With the seeding games winding down, there have been some spectacular individual performances at the Wide World of Sports Complex during the season restart.
Of course, Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard has emerged as the top player thus far after hanging 61 points on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Through seven games, Lillard is averaging 37 points, which tops all players during the restart.
While the stars of the league are showing out, the rookies have also stepped up and performed well. While Zion Williamson has missed time to rest, other first-year players have put up good numbers to carry the rookie class at Disney.
Here are the latest Rookie Wire Power Rankings:
5 Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Restart Stats: 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Previous Rank: N/A
After recording a career-high 23 points on Sunday, Bazley followed up that performance by scoring a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double to lead the Thunder on Monday against the Phoenix Suns.
The Thunder have dealt with a string of injuries, which has created the opportunity for Bazley. He has spent some time as the backup center and has even shown off his improved shot, converting on 7-of-12 shots from 3-point range over his last two games.
Bazley joined Russell Westbrook (2008-09) and James Harden (2009-10) as the only rookies in franchise history to score at least 20 points in back-to-back games and appears to be in a good rhythm heading into the postseason.
4 Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Restart Stats: 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Previous Rank: 5
Johnson only had nine appearances with the Spurs prior to the season suspension but has now played seven games during the restart and has really given fans something to be optimistic about moving forward.
The former Kentucky guard is averaging 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists during the restart while he is shooting 71.4% (10-of-14) from 3-point range. His 10 makes from beyond the arc are fifth-most among rookies at the Wide World of Sports Complex.
Johnson has posted two 20-point games during the restart and joined Gary Neal as the only Spurs rookies to record multiple 20-point games in a season since 2011. He spent most of the season in the G League but it is clear his time there helped prepare him for this chance.
3 Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Restart Stats: 15.3 points, 5 rebounds, 4.2 assists
Previous Rank: N/A
After scoring seven points in his restart debut on Aug. 1, Herro has scored in double figures in each of his last five games since and has posted at least 20 points twice.
Herro is averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists over his last three games with the Heat and has shot 59% from the field during that time frame. Playing without starter Kendrick Nunn, Herro has emerged as a key piece and could force his way into the starting lineup as a result.
The 14th overall pick has been tasked with playing more as a primary ballhandler, a role that he has shown great promise in. His assists are up during the restart and he even dished out a career-high 10 dimes on Saturday for his first career double-double.
Herro struggled during scrimmage play but has since bounced back and appears to be playing some of his best basketball of the season as the Heat begin their playoff run in the coming days.
2 Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Restart Stats: 20 points, 9.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds
Previous Rank: 1
Though Morant yielded the top spot to Michael Porter Jr. this week, the presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year has still been among the best rookies at Disney.
Despite the strong play from Morant, the Grizzlies are on the verge of falling out of playoff contention. After losing on Tuesday, the Grizzlies face a must-win situation on Thursday to claim a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament.
Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 13 assists for his 14th double-double of the season but will need to put forth another strong outing on Thursday to keep the Grizzlies’ season alive.
1 Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets
Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Restart Stats: 23.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal
Previous Rank: 2
Porter has been electric to watch during the season restart and has easily played his best basketball of the season since the Nuggets arrived at Disney last month.
Over his last four games, Porter is averaging 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals while he is shooting 48.1% from 3-point range. His play even earned some words of encouragement from LeBron James after the Nuggets played the Lakers on Monday.
Porter’s 23.8 points per game during the season restart are tied for 14th among all players in the NBA. His emergence has been a welcomed addition for the Nuggets and has come at the perfect time with the playoffs beginning next week.
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August 13, 2020 at 12:31AM
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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Michael Porter Jr. unseats Morant on top - The Rookie Wire
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