It’s time for a May NBA Power Rankings! This month we’ll predict the winners for each of the end of season awards.
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Phoenix Suns
Record: 45-18
Previous: 4
Devin Booker and Chris Paul have been exceptional this season, helping Phoenix earn the top seed in the Western Conference. While the Suns won’t have an award winner this year, Paul has been the team’s MVP.
Awards: N/A
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Brooklyn Nets
Record: 43-21
Previous: 1
Brooklyn has battled injuries the entire season and will be without James Harden for the foreseeable future. Regardless, they should finish the season as one of the top two seeds in the East. Kevin Durant, who missed last season due to a torn Achilles, is averaging 27.6 points per game and should win the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Awards: Durant, Comeback Player of the Year
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Utah Jazz
Record: 45-18
Previous: 2
The Jazz have been one of the best teams in the league for the entire season and show no signs of slowing down. Jordan Clarkson (17.4 points per game), Rudy Gobert (2.8 blocks per game), and head coach Quin Snyder will likely win awards this season.
Awards: Clarkson, Sixth Man of the Year | Gobert, Defensive Player of the Year | Snyder, Coach of the Year
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Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 43-21
Previous: 6
The Clippers have quietly been one of the best teams this season and with Kawhi Leonard returning from injury, they should only get better. They won’t have any award winners, but Paul George has been the team’s MVP this season. He’s averaging 23.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
Awards: N/A
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Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 42-21
Previous: 3
Philadelphia continues to battle the Nets for the top seed in the East. If not for injuries, Joel Embiid might have won MVP this season. He’s putting up 29.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Awards: N/A
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Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 39-24
Previous: 5
Milwaukee has been solid all season long. However, with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined due to an ankle sprain, they should remain in the third seed in the East. Jrue Holiday has been the team’s top defender, averaging 1.8 steals per game.
Awards: N/A
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Denver Nuggets
Record: 42-21
Previous: 7
Despite losing Jamal Murray to a torn ACL last month, the Nuggets haven’t slowed down. Nikola Jokic will likely win the first MVP award of his career this season. Jokic is averaging 26.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.
Awards: Jokic, Most Valuable Player
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New York Knicks
Record: 35-28
Previous: 12
The Knicks have been the hottest team in the league as of late, winning nine of their last 10 games. Julius Randle has been on another level this season, averaging 24.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He is the frontrunner to win the Most Improved Player Award.
Awards: Randle, Most Improved Player
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Dallas Mavericks
Record: 35-27
Previous: 11
Dallas has looked phenomenal lately thanks to stellar play from Luka Doncic. While he won’t win MVP, Doncic’s 28.6 points, eight rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game has been one of the best stat lines in the league.
Awards: N/A
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Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 36-27
Previous: 8
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis returning from injury, the Lakers should jump back into the discussion of top teams in the league. James has been the Lakers’ MVP this season.
Awards: N/A
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Miami Heat
Record: 33-30
Previous: 13
Miami continues to battle with injuries, this time to sophomore guard Tyler Herro. If they can stay healthy, the Heat could make a splash in the playoffs this season. Bam Adebayo is in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year, although Gobert should narrowly beat him out.
Awards: N/A
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Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 35-28
Previous: 9
Portland has been carried by Damian Lillard all season. The MVP candidate is averaging 28.3 points, and 7.5 assists per game. He won’t win the award, but Lillard could lead the Trail Blazers on a deep playoff run.
Awards: N/A
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Boston Celtics
Record: 34-30
Previous: 14
Boston has continued to go through ups and downs this season. On the bright side, they just completed a 32-point comeback win against the Spurs in which Jayson Tatum dropped 60 points. Tatum has been the Celtics’ MVP this season.
Awards: N/A
Related: Brad Stevens is not on the hot seat
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Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 32-30
Previous: 19
Memphis has looked great recently following the return of big man Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies won’t have any award winners but could make the playoffs as a low seed.
Awards: N/A
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Atlanta Hawks
Record: 34-30
Previous: 15
Atlanta has been one of the more surprising teams this season, hanging around the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Trae Young has been phenomenal, averaging 25.5 points and 9.4 assists per game.
Awards: N/A
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Golden State Warriors
Record: 31-32
Previous: 16
The NBA witnessed one of the greatest performances by a player last month. Over the month of April, Stephen Curry scored 37.3 points per game with 51 percent field goal shooting, 46 percent from three-point range, and 91 percent on free throws. Curry is the Warriors MVP and the runner up to Jokic this season.
96 threes in April (@NBA record)
15 threes from beyond 30 feet@StephenCurry30‘s got RANGE 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7m6JOQMdP6— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 30, 2021
Awards: N/A
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Charlotte Hornets
Record: 30-32
Previous: 10
The Hornets have been one of the most entertaining teams this season. After missing several games due to a broken wrist, LaMelo Ball is back as the frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year. He’s averaging 15.8 points, six rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
Awards: Ball, Rookie of the Year
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San Antonio Spurs
Record: 31-31
Previous: 17
The Spurs have been just average this season, but will likely make the playoffs as a low seed. DeMar DeRozan has been the team’s MVP and Dejounte Murray is a candidate for Most Improved Player.
Awards: N/A
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Indiana Pacers
Record: 29-33
Previous: 18
The Pacers have continued to regress as the season goes on, and have two starters out for the remainder of the year. On the bright side, T.J. McConnell will likely win the Hustle Player of the Year Award. The guard is averaging 1.8 steals per game and recorded a triple double with points, assists, and steals earlier in the season.
Awards: McConnell, Hustle Player of the Year
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Washington Wizards
Record: 29-34
Previous: 25
Washington bounced back from their early season struggles, however they won’t likely make the playoffs this season. Russell Westbrook owned the month of April, averaging 21.7 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 11.9 assists over 17 games. He’s the Wizards’ MVP.
Awards: N/A
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New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 28-35
Previous: 20
While the Pelicans have the talent to make the playoffs, something seems off about the team. However, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have been great this season and should become one of the best duos in the league over the next few seasons.
Awards: N/A
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Sacramento Kings
Record: 26-37
Previous: 23
The Kings continue to hang around the bottom of the Western Conference. They won’t have any award winners and should start preparing for the offseason.
Awards: N/A
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Chicago Bulls
Record: 26-37
Previous: 22
Chicago’s trade for center Nikola Vucevic is looking to be a great move, but the team is still struggling to put up wins. They should start looking at making another move this offseason to push themselves into playoff contention in 2022.
Awards: N/A
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Toronto Raptors
Record: 26-37
Previous: 21
Toronto is officially the most disappointing team in the NBA. After being one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Raptors are at the bottom of the East this year. Something has to change in the offseason.
Awards: N/A
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 21-42
Previous: 26
Cleveland is heading into a rebuild and should have good capital in the upcoming NBA Draft. Collin Sexton has been the team’s MVP this season.
Awards: N/A
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 21-42
Previous: 24
As expected, the Thunder are one of the worst teams in the league. This may actually benefit them in the long run as it will result in a higher draft pick.
Awards: N/A
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 20-44
Previous: 27
Minnesota has surprisingly been good lately and has shown flashes of a playoff team in the future. Getting a high draft pick should only help the Timberwolves reach that goal.
Awards: N/A
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Orlando Magic
Record: 19-44
Previous: 29
After trading away their top players at the trade deadline, the Magic basically tanked for a better draft pick. They should be busy this offseason.
Awards: N/A
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Detroit Pistons
Record: 19-44
Previous: 30
Detroit is still at the bottom of the league. Jerami Grant is in the discussion for Most Improved Player of the Year. He’s averaging 22.5 points and five rebounds per game.
Awards: N/A
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Houston Rockets
Record: 16-47
Previous: 28
After starting the season 11-10, the Rockets have completely fallen apart. The good news is that they will have a great chance at getting the number one pick in next year’s draft.
Awards: N/A
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