NBA Power Rankings: Cade Cunningham, Pistons motor into an elite tier – The Athletic

Album of the Week: “Days Are Gone”, HAIM (2013)

Injuries are not an excuse for poor performance!

I’ve used this line already this month, and it wasn’t the first time. It is one of my canons in sport. No one wants to see injuries. But injuries will happen. And it won’t always be because of the pace of play, or the back-to-backs, or the 82-game season. How many players showed up to training camp physically unable to participate?

There is no “if healthy” when it comes to preparing for a team’s season or evaluating a player. It’s “when injured”. Teams are going to have injuries. They might affect stars, other starters, role players coming off the bench, or even the players who were supposed to be developing behind the scenes.

So is a team deep enough to account for those injuries? Does the coach put his available players in a position to succeed? Are the remaining stars capable of being floor raisers with depleted rosters? Does the locker room believe they can win games and stay together and make the most of opportunities?

Injuries are a consequence of the sport we all follow. Nobody is feeling sorry for the other teams. They affect everyone. So we are going to look at how each NBA team is dealing with a significant injury absence a month into the season.

Fine print: these Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each 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

What to expect from Power Rankings:

• These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
• These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
• These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
• The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
• Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!

For Week 5 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore the most notable injury for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.

Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-1)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs GS, W vs LAL, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 118.2 (5th place)
Defensive rating: 102.8 (1st place)

Most notable injury: SF Jalen Williams (right wrist surgery)

This team has to play 47 games before they see the Nuggets, although the Western Conference finals rematch with the Timberwolves is next week — it doesn’t quite hit the same. Perhaps we will see Williams by then, as he has yet to make his season debut after playing through a torn ligament in his shooting wrist for the entire championship run. With Williams out, reigning MVP/scoring champion/NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken the opportunity to score at least 30 points in under 30 minutes seven times, already matching his sub-30-minute 30-point games from all of last season.

2. Denver Nuggets (10-2)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at SAC, W at LAC, W at MIN
Offensive rating: 122.4 (2nd place)
Defensive rating: 109.4 (2nd place)

Most notable injury: SG Christian Braun (left ankle sprain)

Braun and Cameron Johnson (biceps) both were injured in Los Angeles on Wednesday. While Johnson’s injury is relatively minor, Braun won’t be seen until after Christmas. That opens the door for Tim Hardaway Jr. to start for a while for a Nuggets team off to its best 12-game start in 40 seasons.

3. Detroit Pistons (11-2)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs WAS, W vs CHI, W vs PHI
Offensive rating: 115.7 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 109.5 (3rd place)

Most notable injury: SG Jaden Ivey (right knee scope)

Detroit has won nine straight games. You realize that two seasons ago, the Pistons did not reach their ninth win of the season until the end of February, right? Even last season, Detroit didn’t win its ninth game until the end of November. And while Ivey hasn’t played since Jan. 1, the Pistons have had missed games by every single starter during this win streak except Ivey’s replacement, newcomer Duncan Robinson. That includes the wins against the Bulls and the 76ers, where Daniss Jenkins, Ron Holland II, Javonte Green and Paul Reed started both games in place of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren.

4. Houston Rockets (9-3)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs WAS, W vs POR, W vs ORL
Offensive rating: 123.4 (1st place)
Defensive rating: 111.9 (8th place)

Most notable injury: PG Fred VanVleet (right ACL)

After a 0-2 start, the Rockets have won 9 of 10. They’re just thoroughly overwhelming on the glass, which makes up for whatever ball-handling loss they have with VanVleet out for the season. Houston is getting quite thin, as forward Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) hasn’t debuted yet, while forward Tari Eason (oblique) is probably out until winter.

5. New York Knicks (8-4)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs MEM, L vs ORL, W vs MIA
Offensive rating: 121.6 (3rd place)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (16th place)

Most notable injury: PG Jalen Brunson (right ankle sprain)

Brunson injured the same ankle this past week that cost him a month last season. It doesn’t sound like Brunson is dealing with as severe an injury this time around, and of course, Karl-Anthony Towns goes all the way off in his first half without Brunson this season, as Towns scored 31 of his season-high 39 points before halftime against the Heat Friday night. But now the Knicks also have to be wary of OG Anunoby’s hamstring strain from that same game against the Heat, an injury that will cost him the rest of November.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Golden State Warriors (9-6)

Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at OKC, W at SA, W at SA, W at NO
Offensive rating: 113.6 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (7th place)

Most notable injury: PF Jonathan Kuminga (patellar tendonitis)

Kuminga has missed the last two games because of injury, and before that, he lost the starting job that he came out of training camp with. While Kuminga is capable of putting up impressive scoring numbers, his impact and fit have been rough, as the Warriors have been outscored by at least 10 points during Kuminga’s minutes in five games already this season. Golden State has been a significantly better defense with Kuminga off the floor.

7. Los Angeles Lakers (10-4)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W at CHA, L at OKC, W at NO, W at MIL
Offensive rating: 115.4 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (14th place)

Most notable injury: PF LeBron James (sciatica)

The Los Angeles Lakers are 10-4, and they finished their road trip strong just as they say Aslan is on the move. LeBron James has never had to debut after the start of his team’s season, but not only will he do so at age 40, he will do so on a team that does not need to be saved. The timing is also interesting, as the Lakers play only the Utah Jazz (twice) over nine days, enough time to have a James training camp.

8. San Antonio Spurs (9-4)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at CHI, L vs GS, L vs GS, W vs SAC
Offensive rating: 117.1 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 111.3 (5th place)

Most notable injury: PG Dylan Harper (left calf strain)

Starting point guard De’Aaron Fox came back just as Harper got injured. And now with Fox finishing his first week, shooting guard Stephon Castle left Fox’s Revenge Game against the Kings with a left hip injury. The Spurs couldn’t quite figure out the Warriors this week, but Fox and Victor Wembanyama have already played more minutes together this season (123) than all of last season (120).

9. Toronto Raptors (8-5)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W at BRK, W at CLE, W at IND
Offensive rating: 118.2 (6th place)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (13th place)

Most notable injury: C Jakob Poeltl (back)

The Raptors have been among the healthiest teams in the league. Jakob Poeltl has missed four games this season because of his back, and Toronto split those games. But Poeltl is healthy now, and Toronto has received 141 minutes out of the foursome of Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. Those four played only 140 minutes together all of last season, and obviously Brandon Ingram is playing with those, though Toronto’s bench is still where the Raptors have been at their best this season.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-5)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W at UTA, W vs SAC, L vs DEN
Offensive rating: 119.1 (4th place)
Defensive rating: 114.7 (17th place)

Most notable injury: SG Anthony Edwards (right hamstring)

Seven Timberwolves average at least 20 minutes per game this season. Edwards is the only one of those seven players who has missed any games, and a right hamstring strain only cost Edwards four games. Backup wing Terrence Shannon Jr. is out for at least a week with a bone bruise in his left foot, but Shannon is off to a rough start (32.1 percent field goals) in limited run (16.5 minutes per game).

11. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L at MIA, W at MIA, L vs TOR, W vs MEM
Offensive rating: 116.7 (11th place)
Defensive rating: 112.5 (9th place)

Most notable injury: PG Darius Garland (left great toe)

It is cruel irony that Garland comes back and then aggravates his surgically-repaired toe in Miami, which is where he missed playoff games last spring. Donovan Mitchell is Cleveland’s best player, but pairing Garland with Mitchell makes Kenny Atkinson’s offense pop. We’ll see how long Garland takes to get back and stay back from his latest setback, and we’ll also see when former starter Max Strus (left foot Jones fracture) can make his season debut as well.

12. Atlanta Hawks (9-5)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W at LAC, W at SAC, W at UTA, W at PHO
Offensive rating: 114.9 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 111.6 (6th place)

Most notable injury: PG Trae Young (right MCL sprain)

I’m not going to say the Hawks don’t miss Young, who has only played 139 minutes this season. Atlanta has been outscored by 24 points in Young’s minutes, while Atlanta has outscored foes by 74 points with Young off the floor or out of the lineup. The Hawks are showing during this five-game win streak that they can score enough points while defending much better without having to worry about covering for Young.

Tier 3: The Bubble

13. Phoenix Suns (8-6)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W vs NO, W at DAL, W vs IND, L vs ATL
Offensive rating: 117.3 (9th place)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (12th place)

Most notable injury: SG Jalen Green (right hamstring strain)

The Suns have a winning record through four weeks despite getting only five quarters from Green. A Year 8 breakout from Grayson Allen has certainly helped Phoenix deal with Green’s false start of a season, as Allen is averaging a career-best 18.5 points, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.9 3s which was bolstered by a 42-point, 10-3-pointer destruction of the Pelicans. Allen was out Sunday against the Hawks, and Devin Booker and company couldn’t hold onto a 22-point fourth-quarter lead.

14. Miami Heat (7-6)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs CLE, L vs CLE, L at NY
Offensive rating: 116.7 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (15th place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery)

Herro is coming up on two months after his September surgery this week, so his return could be imminent. It’s not like he’ll be coming back and running a ton of pick-and-rolls (or… any pick-and-rolls), so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to Miami’s new style of play. Miami is also awaiting the return of Bam Adebayo from a toe injury that has cost him the last five games.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (7-5)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs BOS, L at DET
Offensive rating: 118.0 (7th place)
Defensive rating: 115.2 (18th place)

Most Notable Injury: PF Paul George (left knee surgery)

George is who I am featuring here, because he hasn’t played all season (though he will make his season debut Monday night against his former team, the LA Clippers) and the 76ers simply need to get some relief for NBA minutes leader Tyrese Maxey — and, while we’re at it, VJ Edgecombe as well. But Embiid missed consecutive games for the first time this week, while Jared McCain has missed all nine of his field goal attempts in his first 31 minutes this season. Kelly Oubre Jr. has a left knee sprain that could lead to an extended absence as well. It feels like it still might be a while until the 76ers have all of their pieces rolling at the same time.

16. Boston Celtics (7-7)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at PHI, W vs MEM, W vs LAC
Offensive rating: 117.9 (8th place)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (11th place)

Most Notable Injury: PF Jayson Tatum (right Achilles)

Other than Tatum, the Boston Celtics happen to be completely healthy right now. So let me use this space this week to share what head coach Joe Mazzulla said when asked by a junior reporter on kids day at TD Garden about balancing pushing players to improve while also keeping the game fun for them:

I struggle with that. To be honest with you. I think everyone has a different definition of fun. And you have to find one as a team. And, you know, I think fun is a cop out sometimes when things aren’t going well. Everybody likes to say, ‘Well, let’s just have fun.’ 
And it’s like, well, you know, what does that mean? You know? And so, I think you have to define what fun looks like as a team. 
And then you kind of have to go after that. But, you know, that phrase can be a cop out sometimes. So as you get older, kid, don’t use it, you know? “I just want to have fun.” 
Well, what does that mean? So, you know, you just gotta define that. It’s a good question. I struggle with that.

Never change, Joe!

17. Milwaukee Bucks (8-6)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W at DAL, L at CHA, W vs CHA, L vs LAL
Offensive rating: 116.3 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Kevin Porter Jr. (right meniscus surgery)

Porter injured himself in the first game of the season, and though he was the starting point guard, the Bucks have shown they could handle an injury at that position. Ryan Rollins has been efficient and solid as a 30-minute player, while Cole Anthony is averaging 5.0 assists per game despite averaging just under 20 minutes per game. But we all know this is the Giannis Antetokounmpo show anyway.

18. Orlando Magic (7-7)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs POR, W at NY, W vs BRK, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 114.1 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (10th place)

Most Notable Injury: PF Paolo Banchero (left groin strain)

An exciting week for the Magic, as Desmond Bane saved his one made 3-pointer against the Trail Blazers for the buzzer and Orlando got over .500. Maybe they would have stayed there if they could have grabbed a rebound in Houston. Banchero left the game in New York early, which put Tristan da Silva in the starting lineup.

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

19. Portland Trail Blazers (6-7)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L at ORL, W at NO, L at HOU, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 116.3 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 116.3 (21st place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear)

The third overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft, Henderson has yet to debut this season because of his injury. Jrue Holiday has been great this season, but he had to miss his first game of the season Sunday in Dallas because of right calf soreness. It’s not a coincidence that Portland wound up giving up 138 points to the Mavericks’ woeful offense. Portland also won’t have reserve defenders Matisse Thybulle (left thumb) or Blake Wesley (right foot) for a while.

20. Utah Jazz (5-8)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs MIN, W vs IND, L vs ATL, W vs CHI
Offensive rating: 113.5 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 118.1 (23rd place)

Most Notable Injury: C Walker Kessler (left shoulder surgery)

This is the second season in a row that the Jazz have lost one of their first round picks on a rookie contract to a season-ending injury before November. Last year it was power forward Taylor Hendricks, who is making his way back this season from a gruesome right leg injury. This year, it’s Kessler, who will enter restricted free agency. Kessler’s injury puts Jusuf Nurkić into a starting role, while Kevin Love has now played seven of eight games in November after being a DNP-CD in all five October games. What matters most right now is Lauri Markkanen playing in every game, and averaging more than 30 points in those games.

21. Chicago Bulls (6-6)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L vs SA, L at DET, L at UTA
Offensive rating: 114.8 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (19th place)

Most Notable Injury: SG Coby White (right calf)

White made his season debut in a particularly taxing environment: at altitude in Utah in a game that took two overtimes to decide. It was a great return game for White after he missed the first 11 games of the season, as White made all 14 of his free throws in a 27-point, 8-assist night. But the regression to the mean has come hard for the Bulls overall, who have now lost six of seven games (and needed a 24-point comeback in the lone win in that span).

22. Charlotte Hornets (4-9)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs LAL, W vs MIL, L at MIL, L vs OKC
Offensive rating: 115.1 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 118.3 (24th place)

Most Notable Injury: SG Brandon Miller (left shoulder subluxation)

I’m putting Miller here because he’s been out the longest, as he got injured in the second game of the season. But LaMelo Ball’s ankle is an issue again, as he’s missed six of the last seven games trying to get it right. There’s no stability with Charlotte’s best players, ever. Ball and Miller have been teammates for three seasons and they have played in the same game only 41 times (and for only 15 wins).

23. LA Clippers (4-9)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs ATL, L vs DEN, W at DAL, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 113.9 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 118.7 (25th place)

Most Notable Injury: SG Bradley Beal (left hip fracture)

The Clippers showed signs of shakiness in October. The issues have become an avalanche in November, with Beal suffering a season-ending injury, Kawhi Leonard missing every game but the first this month with an ankle/foot sprain, and Derrick Jones Jr. suffering a right knee injury in Boston that would take away LA’s best perimeter defender. The Clippers are relying on James Harden more than ever, and they don’t have the defensive execution to help them consistently win like last year.

24. Memphis Grizzlies (4-10)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at NY, L at BOS, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 108.4 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 116.3 (20th place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Ty Jerome (right calf strain)

Jerome is another player who was expected to be a major rotation piece and hasn’t debuted yet. The Grizzlies inked Jerome to a three-year contract so that he can be a strong pick-and-roll facilitator for 20-25 minutes per game, especially with Ja Morant’s increasing volatility. Jerome is expected to be re-evaluated this week, just as Morant deals with a sore right calf of his own that cut his start in Cleveland short.

25. Dallas Mavericks (4-10)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs MIL, L vs PHO, L vs LAC, W vs POR
Offensive rating: 105.8 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (4th place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Kyrie Irving (left ACL)

Well, the Mavericks fired Nico Harrison this week, and you could say injury has a lot to do with it. Irving tore his ACL in March and he is still months away from entertaining a return. Anthony Davis has missed nine of 14 games, and he’ll probably miss the rest of the month. Centers Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II have combined to miss 14 games this season. But these are all injury-prone players, and veterans Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell have already been relegated to the second unit. If you build an old, injury-prone team, while trading away a top-five player in the prime of his career, this is an expected result. At least Cooper Flagg isn’t being asked to run Jason Kidd’s offense anymore and is coming off his best week of games as a result.

Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Sacramento Kings (3-11)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs DEN, L vs ATL, L at MIN, L at SA
Offensive rating: 109.8 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 120.4 (27th place)

Most Notable Injury: PF Keegan Murray (left thumb)

Murray has now missed more games this season than he did in the first three seasons of his career combined (13). The Kings were 8-5 without Murray previously. They’re utterly lost without him. Sacramento is the second-oldest team in the league, they’ve already benched Dennis Schröder for Russell Westbrook, and they don’t do anything well offensively except avoid turnovers. And no, Keegan Murray is not good enough to fix enough of this.

27. Brooklyn Nets (2-11)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs TOR, L at ORL, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 112.6 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 124.0 (30th place)

Most Notable Injury: SG Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain)

Thomas had a left hamstring injury that ruined his contract year last season and he is back on the shelf with an injury to the same hamstring this month. It does sound like Thomas will have a chance to come back in December, but it’s an unfortunate challenge that Thomas has to deal with while in another contract year. Thomas’ injury has made the Nets offense move the ball a bit more while opening up starts for lottery rookie Egor Demin.

28. New Orleans Pelicans (2-11)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at PHO, L vs POR, L vs LAL, L vs GS
Offensive rating: 107.6 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 120.7 (28th place)

Most Notable Injury: PF Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain)

Williamson looked good on media day, but after playing in five of the first six games of the season, he’s been out for two weeks with yet another hamstring injury. New Orleans failed to win any games with Williamson, and a four-game losing streak without Williamson was the final nail in the coffin for head coach Willie Green, who has been replaced for the rest of the season by James Borrego. The Pelicans are also dealing with an injury to Jordan Poole (quad strain), while Dejounte Murray is still recovering from a right Achilles rupture. But this team is bad with awful vibes and an even worse outlook.

29. Indiana Pacers (1-12)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at UTA, L at PHO, L vs TOR
Offensive rating: 104.3 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 118.9 (26th place)

Most Notable Injury: PG Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles)

We all knew that Haliburton wouldn’t be a part of this season’s Pacers team, which made it critical for Indiana to be durable with the team they rolled out of training camp, especially since they had a massive hole at center in the wake of Myles Turner’s departure. The sheer volume of Indiana’s dissolution of depth has been staggering. The five players who have appeared in every game are three middling centers (Tony Bradley, Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff) and two 2023 draft picks shooting under 32 percent from the field (Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard). Point guards Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell are back from multi-week injuries, Bennedict Mathurin is nearing a return, and Pascal Siakam is doing all he can. But Aaron Nesmith is out for a month and Obi Toppin might not get healthy until the trade deadline.

30. Washington Wizards (1-12)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at DET, L at HOU, L vs BRK
Offensive rating: 107.3 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 123.4 (29th place)

Most Notable Injury: SG Bilal Coulibaly (left calf contusion)

Coulibaly has missed eight games already this season, first because of right thumb surgery and then because of the calf injury. But Coulibaly returned against the Nets, and the entire Washington team is fully healthy now. That health has not prevented the Wizards from losing half of their games by more than 20 points already.