The NBA season progresses, nearly every team completed the first two months of the season at the quarter-mark of the schedule.
The inaugural in-season tournament is nearing completion: The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers will meet in the championship game in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament has created plenty of conversation and looks to have been a hit in its first iteration.
The league will certainly have tweaks and other adjustments to the format in future seasons, but the early results appear to have been mostly positive. Players appear to have bought into it, and the fan engagement seems to be high.
To make further sense of it all, Rookie Wire looked at the NBA and ranked each team from worst to first. We will return each week and provide our latest assessment of the best teams and those that are rising.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Last Rank: 30
The Pistons extended their longest losing streak in one season to 18 games on Wednesday by falling to the Grizzlies. They gave up a career-high 49 points to Desmond Bane, including 32 points in the second half. Their next five games are against teams with winning records, so they could begin to flirt with the longest losing streak in history (28 games).
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Last Rank: 29
The Spurs dropped their 15th straight game on Wednesday to the Timberwolves and are approaching the longest losing streak in franchise history (16). They’ll have the opportunity to match that mark at home on Friday against the Bulls.
For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Last Rank: 28
The Wizards are coming off a close loss to the Sixers on Wednesday. It was a contest that frustrated coach Wes Unseld Jr.: His team attempted eight free throws compared to 34 for the Sixers. He managed to save his money after not being fined for his comments, though. A rare win for the Wizards this season.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Last Rank: 26
The Jazz are coming off a 50-point loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. Afterward, coach Will Hardy became the front-runner for the best quote of the season (Warning: NSFW).
Will Hardy called this game a “masterpiece of dogshit” from the Jazz
— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) December 7, 2023
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Last Rank: 23
The Hornets have lost four of their last five games to drop…
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