This article represents the opinions of the writer and not of the NBA 2K League.

It’s hard to believe, but nearly a third of the season is already in the books. The first in-season tournament arrives this week with THE TURN (May 9-12 at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas).  Through the first four weeks of the regular season, there are two unbeatens, one team in search of its first win, and a handful of other squads who have the look of championship contenders. 

This is how the 21 teams stack up entering THE TURN in our latest bi-weekly NBA 2K League Power Rankings.

 

Up with a Rocket!
Three straight victories have propelled Kings Guard Gaming up eight spots as the league’s highest riser.

Falling Back
A poor start has Celtics Crossover heading in the wrong direction as they dropped seven spots.

 

1. Blazer5 Gaming
Regular-season record: 6-1
Previous rank: 6

No strangers to the top of the rankings last season, Blazer5 Gaming makes their season debut at  No. 1. They’ve won six straight, including a 38-point dismantling of Knicks Gaming and a 14-point win over 76ers GC in Week 4. They’re powered by last season’s MVP, OneWildWalnut, and the front-runner for this season’s award, Mama Im Dat Man.

2. Mavs Gaming
Regular-season record: 7-0
Previous rank: 5

All the talk about their record being inflated due to a weak schedule needs to stop. In a league marked by parity, Mavs Gaming have defeated all seven opponents put in front of them. It hasn’t always been pretty or easy, with comeback wins serving as their calling card, but you can’t nock Dallas for the schedule they’ve been dealt.

3. Pacers Gaming
Regular-season record: 4-0
Previous rank: 2

They enter THE TURN with an unblemished record as the tournament’s top seed, thanks to point differential despite playing three fewer games than some other teams. If Pacers Gaming gets anywhere near the same production out of Matty (31 points) that he displayed in a Week 4 win, this team could be scary good the rest of the way.

4. 76ers GC
Regular-season record: 3-2
Previous rank: 1

Something is just not right with 76ers GC, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what ails them. Following a superb run through THE TIPOFF, they’ve fallen back to Earth with two losses in their past three games. Their starting five is still among the best in the league, it’s just a matter of this group rediscovering their mojo.

5. Bucks Gaming
Regular-season record: 4-2
Previous rank: 4

Perhaps their best attribute is resiliency. In their last two weekly doubleheaders, Bucks Gaming have lost their opener, only to turn around and win the next game. They’ll aim to (and likely will) play better than .500 ball the rest of the way, but they’ve so far done a good job of positioning themselves near the top of the standings.

6. Heat Check Gaming
Regular-season record: 3-2
Previous rank: 3

They’re coming off a bye week and a bootcamp with Hawks Talon GC that should get them prepared for the tournament. Heat Check have been just a .500 team over their past four games. They’ve been dominant on the defensive end but could use a spark offensively, averaging just 48.0 PPG over their last two games.

7. Warriors Gaming Squad
Regular-season record: 3-2
Previous rank: 9

Just when it appeared like they were clicking and primed for a big jump in the rankings, a Week 4 letdown leaves questions. WGS opened with a 39-point triumph over Wizards District Gaming before losing by 18 points to Jazz Gaming the following day. Finding a happy medium of those two results will do.

8. Hawks Talon GC
Regular-season record: 3-2
Previous rank: 12

The expansion crew from Atlanta came one possession shy of perhaps a perfect Week 4. They gave Mavs Gaming a scare before losing by two points, bout bounced back with a double-digit win over Nets GC behind Dat Boy Shotz’s season-best 29 points. This team has a whole new feel to it just weeks after a disjointed start at THE TIPOFF.

9. Kings Guard Gaming
Regular-season record: 4-2
Previous rank: 17

They’re arguably the biggest surprise in the Top-10, but only because of the way they looked to start the season. KGG have since gotten things together, rattling off wins in their past three games. Leading the spark has been worthingcolt, the club’s lone holdover from season one, who is averaging 15.0 PPG and 15.0 RPG in his past two games.

10. Magic Gaming
Regular-season record: 2-3
Previous rank: 11

There might not be a more tough-luck bunch than them. Their three losses to date have come by a combined nine points, including a four-point defeat to Pacers Gaming in Week 4. The loss stings a bit more as it pushed Magic Gaming into the play-in bracket of THE TURN, where they’ll face Wizards District Gaming.

11. Jazz Gaming
Regular-season record: 3-2
Previous rank: 18

It was hard to tell what to make of Jazz Gaming in the early portion of the season. Things are definitely now trending in the right direction as they take a three-game winning streak into the tournament. Their first-rounders from the past two years, Ria (14 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) and Yeah I Compete (25 points, 8 assists) are fresh off solid outings in their Week 4 finale.

12. Cavs Legion GC
Regular-season record: 3-3
Previous rank: 13

Following an opening week doubleheader sweep, Cavs Legion have dropped three of four games. They’re coming off a bye week and draw a surging Jazz Gaming in a first-round matchup at THE TURN. How they perform likely depends on an offense that has scored over 60 points just once this season.

13. T-Wolves Gaming
Regular-season record: 2-4
Previous rank: 8

No team’s identity is as amiss as T-Wolves Gaming. This past week saw them part ways with GM/head coach Shawn Vilvens amind the team’s 1-3 regular-season start. They also decided to bench leading-scorer Hood for their Week 4 doubleheader (which ended up being a split). How the pieces fit moving forward is a development worth watching.

14. Celtics Crossover Gaming
Regular-season record: 1-4
Previous rank: 7

It’s hardly a good sign when your star player admits to discontent. The good news is oFAB claims the issues that arose have since been sorted out and he’s committed to the franchise. Now, Celtics Crossover must sort things out on the court. A win in Week 4 is a start, but much more is expected out of this TIPOFF finalist.

15. Raptors Uprising GC
Regular-season record: 2-3
Previous rank: 16

Follow along here: They dropped their first two games, had a bye week, swept two games, then followed up with a loss in Week 4. Needless to say, this is a tough team to peg. They’ve moved away including Doza in the starting lineup, but it’s fair to wonder whether it’s time to work this year’s first-rounder back into the fold.

16. Nets GC
Regular-season record: 2-4
Previous rank: 10

The shine has faded after things were looking bright just a few weeks. Four straight losses have the expansion team from Brooklyn reeling, with the setbacks coming by an average of 9.7 points. The slide has them facing a tough tournament play-in game against Celtics Crossover Gaming in a matchup of currently underperforming squads.

17. Knicks Gaming
Regular-season record: 1-4
Previous rank: 14

The benefit of the doubt has officially expired. Things just haven’t clicked this season for the defending champions. In their partial defense, they’re coming off an insanely tough doubleheader sweep against Blazer5 Gaming and 76ers Gaming. Still, something needs to change, and in a hurry, or a repeat at THE TICKET might be their best hope for the postseason.

18. Pistons GT
Regular-season record: 1-4
Previous rank: 15

They entered their bye week on a three-game losing streak. While Jaacko’s delayed arrival has helped provide a spark, it’s unfair to assume they’ll immediately gel. A week off to prep should have aided that cause and have Pistons GT ready to go for THE TURN.

19. Grizz Gaming
Regular-season record: 1-4
Previous rank: 21

They finally got off the snide in Week 4 to earn their first victory. Rookie point guard Vandi had his best performance to date with 28 points and 11 assists against Bucks Gaming. Grizz Gaming will need that type of sustained production if they have any hopes of getting on track for a prolonged period of time.

20. Lakers Gaming
Regular-season record: 1-4
Previous rank: 19

Despite their record, these guys are a tough opponent. Prior to their bye week, Lakers Gaming put a scare into Mavs Gaming and Heat Check Gaming in losing two close ones by eight total points. They’ve looked better since re-inserting KontruL at point guard, so we’ll see if they stick with it.

21. Wizards District Gaming
Regular-season record: 0-4
Previous rank: 20

The frustration level on this team is palpable. All one has to do is look at the players’ on-stage demeanor to see it. WDG have already experimented with lineup changes, but it might be time the team goes back to basics and simply let the Demon JT, Dayfri combo get the offense going.

This article represents the opinions of the writer and not of the NBA 2K League.