The NBA is almost halfway through the regular season, with the teams close to the 40 games played of the 82 that this stage includesin addition to having the All-Star Game almost a month away and which is usually the break that sets the tone for the final stretch of the campaign, although at this point, we already know which teams can be contenders, which are fighting to survive and which are thinking now about the next Draft.
Wild West
The NBA Western Conference has been controlled since the beginning of the campaign by the Thunder by Oklahomathe current league champions and who have only lost seven games of 38 disputed so far and, although it seems that they no longer have the pace to match or surpass the ’96 Bulls (72-10 record) oh go Warriors del 2016 (73-9)they do aim to be the first classified, led by 32 points per Shai Gilgeous-Alexander party.
The Thunder’s play suggests that the chase will be for second place, which the San Antonio Spurs (4.5 games behind)where the reconstruction seems to have ended but they have to show it when the key moment arrives and their figures, such as Victor Wembanyama, The’Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson y Stphone Castlethey will have to mature quickly.
In the race, behind those from El Álamo come up to five teams with the intention of continuing to overtake: the Nuggets con Nikola Jokiclos Timberwolves de Anthony Edwardsthe Lakers who are now more Luka Doncic than LeBron James, in addition to some young Rockets apart from Kevin Durant and the Sons de Devin Bookerwhich are in the area of Play-Inbut only four games away from San Antonio, so any bad streak can mean several positions in the table.
In limbo for the Playoffs we find the Warriors, still with a winning record (20-18)but what if it doesn’t come in? Stephen Curry in the equation (28.8 points and 4.7 triples per night)they have a losing record this year. Portland and Memphis complete the first ten, although with a percentage below ,500 wins and lossesare closer to giving rise to a new stage than to thinking about competing. The Trail Blazers They need a new figure and the Grizzliesit seems that they would be willing to part ways with Ja Morant.
The East does compete
The Eastern Conference has left surprises this season, several with a good taste in the mouth within a part of the league that does not always have much competition, but this year there seems to be. They have the same number of teams with a winning record (8) that the West and half of the East have more wins than losses this year against their counterpart.
The improvement of the Detroit Pistons It is also noteworthy, being in the first step for much of the season with 28 wins and 9 lossescon Cade Cunningham in front and increasing, for the fourth year in a row, his average of points and assists per night, even if it is by a few tenths.
The race also looks very similar to the one in the West, with the second place, the New York Knicks a four sets of engines kitwhile the difference with the eighth, the Knightsit is equal to four games difference. That’s where the Celtics, Raptors, 76ers, Magic y Heat.
Meanwhile, three teams have their own fight for two tickets to reclassification: the Hawks (18-21 record and who recently said goodbye to their star, Trae Young), the Bulls (17-20) and the Bucks (16-21)also amid rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s request to leave, denied by the Greek himself.
Difficult panoramas
The rest of the teams have a very dull scenario due to different circumstances, such as injuries in the case of dallas (Anthony Davis y Kyrie Irving), Clippers (Kawhi Leonard) o Indiana (Tyrese Haliburton), however, in the case of Californians, the return of “The Claw” has given them a boost: after starting the campaign 6-21his streak since then is 7-2.
The Pacers, who went from being finalists in 2025 to be the worst in the entire league, along with New Orleans and Sacramentothey target the first selections of the next Draft; others, like Utah, Charlotte, Brooklyn o Washingtonthey have not found the right pieces to shine and rescue, at least, the last play-off pass seems impossible.
The Most Valuable Player race
These players are among the favorites to be voted as the best in the entire NBA for their numbers and what they represent on the court to have their respective franchises where they are.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): current MVP of the league, of the Finals and has his team in first place in the entire NBA. Stats: 39.9 pts., 6.4 ast., 4.5 reb.
- Nikola Jokic (DEN): the brain and all-rounder of the Nuggets, winner of 3 of these awards. Statistics: 29.6 pts., 12.2 reb., 11 ast.
- Luka Doncic (LAL): always among the candidates and is taking the baton left by LeBron James in Los Angeles. Stats: 33.7 pts., 8.8 ast., 8 reb.
- Cade Cunningham (DET): the star of the Eastern leaders who does not stop showing improvement on the field. Stats: 26.7 pts., 9.7 ast., 6.2 reb.
- Jalen Brunson (NYY): leadership and scoring ability that have led the Knicks to the Conference Finals and being 2nd. east. Stats: 29.1 pts., 6.3 ast., 3.3 reb.
MF
