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The race for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award includes a number of impressive candidates.
The Phoenix Suns (31-9) and Golden State Warriors (30-11) continue to battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. But the Memphis Grizzlies (30-14) have won 11 consecutive games and 17 of 20 overall to storm up the ranks.
In the East, the surprising Chicago Bulls (27-12) and Miami Heat (26-15) have made moves, while the Brooklyn Nets (26-15) have hit a rough patch. Brooklyn is 3-6 in its last nine games, going a surprising 1-5 at home. The Nets' only home win required overtime to fend off the lowly San Antonio Spurs. But Kyrie Irving's return has helped the Nets go 2-1 on the road.
It's time to take a look at the updated Sixth Man of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
No. 5: Jordan Clarkson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 41; Games won - 28; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 15.0, APG - 1.0, RPG - 1.7
Overall: PPG - 15.3, APG - 2.2, RPG - 3.4
Last Week: FG% - 44.7%, 3P% - 42.1%, FT% - 100.0%
Overall: FG% - 40.1%, 3P% - 31.9%, FT% - 78.9%
Any Sixth Man of the Year conversation has to include Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz (28-14) have been a consistent force in the West. With an impressive amount of depth on the roster, Clarkson has been a valuable asset with his production off the bench.
Clarkson will be a candidate to watch closely as he can find his groove in a hurry to put up impressive numbers across the board. The veteran wing is coming off his most efficient week of games yet, as he averaged 15.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 44.7% (42.1% from 3-point range).
No. 4: Montrezl Harrell
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 31; Games won - 22; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A
Overall: PPG - 14.5, APG - 2.2, RPG - 7.3
Last Week: FG% - N/A%, 3P% - N/A%, FT% - N/A%
Overall: FG% - 64.7%, 3P% - 30.0%, FT% - 73.8%
Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell has been a huge, veteran piece off the bench, bringing an energetic presence with his ability to make a serious impact in rebounding.
Harrell missed last week after entering the league's health and safety protocols. He has since returned and will look to continue to build off an impressive start. Harrell is averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 64.7%.
No. 3: Jalen Brunson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 40; Games won - 22; Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 15.0, APG - 5.5, RPG - 3.3
Overall: PPG - 16.0, APG - 5.6, RPG - 3.8
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 30.0%, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 49.9%, 3P% - 33.6%, FT% - 77.3%
The Dallas Mavericks (22-19) ripped off a season-best six-game winning streak before falling 108-85 at the New York Knicks on Wednesday. That surge has them fifth in the West. They had suffered a 7-14 swoon between mid-November and late December after a 9-4 start.
Fourth-year guard Jalen Brunson continues to shine as one of the NBA's most valuable bench assets. The Dallas guard has been a consistent force. The "Brunson Burner" has done a great job running the team and producing across the board. In his last week of games, Brunson averaged 15.0 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 50.0%.
No. 2: Kelly Oubre Jr
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 40; Games won - 21; Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 19.0, APG - 0.7, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 16.6, APG - 1.2, RPG - 3.9
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 42.9%, FT% - 100.0%
Overall: FG% - 45.8%, 3P% - 37.3%, FT% - 67.4%
The Charlotte Hornets (23-19) have won four consecutive games and seven of their last nine to stand seventh in the East. One of the reasons for Charlotte's recent success has been veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre has started to thrive, becoming a serious contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award. "Tsunami Papi" averaged 19.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last week while shooting 50.0% (42.9% from 3-point range).
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 - 35; Games won - 22; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 22.3, APG - 3.3, RPG - 4.3
Overall: PPG - 20.7, APG - 4.1, RPG - 5.1
Last Week: FG% - 36.4%, 3P% - 34.6%, FT% - 100.0%
Overall: FG% - 42.9%, 3P% - 38.3%, FT% - 87.1%
The Miami Heat have weaved their way around lengthy injuries to headliners Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to move into a tie with Brooklyn for second place in the East. Butler (ankle) has missed 18 games this year, and Adebayo (thumb surgery) has been out the past 20 games.
Nonetheless, the Heat have won three in a row and 16 of their last 20 games. Underpinning that recent surge has, as usual, been the play of Tyler Herro.
The sharpshooting guard is the frontrunner for the Sixth Man of the Year award. "Boy Wonder" is coming off another impressive week. This latest stretch saw him finish with averages of 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. With Butler and Adebayo expected to return soon, it's only going to make life easier for Herro, who could see his efficiency climb.
Guess the Lakers players!
