NBA power rankings: Sixers slowly recalibrating after tough stretch

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We’re done with roughly one quarter of the 2021-22 NBA season. It has already been an eventful campaign, with dominant win streaks, struggling “contenders,” and an unfortunately unpredictable COVID situation continuing to cast its shadow over sports and the country at large.

The Sixers in particular have been impacted by factors outside their control. Ben Simmons continues to sit at home, while Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Matisse Thybulle all missed extended time due to COVID. After beginning the year 8-2 and looking like the team to beat in the East, Philadelphia is now 12-11, good for ninth place.

Let’s once again take a trip through the entire league to decipher where exactly the Sixers stand among the crowd through 23 games.

NBA power rankings — Thunder, Rockets, Pistons

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (6-16)

OKC’s historic 73-point loss to Memphis last week essentially guarantees them the last spot in these rankings. A couple key absences no doubt hurt the Thunder, but you can’t experience the worst loss in NBA history and get much benefit of the doubt. OKC is designed to lose games right now.

29. Detroit Pistons (4-18)

The Pistons’ offense is U-G-L-Y ugly. Cade Cunningham has mostly looked the part, and he will continue to round into form, but the pieces around him are largely unpalatable right now. Detroit has the foundation of a good team, but we’re a ways away from seeing the fruits of this rebuild in full bloom.

28. Houston Rockets (6-16)

Jalen Green’s injury is a minor speed bump in Houston’s overarching developmental plan, but promising flashes from Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Sengun have fueled recent games — and they’ve won five in a row. It’s past time for the latter to get more than 12 minutes a night.