Injury: SG Bogdan Bogdanović (hamstring)
The Hawks finally got Bogdanović back from injury after he went down in Week 1, and he wasn’t the only one. Backup point guard Kobe Bufkin made his season debut in Sacramento as well, giving Atlanta some much needed on-ball relief for Trae Young and the second unit. Backup forwards De’Andre Hunter and Vit Krejčí have also come back after both have already missed at least 10 games each.
20. Indiana Pacers (6-8)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at ORL, L vs. MIA, W vs. MIA, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 113.0 (14th)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (23rd)
Most Notable Injury: SG Andrew Nembhard (knee inflammation)
In addition to Nembhard, the Pacers have also been missing starting small forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) since Nov. 1. But Bennedict Mathurin is starting in place of Nesmith, which is a smooth fit. Nembhard has not been as easy to replace, and Nembhard hasn’t played very well to begin the season even when available to play. The Pacers have also taken a huge hit to their depth with the season-ending Achilles tears to reserve centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson.
21. San Antonio Spurs (6-8)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W vs. WAS, L vs. LAL, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 110.2 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (13th)
Most Notable Injury: C Victor Wembanyama (knee contusion)
San Antonio has had other injuries to deal with: Shooting guard Devin Vassell missed the first nine games of the season recovering from a foot injury and still isn’t starting yet, while power forward Jeremy Sochan had surgery to repair a fractured thumb suffered two weeks ago. But everything revolves around Wembanyama, arguably the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year along with Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks. Wembanyama isn’t expected to be out long with his knee issue, but any missed time is notable.
22. Charlotte Hornets (5-8)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at ORL, W vs. MIL, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 109.5 (24th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (20th)
Most Notable Injury: C Mark Williams (foot tendon strain)
Williams has had a very difficult time staying on the floor. He played in only 43 games as a rookie, with Charlotte taking it slow to put him on the floor. Back issues ended Williams’ season last year after only 19 games. And now, Williams has yet to debut. Nick Richards emerged as a starter in Williams’ stead last year, but now Richards is out with a rib fracture. The beneficiary has been two-way contract Moussa Diabaté, who ran off a streak of four straight double-digit rebound games over the past 10 days.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (5-9)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W vs. TOR, W vs. DET, L at CHA, W vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 110.3 (21st)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (15th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Khris Middleton (ankle surgeries)
The Bucks have started to turn things around a bit after losing eight out of nine games. Giannis Antetokounmpo has put the team on his back for some games, while point guard Damian Lillard had to get out of concussion protocol. The final part of the star core for the Bucks is Middleton, who has yet to debut after undergoing surgery on his ankles this offseason.
24. Chicago Bulls (6-9)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W at NY, L at CLE, L vs. HOU, W at DET
Offensive rating: 110.3 (20th)
Defensive rating: 116.9 (24th)
Most Notable Injury: PG Lonzo Ball (wrist sprain)
Small forward Zach LaVine missed a few games this month while dealing with a shoulder injury, but otherwise, the Bulls have been mostly healthy. The exception has been Ball, who is already playing a limited role in his first NBA games since January 2022.
25. Brooklyn Nets (5-9)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L vs. BOS, L at NY, L at NY
Offensive rating: 114.3 (10th)
Defensive rating: 117.1 (26th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Bojan Bogdanović (foot recovery)
The Nets have put together a top-10 offense built around the strong 3-point shooting of shooting guard Cam Thomas, point guard Dennis Schröder, power forward Cameron Johnson and center Dorian Finney-Smith. All four players make at least 2.3 3s per game while shooting at least 38.1 percent from distance. It is easy to see how Bogdanović would fit in, as he has made at least 2.3 3s per game in each of the previous five seasons at 38.7 percent or better. In the meantime, Brooklyn’s bench lacks the same kind of reliable shooting.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. New Orleans Pelicans (4-10)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs. DEN, L vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 108.3 (26th)
Defensive rating: 117.2 (28th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Zion Williamson (hamstring strain)
It might be easier to list who is actually available to play for this snakebitten franchise. Williamson’s hamstring injury is to the same leg that kept him out of the playoffs in April, and it came after every guard suffered a multi-week injury: Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), Jose Alvarado (hamstring), Jordan Hawkins (back) and Herb Jones (shoulder) have all missed time. Trey Murphy III only came back a week ago. The Pelicans are so depleted that the available player who is second on the team in touches per game behind Brandon Ingram is two-way contract Brandon Boston Jr., who was added to the team after the Spurs waived him following the preseason. Someone has to dribble with Williamson and every guard out.
27. Utah Jazz (3-10)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs. PHO, W vs. DAL, L at SAC, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 107.4 (27th)
Defensive rating: 118.5 (29th)
Most Notable Injury: PF Taylor Hendricks (fibula fracture)
In a season where development matters more than wins, it is very difficult to see a player like Hendricks have to focus on recovery from a devastating early-season injury. Hendricks’ absence has allowed for more minutes from lottery rookie small forward Cody Williams and early second-round rookie Kyle Filipowski. But Hendricks lost reps this season that he and the Jazz needed to see him get.
28. Toronto Raptors (3-12)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at MIL, L vs. DET, L at BOS, W vs. IND
Offensive rating: 111.5 (18th)
Defensive rating: 117.2 (27th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture)
Barnes’ bid to build on an All-Star season last year has been interrupted by recovery to his eye area; he hasn’t played this month. Toronto has had to go small to begin games, starting Ochai Agbaji in Barnes’ place next to power forward RJ Barrett. The Raptors have also had to deal with multiple injuries to starting point guard Immanuel Quickley. Davion Mitchell, Jamal Shead and Jonathan Mogbo have played increased roles with Barnes and Quickley missing time.
29. Philadelphia 76ers (2-11)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs. NY, L vs. CLE, L at ORL, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 104.2 (30th)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (16th)
Most Notable Injury: PG Tyrese Maxey (hamstring)
What a disaster. Maxey’s injury has actually helped a player like rookie Jared McCain emerge as a Rookie of the Year contender, but this is a three-star team that has yet to have its three stars play together. And even when Maxey gets back, the Sixers are several weeks from breaking even with the hole they are in. The wait for Joel Embiid (knee) to get healthy was a clamorous one, and all Embiid has done in three games since is shoot 32.4 percent from the field and 15.4 percent. He clearly isn’t close to the form the Sixers need him to be. And 15-year veteran Paul George isn’t much better, making it through only seven games while shooting 39.6 percent from the field. This is a flawed group, and it starts at the top.
30. Washington Wizards (2-11)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at SA, L at ATL, L vs. DET, L at NY
Offensive rating: 106.6 (29th)
Defensive rating: 120.3 (30th)
Most Notable Injury: SF Saddiq Bey (ACL surgery)
Malcolm Brogdon got back from his delayed start to his Washington tenure after thumb surgery, so now the only Wizard who is on the standard contract roster and has yet to play is fellow offseason acquisition Bey. Washington’s priority this season is to give 2023 lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly as much run as he can handle, while getting Kyshawn George opportunities as well. Coulibaly has been great, while George (34.8 percent field goals) will help Washington draft more help.
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(Top photo of Zion Williamson: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)
