If the season ended today, the New York Knicks would be hosting a first-round playoff series.
Backed by three straight wins, the Knicks are one of only four Eastern Conference teams — the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks being the others — with records greater than .500. But the Miami Heat are on their way to joining that group.
Jimmy Butler & Co. have won six straight, are getting healthier and are starting to look like the team that went to the NBA Finals last season.
Where do all 30 teams stand as we close in on the All-Star break? Let’s dive into our Week 11 rankings.
Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Eric Woodyard, Royce Young and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.
Previous rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
1. Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 27-7
Previous ranking: 1
Mike Conley has the best net rating in the league among regular starters — the Jazz outscore opponents by 16.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor — but Utah is undefeated in the seven games Conley has missed. That’s in large part due to the luxury of being able to plug Joe Ingles into the starting lineup. Ingles has averaged 16.4 points and 5.4 assists with .543/.492/.895 shooting splits in nine games (all wins) as a starter this season; his net rating in those games: 122.4. — MacMahon
This week: @NOP, @PHI
2. Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 record: 24-11
Previous ranking: 3
When certain teams have a four-game losing streak with two of their starters sidelined, rational observers consider the context. That wasn’t the case for the Lakers last week, as the absences of Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder were seemingly dismissed in describing the supposed demise of the defending champs. Getting Schroder back helped restore some faith, as L.A. won two in a row over Portland and Golden State with their point guard back in the fold, and the sky stopped falling. — McMenamin
This week: PHX, @SAC
3. Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 22-13
Previous ranking: 4
Their win streak was snapped on Saturday, but there was context, with Kevin Durant missing his seventh straight game with a hamstring issue, and Kyrie Irving sitting out unexpectedly because of fatigue in his surgically repaired shoulder. The Nets are an established colossus, and at this point, their main focus will be on making sure they’re healthy for the postseason. — Young
This week: @SAS, @HOU
4. LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 24-12
Previous ranking: 2
It wasn’t one of the Clippers’ best weeks. They pounded a tired Washington team at home but then opened a back-to-back against Memphis in lackadaisical fashion before being routed by the Grizzlies. Coach Ty Lue voiced his frustration with the lack of energy and urgency, and the Clippers rebounded with a 20-point victory in the rematch. But then Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were outplayed by Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, and the Clippers blew an eight-point lead in the final eight-plus minutes. Leonard pointed out that the Clippers aren’t “there yet” and that they should learn from losses like the one to the Bucks. — Youngmisuk
This week: @BOS, @WAS
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 21-13
Previous ranking: 7
Coach Mike Budenholzer said the “joy and passion” has returned after the Bucks won their fifth consecutive game on Sunday against the Clippers. Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a show with 36 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists to rally Milwaukee. (He outscored the entire Clippers team 17-10 in the final 8:30.) It also was Antetokounmpo’s fourth straight game with at least 35 points; that hasn’t been done by a Bucks player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1973. — Woodyard
This week: DEN, @MEM
6. Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 22-11
Previous ranking: 5
There was some outcry around the league when Devin Booker wasn’t announced as an All-Star with the reserves named on Tuesday, but the NBA fixed that as Booker was selected Anthony Davis’ replacement the next day. With Booker and point guard Chris Paul named as All-Stars, it’s the first time Phoenix will have multiple All-Star selections since 2010 (Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire). — Lopez
This week: @LAL, GSW
7. Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 22-12
Previous ranking: 6
An ugly home loss to Cleveland on Saturday night exposed a concern in Philadelphia’s offense: 3-point shooting. Philadelphia now ranks 14th in the NBA offensively after falling to the Cavs and 28th in both 3-pointers made and attempted per game. That puts even more pressure on Joel Embiid to continue being the league’s most dominant interior force to keep the Sixers’ offense afloat. — Bontemps
This week: IND, UTA
8. San Antonio Spurs
2020-21 record: 17-12
Previous ranking: 10
DeMar DeRozan‘s playmaking has been on full display this season. On Saturday night in a win over the Pelicans, DeRozan had 32 points and 11 assists. It was his fourth game this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists, after he had five such performances in his career prior to this campaign. It also was his second 30-point, 10-assist game of the season. The last Spur to have multiple such games in a season was Tony Parker in 2012-13. — Lopez
This week: BKN, NYK, OKC
9. Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 18-15
Previous ranking: 9
The Nuggets continue their frustrating up-and-down play. After beating the Blazers, Denver dropped a frustrating 112-110 loss to the Wizards after it had a 3-on-1 fast break at the end but squandered a chance to tie and send the game to overtime when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. didn’t go toward the rim and the Nuggets settled for Facundo Campazzo launching a 3-pointer, instead. Denver rebounded with a 30-point win at Oklahoma City to start five straight road games. — Youngmisuk
This week: @CHI, @MIL, @IND
10. Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 record: 18-14
Previous ranking: 8
The bell has finally tolled for the Blazers, who through the adversity of the season had maintained a top-five status in the West. But now, with four straight losses — all against quality teams, though — there’s a bit of urgency to jump-start the engine. Help is on the way, with both CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic set to be reevaluated for their return to play. McCollum stressed last week he isn’t going to rush it, especially with the way the Blazers have stayed afloat in his absence. But as the second half opens, they’re going to start needing him. — Young
This week: CHA, GSW, SAC
11. Golden State Warriors
2020-21 record: 19-16
Previous ranking: 13
All the good vibes from the Warriors’ first three-game winning streak of the season got flushed on Sunday after they got blown out by the Lakers in a game that looked a lot like some of the blowouts Stephen Curry & Co. lived through early in the season. The good news for the Warriors is that Draymond Green is in the midst of the best stretch of his season. He combined for 30 points, 42 assists and 30 rebounds over the winning streak and said he is feeling the best he has felt all season. Steve Kerr said after Sunday’s loss in L.A. he doesn’t think Green’s ankle sprain is too serious. — Friedell
This week: @POR, @PHX
12. Miami Heat
2020-21 record: 17-17
Previous ranking: 19
Miami continues to be one of the league’s hottest teams after pulling off its sixth straight win on Sunday over the Hawks. After finishing up their West Coast swing in solid fashion last week, the Heat kept rolling at home — highlighted by an impressive win over the NBA-best Jazz during which Jimmy Butler rattled off 33 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Miami is hitting a nice stride heading into the All-Star break. — Friedell
This week: ATL, @NOP
13. Toronto Raptors
2020-21 record: 17-17
Previous ranking: 14
After Sunday’s game against the Bulls got postponed due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, only three teams — the Lakers, Clippers and Nets — have not yet had a game postponed this season. Toronto’s two contests this week are in jeopardy, as well. If they aren’t played, the Raptors will have to try to fit their remaining 39 games into just 67 days in the second half of the season. — Bontemps
This week: DET, @BOS
14. New York Knicks
2020-21 record: 18-17
Previous ranking: 15
When will the Knicks realize they aren’t supposed to be doing this? Seemingly not anytime soon. With Sunday’s win over Detroit, the Knicks are over .500 this late in the season for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign. That also was the last time the Knicks made the playoffs. If they can do that again this year, Tom Thibodeau might be able to steal the Coach of the Year award away from Utah’s Quin Snyder. — Bontemps
This week: @SAS, DET
15. Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 record: 16-16
Previous ranking: 16
Dallas is 9-9 when Kristaps Porzingis plays this season and 7-7 when he sits, but the Mavs are encouraged by his progress as he works his way into shape following offseason knee surgery. “I thought his rim protection and defense were the best that they’ve been all year,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said after Porzingis blocked three shots in Saturday’s win over Brooklyn in his return after missing three games due to lower back tightness. — MacMahon
This week: @ORL, OKC
16. Boston Celtics
2020-21 record: 17-17
Previous ranking: 12
Things were looking bleak for the Celtics after Luka Doncic ripped their hearts out Tuesday at the buzzer in Dallas and Danilo Gallinari and Trae Young buried them under an avalanche of 3s in Atlanta on Wednesday. But Boston responded with a pair of hard-fought home wins over the weekend — Friday against Indiana and Sunday versus Washington — to get them back to .500. — Bontemps
This week: LAC, TOR
17. Indiana Pacers
2020-21 record: 15-17
Previous ranking: 11
Outside of Domantas Sabonis being named a replacement for Kevin Durant in the All-Star Game, it was a rough week for the Pacers. They dropped three consecutive games to Golden State, Boston and New York to fall two games under .500. — Woodyard
This week: @PHI, @CLE, DEN
18. Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 record: 15-15
Previous ranking: 18
The Grizzlies set a couple of team records in Sunday’s 133-84 rout of the Rockets. The 49-point margin of victory was the largest in franchise history, and Memphis’ 85 bench points were its most ever. Justise Winslow had 20 points in the win, one shy of his total in his previous three games in a Grizzlies uniform. — MacMahon
This week: @WAS, MIL
19. Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 record: 16-17
Previous ranking: 17
Charlotte was on the verge of dropping three of its past four on Sunday, but a frantic comeback against the Kings helped salvage a 2-2 week. P.J. Washington poured in 42 points as the Hornets came back from an eight-point deficit with under a minute left. The Hornets’ offense continues to run well, but they’ve got to find a way to make some improvements on the other end of the floor, where they’ve given up at least 120 points in each of the past four tilts. Malik Monk has been a bright spot on the West Coast swing, dropping in 29 points off the bench in Wednesday’s win over the Suns and finishing the 3-point play that closed out the win over the Kings. — Friedell
This week: @POR, @MIN
20. Chicago Bulls
2020-21 record: 15-17
Previous ranking: 22
The Bulls have quietly clawed themselves into playoff contention. Thanks to five wins in their past seven outings, Chicago would be in the play-in if the season ended today. Zach LaVine was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career, and it’s the first time a Bulls player has been an All-Star since 2017. — Woodyard
This week: DEN, @NOP
21. Washington Wizards
2020-21 record: 13-19
Previous ranking: 26
The Wizards continued their turnaround by beating the Lakers and Nuggets on the road and going 3-1 on their western trip. But after winning seven of eight, Washington blew a five-point lead in the final 43 seconds to Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. Overall, the Wizards are playing much better, but coach Scott Brooks hopes that defeat doesn’t come back to haunt Washington in its chase for the eighth spot. — Youngmisuk
This week: MEM, LAC
22. Atlanta Hawks
2020-21 record: 14-20
Previous ranking: 20
The Hawks fell to six games below .500 for the first time with a loss to the Heat on Sunday, putting more of a damper on a campaign that started with such high hopes. If the season ended today, Atlanta would be outside of the play-in tournament. There aren’t many favors in the second half of the schedule, which includes an eight-game road trip from March 20 to April 2, the longest for any NBA team this season. — Lopez
This week: @MIA, @ORL
23. New Orleans Pelicans
2020-21 record: 14-19
Previous ranking: 21
The good news: New Orleans scored 122.7 points per 100 possessions, the best mark in the NBA for the month of February. The second-place Suns were two points behind the Pelicans in offensive rating. The bad news: New Orleans gave up 120.5 points per 100 possessions, the worst mark in the NBA for the month. For the season, only Sacramento has ranked lower in defensive rating. — Lopez
This week: UTA, CHI, MIA
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
2020-21 record: 14-20
Previous ranking: 27
Even with a bit of a clunker on Saturday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s February should’ve caught your attention. He averaged 25.4 points on .518/.474/.846 shooting splits plus five rebounds and six assists a game. SGA wasn’t really all that much in the All-Star conversation, but he has a case to at least be in the snubbed category. And even though he said he wasn’t thinking about it, the day after the All-Star reserves were named, he dropped a career-high 42 on the Spurs. — Young
This week: @DAL, @SAS
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
2020-21 record: 13-21
Previous ranking: 28
Darius Garland scored 11 of his career-high 25 points in overtime to beat the Sixers on Saturday. He added nine assists — one off his career best. The Cavs suddenly find themselves on a three-game winning streak following a 10-game skid, with Garland, Collin Sexton and Jarrett Allen providing consistent production. — McMenamin
This week: @HOU, IND
26. Orlando Magic
2020-21 record: 13-21
Previous ranking: 24
It was another ugly week for an Orlando squad that appeared to be righting itself after three straight wins. The Magic head into Monday’s game against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks having lost three straight and in need of the All-Star break. The big bright spot for Steve Clifford’s group is the play of All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic, who racked up 34 points in 35 minutes in a loss to the Jazz on Saturday. — Friedell
This week: DAL, ATL
27. Sacramento Kings
2020-21 record: 13-21
Previous ranking: 23
Playing on their home court, the Kings held an eight-point lead over the Hornets with less than a minute remaining on Sunday before Charlotte outscored them 12-3 the rest of the way to steal the win. Not sure what was more brutal: that defeat or the damage Luke Walton did to a clipboard during Sacramento’s loss to the Knicks earlier in the week. — McMenamin
This week: LAL, @POR
28. Houston Rockets
2020-21 record: 11-21
Previous ranking: 25
Offense is really hard right now for the Rockets. Houston is scoring only 100.3 points per 100 possessions during its 11-game losing streak, which started immediately after leading scorer Christian Wood went down with a sprained right ankle. Forward P.J. Tucker, a respected veteran role player likely to be moved before the trade deadline, has scored a total of 29 points on 9-of-37 shooting in 244 minutes during the skid. — MacMahon
This week: CLE, BKN
29. Detroit Pistons
2020-21 record: 9-25
Previous ranking: 29
One of the positives from this week was the Pistons snapping a three-game losing skid at Orlando on Tuesday. While the team continues to struggle overall, one of the individual bright spots is Jerami Grant, who continues to put in work. He put up his seventh 30-point game of the season during Friday’s loss to Sacramento. — Woodyard
This week: @TOR, @NYK
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
2020-21 record: 7-28
Previous ranking: 30
The messy transition aside, the first week of the Chris Finch era looked a lot like what was going on in Minnesota prior to his arrival. The Timberwolves went 0-4 — extending their losing streak to eight games — and clocked in with a defensive rating of 118.3, about six points per 100 possessions worse than what they were under Ryan Saunders. Their offense has been worse too, with 103.2 points per 100 possessions (down from 105.7 under Saunders). Their style did adjust, however, with more 3s (up about five per game), which is more to the identity the Wolves’ front office envisions. — Young
This week: CHA