Time is running out on the NBA season.
And, as injuries mount to some of the game’s brightest, contenders must find ways to adapt.
No team is equipped to do this better than the reigning champion Boston Celtics, who blasted the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, despite Jayson Tatum sitting with a rolled left ankle. Tatum worked out before the game, however, perhaps indicating that the injury may not be as bad as it looked.
The Golden State Warriors may get Stephen Curry (pelvic contusion) back as soon as Friday, but the Milwaukee Bucks will have to adjust their play, with All-Star guard Damian Lillard (deep vein thrombosis) out indefinitely.
Here are the winners and losers from Week 23 of the 2024-25 NBA season:
WINNERS
No Jayson Tatum, no problem
It’s a testament to how well-built and how balanced the Celtics are that, in their first game without Jayson Tatum (sprained left ankle), they completely obliterated the Suns. Wednesday night against Phoenix, the Celtics dropped 73 points by halftime, lacing 14 attempts from beyond the arc. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, starters were resting. Simply put: against most teams in the NBA, Boston easily has enough talent to overcome the absence of even its best player, an MVP candidate.
Making matters even sweeter for the Celtics: seven of their remaining nine games are against teams below .500.
Vintage James Harden lifts Clippers into No. 6 seed — for now
A spry James Harden isn’t playing his age (35), averaging 28.1 points over his past 11 games — nine of which have been Los Angeles victories. At times last season, when Paul George was on the team, Harden took a backseat. That’s no longer the case; Harden isn’t hesitating with his shot and is conducting the offense, averaging 9.3 assists over his past 12 games.
Kawhi Leonard has been steady, but mid-season trade acquisition Bogdan Bogdanović has also meshed with Harden. L.A. moved out of the play-in window — for now. But it all may come down to the season finale April 13 against the Warriors, the team the Clippers (41-31) leapt in the standings.
Josh Giddey, Coby White and the Bulls are suddenly surging
A team that has wallowed in irrelevance for some time, Chicago is playing some of its best basketball in recent memory. The Bulls (32-40) are still very much stuck in the play-in window and likely won’t be able to climb into the No. 6 seed. Yet, the Bulls, winners of eight of their past 10, are playing quicker, protecting the ball, getting to the line and scoring more.
Josh Giddey, who is nearly averaging a triple-double — 22.6 points, 9.1 assists and 10.1 rebounds — over his past 12, has taken complete ownership of the offense. Coby White is averaging 30.6 points over his past 10. And the Bulls have toppled opponents weak and strong, with their two most recent victories coming against the Nuggets and Lakers.
LOSERS
With loss of Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks must shine on defense
Because of its roster construction, Milwaukee already depended on All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who had accounted for 39.7% of the team’s scoring, entering Wednesday night. But now that the Bucks (40-32) will be without Lillard (deep vein thrombosis) indefinitely, immense responsibility falls on Antetokounmpo.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s offensive brilliance, scoring will be tougher without Lillard. Kyle Kuzma will need to step up on offense, as will Bobby Portis Jr., upon returning April 8 from his 25-game suspension. The path forward, however, must be physicality and intensity on defense, where the Bucks are tied for fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.2) since the All-Star break.
Stephen Curry’s absence reveals major flaw in Warriors
Since trading for Jimmy Butler, the Warriors are 16-5. Yet, Tuesday’s blowout loss against the Heat — Golden State’s second consecutive game without Stephen Curry (pelvic contusion) — showed just how essential he is. Curry’s the greatest shooter in NBA history. He commands attention any time he’s on the floor. He’s also the premier off-ball player in the league, moving and shifting position constantly to compromise defenses.
With Curry sidelined, Golden State stagnates. Butler, clearly the second-best offensive option, often defers too much. Jonathan Kuminga’s shooting has regressed. The Warriors (41-31) expect Curry back Friday against the Pelicans. After falling into the seventh seed with a Clippers victory Wednesday night, it’s not a moment too soon.
Are Kings in danger of falling out of play-in game?
Sacramento is in the middle of its second separate four-game losing streak in two weeks. The average margin of defeat in the eight most recent Kings losses has been 15.5 points, and the most glaring issue is defense, specifically: perimeter defense.
The Kings (35-37) rank dead last this season in defensive 3-point percentage (38.7%). Yet, over Sacramento’s past 10 games, it is allowing opposing teams to flush 3s at a ridiculous 46.6% clip. The next closest team, the 76ers, are 5.7 percentage points better. The Kings are currently the No. 9 seed in the West. But the 10th-seeded Suns have been better recently and the 11th-place Mavericks are just a half-game back of Sacramento.