NBA 101

NBA midseason grades: Report cards for every East team, plus each roster's MVP so far

Every team in the Eastern Conference has played at least 41 games, which means we have reached the NBA regular season’s midway point, which means it is high time for a report card. (Our midseason awards can be found here.)

The Detroit Pistons (31-10), led on offense by Cade Cunningham and owners of the East’s best defense, are running away with the No. 1 seed, holding on to a 5.5-game lead in the conference.

Still, the East is as wide open as it has ever been. The second-place and surprising Boston Celtics (26-16) could return Jayson Tatum for the fourth quarter of this season. The New York Knicks (25-18) have been floundering, but we know what they are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders. Same goes for the sloooowly-getting-better Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20).

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Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers (23-19) and Orlando Magic (23-19) are lurking, if only they could stay healthy. Then there are the Toronto Raptors (26-19), who are as plucky as anybody.

We have yet to see a team in the East that has made the statement: We are prepared to battle whomever emerges from the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Maybe Detroit is THEM. The Pistons could use one more impact player, but that is for the trade deadline to determine.

Now, though, it is time to get to the grades …

Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

(Our first-quarter grades can be found here.)

Atlanta Hawks (20-25)

• Midseason MVP: Jalen Johnson (23-10-8 on 51/36/78)

• Offensive rating: 113.4 (22nd) • Defensive rating: 114.8 (16th)

• Best lineup: Johnson • Nickeil Alexander-Walker • Dyson Daniels • Zaccharie Risacher • Kristaps Porziņģis (+19 in 129 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 11-18 • Against losing teams: 9-7

Comments: Since trading Trae Young, the Hawks are 3-4, hardly the start they anticipated upon dealing the four-time All-Star point guard. … On the whole, they have been outscored by 1.4 points per 100 meaningful possessions when Young is not on the court, per Cleaning the Glass. … Atlanta was supposed to be a darkhorse candidate to emerge from the East. Instead, it looks like it could be bound for the play-in again. … Is another big move in development?

Grade: D

Boston Celtics (26-16)

• Midseason MVP: Jaylen Brown (30-7-5 on 49/36/79)

• Offensive rating: 121.4 (2nd) • Defensive rating: 114.0 (14th)

• Best lineup: Brown • Payton Pritchard • Derrick White • Sam Hauser • Neemias Queta (+53 in 134 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 13-12 • Against losing teams: 13-4

Comments: The Celtics own the East’s second-best record and its second-best net rating, all in the absence of an injured Jayson Tatum. … Tatum’s return could be sooner than later. … Jaylen Brown has played his way into the MVP conversation. … Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser have also played well enough for the Celtics to consider a) not moving either at the deadline or b) packaging one or both of them, along with picks, for a significant upgrade. … They could use another big.

Grade: A

Brooklyn Nets (12-29)

• Midseason MVP: Michael Porter Jr. (26-7-3 on 49/40/85)

• Offensive rating: 112.3 (25th) • Defensive rating: 117.4 (26th)

• Best lineup: Porter • Egor Demin • Tre Mann • Noah Clowney • Nicolas Claxton (+18 in 306 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 5-18 • Against losing teams: 7-11

Comments: The Nets may have won their trade of Cam Johnson, given how well Michael Porter Jr. has played to this point and the fact that they received an additional first-round pick in the deal. … Porter might fetch more first-round assets if he is shopped by the deadline. … The Nets needed one of their five first-round picks to pop, and none of them have, though Egor Demin has played better of late (14-3-3 on 45/45/83 shooting splits in his last 14 appearances).

Grade: C

Charlotte Hornets (16-27)

• Midseason MVP: Kon Knueppel (19-5-4 on 49/44/89)

• Offensive rating: 116.9 (7th) • Defensive rating: 116.7 (21st)

• Best lineup: Knueppel • LaMelo Ball • Brandon Miller • Miles Bridges • Moussa Diabate (+63 in 112 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 7-16 • Against losing teams: 9-11

Comments: Rookie wing Kon Knueppel, it seems, was a true find at the No. 4 draft slot. … Brandon Miller should be good, too. Together they are a decent foundation. … Is LaMelo Ball a part of that same foundation? He is reportedly open to a trade away from Charlotte, and it might be in the Hornets’ best interest to deal him. … They have not won with him. … Then again, they are +11.5 points per 100 meaningful possessions when Knueppel, Miller and Ball share a court.

Grade: D

Chicago Bulls (21-22)

• Midseason MVP: Josh Giddey (19-9-9 on 47/39/76)

• Offensive rating: 114.4 (16th) • Defensive rating: 116.8 (23rd)

• Best lineup: Giddey • Matas Buzelis • Kevin Huerter • Isaac Okoro • Nikola Vučević (+5 in 65 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 10-11 • Against losing teams: 11-11

Comments: Shocker of all shockers: The Bulls are hovering around .500 again, bound for another play-in tournament in a watered-down Eastern Conference, no chance at winning. … Lots to like about Matas Buzelis. … You can’t help but appreciate Nikola Vučević’s efforts, too, even as he seems endlessly frustrated by Chicago’s perpetual quest for mediocrity. … What to do with Coby White, a 2026 free agent? … The Bulls are full of questions, empty of answers. 

Grade: D

Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20)

• Midseason MVP: Donovan Mitchell (29-5-6 on 49/38/84)

• Offensive rating: 116.5 (10th) • Defensive rating: 114.6 (15th)

• Best lineup: Mitchell • Darius Garland • De’Andre Hunter • Evan Mobley • Jarrett Allen (+29 in 51 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 10-15 • Against losing teams: 14-5

Comments: That redundancy of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt? Still a problem. … Far more of a problem than it was a year ago at this time, when the Cavs were bound for a 64-win campaign. … Then again, when all four are on the court, Cleveland is still +7.2 points per 100 meaningful possessions. … Maybe they need a wing. … Maybe they just need Garland healthy. … They need something.

Grade: C

Detroit Pistons (31-10)

• Midseason MVP: Cade Cunningham (26-6-10 on 45/33/82)

• Offensive rating: 116.0 (11th) • Defensive rating: 108.5 (2nd)

• Best lineup: Cunningham • Ausar Thompson • Duncan Robinson • Tobias Harris • Jalen Duren (+57 in 276 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 14-4 • Against losing teams: 17-6

Comments: The Pistons own the East’s best record and best net rating. How could we complain? … Cade Cunningham has been everything Detroit could have asked for from its No. 1 pick. … Jalen Duren should be an All-Star. … They need to upgrade the Tobias Harris position if they want to seriously compete with the West. … Lauri Markkanen would be nice, but his cost is prohibitive. … Michael Porter Jr.? Now, he would establish them as clear favorites in the East.

Grade: A

Indiana Pacers (10-34)

• Midseason MVP: Pascal Siakam (24-7-4 on 48/38/68)

• Offensive rating: 107.9 (30th) • Defensive rating: 116.0 (19th)

• Best lineup: Siakam • Andrew Nembhard • Ben Sheppard • Bennedict Mathurin • Jay Huff (+9 in 39 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 3-25 • Against losing teams: 7-9

Comments: Look at what the Celtics have done without Tatum, and look at what the Pacers have done without Tyrese Haliburton. … It’s not the worst-case scenario. Indiana has quickly pivoted to becoming a tanking team, once it became clear it had no chance of seriously competing for a playoff spot. … In that sense, they are a success, falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, in line for a top-four overall pick. Could be a lot worse, actually.

Grade: C

Miami Heat (23-21)

• Midseason MVP: Norman Powell (24-4-3 on 49/42/85)

• Offensive rating: 113.7 (20th) • Defensive rating: 112.8 (8th)

• Best lineup: Powell • Tyler Herro • Davion Mitchell • Andrew Wiggins • Bam Adebayo (+27 in 94 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 10-18 • Against losing teams: 13-3

Comments: The Heat installed a new, almost pick-and-roll-less offense, which was all the rage as the season began, only to settle in at 20th in the NBA on that end by midseason. … They still play at the fastest pace in the league — by a wide margin. … Norm Powell, the Clippers’ loss, is Miami’s gain. … Bam Adebayo, forever an anchor of a top-10 defense. … The Heat are 4-7 with Tyler Herro in the lineup and cannot find any sense of a rhythm as he battles a series of injuries.

Grade: C

Milwaukee Bucks (18-24)

• Midseason MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo (29-10-6 on 65/40/65)

• Offensive rating: 113.0 (23rd) • Defensive rating: 116.1 (20th)

• Best lineup: Antetokounmpo • Ryan Rollins • Kevin Porter Jr. • AJ Green • Myles Turner (+44 in 173 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 6-18 • Against losing teams: 12-6

Comments: The Bucks are performing like a top-tier team when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the court, outscoring opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions. … They are operating like a bottom-dweller when he is on the bench, getting outscored by 9.5 points per 100 possessions. … Still, Antetokounmpo insists he will not ask out of Milwaukee, leaving that discussion to the team and his agents. … Might the Bucks make one more desperation move to satiate Giannis? 

Grade: D

New York Knicks (25-18)

• Midseason MVP: Jalen Brunson (28-3-6 on 48/39/85)

• Offensive rating: 118.9 (4th) • Defensive rating: 115.9 (18th)

• Best lineup: Brunson • Miles McBride • Josh Hart • Mikal Bridges • Karl-Anthony Towns (+45 in 118 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 11-13 • Against losing teams: 14-5

Comments: The Knicks, who entered the season as betting favorites to win the East, are now staring up at Detroit in that regard. … They also trail the Tatum-less Celtics in the standings. … They are 2-9 with the 27th-ranked net rating (-8.4) in their last 11 games. … Newsday’s sources suggested the sharks are circling Karl-Anthony Towns, though another report shot down that idea. … It is hard to imagine the Knicks shaking up their core for anyone but Antetokounmpo.

Grade: C

Orlando Magic (23-19)

• Midseason MVP: Paolo Banchero (21-9-5 on 45/27/76)

• Offensive rating: 114.4 (18th) • Defensive rating: 113.6 (12th)

• Best lineup: Banchero • Jalen Suggs • Desmond Bane • Franz Wagner • Wendell Carter Jr. (+47 in 117 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 12-12 • Against losing teams: 11-7

Comments: Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have played 16 games together; the Magic are 8-8 in those outings. … Hard to tell what Orlando is capable of, since Jalen Suggs has also had trouble staying on the court. … Anthony Black’s progress (16-4-4 on 47/36/73 shooting splits) is a revelation. … Of the 48 players who have taken 15 or more shots per game, Banchero ranks 44th in true shooting percentage (55%). … Can Orlando get back into the top 10 on defense?

Grade: C

Philadelphia 76ers (23-19)

• Midseason MVP: Tyrese Maxey (30-4-7 on 47/40/88)

• Offensive rating: 114.4 (15th) • Defensive rating: 113.2 (11th)

• Best lineup: Maxey • VJ Edgecombe • Paul George • Dominick Barlow • Joel Embiid (+22 in 142 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 9-14 • Against losing teams: 14-5

Comments: Tyrese Maxey, what a player. … VJ Edgecombe is going to be a heck of a backcourt partner to Maxey. The 76ers are set there. … Joel Embiid since mid-December: 28-8-4 on 51/30/86 splits, and he can barely even jump. Can he stay healthy through multiple rounds of playoffs? … Paul George is also contributing as somewhat of an outsized role player. … Who wants to face these Sixers in the first round? Just imagine if they acquire another wing.

Grade: B

Toronto Raptors (26-19)

• Midseason MVP: Scottie Barnes (20-8-6 on 50/32/82)

• Offensive rating: 114.1 (19th) • Defensive rating: 112.5 (6th)

• Best lineup: Barnes • Immanuel Quickley • RJ Barrett • Brandon Ingram • Jakob Poeltl (+18 in 166 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 11-12 • Against losing teams: 15-7

Comments: The Raptors own the league’s sixth-rated defense, and their rim protector, Jakob Poeltl, has not played since Dec. 21 … You can see why Toronto might be interested in Anthony Davis. … You can see why they might want Ja Morant, too, since the Immanuel Quickley spot could also be upgraded. … But who wants the three years left on his deal after this season? … Collectively, though, we couldn’t ask for much more from this team, especially Brandon Ingram.

Grade: A

Washington Wizards (10-32)

• Midseason MVP: Alex Sarr (17-7-3 on 51/35/70)

• Offensive rating: 109.6 (28th) • Defensive rating: 120.7 (29th)

• Best lineup: Sarr • Bub Carrington • Tre Johnson • Kyshawn George • Khris Middleton (-5 in 41 minutes)

• Against .500+ teams: 2-20 • Against losing teams: 8-12

Comments: Is Trae Young ever going to play for this team this season? Maybe they will nurse his quad injury for as long as it takes to pull their tank into a bottom-four spot. … The Wizards are still waiting on a star to emerge from their recent string of first-round draft picks, though Alex Sarr (17-7-3 on 51/35/70 shooting splits and a league-leading 2.2 blocks per game) is a player. … Get Tre Johnson more shots than his 10 per game. … Another high-end lottery pick loading.

Grade: B

Lakers' Luka Doncic named NBA All-Star Game starter, LeBron James waits for reserve call

Lakers guard Luka Doncic was voted as a Western Conference starter for the NBA’s All-Star team, becoming the 15th player in NBA history to earn six all-star selections before the age of 27.

Doncic, who received his fifth starting nod, leads the league in scoring (33.3), is fourth in assists (8.6), is making 46.4% of his shots and is hitting 33.7% of his three pointers.

He received the most votes of the All-Stars with 3,402,967.

The other West starters are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.

Read more:Deandre Ayton has big night as he and Luka Doncic return and Lakers run past Raptors

The Eastern Conference starters are Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who received the most votes in the East and the second-most in the league (3,218, 390); Boston’s Jaylen Brown; New York’s Jalen Brunson; Detroit’s Cade Cummingham; and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.

The All-Stars were selected by fans, players and media votes with obligation to fill specific positions on each roster.

Lakers forward LeBron James was not voted as a starter, but he still has a chance to be a reserve when the NBA coaches pick the reserves later this month.

James has been named an All-Star team starter an NBA-record 21 times, eight times as a Laker.

He missed the first 14 games of the season recovering from a sciatica injury, but has been playing at a high level since his return.

James is averaging 22.6 points per game, 6.9 assists and 5.9 assists in his NBA-record 23rd season.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves had been playing at an All-Star level, averaging career-high in points (26.6) points, assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2) and his shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range, but he has missed the 12 games with a left calf strain.

The All-Star game will be played at the Clippers’ home arena, the Intuit Dome, on Feb. 15. It no longer will feature an East versus West matchup.

The new format will be a three-team tournament that will feature two U.S. teams and one world team from the total of 24 players selected.

The U.S. will have 16 players and the world will have eight, of which Doncic will be on because he is from Slovenia.

The teams then play a round-robin of 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to the final 12-minute championship game.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Grizzlies beat Magic as NBA returns to London

The Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first NBA regular-season match to be hosted in London since 2019.

The Grizzlies, who have struggled for consistency this season, raced into early domination at the O2 Arena, leading by 17 points late into the first quarter.

From there it became an even contest, with the score difference varying little in the last three quarters and the Magic’s hopes of a fightback limited by the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were inspired by star point guard Ja Morant on his return from an ankle sprain that resulted in him missing six matches. His name received the loudest cheer from the London crowd before the tip-off.

Morant put up 20 points in the first half, 15 of which came in the second quarter.

He was only due to make a limited appearance on his return but played for 28 minutes as he scored 24 points, with team-mate Jock Landale adding 21 from the bench.

Wendell Carter Jr impressed for the Magic with 18 points, while team-mate Paolo Banchero added 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 36-minute outing.

The return to London was the second part of a double-header between the two sides, with the Magic beating the Grizzles 118-111 on Thursday in Berlin.

NBA glam comes to London

As part of the stardom that the NBA attracts, courtside was full of famous faces, including footballers Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice, Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli and actress Rosamund Pike.

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was also sat in close proximity to the Orlando bench throughout the match, alongside NBA legend Tony Parker.

Both Henry and Pike received cheers from the crowd in atmosphere akin to that of an American game at times. An even better atmosphere would have likely come had it been a more even contest.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was shown on screen, met with a huge chorus of boos, which quickly turned to cheers when the camera swiftly switched to show former Real Madrid and Brazil footballer Marcelo.

Ahead of tip-off, NBA greats John Amaechi and Steve Nash both addressed the crowd on court, with Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, of the Magic and Grizzlies respectively, also thanking the fans for their support.

American singer Vanessa Williams sung the US national anthem before the game, but was interrupted by one shout in the crowd of “leave Greenland alone” amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Danish territory.

What next for the NBA in Europe?

A win for Memphis in London marks the end of the NBA’s two-match stay in Europe.

In 2027, Manchester will host its first regular-season match, joining up with Paris to host a double-header next January. Paris and Berlin will both host matches in 2028.

Long term, the NBA has plans to launch an independent European league that could start as early as the 2027-28 campaign, with conversations currently ongoing with potential investors, sponsors and stakeholders over how that could look.

The NBA has faced resistance from EuroLeague, the continent’s current primary club competition.

EuroLeague has threatened the NBA with legal action, should it approach any current EuroLeague clubs over joining the formation of a new division.

Real Madrid and Alba Berlin both played in last season’s EuroLeague. While Real Madrid remain a EuroLeague team, Alba Berlin withdrew from the competition after 24 years at the start of this season. Both are understood to be open to joining NBA Europe.

By the time Manchester’s Co-op Live hosts an NBA match next January, there will be a much clearer picture over if the league is happening, how it will look and when it is expected to launch.