Power Rankings, Week 4: Sizzling Sixers rise to the top
Tyrese Maxey’s big start to the season (and his 50-point explosion) helped Philadelphia move to the top of this week’s Power Rankings.
It still seems really early, but the 2023-24 season is almost 12% complete, and games that have been played over the first three weeks count just as much as any going forward. Some teams have put themselves in better position than we could have expected, while others have dug themselves into a small hole.
As we enter Week 4, there are still 44 of the 60 In-Season Tournament games left to play. Half of those 44 will be played on Tuesday and Friday, with some fun matchups — Spurs vs. Thunder on Tuesday (7:30 ET, TNT) and Rockets vs. Clippers on Friday (10:30 ET, League Pass) — included.
Yes, Rockets-Clippers!
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
- Right Way: Jayson Tatum (BOS) was a plus-72 in four games last week.
- Wrong Way: James Harden (LAC) was a minus-67 in four games last week.
Teams of the Week
- Make It Last Forever: Rockets (4-0) — Houston, we have competence.
- Something Just Ain’t Right: Clippers (0-4) — The Superteam Era is dead. Long live the Superteam Era.
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East vs. West
- The East is 23-22 (.511) against the West in interconference games after going 11-6 last week.
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Movement in the Rankings
- High jumps of the week: Houston (+18), Miami (+12), Indiana (+9), Oklahoma City (+9)
- Free falls of the week: New Orleans (-12), LA Clippers (-11), Atlanta (-7)
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Week 4 Team to Watch
- Minnesota — The Wolves’ six-game winning streak includes wins over the Nuggets, Celtics and Warriors. More challenges lay ahead, with another game against the Warriors (Tuesday, 10 ET on League Pass) and visits to Phoenix and New Orleans.
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Previously…
- Last week: Celtics take hold of top spot
- The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 112.2 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.
