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NBA Power Rankings: Come fall in love with the Sacramento Kings

By Ian Levy

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against the Miami Heat on October 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against the Miami Heat on October 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 1: A close up shot of Nerlens Noel #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 1, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 1: A close up shot of Nerlens Noel #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 1, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

oklahoma city thunder. 12. team. 149. . 5-4. Previous: 21st

What a gut punch for the Thunder. After a brutal start, it looked like they had finally turned the corner. Russell Westbrook was finishing as well as he ever had, he had finally rediscovered his rhythm with Steven Adams and Paul George was somehow leading the league in catch-and-shoot attempts. Then, in last night’s game against the Pelicans, Westbrook went down with an ugly rolled ankle that, in a best-case scenario, will keep him off the floor for a handful of games and rob Oklahoma City of their momentum.

The Thunder were able to hold off the Pelicans after Westbrook went down but they’ve really struggled anytime he’s been off the floor this season. Dennis Schroder has been a pretty big disappointment (or exactly what you expected, depending on your #wokeness). As a team, they’ve been outscored by 3.0 points per 100 possessions with Schroder on the floor and Westbrook on the bench, managing an effective field goal percentage of just 45.2. Here’s hoping Westbrook can recover quickly because who knows what shape this team will be in by the time he gets back.

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