NBA Power Rankings: Can the Clippers stay atop the West?
Kawhi Leonard & Co. have the NBA's best record, but did they do enough to capture the No. 1 spot in our rankings?

























Kawhi Leonard & Co. have the NBA's best record, but did they do enough to capture the No. 1 spot in our rankings?
— LaMelo Ball scored a career-high 27 points and had nine assists and the Charlotte Hornets handed the Milwaukee Bucks their second loss in two nights, 126-114 on Friday.
— P.J. Washington had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Charlotte Hornets avenged an earlier loss to Indiana with a 108-105 win over the Pacers on Friday night.
— Doug McDermott had 28 points, Damontas Sabonis had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets 116-106 on Wednesday night.
In addition to playing games that have already been postponed in the second half of the season, the NBA will also attempt to squeeze in more games where possible between now and the league's scheduled midseason break in early March.
— Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points and rookie point guard Cole Anthony added a career-high 21 points as the Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 117-108 on Monday night.
Monday night marked the first time in NBA history that two women referred the same regular-season game. Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder joined Sean Wright for the Hornets-Magic matchup.
— Gordon Hayward broke a tie with a layup with 0.7 seconds left and scored 39 points in the Charlotte Hornets' 107-104 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
Devonte' Graham has reached the starter criteria in his contract. The Charlotte guard has now averaged 34.25 starts over two seasons and will see his 2021 Qualifying Offer increase from $2,079,826 to $4,736,102.
— Zach LaVine continued his strong play with 25 points and nine assists, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 123-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 10 | 9 | .526 | - | W1 |
| Charlotte | 9 | 11 | .450 | 1.5 | W2 |
| Orlando | 8 | 13 | .381 | 3 | L3 |
| Miami | 7 | 12 | .368 | 3 | W1 |
| Washington | 4 | 12 | .250 | 4.5 | W1 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(3) | LaMelo Ball | PG | |
| 2(2) | Vernon Carey Jr | C | Duke |
| 2(26) | Grant Riller | PG | Charleston |
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 9 | 11 | .450 |
| 2019-20 | 23 | 42 | .354 |
| 2018-19 | 39 | 43 | .476 |
| 2017-18 | 36 | 46 | .439 |
| 2016-17 | 36 | 46 | .439 |
