As the NBA approaches the All-Star break (February 17-19), several teams are trending in directions many didn’t expect. The usual teams at the top of the standings remain: The Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets and the league leaders, The Boston Celtics. Teams that are reaching a new level of success are the Cavaliers, Pelicans and Kings. The MVP race is very tight: Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo are generally considered at the top of the MVP ladder. 

The Sacramento Kings, currently third in the western conference, are a major story. Missing the playoffs for the past 17 years, America’s “Beam Team,” led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are shocking the league. With the NBA trade deadline just 11 days away, these standings and the teams that inhabit them may change drastically. Last year, the Boston Celtics improved from a Play-in team to the 2nd seed after the all-star break, bringing hope to the more middling teams in the league. 

Now is the perfect time to tune in to NBA basketball. Nearly every team has an exciting star to watch, and competition is as close as possible.