Lakers climb to No. 2 in ESPN's power rankings, with Walker Kessler named top newcomer
ESPN moves the Lakers from seventh to second behind the Spurs and names Walker Kessler their best newcomer before Sunday's game at Phoenix.
The Los Angeles Lakers moved up five spots to No. 2 in ESPN's latest NBA power rankings. Only San Antonio sits ahead of them after the Spurs jumped from fifth to first. ESPN's panel ranked the Lakers seventh a week ago. In its introduction, it called them arguably the most impressive team so far in a crowded Western Conference, with Oklahoma City third behind them.
ESPN credits Luka Doncic's start for most of that. He is averaging 39.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists, which the outlet describes as historic. The rankings also named each team's best newcomer, and for the Lakers that was center Walker Kessler. ESPN's Dave McMenamin noted that Kessler opened his Lakers career with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting. Through the 12 games before the rankings came out, the 7-foot-2 center had played every night and was averaging a career-high 14.9 points on 69.1% shooting, plus 10.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
McMenamin's point about Kessler goes beyond the scoring. Kessler is playing more than 30 minutes a night and averaging only 2.9 fouls, and the Lakers have no established big man behind him. If foul trouble or an injury keeps him off the floor, they have no obvious replacement. That makes his ability to stay on the court a key part of how this team holds up.
The rankings came out the morning of the Lakers' game in Milwaukee, when they were 10-2, and they added to the case that night. They won 123-112 against a Bucks team ESPN ranked 29th, improving to 11-2 and extending their winning streak to seven games. Their only losses so far are a 136-129 home defeat to Portland and a 112-95 loss at Golden State. Since that loss to the Warriors, they have outscored opponents by about 10 points a game.
What it means for Sunday at Phoenix
The Lakers play next on Sunday, November 15, against the Phoenix Suns. On paper, the matchup favors Los Angeles. The Lakers are 6-1 on the road, with wins at Atlanta, Detroit, Sacramento, Utah and the Clippers as well as Milwaukee. For the season they are averaging about 122 points and allowing about 114.
ESPN had Phoenix 21st at 4-6 heading into the week. The Suns opened 1-5 before winning two of their next three. ESPN also listed them last in the league in rebounds per game, which matters against Kessler, who is pulling down more than 10 rebounds a night. The Suns' top newcomer, according to ESPN, is Miles Bridges, a former Charlotte forward who is averaging a career-best 7.8 rebounds along with 15.8 points. Bridges is a big reason Phoenix's rebounding numbers aren't even worse, and the Lakers' size inside could test that on Sunday.
Phoenix also played Charlotte at home on Thursday, so its record may change before the Lakers arrive. After Sunday, the Lakers return home to face the Hornets on Tuesday.