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Another week of the NBA season has passed, and there's a number of teams who have stamped themselves as potential championship contenders.
The Western Conference's Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns continue to lead the NBA, sharing the best record at 23-5 entering Friday night's games. Right behind them are the always-solid Utah Jazz (20-7), who have won eight straight games. In the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets (21-8) have won four in a row, and the Milwaukee Bucks (19-11) have won 13 of their past 16 games.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Man of the Year race continues to have a slew of impressive contributors from the second unit.
Let's take a look at this week's Sixth Man of the Year power rankings.
No. 5: Jalen Brunson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 14; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 13.0, APG - 3.5, RPG - 5.3
Overall: PPG - 14.8, APG - 5.0, RPG - 4.0
Last Week: FG% - 47.6%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 49.7%, 3P% - 32.5%, FT% - 77.0%
Although the the Dallas Mavericks (14-14) have lost 10 of their past 15 games, they have nevertheless won two of their past three games with marquee player Luka Doncic sidelined with an ankle injury. Their only loss in that span came Wednesday, 107-104 in overtime against the LA Lakers. Veteran guard Jalen Brunson continues to be a consistent contributor.
Brunson has built a reputation as one of the more underrated guards, and his play this year continues to prove that. In his last week, Brunson averaged 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. To stop the Mavericks' slide since being 9-4 in mid-November, the team is going to need Brunson to keep up his play.
No. 4: Dennis Schroder
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 13; Games lost - 14
Last Week: PPG - 14.7, APG - 5.3, RPG - 2.7
Overall: PPG - 17.1, APG - 4.8, RPG - 3.6
Last Week: FG% - 43.2%, 3P% - 18.2%, FT% - 83.3%
Overall: FG% - 43.8%, 3P% - 33.6%, FT% - 89.6%
Boston Celtics veteran guard Dennis Schroder makes his debut in the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings. A journeyman guard who has been a popular name in Sixth Man of the Year conversations before, Schroder has been an outstanding asset off the bench for the Celtics.
Although Boston (14-14) has been middling all season, Schroder has been one of the more pleasant additions to any roster in the league this year.
In his last week, Schroder averaged 14.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 43.2% from the field. It was a bit of a down week for Schroder, which just goes to show how strong his play has been this year. He has the ability to be a factor in the Sixth Man of the Year race.
No. 3: Montrezl Harrell
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 15; Games lost - 15
Last Week: PPG - 8.0, APG - 1.3, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 14.6, APG - 2.2, RPG - 7.6
Last Week: FG% - 55.6%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 44.4%
Overall: FG% - 64.1%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 73.0%
Throughout the season, Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell has been a serious force in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. A year after a disappointing season with the LA Lakers, Harrell has looked rejuvenated with his new team. The forward has put up some impressive production throughout the year.
After finding himself behind Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro in previous power rankings, Harrell dropped one spot this week. It was a down week for Harrell, as he averaged just 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in three appearances.
Although the production was down, Harrell has still had strong numbers throughout the course of the year, averaging 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 64.1% from the field.
No. 2: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 16; Games lost - 14
Last Week: PPG - 26.3, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.0
Overall: PPG - 16.6, APG - 1.4, RPG - 4.1
Last Week: FG% - 47.6%, 3P% - 37.1%, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 46.0%, 3P% - 38.6%, FT% - 62.9%
Charlotte Hornets wing Kelly Oubre Jr. made his debut on the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings last week, and he's climbed up to second in this week's installment. Oubre has been blazing for the Hornets lately with production too impressive to ignore. Although the Hornets have had to deal with COVID issues lately, Oubre has taken a huge step forward.
In his last week, the veteran wing averaged 26.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. If Oubre can continue to stay this impressive, he's going to push hard for the No. 1 spot.
No. 1: Tyler Herro
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 14; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 16.7, APG - 3.3, RPG - 3.7
Overall: PPG - 20.3, APG - 3.7, RPG - 5.2
Last Week: FG% - 45.7%, 3P% - 35.3%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 44.0%, 3P% - 38.2%, FT% - 86.4%
Another week of the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings features Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro at the top spot. Miami (17-12) started out the season as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. They'll have to weather the schedule while waiting for Bam Adebayo (thumb) to return. They are fifth in the East.
After a down week, Herro put up better production across the board in his last three games. The offensive guard added 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in his last week. Herro continues to be one of the NBA's most dangerous bench assets, and he's going to be tough to catch when for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
