The 2020-21 season has undoubtedly been a strange one to this point, but the circumstances facing teams in the league have enabled several rookies and other under-the-radar players the opportunity to log heavy minutes.

With teams around the league dealing with injury issues, rookie players have been thrust into the spotlight and are beginning to turn in some strong performances. From the rise of Immanuel Quickley to the emergence of Theo Maledon, rookies have been seen this year.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

11 Honorable Mention: Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

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Last Rank: N/A

Stats: 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds – 50.8% shooting from 3-point

Bane may only rank eighth in rookie scoring on the season, but the 30th overall pick is posting 13.7 points over his last three games. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies only have three appearances during the past two weeks due to health and safety protocols, which is why Bane was relegated to honorable mention, but he has emerged as an incredible shooter and contributor this season for Memphis.

10 Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

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Last Rank: 4

Stats: 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists

After an incredible run by Maxey, in which he scored a career-high 39 points on Jan. 9, the Sixers rookie has played sparingly of late with starter Seth Curry back from the health and safety protocols. Maxey is averaging just six points per game over the last two weeks, but he has stayed productive when called upon. He helped the Sixers overcome a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit on Sunday to beat the Pacers, and earned praise from his teammates in the process.

9 Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls

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Last Rank: 8

Stats: 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists

Williams continues to score in bunches this season and has been inconsistent on that end of the floor. However, the fourth overall pick has scored at least 10 points in his last two games for just the third time this season. In his rookie season, Williams has emerged as a strong mid-range shooter, converting on 47.2% (17-of-36) of his looks.

8 Theo Maledon, Oklahoma City Thunder

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Last Rank: N/A

Stats: 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists

With veteran George Hill out at least four weeks following thumb surgery, the Thunder have turned to Theo Maledon in the starting lineup. The second-round pick has responded by averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in four starts on 57.1% shooting (12-of-21) from 3-point range. Included in that span is a career-high 24 points on Jan. 29, in which he went a perfect 6-of-6 from 3-point range and tied a rookie NBA record in the process.

7 Jae'Sean Tate, Houston Rockets

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Last Rank: 10

Stats: 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists

The undrafted product from Ohio State, who played last season in Australia, is beginning to become a hit among Rockets fans. Since the last Rookie Wire Power Rankings published on Jan. 20, Tate has become a full-time starter for head coach Stephen Silas, who loves his rebounding and ability to limit turnovers. Tate, who was nominated for Western Conference Rookie of the Month, is averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds over his last seven games.

6 Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Last Rank: 2

Stats: 10.7 points, 5.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals

Haliburton, who was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month, has cooled off from his hot start, but he has managed to impact games in other ways. He is shooting just 38.7% from the field, and 27% from 3-point range, but is still averaging 9.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists over his last six games. Despite his shooting falling off, he recently earned praise from head coach Luke Walton for his clutch gene in a win over the Raptors.

5 Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Last Rank: 7

Stats: 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists

Since we last wrote, Anthony has seemingly snapped his season-long shooting slump and found his rhythm. Over his last eight games, Anthony is averaging 12.8 points, five rebounds and 4.3 assists on 50% shooting (13-of-26) from 3-point range. During that span, Anthony also drained his first career game-winner over the Timberwolves, a shot that earned a wholesome reaction from his father, Greg.

4 James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Last Rank: 5

Stats: 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks

Wiseman was recently taken out of the starting lineup in an effort to shake things up, and the second overall pick had performed well in his new role before suffering a wrist injury. He will miss the next week or so of action, but will travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip and could return at some point then.

3 LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

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Last Rank: 1

Stats: 12.2 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals

Ball, who was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, appears back on track after struggling a bit to shoot. He has scored in double figures in three consecutive games, including a career-high 27 points on Jan. 30. He entered the starting lineup in place of Terry Rozier, who suffered an ankle injury, and performed well with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Rozier is listed as questionable with the injury, so Ball may eventually move back to the bench.

2 Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Last Rank: 3

Stats: 13.6 points, 3 rebounds, 1.9 assists

The No. 1 overall pick, who leads all rookies in scoring, appears to have found his groove shooting the ball after a relatively inefficient start to the season. Over his last eight games, Edwards has produced 122 total points, which leads all rookies over that span, and is shooting 41.3% from 3-point range. He has scored in double figures in a season-long six straight games and is slowly showing signs of being the top pick in the draft.

1 Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Last Rank: 6

Stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds

The rise of Quickley this season has been a revelation for the Knicks, and the 25th overall pick is beginning to look like the biggest steal of the draft each time he steps onto the court. Quickley has captivated fans with his floater, which, according to Synergy Sports, has netted him 62 points, trailing only Luka Doncic and Trae Young for the most in the league. He has three games with at least 25 points, the most by a rookie this season, so he has already shown he can take over games.