NBA power rankings: Are Golden State Warriors still No. 1? Where do Chicago Bulls rank?
CHARLOTTE — More than 100 players entered the NBA's health and safety protocols in December alone.
The league has had 11 games postponed in its 75th anniversary season.
In reaction, teams can sign players to 10-day hardship deals, a move that's helped the NBA keep going amid a worldwide surge of COVID-19 cases.
"Without them, we would've had to shut down the season," Suns All-Star Chris Paul said.
Entering Thursday's games, 558 players had seen action this season in setting a single-season record with more than half a season to play, the Associated Press reported.
In short, this has been wild — and will likely get wilder.
So determining the league's top teams is a challenge because so many players have been in protocols. Still, the top three remain the same in The Republic's latest power rankings through Saturday's games.
1. Golden State Warriors (29-7, Last week 1st)
The Warriors took down the Jazz in Utah without Draymond Green, who is in health and safety protocols.
This is after scoring just 86 points in a home loss to the Nuggets and having a rematch postponed in Denver.
Stephen Curry delivered 28 points and nine assists and Andrew Wiggins scored 25 in his second game back from protocols.
Klay Thompson hasn't made his debut yet after missing two seasons with injuries, but it's reporting coming this weekend.
2. Phoenix Suns (28-8, Last week 2nd)
With Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and head coach Monty Williams in protocols, the Suns were 2-2.
They lost to Memphis on a last-second shot by Ja Morant and in Boston, 123-108, as JaVale McGee was placed in protocols before facing the sub .500 Celtics.
The Suns trailed by as many as 30.
Jalen Smith is averaging a double-double of 15 and 10 in their absence, lead assistant Kevin Young got his first win as an acting head coach against Oklahoma City, but Phoenix has lost three of their last five.
Still one of the league's best teams, but clearly not the same without two starters, a backup big and head coach.
3. Utah Jazz (27-10, Last week 3rd)
Golden State snapped Utah's six-game win streak by limiting Donovan Mitchell to 4-of-19 shooting and Mike Conley to 4-of-13.
The Jazz also turned the ball over 13 times, which isn't bad, but it led to 25 points for Golden State.
Utah is strangely 14-7 at home this season after going 31-5 in Salt Lake City last season.
This was an opportunity to knock off the league's top team, but Utah has a three-game stretch this month when it plays Jan. 23 at Golden State, Jan. 24 at Phoenix and Jan. 26 at home against the Suns.
That'll be a golden opportunity for the Jazz to flip the West in their favor.
4. Chicago Bulls (25-10, Last week, Next 5)
DeMar DeRozan does it again – and again.
The veteran forward hit game-winning 3s at the buzzer in back-to-back road wins against Indiana and Washington in less than 24 hours.
That alone merits putting him in the MVP conversation and Chicago back in the top five, but here's more for the non-believers.
The Bulls have the longest current win streak at eight in a row to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference. Now six of those wins are against teams with losing records.
The Wizards are 19-18, but Chicago has something special going right now.
5T. Milwaukee Bucks (25-14, Last week 5th)
The Bucks have won six of their past seven, but like Chicago, they're feasting on sub. 500 teams.
That'll likely continue that this week against Toronto before a Friday showdown in Brooklyn.
The defending NBA champions are improving, though.
They're fifth in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating.
And then there's that Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Averaging 28.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists in nine December games (7-2), the two-time MVP started the New Year with a triple-double of 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in 32 minutes of Saturday's win over New Orleans.
He also went 2-of-4 from 3.
5T. Brooklyn Nets (23-12, Last week 4th)
Kevin Durant missed three games in protocols before returning Thursday against Philadelphia.
The Nets still lost to the 76ers and Saturday to the Clippers even though James Harden posted 30-point triple-doubles in each game.
Even got a goodbye wave from Joel Embiid.
Banter aside, they've had so many guys in protocols that's led to postponed games. So we still haven't really seen what this team can truly be, but an upset Durant vented after Saturday's loss.
Everyone is waiting on Kyrie Irving to make his season debut that has to be on the road since he hasn't received the vaccine to play in New York.
He's expected to play in Brooklyn's next road game on Wednesday at Indiana. Stay tuned.
Next 5
Memphis Grizzlies (24-14) — Huge back-to-back road wins over the Suns and Lakers as Ja Morant is averaging 34.6 points in his last three games. Hit the game winner in Phoenix. Who's heckling him now in Memphis? Got a big road win on Monday in Brooklyn.
Miami Heat (23-15) — Jimmy Butler is back after missing eight games with a tailbone injury. Miami stayed in the hunt in the East without him. That speaks to its culture and standards. When fully healthy, the Heat will be right there.
Philadelphia 76ers (20-16) — Nice revenge win over Brooklyn as the 76ers have won four in a row. Embiid is averaging 35.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in those victories. He truly has the talent and ability to be the game's best player. Wonder if he knows that?
Cleveland Cavaliers (21-16) — Tough break with Ricky Rubio suffering a season-ending knee injury. The Cavs traded for veteran and two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo, who has been in protocols. Waiting to see how he fits there.
Denver Nuggets (18-17) — They finished 3-1 on their four-game road trip after close wins over the Clippers and Warriors followed by a victory in Houston after leading by as many as 31 points without their head coach, Michael Malone, who is, where else, in protocols.
One last thing
Happy New Year. Stay safe. God bless.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.