NBA Power Rankings: LA Lakers knocked off top spot while Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets continue to climb

#3 LA Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers leader LeBron James

2020-21 record: 15-6

Upcoming fixtures: Atlanta (away), Denver (home), Detroit (home)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 1st (↓2)

Slipping from our NBA Power Rankings' top-spot for the first time this season are the LA Lakers. The defending champions lost on the road in Philadelphia and Detroit this week, showing how unpredictable this season will be.

The loss in Philly, which could prove a precursor of a future NBA Finals matchup, went back and forth until Tobias Harris' dagger with 2.4 seconds remaining.

Against the Boston Celtics, the Lakers had to put in another gutsy performance to come away with a one-point win. They made hard work of it, with starters Marc Gasol and Kentavious-Caldwell Pope scoring 1 point between them in 38 minutes of floor time.

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#2 Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers teammates

2020-21 record: 15-6

Upcoming fixtures: Charlotte (away), Portland (home), Brooklyn (home)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 4th (↑2)

Rapidly rising up our NBA Power Rankings, the Philadelphia 76ers currently sit top of the East and have easily been the most consistent and solid team in the conference.

Tobias Harris oh my goodness 😮(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/SnjTa9OS6m

— Stadium (@Stadium) January 30, 2021

Without Joel Embiid, the Sixers were still able to overcome Indiana after they completed a stunning victory over the Lakers midweek. Doc Rivers looks to have got the best out of his squad, in particular Embiid and Harris, the latter of whom hit Philly's game-winning shot against LA.

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#1 LA Clippers

LA Clippers defensive stalwart Kawhi Leonard

2020-21 record: 16-5

Upcoming fixtures: Brooklyn (away), Cleveland (away), Boston (home), Sacramento (home)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 2nd (↑1)

Overtaking their LA rivals, as well as jumping the Utah Jazz in the West, the Clippers are looking like their clinical best. Batum and Ibaka have settled straight into Ty Lue's system while Reggie Jackson has stepped up on offense in the absence of Patrick Beverley.

It is proving difficult to stop the Clippers this season, as the only side to record 9 wins in their last ten alongside Utah. The Clippers have the joint-best offense in the league and show no signs of letting up. Fans will be thankful that Paul George and Kawhi Leonard came out of COVID-19 protocols with minimal side effects.