One word to describe week 17, WOW! The trade deadline came to an end with an array of trades, with the biggest one being superstar forward Kevin Durant getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. The Los Angeles Lakers finally went through with trading guard Russell Westbrook as he was dealt to the Utah Jazz. With all these new changes, teams will need to find chemistry fast to improve their standings and position themselves for either a deep playoff run. The stretch after All-Star break to the playoffs will be a good one especially out West.

These are my power rankings based on games played through 2/12/2023.

1, Boston Celtics (41-16)

The Celtics are currently riding a four-game win streak in which three of them have come without All-Star guard Jaylen Brown who has missed games due to a facial fracture. Derrick White shined in his enhanced role with Brown out the lineup and scored no less than 19 points in every game last week. The C’s offense is slowly creeping back up to its high-volume efficiency as it was to begin the season. They also added a shooter at the deadline by acquiring Mike Muscala from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 6’11 forward can stroke it from three and is shooting 40% from distance on the year. Depth will be key for the Celtics to remain atop the East as they battle through injuries.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (39-17)

Riding a ten-game win streak, the Bucks are now one game behind in the loss column to overtake first place from Boston in the Eastern Conference. Over this streak, Giannis’ dominance is continuing to show and has probably placed himself back in the MVP race. This past week he averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds and nearly 7 assists. Milwaukee has stepped it up a notch defensively as well and are only allowing 106.6 points per 100 possessions over this 10-game win streak. The Bucks also made a big move at the trade deadline and acquired Jae Crowder. He’s a strong wing defender who brings toughness and the ability to shoot the three at a high rate. He hasn’t played all season so if he can catch his stride quickly and get into game shape, look for him to make a huge impact for the Bucks similar to what PJ Tucker did on Milwaukee’s run to the Championship two seasons ago.

3. Denver Nuggets (39-18)

The Nuggets went 2-1 this past week with a bad loss to the Orlando Magic. Jamal Murray missed every game last week with knee issues. At the trade deadline, the Nuggets also made changes with trading guard Bones Hyland to the Clippers but they acquired Thomas Bryant who can be a solid back up to Nikola Jokic and will hopefully sign guard Reggie Jackson in the buyout market. The Nuggets who were already a deep team added more depth and will need all things to click as the Western conference became much stronger after the trade deadline with Kevin Durant joining the Phoenix Suns and Kyrie Irving joining the Dallas Mavericks.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (36-19)

Lost a showdown with the Celtics this week but bounced back with wins against the Knicks and the Nets. Joel Embiid has continued his strong play and shot 65% from the field during the week and put in averages of 33 points and 10 rebounds per game. Philly has gone 7-3 in their last ten games and sit solidly in third place in the East.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-22)

So far in February, the Cavaliers are undefeated and their defense is the main reason why as the team still ranks first overall in the league on that end. They have held teams to 100.2 points per 100 possessions over their last five games which is very impressive as the league has turned into an offensive driven league. Currently three games behind the third place Sixers and will face them this week before the All- Star break.

Next in line: Sacramento Kings (32-24)

Some of the top performances this week include:

Monday (2/6)

• Brook Lopez’s 27 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points help lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Portland Trail Blazers 127-108.
• Klay Thompson caught fire and put in 42 points with 12 three pointers to lead the Golden State Warriors over the Oklahoma City Thunder 141-114.
• Rookie Keegan Murray scored a career high 30 points as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Houston Rockets 140-120.
• Jayson Tatum notched 34 points and the Celtics got an easy 111-99 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Tuesday (2/7)

• 35 points and 15 rebounds from Deandre Ayton helped lead the Phoenix Suns over the Brooklyn Nets 116-112.
• Brandon Ingram’s 30 points lifted the New Orleans Pelicans past the Atlanta Hawks 116-107.
• Nikola Jokic had a triple double by halftime against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nuggets went on to win 146-112. Jokic finished with 20, 12 & 16.
• LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer after pouring in 38 points on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Ja Morant had 34 points and 7 assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies past the Chicago Bulls 104-89.

Wednesday (2/8)

• A triple double from Damian Lillard (33, 11 & 10) pushed the Portland Trail Blazers past the Golden State Warriors 125-122.
• Kyrie Irving scored 24 points in his first game with the Dallas Mavericks which helped get them a win over the Los Angeles Clippers 110-104.
• Anthony Edwards had 31 points and led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a blowout win on the road against the Utah Jazz 143-118.
• Kristaps Porzingis scored 36 points and matched a career high 8 three-pointers to lead the Washington Wizards past the Charlotte Hornets 118-104.
• Bam Adebayo’s 38 points helped lead the Miami Heat to a 116-111 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Thursday (2/9)

• Trae Young notched 36 points as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-107.
• Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 points in his first game back with the Brooklyn Nets after being traded from Dallas and the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls at home 116-105.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the Los Angeles Lakers and led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 115-106 victory on the road.

Friday (2/10)

• Joel Embiid put in 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the New York Knicks 119-108.
• Jayson Tatum had 41 points to lift the Boston Celtics past the Charlotte Hornets 127-116.
• A near triple double from Ja Morant (32, 9 & 9) helped lead the Memphis Grizzlies over the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-107.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched a career high with 44 points to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 138-129 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Saturday (2/11)

• DeAaron Fox scored 36 points to lead the Sacramento Kings past the Dallas Mavericks 133-128.
• Jalen Brunson had 38 points as the New York Knicks crept past the Utah Jazz 126-120.
• Trae Young had 24 points and a season high 17 assists to give the Atlanta Hawks a 125-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
• Nikola Jokic secured another triple double (30, 16 & 10) as the Denver Nuggets pushed past the Charlotte Hornets 119-105.

Sunday (2/12)

• Derrick White’s 23 points helped lead the Boston Celtics past the Memphis Grizzlies at home 119-109.
• Fred VanVleet scored 35 points to lift the Toronto Raptors over the Detroit Pistons 119-118.