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The annual NBA All-Star Game will take place in Chicago this weekend. As always, the showpiece event will provide no shortage of excitement over three days of thrilling action - although the All-Star Weekend highlights that we are now heading towards the business end of the 2019-20 NBA season.
With just over a third of the season left to play, there is an ongoing battle in both conferences for playoff spots and homecourt advantage - while several standout players are aiming to pick up one of the season-ending individual awards. Following Zion Williamson's return last month, the race to be named Rookie of the Year is heating up - and here we will take a look at the final power rankings heading into the All-Star break.
#5 De'Andre Hunter - Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have endured another disappointing campaign although De'Andre Hunter has quietly enjoyed an excellent debut season. Selected with the fourth overall pick last summer, Hunter has been a mainstay in the Hawks' starting lineup and only Trae Young and John Collins are averaging more minutes per contest.
Hunter started last week by recording 12 points and five rebounds against the Timberwolves, and following a quiet showing against the Celtics, the 22-year-old recorded 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals during Atlanta's double-overtime win over the Knicks. He finished shooting 7-for-15 from the field, while his improved three-point shooting was on show as he connected with three of his seven attempts from deep.
Hunter also contributed 10 points against the Magic on Monday, and the University of Virginia product is currently averaging 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.
#4 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat
Tyler Herro missed his fourth straight game on Monday night as the Miami Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors. Herro is struggling with a foot injury and could be out until after the All-Star break - although the 20-year-old remains in the mix to be named ROY thanks to his excellent start to life in the NBA.
Despite featuring from the bench, Herro has averaged 13.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in just 27.7 minutes per contest - and the guard is also shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc. In his last outing on Feb. 2 - Herro dropped 23 points in just 26 minutes against the Magic - and the Miami star will remain relevant in the race for as long as he can stay healthy.
#3 Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans remain a long shot to make the playoffs, although Zion Williamson has been able to live up to the billing during his early weeks in the NBA. The 19-year-old endured a poor shooting night against the Bucks as he connected with just 5 of his 19 field goal attempts - although he still finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and five assists. Two days later against the Bulls, Williamson missed just two of his 11 field goal attempts as he recorded 21 points in just 25 minutes.
Williamson missed Saturday's win over the Pacers due to an ankle problem but will return on Tuesday against the Trail Blazers. Admittedly, he has played just eight times, although the Duke product is averaging 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 26.9 minutes per contest - and he will continue to gain ground in the ROY race following the All-Star break.
#2 Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat
Kendrick Nunn's form has been up and down since the turn of the year, and the 24-year-old is coming off another tough week. After contributing 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Clippers, Nunn recorded 16 points for the Heat against the Kings - although he shot just 6-for-19 from the field - while also missing eight of his ten attempts from three-point range.
Nunn attempted 19 shots against the Trail Blazers but finished with just nine points - before recording just four points against the Warriors on 2-for-13 shooting. Evidently, Nunn needs to shake off his recent shooting woes, although the Chicago native is averaging 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game - and his presence on a competing Miami team only increases his hopes of being named ROY.
#1 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
It was another excellent week for Ja Morant as he delivered three more big performances for the surging Memphis Grizzlies. Morant dropped 21 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the field during the win over the Mavericks before contributing 15 points in 28 minutes during a rare loss to Philadelphia.
Morant's best performance of the week then came against the Wizards as he delivered the first triple-double of his career. The 20-year-old finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Grizzlies improved to 27-26 for the season. Through 47 appearances, Morant is averaging 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per contest - and he is the clear front runner for the ROY award as we near the All-Star break.
