The NBA regular season is in full swing, and another game day has come to an end. There were many exciting matchups on this game day, with James even setting a new personal milestone while winning. After the end of this game day, the rankings on the Western Conference standings have once again undergone new changes. Let's take a look together. The NBA Western Conference rankings are in chaos: the Lakers rise to fourth, the Warriors' ninth spot is unstable, and the Suns are in trouble.
The teams ranked 11th to 15th in the standings are the Suns, Kings, Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Pelicans. The Kings have impressed after changing coaches, winning three consecutive games against strong opponents such as the Mavericks, 76ers, and the top-ranked Grizzlies. These victories carry significant weight. After winning these games, their record stands at 16 wins and 19 losses, just 0.5 games behind the Suns. More importantly, the Suns have suffered three consecutive losses in their last three games. The team's problems are quite evident, and it remains to be seen how they will adjust. To be honest, the Suns are in a bit of trouble, and it will be challenging for them to make further progress this season.
Teams ranked 4th to 10th in the standings are the Lakers, Nuggets, Mavericks, Clippers, Spurs, Warriors, and Timberwolves. The Timberwolves have suffered another two consecutive losses and currently have a record of 17 wins and 16 losses, ranking 10th in the Western Conference standings. This is because the Spurs earlier defeated the Nuggets and secured two consecutive wins, surpassing both the Warriors and Timberwolves in the standings. Currently, the Timberwolves find themselves in a new awkward situation, as their offseason moves have not yielded the desired results. Although Randle has been helpful to the team, Towns' departure has directly changed the team's entire system. It remains unknown whether they will make new moves or if they can help the team out of their difficulties. Currently, their record is the same as the current Warriors.
For the Warriors, their ninth place is no longer secure after being overtaken by the Spurs. In recent times, the team has lost more than they have won, but fortunately, they have passed through Curry's slump. In the last game, he made a strong comeback, hitting 8 out of 8 three-pointers to score over 30 points and help the team win. However, their record is the same as the Timberwolves, and the ninth place is still unstable.
Both the Mavericks and Clippers have suffered losing streaks. The Mavericks have been plagued by injuries and the absence of several players, leading to a four-game losing streak. The Clippers have also experienced a two-game losing streak. However, the good news is that the Clippers are getting closer to Leonard's return, and they are not far behind the fourth-placed Lakers. It was unexpected that the Nuggets lost, especially since their opponent was the Spurs. In this game, Jokic delivered another efficient performance with 41 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists; while on the other side, Wembanyama also scored 35+18, with crucial defense in the final moments helping his team win, while the Nuggets lost and were surpassed in the standings by the Lakers.
This season, the Lakers have repeatedly climbed from the back of the standings to the forefront, only to fall back again. This time, they have once again risen to fourth place in the standings, securing two consecutive wins to bring their record to 20 wins and 14 losses, making them the fourth team in the West with over 20 wins. Their record is better than the same period last season. For them, how far they can ultimately go will largely depend on the health and performance of James and Davis.
The top three teams in the standings are the Thunder, Grizzlies, and Rockets. Both the Grizzlies and Rockets lost their games, so there is still a difference of 0.5 games between them. The competition for second place remains fierce, while the Thunder have achieved a remarkable 14-game winning streak, leading the pack. They currently lead the Grizzlies by 6.5 games and firmly occupy the top spot in the Western Conference standings; who do you think can challenge the Thunder in the West?