NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Kings Create NBA Miracle, Nuggets Aim for 3rd, Warriors Drop to 11th
On January 13, 2025, Beijing time, there were 9 NBA games today, involving the Nuggets, Mavericks, Suns, Thunder, Kings, Pelicans, and Jazz. After the games, the Western Conference standings have changed.
The Thunder played away against the Wizards. Although they were missing Chet and Caruso, they had a huge advantage and did not give the Wizards any chance. They won by 12 points in the first quarter, 12 points in the second quarter, and 11 points in the third quarter. The suspense was lost after three quarters, and the Thunder eventually won by 41 points. Alexander scored 27 points with 5 of 17 shots, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Wiggins scored 23 points with 7 of 12 shots, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. On the Wizards' side, Kispert scored 17 points with 6 of 9 shots. After the win, the Thunder remained at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 6 losses, leading the Rockets by 6.5 games.
The Kings played away against the Bulls, and this game was very close. Both sides took the lead several times, with the largest gap being only 8 points. With 2 minutes left in the game, the gap was only 1 point. In the last 2 minutes, the Kings performed better and eventually defeated the Bulls by 5 points, securing their seventh consecutive victory. Xiaosa scored 22 points with 8 of 10 shots, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Fox scored 26 points with 9 of 16 shots, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, and DeRozan scored 21 points with 9 of 20 shots and 3 assists. On the Bulls' side, LaVine scored 36 points with 12 of 24 shots (5 of 8 from three-point range), 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Vucevic scored 18 points with 8 of 15 shots, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
After the win, the Kings have a record of 20 wins and 19 losses, continuing to rank ninth in the West. They are only 0.5 games behind the eighth-placed Timberwolves. After changing coaches, the Kings have won seven consecutive games, defeating the Celtics, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors, 76ers, and Bulls, which is quite valuable, creating an NBA miracle as they climbed from 12th in the West.
The Mavericks hosted the Nuggets, lacking Doncic and Irving, while the Nuggets welcomed the return of Gordon (coming off the bench). On paper, the Mavericks could hardly compete with the Nuggets, but the game process was unexpected. The Mavericks stunned the Nuggets in the first quarter, taking a 15-point lead, and the Nuggets recovered 12 points in the second quarter. At halftime, the Mavericks led by 3 points. In the third quarter, the Mavericks suppressed the Nuggets again, with the gap reaching 19 points at one point, and the Mavericks led by 10 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Nuggets finally played up to their standard, winning the quarter by 21 points and eventually defeating the Mavericks by 11 points.
Jokic scored 19 points with 6 of 13 shots, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals, while Westbrook scored 21 points with 10 of 17 shots, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks, and Murray scored 17 points with 7 of 18 shots, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. On the Mavericks' side, Clay scored 25 points with 9 of 19 shots (6 of 13 from three-point range), 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, Dinh Di scored 16 points with 4 of 13 shots, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Lively scored 14 points with 6 of 8 shots, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks.
After the loss, the Mavericks have a record of 22 wins and 17 losses, continuing to rank fifth in the West, 1.5 games behind the Nuggets and 0.5 games ahead of the Lakers. After the win, the Nuggets have a record of 23 wins and 15 losses, stabilizing their fourth-place ranking in the West. They are 1.5 games behind the third-placed Grizzlies. The Nuggets' current trend is getting better and better. After Westbrook became the starter, the Nuggets' win rate has been high. Their remaining schedule is easier than the Grizzlies', and they have a chance to reach the top three.
The Pelicans played away against the Celtics, lacking Ingram and Jones. On paper, the Pelicans could hardly compete with the Celtics, but they put on a great performance, once leading by 11 points. The game was decided in the last second, with McCollum's buzzer-beating layup missing, and the Celtics narrowly won by 1 point over the Pelicans. Tatum scored 38 points with 14 of 30 shots, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist, Pozi scored 19 points with 7 of 19 shots, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and Brown scored 16 points with 6 of 14 shots, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. On the Pelicans' side, Murphy scored 30 points with 10 of 17 shots, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, Murray scored 26 points with 8 of 19 shots, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, and Zion scored 16 points with 5 of 15 shots, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals. After the loss, the Pelicans have a record of 8 wins and 32 losses, continuing to rank at the bottom of the West.
The Suns hosted the Hornets, who are one of the bottom teams in the East. It was expected that the Suns would easily win the game, but unexpectedly, the Hornets suppressed the Suns for a long time, once leading by 12 points, and still leading by 9 points in the fourth quarter. In the last few minutes, the Suns increased their intensity, making it difficult for the Hornets to score, and the Suns continuously scored in counterattacks to overtake the score, eventually winning by 7 points. Durant scored 27 points with 11 of 24 shots, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, Booker scored 30 points with 10 of 20 shots, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, and Beal scored 15 points with 5 of 12 shots, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. On the Hornets' side, Ball scored 25 points with 9 of 25 shots, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals, Ma Wei scored 24 points with 9 of 12 shots, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Bridges scored 21 points with 8 of 15 shots, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
After the win, the Suns have a record of 19 wins and 19 losses, moving from 11th to 10th in the West, while the Warriors dropped to 11th. The Suns have won 4 out of their last 5 games, the Kings have won 7 consecutive games, and the Warriors' recent record has not been good. Moreover, Kuminga is injured and will be out for some time. If this continues, the Warriors may not even qualify for the play-in tournament this season.
In addition to the above games, the Jazz won a thrilling overtime victory against the Nets today by a margin of 1 point. Collier scored 23 points with 9 of 16 shots, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while on the Nets' side, Simmons scored 14 points with 7 of 11 shots, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 blocks. After the win, the Jazz remain at the bottom of the West with a record of 10 wins and 28 losses.
After today's games, the Suns and Warriors have swapped places in the Western Conference standings, with no other changes in the rankings. Below is the latest ranking situation in the West:
Western Conference Standings:
- Thunder (32-6)
- Rockets (25-12.5)
- Grizzlies (24-16.5)
- Nuggets (23-15)
- Mavericks (22-17)
- Lakers (21-17.5)
- Timberwolves (20-20)
- Kings (20-19)
- Clippers (19-21)
- Suns (19-19)
- Warriors (18-20)
- Trail Blazers (17-23)
- Pelicans (8-32)
- Jazz (10-28)