Album of the Week: “Affordable Doubt,” Jay-Z (1996)
At present is one among my favourite days of the NBA common season: Presidents’ Day. Lastly, a day on the calendar with nothing happening. I hope I didn’t simply jinx it.
It’s not simply NBA All-Star Weekend that’s over; all the February wave has handed. The Tremendous Bowl is completed. The NBA commerce deadline is closed. And for everybody, the All-Star break has arrived.
There’s nonetheless an everyday season to complete, however earlier than we get to that, one final take a look at the weekend at Intuit Dome — the place nearly each crew discovered its means into the NBA’s bonus stage.
Nice print: these Energy Rankings received’t simply rank each crew. We’ll retain the tiers that groups will probably be promoted into and relegated out of. There will probably be 5 tiers every week:
High Contenders – Locked at 5, these are the category of the league
In a Good Place – Might be one crew, may very well be seven groups
The Bubble – To not be confused with Walt Disney World. The center of the pack
Not the Tier to Worry – Not enjoying the worst ball within the league, however with numerous work to do
Basement Ground – Citing the rear
What to anticipate from Energy Rankings:
These are my subjective rankings. I’ll contemplate quite a lot of goal measures, nevertheless it’s my last name.
These rankings aren’t only a evaluate of the previous week — we’re projecting ahead as effectively, so it’s a stability of the 2.
These are subjective, however not biased. There are not any agendas within the Energy Rankings, and we attempt for an inclusive meritocracy
The one high quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
Benefit from the video games, and benefit from the rankings, please!
For Week 18 of The Athletic NBA Energy Rankings, we are going to keep in mind All-Star Weekend moments for every crew. Win-loss data and different statistical knowledge are by way of Sunday’s motion.
Tier 1: High Contenders
1. Detroit Pistons (40-13)
Final rating: SecondIn the final week: W at CHA, W at TOROffensive score: 116.6 (tenth place)Defensive score: 108.3 (Second place)
All-Star Weekend second: Now we have a brand new No. 1 within the Energy Rankings — not only for the primary time this season, however for the primary time since late March 2025. The Pistons claimed it in every week that included a number of suspensions and a number of All-Stars.
Fittingly, in an All-Star recreation that featured actual protection for the primary time in years, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff led the successful Stars squad, with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren on the roster.
Detroit additionally joined the “40 earlier than 20” membership — and there will not be many groups becoming a member of them and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
2. San Antonio Spurs (38-16)
Final rating: ThirdIn the final week: W at LAL, W at GSOffensive score: 117.0 (Seventh place)Defensive score: 110.9 (Third place)
All-Star Weekend second: We are able to lastly say it: the Spurs are ranked above a crew they beat 4 occasions this season.
Mitch Johnson, teaching the veteran USA Stripes, delivered among the week’s finest pre-All-Star sound — overtly questioning why San Antonio had just one All-Star regardless of robust outcomes towards star-laden opponents, and arguing that if De’Aaron Fox or Stephon Fort weren’t All-Stars, Victor Wembanyama needs to be main the MVP race.
Fox finally landed on Johnson’s Stripes squad, whereas Wembanyama was credited with sparking Sunday’s aggressive edge.
Honorable point out: The Spurs despatched three gamers to the Rising Stars recreation (Fort, Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant), and Bryant almost stole Saturday evening’s dunk contest.
3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (42-14)
Final rating: FirstIn the final week: W at LAL, W at PHO, L vs. MILOffensive score: 117.8 (Fourth place)Defensive score: 106.3 (First place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Thunder getting hammered at residence by Milwaukee meant a crew that began 24-1 didn’t carry the league’s finest document into the All-Star break.
Their season so far has been constructed on defending-champion credibility and early dominance; they had been the NBA’s finest crew from opening evening by way of early final week. They’re nonetheless good, however simply 7-7 over their final 14, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the All-Star Sport with an stomach harm.
Chet Holmgren was the final Stripes All-Star to see the ground, ending with 10 factors and two blocks throughout three video games.
4. New York Knicks (35-20)
Final rating: FourthIn the final week: L vs. IND, W at PHIOffensive score: 118.9 (Third place)Defensive score: 112.8 (eleventh place)
All-Star Weekend second: They introduced again Capturing Stars for a purpose: to provide the Knicks one other title. Contemporary off the NBA Cup, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Cities and Allan Houston (Allan Houston!) delivered one other exhibition win. Enjoyable reality: Houston received this occasion in 2012 as part of one other New York trio, together with Landry Fields and Cappie Pondexter. No shade to the Knicks, however I’d relatively watch Brunson and Cities go one-on-one (we obtained a style within the All-Star Sport) than see Capturing Stars once more.
5. Boston Celtics (35-19)
Final rating: FifthIn the final week: W vs. CHIOffensive score: 120.2 (Second place)Defensive score: 112.6 (Ninth place)
All-Star Weekend second: One of the best a part of the All-Star break for Boston: They’re already at 35 wins and proper the place they’re used to — close to the highest of the Japanese Convention, with All-Star Jaylen Brown main the way in which.
It was an upsetting weekend off the ground for Brown after his Saturday All-Star occasion was shut down, a storyline that lingered into Sunday. On the courtroom, Boston’s path to the “40 earlier than 20” membership runs by way of a Western Convention highway journey towards 4 successful groups earlier than returning residence to host the Brooklyn Nets subsequent Friday.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21)
Final rating: EighthIn the final week: W at DEN, W vs. WASOffensive score: 117.5 (Fifth place)Defensive score: 113.3 (twelfth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Cavaliers have already got extra losses than all of final season and received’t attain 40 earlier than 20. Neglect that for a second: No crew has a greater document since January than Cleveland, and the James Harden period is off to a quick begin.
Donovan Mitchell scored 12 factors throughout three quarters for the Stripes, whereas Jaylon Tyson led Workforce T-Mac on Friday with 10.
7. Denver Nuggets (35-20)
Final rating: SixthIn the final week: L vs. CLE, W vs. MEMOffensive score: 121.0 (First place)Defensive score: 116.9 (twenty fourth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Nikola Jokić is our modern-day Tim Duncan, and he set a brand new private low at this All-Star Sport, enjoying simply one among two video games and going scoreless in 5 minutes. Even Duncan obtained a bucket in all 15 of his All-Star appearances.
Jamal Murray struggled alongside Jokić, lacking all six pictures in that recreation, however bounced again in his second with two 3s and 4 assists.
8. Houston Rockets (33-20)
Final rating: SeventhIn the final week: W vs. LAC, L vs. LACOffensive score: 117.0 (Sixth place)Defensive score: 112.0 (Fifth place)
All-Star Weekend second: This was an All-Star Sport the place Kevin Durant performed middle, and Alperen Şengün performed level guard. Durant buried a key catch-and-shoot 3 towards Şengün’s crew, with Victor Wembanyama too deep within the paint to contest a Durant catch-and-shoot 3 from Jaylen Brown.
Additionally price noting: Reed Sheppard spinning Carter Bryant all the way in which round Friday evening within the Rising Stars problem.
Tier 3: The Bubble
9. Los Angeles Lakers (33-21)
Final rating: NinthIn the final week: L vs. OKC, L vs. SA, W vs. DALOffensive score: 116.3 (eleventh place)Defensive score: 116.6 (twenty third place)
All-Star Weekend second: Luka Dončić tweaked his hamstring within the first recreation of what’s now going to be an eight-game Lakers homestand, so his five-minute heel flip at Intuit Dome was an encouraging signal forward of a probable return later this week towards the LA Clippers.
This was additionally an unusually energetic All-Star exhibiting for “reserve” LeBron James, who scored 15 factors in 22 minutes as a starter for the veteran Stripes — his most factors and minutes because the 2022 recreation in Cleveland (he skipped final yr totally).
And sure, Jaxson Hayes not getting lobbed to by Dončić or LeBron on Saturday evening was a missed alternative, to say the least.
Anthony Edwards was named the 2026 All-Star Sport Most Helpful Participant. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Photographs)
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22)
Final rating: 10thIn the final week: W vs. ATL, W vs. POROffensive score: 117.0 (Eighth place)Defensive score: 112.4 (Seventh place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Timberwolves have an All-Star MVP once more: Anthony Edwards, the franchise’s first since Kevin Garnett in 2003.
Edwards opened the Stars-World time beyond regulation with a bucket and poured in 13 of his 32 factors in that first recreation.
The sport doesn’t even get to time beyond regulation if Edwards doesn’t lose Jamal Murray on the finish of regulation and patiently anticipate a chance to sink a catch-and-shoot, game-tying 3 on Stars’ last possession.
11. Toronto Raptors (32-23)
Final rating: 11thIn the final week: L vs. DETOffensive score: 113.8 (sixteenth place)Defensive score: 112.2 (Sixth place)
All-Star Weekend second: What Anthony Edwards began in time beyond regulation towards the World Workforce, Scottie Barnes completed, nailing a game-winning 3. Whereas Barnes had a significant second, it was a forgettable evening for Brandon Ingram, who failed to attain in his first All-Star Sport since 2020.
12. Phoenix Suns (32-23)
Final rating: 14thIn the final week: W vs. DAL, L vs. OKCOffensive score: 114.5 (14th place)Defensive score: 112.7 (tenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Devin Booker was the one member of the successful Stars crew born within the Nineties, and this was his final All-Star Sport of his 20s. He wound up enjoying a job that’s near how he was enjoying for the Suns in November, ending with eight assists in 28 minutes. Booker had one of many extra agonizing second-place finishes in 3-point contest historical past, as he dried up on his last rack with a win in sight.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (30-24)
Final rating: 12thIn the final week: L at POR, L vs. NYOffensive score: 114.8 (thirteenth place)Defensive score: 114.5 (fifteenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The 76ers backcourt was featured all weekend lengthy. Rookie VJ Edgecombe was highly effective on Friday evening, scoring the ultimate 10 factors of his first Rising Stars recreation whereas hitting the game-winning free throws within the championship recreation to safe the MVP Award.
Tyrese Maxey didn’t accomplish that effectively Saturday evening within the 3-point shootout, however he was the start line guard for the champion Stars crew on Sunday. Maxey scored seven of his 15 factors within the first three minutes of the ultimate recreation Sunday evening to successfully bury the veteran Stripes. Now, the 76ers want Maxey and Edgecombe to lock again in, as a result of they performed two of their worst video games of the season to again into the All-Star break.
14. Golden State Warriors (29-26)
Final rating: 13thIn the final week: W vs. MEM, L vs. SAOffensive score: 114.3 (fifteenth place)Defensive score: 112.5 (Eighth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Bay Space hosted All-Star Weekend final yr, and Stephen Curry was the MVP. However Curry missed the final 5 video games earlier than All-Star Weekend this yr attributable to a proper knee harm. No less than Steph hit from the courtside set for the vibes.
15. Miami Warmth (29-27)
Final rating: 15thIn the final week: L vs. UTA, W at NOOffensive score: 113.7 (seventeenth place)Defensive score: 111.6 (Fourth place)
All-Star Weekend second: It was a enjoyable Miami Warmth weekend. San Diego native, UCLA alum and former LA Clipper Norman Powell represented Jamaica on the World crew as a first-time All-Star, one evening after simply lacking the finalist reduce within the 3-point shootout. And Kel’el Ware and two-way contract Jahmir Younger each hit a 3 every in dropping efforts on their respective Rising Stars groups.
However the star of the weekend was Keshad Johnson, who had a smashing time successful the dunk contest Saturday evening. A full weekend for the Warmth, and a pleasant weekend for San Diego, contemplating the truth that Johnson was on the Remaining 4 crew from 2023.
16. Charlotte Hornets (26-29)
Final rating: 16thIn the final week: L vs. DET, W vs. ATLOffensive score: 116.8 (Ninth place)Defensive score: 114.8 (sixteenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Hornets win streak was snapped, with Moussa Diabaté and Miles Bridges getting suspended for his or her battle with the Pistons. However the Hornets obtained a win earlier than the break, and rookie Kon Knueppel made it to the finals of the 3-point shootout. Knueppel is a secure wager to win that contest in some unspecified time in the future in his profession. It was a busy weekend for Knueppel, as he was on “Workforce Cameron” in Capturing Stars whereas additionally dropping a recreation in Rising Stars.
17. Orlando Magic (28-25)
Final rating: 17thIn the final week: W vs. MIL, L vs. MILOffensive score: 113.6 (nineteenth place)Defensive score: 114.0 (14th place)
All-Star Weekend second: The scariest second of the weekend was when Magic rookie Jase Richardson went from paying homage to dunk champion father Jason Richardson to barely avoiding critical harm within the dunk contest. No less than Richardson can snigger about it …
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Worry
18. LA Clippers (26-28)
Final rating: 18thIn the final week: L at HOU, W at HOUOffensive score: 115.3 (twelfth place)Defensive score: 115.6 (twentieth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Earlier than we get to the theater of the absurd that was the Clippers internet hosting this All-Star Weekend (with no trace of purple or gold to be discovered anyplace!), we now have to deal with the Clippers “promoting” on the commerce deadline. The Clippers bought excessive on James Harden and Ivica Zubac. That doesn’t imply that they’re punting on their season. Kawhi Leonard has proven that, as he dragged the Clippers to a comeback win in Houston on zero days relaxation.
This was a weekend that featured the franchise’s finest participant retiring two months after being dismissed by the crew in the midst of a highway journey, the crew’s middle of the long run (Yanic Konan Niederhauser) having a powerful exhibiting in Rising Stars, former Clipper Corey Maggette on “Workforce Cameron” in Capturing Stars, and Kawhi Leonard scoring 31 factors in a 12-minute recreation towards the World crew to ignite the All-Star Sport Sunday. In the midst of all that’s the pending outcomes of a league investigation that commissioner Adam Silver reminded the media that he’s not concerned in on a day-to-day foundation.
19. Portland Path Blazers (27-29)
Final rating: 20thIn the final week: W vs. PHI, L at MIN, W at UTAOffensive score: 113.5 (twenty first place)Defensive score: 115.5 (18th place)
All-Star Weekend second: It’s nonetheless Dame Time, even when Damian Lillard hasn’t performed all season and hasn’t been on the courtroom for the Blazers in almost three years. Lillard continues to be recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in final yr’s playoffs, however he nonetheless managed to earn a three-peat within the 3-point shootout. Lillard’s well timed efficiency was sandwiched between facilities Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen going at one another Friday evening in Rising Stars and All-Star Deni Avdija getting a few buckets and some dimes Sunday.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (23-30)
Final rating: 21stIn the final week: L at ORL, W at ORL, W at OKCOffensive score: 113.1 (twenty fourth place)Defensive score: 116.4 (twenty second place)
All-Star Weekend second: Talking of Lillard, the previous Buck obtained a post-shooting go to from none aside from Celeb Sport coach Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was unable to play Sunday due to his calf harm. It was a tough Saturday afternoon of taking pictures from Bobby Portis Jr., who completed final among the many eight contestants within the 3-point contest. However the Bucks had some enjoyable wins earlier than the break, with Antetokounmpo having fun with the Cam Thomas present in Orlando and Ousmane Dieng getting a triumphant return to Oklahoma Metropolis.
Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson had a stable exhibiting all through All-Star Weekend. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Photographs)
21. Atlanta Hawks (26-30)
Final rating: 19thIn the final week: L at MIN, L at CHAOffensive score: 113.6 (twentieth place)Defensive score: 114.9 (seventeenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Jalen Johnson performed all of 278 minutes at Duke. However somebody wanted to be the All-Star on “Workforce Cameron.” Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 choose of the 2024 draft, was an harm alternative for the Rising Stars recreation, then missed all 5 of his pictures in a scoreless efficiency in a dropping effort. Johnson no less than completed the weekend robust with 14 factors in 20 minutes Sunday for the successful Stars crew.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (20-33)
Final rating: 23rdIn the final week: L at GS, L at DENOffensive score: 113.3 (twenty third place)Defensive score: 115.6 (nineteenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Grizzlies had three gamers in Rising Stars, however solely two performed, as rookie Cedric Coward managed proper knee soreness; 2024 second-round picks Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer being contributors confirmed good drafting on Memphis’ half. Wells knocked down a few 3s on the Workforce Vince squad that beat Spencer and Workforce T-Mac.
23. Chicago Bulls (24-31)
Final rating: 22ndIn the final week: L at BRK, L at BOSOffensive score: 113.5 (twenty second place)Defensive score: 117.6 (twenty fifth place)
All-Star Weekend second: As a lot because the league might have needed Mac McClung to be part of All-Star Weekend, the Bulls two-way contract participant didn’t dunk this yr and was not capable of play in Rising Stars. Matas Buzelis additionally declined to dunk after collaborating final yr, however he did have a pleasant drive on Donovan Clingan for a dunk that led the scoring in a championship received by Workforce Vince. It’s been a tough three weeks for the Bulls, losers of 9 of their final 10 video games.
24. Dallas Mavericks (19-35)
Final rating: 24thIn the final week: L at PHO, L at LALOffensive score: 110.2 (twenty seventh place)Defensive score: 113.5 (thirteenth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Cooper Flagg injured his foot and needed to miss Rising Stars. The one time the Mavericks had been represented was when Flagg confirmed up on the Know-how Summit. The Mavericks moreover took a nine-game dropping streak into the All-Star break, with each Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Naji Marshall (foot) leaving the ultimate recreation with accidents.
25. Indiana Pacers (15-40)
Final rating: 29thIn the final week: W at NY, W at BRKOffensive score: 108.8 (thirtieth place)Defensive score: 116.1 (twenty first place)
All-Star Weekend second: Sure, the Pacers had been fined for Participant Participation Coverage violations for resting All-Star Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and the since-traded Bennedict Mathurin towards the Utah Jazz earlier than the commerce deadline. Sure, the Pacers have 40 losses. However none of these losses got here within the week going into the All-Star break. Additionally, Siakam made 5 of seven discipline targets Sunday for the World crew.
Tier 5: Basement Ground
26. Brooklyn Nets (15-38)
Final rating: 25thIn the final week: W vs. CHI, L vs. INDOffensive score: 110.6 (twenty sixth place)Defensive score: 117.7 (twenty sixth place)
All-Star Weekend second: Now we have reached the Silver Zone. You received’t discover any All-Stars on this tier. However Egor Demin was a Rising Star, and he had some good moments for Workforce Vince, together with a fast dunk off the opening tip towards Workforce T-Mac.
27. Utah Jazz (18-38)
Final rating: 28thIn the final week: W at MIA, W vs. SAC, L vs. POROffensive score: 113.6 (18th place)Defensive score: 121.0 (thirtieth place)
All-Star Weekend second: It took Cooper Flagg getting injured, however Ace Bailey made it to Rising Stars because the lone Jazz consultant for all the weekend. Bailey had 5 factors, 4 rebounds and two assists in a Workforce Melo win towards Workforce Austin, however he was shut out within the championship recreation towards Workforce Vince. This all got here after the Jazz had been fined $500,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league” for roster administration in two video games — together with one which they received at Miami. Damned in the event that they do, damned in the event that they don’t, and damned in the event that they do and win anyway.
Thoughts you, if the Thunder are liable for turning the wattage up on Utah’s tank, that’s the identical crew that supertanked the 2022 season finale towards the Clippers by enjoying Georgios Kalaitzakis 48 minutes of a 50-point blowout forward of a draft the place they landed Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 choose.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (15-41)
Final rating: 27thIn the final week: W vs. SAC, L vs. MIAOffensive score: 112.4 (twenty fifth place)Defensive score: 118.0 (twenty seventh place)
All-Star Weekend second: There’s a lot assorted slander to go round that the Pelicans are out of everybody’s dialog this winter. That’s what occurs whenever you make your weird strikes in June. Each lottery rookies had been within the Rising Stars recreation, with Derik Queen successful the championship with Workforce Vince over Jeremiah Fears and Workforce Melo. Fears is the purpose guard, however Queen is the higher passer proper now whereas Fears is the extra dependable bucket.
29. Washington Wizards (14-39)
Final rating: 26thIn the final week: L at CLEOffensive score: 109.4 (twenty ninth place)Defensive score: 120.4 (twenty ninth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The Wizards reset their complete crew, misplaced greater than 60 video games final yr and didn’t even get a top-five choose within the draft — so that they traded for 2 injured stars in Trae Younger and Anthony Davis. And so they’re nonetheless going to take yet one more crack on the lottery! Within the meantime, the Wizards had 4 Rising Stars. Alex Sarr, the lone top-five choose of the bunch, was held out due to hamstring tightness, however Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and rookie Tre Johnson all had been on the courtroom within the Workforce Vince versus Workforce T-Mac recreation. George wound up victorious over Carrington and Johnson, after which George piled up as many assists within the Workforce Vince win (4) as all the Workforce Melo mixed.
30. Sacramento Kings (12-44)
Final rating: 30thIn the final week: L at NO, L at UTAOffensive score: 109.6 (twenty eighth place)Defensive score: 119.8 (twenty eighth place)
All-Star Weekend second: The worst document within the NBA. Already extra losses than all of final season. A 14-game dropping streak coming into the All-Star break. And 0 All-Star representatives regardless of three starters having Los Angeles ties in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook. And now LaVine is out for the season, as effectively. A real manufacturing facility of unhappiness … however no less than they haven’t been fined!
