NBA power rankings — Celtics, Hawks, Clippers
- 21. Boston Celtics (4-6)
Jaylen Brown will miss 1-2 weeks with a troublesome hamstring injury, and just 10 games into the season, Boston has experienced its first bout of locker room turmoil. It hasn’t been the best start to the season for the Celtics, who have a talented group that just can’t seem to click on all cylinders. Jayson Tatum can carry a team pretty far, but the Celtics need more from the supporting cast and the coaching staff.
- 20. Atlanta Hawks (4-7)
Someone should tell the Hawks the games have started again. Atlanta has been in a slumber to open the season, losing four straight and currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are better than this — there’s too much talent and depth for them to stay this low forever — but it has been a worrisome start for a team many considered a real contender coming into the season.
- 19. LA Clippers (5-4)
After starting the season 1-4, the Clippers have won four straight to jump back over .500 and reclaim their spot in the postseason race. It’s still early, but Paul George is an MVP candidate, while the Clippers’ combination of depth and inventive coaching makes them a tricky matchup for opposing teams. They’re not a title contender without Kawhi Leonard, but this Clippers team can still beat anyone on any given night.