The last remaining NBA team with a loss suffered its second setback Sunday when the Golden State Warriors lost to the Charlotte Hornets. Stephen Curry started the week with a 50-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks, and he scored 40 against the Chicago Bulls on Friday, but went 7-for-22 from the field in Sunday's loss.
The Warriors still have the best record in the West and Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns are close behind, riding an eight-game winning streak that has moved them into second place in the West. The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, continue to try to stay afloat as LeBron James recovers from an abdominal injury that has sidelined him for the past six games.
In the East, Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards are trying to stay ahead of a growing Brooklyn Nets team that has seemingly found its rhythm after a rocky start. The Miami Heat have calmed down, while the Milwaukee Bucks have lost seven of their last 10 games.
Can the Bucks stop their slump? Will the Warriors falter when they hit the road? Can the Lakers return to the top of the West? Our experts take a look at where the 30 teams stand after four weeks of play.
Note: Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk) ranks the 30 teams from top to bottom, making a balance of the teams that play better basketball now and which teams look the most like title contenders.
1. Golden State WarriorsRecord: 11-2Previous Rank: 2
Stephen Curry didn't have the homecoming he wanted in Sunday's loss to the Hornets, going just 7-for-22 from the field, but at 11-2, the Warriors still feel good about the direction they're headed. they run thanks in large part to a deep roster that is playing well together at the start of the year. The Warriors' first big test of the year comes Tuesday night as they watch former teammate Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets as they continue their first first road trip of the season on the East Coast. --Friedell
This week: @BKN, @CLE, @DET, TOR
2. Brooklyn NetsRecord: 10-4Previous Rank: 4
It's been a pretty chaotic few weeks for the Nets. And yet, despite the absence of Kyrie Irving and the slow start of James Harden, they are tied for first place in the East with the Wizards, and have put several games between themselves and their potential rivals for the top spot, the Wizards. Milwaukee Bucks. With better days almost ahead for Harden, things are looking pretty promising in Brooklyn ahead of a showdown with the West-leading Warriors on Tuesday at Barclays Center.-- Bontemps
This week: GS, CLE, ENT
3. Phoenix SunsRecord: 9-3Previous Rank: 7
JaVale McGee has had to step up with Deandre Ayton losing time this season, and he had his biggest game of the year on Sunday in a big win against the Rockets. In just 25 minutes, McGee produced 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He became the 10th player in the NBA to reach those marks in a game in just 25 minutes. In six starts this season, McGee is averaging 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. Phoenix is 6-0 in those games.--Lopez
This week: @MIN, DAL, DAL, DEN
4. Washington WizardsRecord: 9-3Previous Rank: 11
The Wizards lead the East at 9-3, and with a slightly better winning percentage than the Nets (10-4). They've won four straight, and they've done it in different ways, beating Memphis at the same time they pulled off a narrow victory over the improved Cavs. Washington also won without having to rely on its star, Bradley Beal, who struggled, shooting 4-for-19, in a win over Cleveland before learning his grandmother had died. He did not play in Saturday's win over Orlando and will miss Monday's game against New Orleans. But the Wizards are deeper and have more scorers this season, and it's showing.--Youngmisuk
This week: NO, @CHA, @MIA, MIA
5. Denver NuggetsRecord: 9-4Previous Rank: 10
Last week began with the Nuggets wondering if their franchise player would receive a multi-game suspension. But league MVP Nikola Jokic received just a one-game suspension for running into Markieff Morris from behind after fouling out in Denver's 113-96 win over Miami. The skirmish sparked a lot of emotions, including a social media exchange between Jokic's brothers and Morris's twin brother, Clippers' Marcus Morris. Despite not having their top three players in Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets beat the Pacers. And with Jokic back in the lineup, Denver passed Atlanta and Portland. The Nuggets have won five straight, the last four without Porter, whose return remains up in the air with a back injury. - -- Youngmisuk
This week: @DAL, PHI, CHI, @PHX
6. Miami HeatRecord: 8-5Previous Rank: 3
After three straight losses, including some fireworks in Monday's loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Heat earned a nice win over the Jazz on Saturday as Tyler Herro added 27 points. Jimmy Butler is still dealing with a sprained ankle, but Miami finally gets a short two-game rest at home after Monday's game against the Thunder. --Friedell
This week: @OKC, NO, WAS, @WAS
7. Chicago BullsRecord: 9-4Previous Rank: 9
Chicago will have to figure out how to adjust to playing without center Nikola Vucevic, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, but the Bulls continued their hot start by winning three of four games last week. His bench should get a scoring boost this week when Coby White makes his season debut Monday against the Lakers. -- collier
This week: @LAL, @POR, @DEN, NY
8. Utah JazzRecord: 8-5Previous Rank: 5
After a 7-1 start, Utah has lost four of its last five games. The Jazz's defense has been terrible during the slump at 1-4, allowing 114.5 points per 100 possessions, which is more than any team in the league is giving up this season. Frustrations boiled over during the run-in at the end of Thursday's loss to the Pacers, which resulted in the ejection of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles and an $85,000 fine. --MacMahon
This week: PHI, TOR, @SAC
9. Dallas MavericksRecord: 8-4Previous Rank: 6
Dallas is tied for the third-best record in the West despite ranking ninth in the conference in point difference. The Mavs have swept mediocre and poor competition, but they lost by double-digit margins to each of the three teams they've faced that currently have winning records, as well as the now-struck Hawks. Dallas' next seven games are against .500-plus foes. --MacMahon
This week: DEN, @PHX, @PHX, @LAC
10. Philadelphia 76ersRecord: 8-6Previous Rank: 1
Philadelphia followed up an impressive 4-0 week with an 0-4 performance, which happened, in large part, because Joel Embiid was sidelined for all four games after testing positive for COVID-19. While Tyrese Maxey continues to give 76ers fans things to be excited about, and the team fought valiantly while with several players out, losses are losses. A five-game trip to the West is coming up. -- Bontemps
This week: @UTAH, @DEN, @POR
11. Los Angeles Lakers Record: 8-6 Previous Rank: 15
Could L.A. be turning a corner? After Sunday's 114-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers are 3-3 without LeBron James since being sidelined with an abdominal strain, a source close to the 19-year-old told ESPN. that James' return is "soon". Meanwhile, the rest of the Lakers are getting healthier, as Wayne Ellington (out the first eight games due to a hamstring injury) and Talen Horton-Tucker (out the first 13 games after surgery thumb) scored 15 and 17 points, respectively. against the Spurs. . -- McMenamin
This week: CHI, @MIL, @BOS, @DET
12. LA Clippers Record: 8-5 Previous Rank: 20
The Clippers suffered their first loss of November on Sunday as the Bulls, increasingly seen as one of the best teams in the league, snapped their seven-game winning streak. The Clippers look a lot like the team that reached the Western Conference finals last season. They have defended and played with a lot of fun during the winning stretch, even with Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris out and Serge Ibaka playing sparingly in only two of the games as he recovers from injury. After a tough seven-game stretch, Eric Bledsoe is starting to look like the point guard the Clippers envisioned over the past four games. Paul George continues to play like a do-it-all MVP candidate, and Reggie Jackson is a catalyst when the Clippers are at their best. --Youngmisuk
This week: SA, @MEM, @NO, DAL
13. Cleveland CavaliersRecord: 9-5Previous Rank: 16
It's starting to look like the Cavs' early-season success will be sustainable. Now winners of six of seven, the only loss down that stretch coming due to two 3-pointers by Wizards' Kyle Kuzma in the final 30 seconds, Cleveland has not only shown that it can win without Collin Sexton (meniscus tear), but seems to be improving. Saturday's 91-89 win over the Celtics came after trailing by 19 late in the third quarter and was led by Darius Garland's 22 points. "We're here and we're not behind anymore," Garland said after the game. -- McMenamin
This week: BOS, @BKN, GS
14. Milwaukee BucksRecord: 6-8Previous Rank: 8
The Bucks have started their title defense slower than expected, but a pair of wins last week will keep their hands off the panic button for now. Khris Middleton is expected to rejoin the team as soon as Wednesday night ahead of a five-game home series against favorable competition, which should provide a big boost to an offense that has struggled to score consistently. .--Collier
This week: LAL, OKC, ORL
15. New York KnicksRecord: 7-6Previous Rank: 12
New York's starting five are being outscored by more than 14 points per 100 possessions. New York's bench unit is outscoring teams by nearly 20 points per 100 possessions. The Knicks, coached, remember, by Tom Thibodeau, rank 24th in defensive rating. It's been a strange start to the season for the Knicks, who have gone 2-5 in November. -- Bontemps
This week: IND, ORL, HOU, @CHI
16. Charlotte HornetsRecord: 8-7Previous Rank: 17
Charlotte earned its third straight victory Sunday over the Warriors thanks in large part to the play of Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, who combined for 63 points. Wednesday's game against the Wizards should provide another test for a young team that has bounced back well after losing five straight games last week. --Friedell
This week: WAS, IND, @ATL
17. Toronto Raptors Record: 7-7 Previous Rank: 14
It looks like Toronto will be a tough team to play and a tough one to read. On Thursday, the Raptors had a nice win in Philadelphia, only to return home to drop a game to the Pistons on Saturday night. Toronto is another team that should be in the game all season in the East. -- Bontemps
This week: @POR, @UTAH, @SAC, @GS
18. Memphis Grizzlies Record: 6-7 Previous Rank: 13
Memphis is mired in a miserable stretch, losing four of its last five games with a point differential of minus 67 during that span. After the Pelicans snapped their nine-game losing streak at the Grizzlies' expense on Saturday, Ja Morant tweeted that he "has got to do more," but he's the only player in the league averaging at least 26 points and 7 assists per game. .-- MacMahon
This week: HOU, LAC, @MIN
19. Boston CelticsRecord: 6-7Previous Rank: 22
So far, Boston has lost two games in double overtime, lost another game on a Luka Doncic 3-pointer and gave up big fourth-quarter leads to Cleveland and Chicago. Oh, and Jayson Tatum is shooting 38.8% from the field. All of that is to say: It's been an awkward and difficult start. But the Celtics are still hovering around .500 and have a top-10 defense. Better days are ahead. -- Bontemps
This week: @CLE, @ATL, LAL, OKC
20. Portland Trail BlazersRecord: 6-8Previous Rank: 18
As if the Blazers didn't have enough to deal with, Damian Lillard is tending to a lower abdominal injury that sidelined him Sunday. Without his star, the Blazers lost 124-95 in Denver. Portland has lost three of its last four games by eight or more points. Off the field, the Blazers are dealing with general manager Neil Olshey's investigation. Rookie head coach Chauncey Billups has his work cut out for him.-- Youngmisuk
This week: TOR, CHI, PHI
21. Atlanta Hawks Record: 5-9 Previous Rank: 19
Trae Young scored 42 points and dished out ten assists as the Hawks snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over the Bucks on Sunday. According to ESPN's Statistics and Information Department, it was Young's eighth career 40-point, 10-assist game, breaking a tie with Luka Doncic for the most times in his first four seasons since the start. league merger (1976-77). It was also the 17th. Young's career 40-point game to tie Kevin Durant and LeBron James for third by a player in his first four seasons, behind only Michael Jordan (62) and Shaquille O'Neal (21). -- Lopez -- Lopez
This week: ENT, BOS, CHA
22. Indiana PacersRecord: 6-8Previous Rank: 23
Indiana has bounced back from a 1-6 start with wins in five of its past seven appearances, including victories over the Jazz, Knicks and Sixers. Indiana's offense ranks in the top 10 in the league, despite having Caris LeVert in and out with a back injury and waiting for T.J. Warren. -- collier
This week: @NY, @DET, @CHA, NO
23. Oklahoma City ThunderRecord: 5-7Previous Rank: 26
Lu Dort, who has earned a reputation as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, has shown significant improvement in his attacks and executions this season. He is averaging 61.5% on attempts from five feet or less from the basket, according to NBA.com stats, compared to 49.8% the previous two seasons. Dort averaged 19.8 points per game in the Thunder's four-game winning streak, which was snapped Sunday by the Nets.-- MacMahon
This week: MIA, HOU, @MIL, @BOS
24. Sacramento KingsRecord: 5-8Previous Rank: 21
The only good thing about this week's resurgent Marvin Bagley III drama -- in which coach Luke Walton had to answer questions about whether Bagley refused to come on when he was called up against the Suns -- is that it has shifted the focus away from the Sacramento's poor recent run. The Kings have lost four games in a row, including a 136-117 loss to a San Antonio team that was just 2-7 going into that game. -- McMenamin
This week: @DET, @MIN, TOR, UTAH
25. Minnesota TimberwolvesRecord: 4-8Previous Rank: 24
Minnesota has lost seven of its past eight games and struggles to build a consistent offense despite having three dynamic scoring talents in Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell. Minnesota is one of the bottom five ranked in offensive efficiency.-- Collier
This week: PHX, SAC, SA, MEM
26. San Antonio SpursRecord: 4-9Previous Rank: 25
In Wednesday's win over the Kings, the Spurs had four bench players score at least 15 points. It is the second time that this has happened under the command of coach Gregg Popovich, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The bench has been very important this season for the Spurs, who lead the NBA in scoring from reserves at 41.7 points per game led by second-year forward Devin Vassell, who has scored in double figures in eight of the Spurs' 13 games. . -- Lopez
This week: @LAC, @MIN
27. Orlando MagicRecord: 3-10Previous Rank: 27
Orlando's young group suffered two losses this week but got a good performance from Mo Bamba, who had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Saturday's loss to the Wizards. Orlando faces a tough five-game road trip, including a trip to Brooklyn and two straight in Milwaukee. --Friedell
This week: @ATL, @NY, @BKN, @MIL
28. Detroit PistonsRecord: 3-9Previous Rank: 29
Following a victory over No. 2 pick Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets earlier in the week, Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham followed up with his first moment of clutch excellence during Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors. Cunningham scored twice in the final 2:30 of the game against OG Anunoby's stellar defense to help Detroit clinch a win in what Pistons fans hope is a hint of things to come.--Collier
This week: SAC, IND, GS, LAL
29. Houston RocketsRecord: 1-12Previous Rank: 28
Houston, which has lost its last 11 games, pays the price of having too much of an inexperienced back line. The Rockets rank last in offensive efficiency (98.9 points per 100 possessions). Their starting defensemen -- Kevin Porter Jr. (37.9%, 4.3) and Jalen Green (35.8%, 3.1) -- are two of only four players in the league to average less than 40% from the field and more than three turnovers per game. game.-- MacMahon
This week: @MEM, @OKC, @NY
30. New Orleans PelicansRecord: 1-9Previous Rank: 30
A light for New Orleans through 14 games: Jonas Valanciunas is 15-for-26 from 3-point range. That's an impressive 57.7%, enough to lead the league at this early stage of the season for players who hit at least one 3-pointer per game. Valanciunas had never averaged at least one 3-pointer per game for a full season, and now he's getting close to averaging two per game.--Lopez
This week: @WAS, @MIA, LAC, @IND
