NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Clippers Create NBA Miracle, Kings Aim for Top 6, Warriors Drop to 11
January 17, 2025, Beijing Time - Today, there were five NBA games involving the Clippers, Thunder, Rockets, Suns, Kings, and Trail Blazers, resulting in changes to the Western Conference standings.
The Thunder hosted the Cavaliers, lacking their two key frontcourt players, Chet and Haten, while the Cavaliers had a complete lineup. On paper, the Cavaliers seemed to have an advantage, but it was the Thunder who dominated the game. Their defense held the Cavaliers to low shooting percentages and forced multiple turnovers, leading to easy transition baskets. The Thunder led by 18 points after the first quarter, 26 at halftime, and the lead ballooned to 42 points in the third quarter, effectively ending the game as a contest. The Cavaliers' bench managed to reduce the deficit somewhat in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder still won by 20 points. Alexander scored 40 points with 17 of 26 shots, including 3 rebounds and 8 assists. Dort made 8 of 11 shots (6 of 9 from three-point range) for 22 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Jalen made 8 of 14 shots for 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. For the Cavaliers, Garland made 7 of 10 shots for 20 points, 2 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Mitchell made only 3 of 15 shots for 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, being completely shut down. Allen made all 6 of his shots for 13 points and 7 rebounds.
With this win, the Thunder improved to 34-6, maintaining their top spot in the West and matching the Cavaliers' record. However, the Cavaliers have a better divisional record and remain the top team in the league. The Thunder's defense is unmatched in the league, and their consistency surpasses that of the Cavaliers, making it very likely that they will surpass the Cavaliers in the standings.
The Clippers visited the Trail Blazers in a back-to-back game, having defeated the Nets by 59 points the previous day. Leonard rested today, but despite playing on consecutive nights, the Clippers dominated the Trail Blazers, leading throughout the game and at one point by 34 points before winning by 29. In two back-to-back games, the Clippers won by a combined 88 points, tying an NBA record and creating a miracle. Harden made 7 of 16 shots for 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Powell made 7 of 12 shots for 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. For the Trail Blazers, Bandon made 7 of 17 shots for 23 points and 3 rebounds, and Ayton made 7 of 13 shots for 14 points and 7 rebounds.
With this victory, the Clippers are now 23-17, solidifying their fifth place in the West. They are only one game behind the Nuggets and have a chance to move into the top four. The Trail Blazers, with the loss, drop to 13-27 and remain in 13th place in the West.
The Rockets visited the Kings in another back-to-back game (having defeated the Nuggets the previous day) and were without two of their starters, VanVleet and Smith. The Kings had all their main players available, giving them an advantage on paper, which they maintained throughout the game, leading by as many as 16 points at one stage. However, the Rockets showed great resilience, using aggressive defense in the latter part of the third quarter to force the Kings into missed shots or turnovers and launch counterattacks, closing the gap. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets even took the lead at one point, but ultimately fell short, losing by 5 points to the Kings.
Jalen Green made 10 of 20 shots for 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Thompson made 8 of 12 shots for 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Shen Jing made 8 of 15 shots for 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. For the Kings, DeRozan made 12 of 23 shots for 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Xiaosa made 8 of 13 shots for 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Monk made 10 of 19 shots for 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists.
After the loss, the Rockets remain in second place in the West with a record of 27-13, 1.5 games ahead of the Grizzlies. The Kings, with the win, improve to 21-20 and stay in ninth place in the West, but are only 1.5 games behind the sixth-place Lakers. The Kings have won 8 of their last 9 games, defeating strong opponents such as the Celtics, Rockets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Heat, Warriors, and 76ers. Under new management, the Kings have found a winning formula and, if they continue to play this way, have a good chance of breaking into the top six.
The Suns visited the Wizards without Beal, and the Suns had a clear advantage, dominating the first three quarters and leading by as many as 24 points. They were up by 21 points at the end of the third quarter and 23 at the start of the fourth. It seemed like the game was over, but the Suns became too relaxed, allowing the Wizards to mount a comeback. With one minute left in the game, the Wizards had cut the lead to just 3 points. Fortunately, Booker hit a crucial three-pointer, securing a 7-point victory for the Suns. Booker made 10 of 24 shots for 37 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Durant made 8 of 16 shots for 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. For the Wizards, George made 8 of 10 shots (6 of 8 from three-point range) for 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Poole made 6 of 16 shots for 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
With this win, the Suns improve to 20-20 and move from 11th to 10th place in the West. The Warriors drop to 11th. Currently, the Warriors have injuries to Kuminga and Green, and their upcoming schedule is tough, facing opponents like the Celtics, Kings, Lakers, Thunder, Suns, and Magic. It will be difficult for the Warriors to return to the play-in tournament area.
After today's games, the Suns and Warriors swapped places in the Western Conference standings, with no other changes. Below are the latest standings in the West: