We can talk all we want about win streaks, losing skids and the like, but with the 10th and final week of regular season games in the books, the power rankings can be divided into three simple categories: Playoff teams, THE TICKET powered by AT&T teams who can be dangerous, and the extreme longshots.

Let’s go.

Playoff Teams

1 – Wizards District Gaming 22-6
2 – T-Wolves Gaming 21-7
3 – Pacers Gaming 20-8
4 – Hornets Venom GT 19-9
5 – Jazz Gaming 18-10
6 – Grizz Gaming 18-10
7 – Warriors Gaming 17-11
8 – Pistons GT 16-12
9 – 76ers GC 16-12
10 – Nets GC 16-12

The class of the league all year long has been WDG and T-wolves Gaming. Collectively, they have dominated the top of power rankings. While there appears to be serious separation between WDG and the T-Wolves, the final standings show the defending champions only bested T-Wolves by a single game with regard to overall record.

.@NetsGamingCrew are out here setting records, they set the new record for most points scored and most assists by a team in 4 quarters by an NBA 2KL team! pic.twitter.com/GTlNAUkDss

— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) August 15, 2021

That’s the Finals matchup everyone wants to see with Bear Da Beast trying to initiate his team’s offense while being hounded by WDG’s Just Awkward, who’s paint bodyguard Dayfri hss helped to pace the defending champion’s defense.

Shifty Kai has been some part’s Batman and other parts Robin, in any case, he’s spent much of the season playing like a superhero. Can the T-Wolves’ backcourt show up better than WDG’s steady JBM? There are so many intriguing questions for this potential finals matchup, but both teams will have their share of tough matchups if they’re to make it to the end of the bracket with a chance to become the first-ever two-time NBA 2K League champions.

If you’re looking for players in a position to take things to another level, keep an eye on Hornets Venom GT’s Rigby and Jazz Gaming’s Splashy. Both high-scoring guards have the talent to score in bunches. If they can get hot and the rest of their team is in sync, they may pose the most serious threat to the top 2 seeds.

Dangerous TICKET Teams

11 – Kings Guard Gaming 15-13
12 – Blazer5 Gaming 15-13
13 – Knicks Gaming 14-14
14 – Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai 14-14
15 – Magic Gaming 13-15
16 – Celtics Crossover Gaming 12-16
17 – Heat Check Gaming 12-16
18 – Cavs Legion GC 11-17
19 – Raptors Uprising 9-19

If I’m being honest, there are only three teams in The TICKET who have the look of a potentially dangerous team over the long haul. Cavs Legion has shown the ability to compete with the best teams in the league. Back in Week 5, they swept T-Wolves Gaming. Unfortunately for them, they haven’t been consistent enough to prove the can compete on that level throughout the season.

.@CavsLegionGC are hot heading into THE TICKET powered by @ATT! pic.twitter.com/vuP3VhwQMx

— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) August 13, 2021

There’s also Kings Guard Gaming. With former league MVP Mama I’m Dat Man, the leadership is in place, but we’ve seen far too many collapses at crucial times from this team. KGG was desperately in need of a strong finish to the season.

With a playoff berth on the line heading into Weeks 8 and 9, Mama and Co. couldn’t come through. During this crucial stretch, they went 2-6 and even with the assumed sweep against Lakers Gaming in Week 10, it wasn’t enough to qualify for the postseason. I worry this team hasn’t gelled at the right time.

The most dangerous TICKET team is Raptors Uprising. They have been arguably the most improved team over the course of the season, and this was the case even before they swung the trade to bring in Dimez.

RUGC started the season 0-6 and then 2-12. Since, they have gone 7-7. The addition of Dimez shouldn’t be overlooked considering he and Kenny have great chemistry, and neither appears to mind who leads the offense from possession to possession. Are they still major longshots? You bet, but if this team gets out of THE TICKET with confidence on high, no one in the playoff bracket will be enthused about playing them.

Major Longshots

20 – Mavs Gaming 9-19
21 – Bucks Gaming 6-22
22 – Hawks Talon GC 6-22
23 – Lakers Gaming 3-25

These four teams will show up for THE TICKET, but quite honestly, it may be hard to find anyone who thinks the Mavs, Bucks, Hawks and Lakers actually have a shot to win. Bucks Gaming will likely give the best effort, but if any of the four advance past the first round of The TICKET, it’ll be a surprise.

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