The competition in the Western Conference this season is much more intense compared to the Eastern Conference. Apart from the first-placed Thunder team, the difference in wins and losses between the second-placed Grizzlies and the tenth-placed Warriors is only six games. It can be said that the teams in the playoff zone have a particularly large number of ranking variables, which also makes the Western Conference rankings change greatly: Rockets secure 3rd and aim for 2nd, Clippers aim for 5th, Spurs rise, Suns drop out of the top 10.
Rockets Secure 3rd and Aim for 2nd!
The first-placed Thunder team in the West currently has a 12-game winning streak, with a record of 27 wins and 5 losses, ranking first in the West, and leading the second-placed Grizzlies by 5 games, making the first position very stable!
The competition for second place in the West is much fiercer, with the Grizzlies at 23 wins and 11 losses, and the Rockets at 22 wins and 11 losses. The difference in wins and losses between the two teams is only 0.5 games, and both have the possibility of taking second place!
The Grizzlies' recent performance has been quite good, winning three out of four games. However, the team has encountered significant problems, namely too many injuries. Morant, Aldama, and Adi have all encountered injury situations, causing the team's performance to decline significantly. Especially with the Grizzlies' upcoming schedule not being easy, facing teams like the Kings, Warriors, Mavericks, Rockets, and Timberwolves, all Western Conference teams, it means the Grizzlies will suffer quite a few defeats!
The Rockets' recent performance has also been volatile, losing to the Timberwolves and Heat, resulting in a slight drop in their record. However, the Rockets' potential is definitely higher, and the team has no major injury issues, with an overall healthy situation. Additionally, the Rockets will face the Grizzlies twice directly later on, and there is a high possibility of victory when the opponent's lineup is incomplete!
Clippers Aim for 5th!
After the Rockets, the Nuggets rank fourth with a record of 19 wins and 13 losses, and their performance is also improving. In contrast, the fifth-ranked Mavericks are experiencing a decline, giving the Clippers the opportunity to surpass them!
The Mavericks recently suffered a three-game losing streak, losing consecutively to the Trail Blazers, Kings, and Rockets. Their performance has been very poor, mainly due to Doncic's injury, which is not minor and requires a recovery period of one month or even longer, causing the Mavericks' record to continue to decline!
In contrast, the Clippers are different! They are only 0.5 games behind the Mavericks in terms of win-loss difference, with a small gap. Moreover, the team's core, Leonard, is about to return, which will bring significant improvements to the team's offense and defense. With these factors, the Clippers have a great chance to surpass the Mavericks and even have the opportunity to challenge for a higher ranking!
Spurs Rise!
After the Clippers, the Lakers are seventh with a record of 18 wins and 14 losses. The gap between them and the Clippers is small, and they also have the opportunity to make it into the playoffs. At the same time, they only lead the tenth-placed Warriors by two games, so there is also a possibility of dropping down. The team needs to be cautious and strive for more victories!
The Spurs are the dark horse team this season! This season, the Spurs added veterans Paul and Barnes, and the team's core, Wembanyama, continued to grow. Meanwhile, players like Vassell and Sohan also performed well, allowing the Spurs to rise and achieve a record of 17 wins and 16 losses, ranking ninth in the West, seeing the opportunity to enter the playoffs!
The Spurs are really doing well now. The team's core, Wembanyama, is reliable, and the young players have plenty of momentum, greatly enhancing the team's potential! Mid-career players like Vassell, Sohan, and Keldon are also performing impressively, and with veterans like Paul and Barnes providing support, the team has shown strong competitiveness. They have started to rise and will undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with in the West in the future!
Suns Drop Out of the Playoffs!
There are teams making progress in the West, as well as those regressing, and the Suns are one of the strong teams that are performing worse and worse!
This season, the Suns continued to optimize around their three superstars, with role players like Jones, O'Neal, and Allen also performing quite well, significantly enhancing the team's strength. However, the Suns have had too many injuries, with Durant, Booker, and Beal taking turns getting injured, and rotation players like O'Neal and Allen also carrying injuries, greatly reducing the Suns' competitiveness!
Currently, the Suns have suffered a three-game losing streak, trailing the tenth-placed Warriors by one game, encountering significant difficulties. If the team cannot shake off their injury problems in a timely manner, they may miss the playoffs this season!
Latest Western Conference Rankings: