Top 5 Western Conference Teams Heading into All-Star Weekend

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and now we’re in the second half of the season. With the Super Bowl out of the way, we shift all our attention to the NBA. The NBA All-Star weekend festivities take place this weekend. We have less than 30 games remaining in the regular season. We have named the top 5 teams in the Eastern Conference heading into All-Star weekend. We now shift our focus to the Western Conference and their top 5 teams. There are four teams that are separated by only 2 games atop the west. The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA Champions. Are they the best team in the Western Conference now? They are currently fourth in the standings and have lost two in a row. Are Minnesota and Oklahoma City serious contenders? Let’s look at the top 5 Western Conference teams heading into All-Star Weekend.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are currently in 4^th in the Western Conference. They have lost two in a row and this break couldn’t have come at a better time. Jokic is once again an MVP candidate with averages of 26.3 points, 12.2 boards and 9 assists a game. They have five other players averaging double figures also. They didn’t make any moves before the trade deadline. Seeing they’re a championship contender, it wouldn’t surprise me if they get someone who accepts a buyout. Jamal Murray is averaging over 20 points a game, but he can score with the best of them when he needs to. Denver has struggled at times, but at crunch time I’m counting on them to show up. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were to make a run and finish atop the Western Conference. Will Denver ascend to the top of the standings before playoff time?

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City is one of the youngest teams in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the frontrunners for the MVP award this season. SGA is averaging over 31 points a game to go along with 6.5 assists. The Thunder are a game behind the top spot in the Western Conference. Jalen Williams continues to shine in his second season by averaging over 19 points a game. Oklahoma City is one of the better defensive teams in the league also. Chet Holmgren has been great this season by putting up almost 17 points a game. Holmgren is also averaging almost 8 boards to go along with almost 3 blocks. This team doesn’t possess a lot of experience and that could be a factor come playoff time. Can this Thunder team make a run in the Western Conference in the playoffs?

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are currently 3^rd in the Western Conference, and they are my dark horse. The Clippers have enough talent to win the NBA championship this season. They have four future Hall-of-Famers on this roster. Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George will get that call after retirement. Kawhi leads this team in scoring with 24 points a game, but anyone can go off at any moment. Paul George is also scoring over 22 points a game, but we know James Harden can still score at will. The big issue with this team is how much energy they will have in April and May. Los Angeles didn’t make any trades before the deadline but look for buyouts and them wanting to sign here. They are my third ranked Western Conference team but wouldn’t be surprised if they reached the NBA Finals.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota is currently sitting atop the Western Conference. The Timberwolves have looked great the entire season and they’re led by Anthony Edwards. The former #1 overall pick is putting up 26 points a night. Edwards is also averaging a little over 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Karl-Anthony Towns is enjoying a great season also. Towns are putting up over 22 points and 8 boards a game. Rudy Gobert continues to be one of the better defenders and rebounders in the league. Gobert is pulling down over 12 boards to go with 2 blocks a game. Mike Conley provides that veteran leadership a championship contending team needs. Minnesota didn’t make any major moves before the NBA trade deadline. The Timberwolves are riding a 3-game winning streak. Can the Wolves continue this pace and make a long run in the Western Conference this season?

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are my 5^th team, and it was hard to choose between them, Dallas, and New Orleans. The Suns haven’t been healthy for most of the season. Bradley Beal has missed 22 games this season. When Beal, Durant, and Booker are on top of their game this team could make a surprising run. Durant and Booker are both averaging 28 points per game and Beal is putting up 18. Grayson Allen is great for this team as has Eric Gordon also. The Suns didn’t make a big splash during the trade deadline. Thaddeus Young did accept a buyout and elected to sign with Phoenix. Phoenix lacked depth and could hurt them in the playoffs. On the other hand, Durant, Booker, and Beal are good enough to carry this team. Can the Suns make a run in their final 20 games this season?