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- Oklahoma City Thunder (46-10)
- Memphis Grizzlies (37-20)
- Denver Nuggets (37-20)
- Los Angeles Lakers (34-21)
- Houston Rockets (35-22)
- LA Clippers (31-25)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (31-27)
- Dallas Mavericks (31-27)
- Golden State Warriors (30-27)
- Sacramento Kings (28-28)
As we enter the final quarter of the season, let’s look at our five top contenders in the West.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
There is no denying Oklahoma City’s status as the top team in the West. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have been the No. 1 team in the conference all year. SGA is leading the NBA in scoring with 32.3 PPG and that is only part of what makes the team so dangerous. OKC’s defense may be the best unit in the league — only the Orlando Magic (105.2) are allowing fewer points per game than OKC (105.3). The Thunder boast a league-best +13.0 point differential and they should only improve down the stretch. Following a lengthy absence, Chet Holmgren returned to the lineup on February 7. In 15 games, Holmgren is averaging 15.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. With Jalen Williams also playing at a high level, the Thunder have one of the best young trios in the sport.
2. Denver Nuggets
The NBA champions two seasons ago, the Nuggets are beginning to look like the team that dominated the competition en route to the title. Prior to Saturday night’s loss to the Lakers, Denver had won nine in a row to climb up the West leaderboard. Nikola Jokic has won three of the last four MVP Awards and it may be a two-horse race between Jokic and SGA this year. Notably, Jokic and Russell Westbrook have developed good chemistry on the court. A former MVP in his own right, Westbrook has given Denver a dynamic that it has lacked the past few seasons. Additionally, Jamal Murray has found his form after a tough start to the season. The star guard is averaging 25.6 PPG in February and has topped 30 points five times since January 29.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
14-4 over their last 18 games, the Lakers are a team that nobody will want to face in the playoffs. While nobody can argue that its defense will be as good as it was with Anthony Davis in town, Los Angeles has the No. 1 defense in the league during its 18-game tear. Last Saturday, Luka Doncic looked like himself for the first time since the seismic trade. In his fourth game with the Lakers, Doncic had his way with Denver en route to 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. With LeBron James looking great — he is averaging 29/9/8 this month — the Lakers have a lethal 1-2 punch. With a vastly improved coaching staff, the Lakers should be in a better spot in the postseason entering any series. The jury is out on its defense in the long run, but Los Angeles is certainly capable of making a run in the West as long as James and Doncic are playing at a high level.
4. Golden State Warriors
Golden State may have looked dead in the water a few weeks ago, but the arrival of Jimmy Butler has turned its season around. With Butler on the court, the Warriors are 5-1 with four wins coming by 14 points or more. The former Miami Heat star has looked great thus far — averaging 20/5/5 — and Steph Curry has seemingly found a second wind now that he has another offensive threat on the court with him. Since Butler’s arrival, Curry has topped 25 points five times and is shooting nearly 50% from the field. There is a lot of work to be done, but Curry, Butler and Draymond Green have the Warriors looking like a threat once again.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Despite sharing the second-best record in the West, the Grizzlies come in at No. 5. Memphis has the highest-scoring offense in the conference (122.8 PPG) and boasts the new frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been one of the league’s top defenders for years and is now positioned to win his second DPOY. Remarkably, JJJ is also leading Memphis in scoring with 22.8 PPG. Ja Morant is having his worst statistical season since his second year in the NBA, but he remains a top talent. In 29 minutes per game, Morant is averaging 20/7/4 — down from 26/8/6 two years ago. The Grizzlies are a balanced team and have the skill to win a series or two in the postseason, but we wouldn’t take them over any of the four teams ranked above them in this piece.
