As we cross the eight-week mark of the 2023-24 NBA season, the contours of the league are coming into focus. Some teams are showcasing resilience and strategic prowess, while others are wrestling with obstacles. In this edition of the NBA Week in Focus, we examine the performances of standout stars and surprising underperformers.
Winners – Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have managed to turn their early-season struggles around, now enjoying a seven-game winning streak. The strong teamwork between star players James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George has been key in this change. Leonard’s strong performance, scoring an average of 29.4 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 59.1 percent in the last 10 games, has played a significant role.
Harden’s contribution in leading the offense is important, scoring an average of 18.0 points and making 9.9 assists per game this month. The Clippers’ recent 4-0 record shows their improved performance and hints at their potential to be among the top teams in the league. Their increasing unity and ability to perform well under pressure are clear in these wins.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
| Kawhi Leonard | 28.3 | 5.8 | 4.5 | 59.6 | 51.6 |
| James Harden | 18 | 5.3 | 9.9 | 46.6 | 41.7 |
| Paul George | 20.7 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 43.2 | 52.9 |
Losers – Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets had a tough week, losing all four games, including their biggest franchise defeat to the 76ers. The team has been missing LaMelo Ball, who has been out with an ankle injury since Nov. 26, significantly affecting their performance. However, Terry Rozier has been a positive presence, scoring an average of 26.5 points and making 9.4 assists per game since Nov. 30.
Rozier’s strong play and the encouraging efforts of newcomer Brandon Miller offer some hope for the Hornets during this difficult time. The team is looking forward to Ball’s return to enhance their game strategy and scoring.
| Player | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | 3P Percentage |
| Terry Rozier | 23.9 | 8.1 | 3.3 | 42.9 |
| Brandon Miller | 16 | 3 | 4.1 | 43.6 |
Winners – Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have increased their winning streak to six games, with a 4-0 record in the last week. Joel Embiid is having an outstanding season, even surpassing his stats from 2022-23. With an average of 34.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, Embiid is once again showing his worthiness for the MVP title.
The growth of Tyrese Maxey as the main ball handler has been key in supporting Embiid. Maxey’s career-best performances in scoring, rebounding, and assists highlight his crucial role in the Sixers’ success. Their recent games have been not just wins but also displays of sheer dominance, as they’ve outscored their opponents by 148 points in their last four games.
| Season | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Blocks Per Game | FG% |
| 2022-23 | 33.1 | 4.2 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 54.8 |
| 2023-24 | 34.2 | 6 | 11.7 | 1.9 | 53.4 |
Losers – Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks had a tough week, winning only one out of four games, which shows their uneven performance this season. Their defense, ranked 27th, has been a problem, and injuries, like the one to Jalen Johnson, have made things harder. Trae Young has been a bright spot, scoring an average of 28.0 points and making 10.8 assists per game.
Despite bringing in Dejounte Murray, the team hasn’t seen the expected benefits, and the rest of the players need to do more if the Hawks are to win consistently. They need to get better on defense and make sure everyone is contributing on offense to succeed in the future.
| Statistic | Value | Rank |
| Points | 120.3 | 10th |
| Assists | 25.7 | 21st |
| Field goal % | 46 | 24th |
| Defensive rating | 119.3 | 27th |
Winners – New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans had a great week, winning all four games and showing what they can do when everyone is fit. Getting key players like Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, and C.J. McCollum back from injury really helped. With players like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas, they have a lot of options on offense, which makes them a tough team to beat.
The big test for the Pelicans will be keeping everyone healthy and getting the team to work well together. As the season goes on, it will be important for the players to understand each other’s game and for the key players to stay fit if they want to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
| Zion Williamson | 26.3 | 6.9 | 5.4 | 58.3 | 28.6 |
| Brandon Ingram | 24.9 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 49.6 | 32.4 |
| CJ McCollum | 22.7 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 46.09 | 42.3 |
| Trey Murphy III | 22.3 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 50 | 40.4 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 19.2 | 12.7 | 3.2 | 56.7 | 37 |
Losers – Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors had a tough week, with only one win in four games, adding to their ongoing struggles. The team has had trouble scoring, except for Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. Barnes has been playing really well, scoring an average of 20.2 points, making 5.7 assists, and getting 8.9 rebounds per game.
The Raptors, who are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, have some big decisions about their future. They need to sort out their problems with scoring and think about starting over or trading for a big-name player. While Barnes is doing well, the Raptors are running out of time to get their season back on track.
| Season | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Steals and Blocks Per Game |
| 2021-22 | 15.3 | 3.5 | 7.5 | 1.8 |
| 2022-23 | 15.3 | 4.8 | 6.6 | 1.9 |
| 2023-24 | 20.2 | 5.7 | 8.9 | 2.8 |
To sum it up, the NBA Week in Focus gives us a quick look at what’s happening in the league, with the best performances and the biggest problems telling the story. As the season goes on, the competition for playoff spots is heating up, and the league’s top players continue to show why they’re the best.