Category: News

Before we get into the most anticipated indie albums of 2023, let’s revel in what an undeniably packed year 2022 was for indie. From Alex G’s stunning God Save The Animals to The Beths’ explosive Expert In A Dying Field, there was an abundance of albums to remind us of the flourishing scene. Meanwhile The 1975’s Being Funny In A Foreign Language and Arctic Monkeys’ The Car made millions of twentysomethings nostalgic for 2014 Tumblr in the best way possible. Luckily, there’s still a lot more coming our way next year. Here are the most anticipated indie albums of 2023.

Samia – Honey

January 27

The Baby, Samia’s 2020 debut, was praised for its visceral lyricism matched with a delicate, sweet sound. Singles like “Sea Lions” and “Kill Her Freak Out” have previewed refined songwriting and a bigger sense of intensity for the next effort; “You said when I come on the radio it makes you wanna die / Well if I shut up can I come inside?” she sings on the unforgettable piano-driven ballad “Sea Lions.”

Narrow Head – Moments Of Clarity

February 10

There are tons of bands getting in on the grunge revival right now, but Narrow Head are one of the most notable. Their EPs and albums have been magnetic and ferocious, packed with blaring guitars and unsettling textures that bring to mind alt-rock veterans like Smashing Pumpkins or Hum. Moments Of Clarity retains their forceful energy, as proved by the single “Gearhead,” a destructive, distorted anthem about isolation: “Alone again is time well spent / Alone, forever falling.”

Paramore – This Is Why

February 10

Paramore’s last album was 2017’s bombastic After Laughter, which contained one of their biggest hits, “Hard Times.” Fans have been begging for new material since then, and the announcement of This Is Why was an exhilarating one. The singles “This Is Why” and “The News” have exceeded expectations; both possess the band’s catchy, explosive personality, leaning into new wave and not holding back on the sass.

Andy Shauf – Norm

February 10

Andy Shauf has a knack for concept albums that linger in the listener’s mind long after they’ve finished, like his 2016 cult classic The Party. He’s preparing for the release of his fifth studio LP, Norm, about which he explained, “The character of Norm is introduced in a really nice way. But the closer you pay attention to the record, the more you’re going to realize that it’s sinister.” These themes have been teased in the compelling singles “Wasted On You” and “Catch Your Eye,” especially the latter, which calmly plays with the intensity of longing and desire against a tranquil sonic backdrop.

Pile – All Fiction

February 17

In four words to Uproxx, Pile described their sound as, “Noisy rock but also…” This sums up the mystique of Pile. The singles previewing All Fiction have an unnameable, disturbed quality to them, something brewing beneath the surface. The haunting instrumentation, detached vocals, bleak lyricism — especially on the off-kilter “Poisons” — create a dark, dreary world that has a strong gravitation pull.

Runnner – Like Dying Stars, We’re Reaching Out

February 17

Noah Weinman’s sprawling Always Repeating was a preface to his discography as Runnner. His forthcoming debut Like Dying Stars, We’re Reaching Out is the official kickoff, and the movement is swift and strong, not unlike a gut punch. The lead single “I Only Sing About Food” showcases his knack for disarming, intimate scenes of feeling: “I’m an idiot, I cried in your car / When I couldn’t find the words I was looking for / I overanalyze, I never let it feel good / I only think about death / I only sing about food,” he sings. The following single “Bike Again” soars with a dreamlike, glimmering instrumental that communicates more than words ever could.

Gorillaz – Cracker Island

February 24

The singles from Gorillaz’s forthcoming album Cracker Island have been enticing previews. From the colossal title track featuring Thundercat to the mesmeric earworm “Skinny Ape,” the LP is looking like a special experience. To make it even better, it’ll feature artists like Stevie Nicks, Beck, Bad Bunny, and Adeleye Omotayo.

Fever Ray – Radical Romantics

March 10

Radical Romantics is Fever Ray’s first album in over five years. “What They Call Us” was a bewitching comeback single, seething and soaring with sporadic, haunting sounds like a sonic collage. Karin Dreijer, the face behind the project, seems to address the hiatus in the song: “It’s a common misperception, this is not a band, ready for a dissection / Now mommy’s gotta work, see the land.” The whole record is sure to be a trip.

100 Gecs – 10,000 Gecs

March 17

Just recently, 100 Gecs unleashed the chaotic EP Snake Eyes, which contained the ridiculously infectious track “Doritos & Fritos.” They’re already gearing up for their next album, fittingly titled 10,000 Gecs to follow-up their critically acclaimed debut 1000 Gecs. “As I’ve been exploring my voice more, I’m like, ‘I can do this,’” Laura Les said. “And also I’m sick of worrying about it. If I don’t just fucking do it, then I’m just a scaredy cat. And I don’t want to be a scaredy cat.”

Smashing Pumpkins – Atum

April 21

Smashing Pumpkins are not playing around. They’re going to be unveiling Atum next year, a rock opera in three acts made up of 33 songs. It will serve as the sequel of 1995’s Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness and 2000’s Machina/Machine Of God. Pronounced “Autumn,” the LP’s first single is the electrifying “Beguiled” which came with a cinematic music video. The “1979” group is creating a whole world with this record, and it’s gonna be good.

Blink-182

So much happened this year that we barely got time to process the return of Tom Delonge in Blink-182. While the releases the band offered with Matt Skiba were pleasant and enjoyable, fans never stopped begging for the original vocalist and guitarist to come back. The song “Edging” is the perfect mischievous entrance back into the scene. They confirmed an album is on the way, and the fact that their tour has openers like Turnstile and The Story So Far proves that they’re keeping in touch with current blazing rock.

Blondshell

Blondshell was one of the most alluring emerging artists this year. From the haunted reckoning of a detrimental relationship in “Olympus” to the cathartic spurt of alt-rock in the latest song “Veronica Mars,” 25-year-old Sabrina Teitelbaum has managed to keep up the momentum with every release, and hopefully these tracks are fragments from a bigger project coming soon.

The Gaslight Anthem

In our conversation with The Gaslight Anthem bandleader Brian Fallon, he offered an estimation to when a new record may come, guessing around “early next year, early spring,” depending on how his writing goes. The band reunited this year; their last LP was 2014’s Get Hurt, though Fallon has put out solo material since. What led to this comeback isn’t very surprising: “During quarantine, I had gotten so bored,” he admitted in that same interview. Their recent tour was a great way to increase the anticipation, and now we wait.

Meet Me At The Altar

Bombastic EPs, crazy tours, signing to the one and only Fueled By Ramen label — Meet Me At The Altar are obviously on the verge of something big. The pop-punk group have been raging since before the whole revival spearheaded by Machine Gun Kelly started, and they’re obviously in it for the relentless energy, which all of their songs burst with. Their debut is sure to be a big deal.

My Chemical Romance

The long-awaited return of My Chemical Romance was postponed due to the pandemic, so this year was a relief for their fans. Their tour was nothing short of anyone’s expectations; beloved bandleader Gerard Way sported a dress onstage, performing timeless hits like “Teenagers” and “Helena” as well as deep-cuts from their debut, pleasing the whole audience every night. Their comeback song “The Foundations Of Decay” captured their singularly theatrical, explosive essence, and there simply has to be an album on the way — it’s been over a decade since Danger Days.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s Twin Plagues was one of the most stunning records of 2021, seamlessly blending immersive, staticky shoegaze with an endearing twang, made all the better by Karly Hartzman’s hypnotizing soprano. In September they released the 8-minute ripper called “Bull Believer” and deservingly signed to the iconic label Dead Oceans, which is a good sign that an LP may be on the way. The new track signals a direction that digs deeper into their grit; it even features an unrelenting scream from Hartzman, giving the song the texture of a horror movie.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

As the trial date in the racketeering case against YSL Records nears, yet another member of the label/crew has accepted a plea deal for release. Unfoonk might be a lesser-known name among the roster to casual fans, but longtime followers are probably aware that he’s probably the closest member to YSL founder Young Thug, as he’s Thugger’s older brother. Like Gunna and Walter Murphy before him, Unfoonk pled guilty to one count of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and a count of theft by the reception of stolen property on Tuesday (December 21), according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Unfoonk, whose real name is Quantavious Grier, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with two years commuted to time served and the remaining 10 to probation. He must also complete 750 hours of community service and stay away from anyone else listed in the 56-count indictment against YSL, including his brother. On Instagram, Unfoonk addressed brewing rumors that he testified against Thug, writing, “Damn, people really think I told on my own brother SMH. Show me in my paperwork I told on anybody lol. I’m not even finna entertain any of it. Peace and blessings.”

The fact that so many members of YSL were offered plea deals in exchange for release seems to lend credence to Murphy’s lawyer’s theory that the true target of the indictment was Young Thug all along. The case has drawn scrutiny and criticism for using Thug’s lyrics to tie him to the alleged criminal enterprise, with some calling it an effort by Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis to burnish her resume with a high-profile conviction.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The title of the video above is “Aubrey Plaza Wishes Drew Barrymore Was Her Mom,” but that’s not exactly accurate. Plaza wants Barrymore to be her “mommy.”

The White Lotus actress appeared on Drew’s News, the podcast for The Drew Barrymore Show, where she and TV’s best talk show host discussed everything from the best cities in the U.S. for a girls’ trip (“I have a new city I just learned about, it’s called Serenbe and it’s in Georgia, and it’s a wellness community,” Plaza replied) and unicorns.

Late in the recording, after Barrymore discussed the postcards she writes for her daughters while they’re away at camp, Plaza said, “You’re my dream mom. I wish you were my mom… Be my mommy.” Barrymore told Plaza, who kept saying things like “feed me,” “put me to bed,” and “nurture me,” the same thing she tells her girls: “Get back in my belly.” This was not a Fat Bastard reference, sadly.

Meanwhile, Plaza kept chiming in with her own demands. As she said, “Nurture me,” Barrymore continued to play along as she responded, “Oh, yes. What I wouldn’t do to put you to bed.” Plaza, somehow taking the bit even further, added, “I’m a hungry baby,” to which the actress assured, “And I have everything you need.”

They have even better chemistry than Harper and Ethan.

You can watch The Drew Barrymore Show clip above.

(Via Decider)

Back when Vladimir Putin first hurled his army into Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky famously turned down President Biden’s offer of evacuation with a folk-hero-making declaration: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” After a very long year for both Ukrainians and Russians, Zelensky is now perhaps getting both of those things. On Twitter, the former Servant of the People star announced that he was en route to the White House for a visit “to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities.” This includes further “cooperation between” Ukraine and the U.S., which will be hammered out at several “bilateral meetings,” and he will reportedly address Congress.

Presumably, this visit will include talk of monetary assistance and, you know, more ammo. Reuters also pointedly highlighted Zelensky’s request for “weapons, weapons and more weapons,” so there’s no subtlety there on Ukraine’s plans to keep fighting and reclaim more territory that was supposedly “annexed” by Russia this year.

Well, Vladimir Putin definitely heard about this U.S. visit, and in very short order, CNBC reported upon how the Kremlin unveiled a “surprise trip to Beijing” by a Putin proxy, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On the agenda: the war and “deepening ties” between Russia and China. So, that’s one aspect of the huffy Putin response, and then the Russian autocrat announced that he’s opening his nation’s wallet to provide unlimited military funds to win his war:

Speaking to various military officials and members of Russia’s defense ministry Wednesday, Putin discussed what Russia calls the “special military operation” in Ukraine and how the war was progressing.

He said Russia’s armed forces had gained huge experience in Ukraine and that Russia will “increase its military potential,” according to comments reported by Reuters, saying “we don’t have any restrictions on the financing of the army.”

Putin’s claims of unlimited coffers run counter to reports of his troops having to resort to decades-old ammo that’s so degraded that it could “explode in your face.” There’s also the well-publicized video footage showing Russian troops being told to use tampons to stop bullet-wound bleeding because the army cannot afford real medical supplies.

Yet that hasn’t stopped Putin from claiming, as reported by CNBC, that he’s beefing everything up, and that his “Satan II” intercontinental ballistic missile will soon be readied for whatever ends that he desires. And then he probably hopped back into the bunker with a hoarded supply of toilet paper that he will (allegedly) need. A lot.

(Via CNBC & Reuters)

One of the biggest free agents in all of Major League Baseball will change his plans. Earlier this month, it was announced that superstar infielder Carlos Correa would head to the San Francisco Giants on a 13-year deal worth $350 million. But in the early hours of Wednesday morning, it was reported that Correa — who was slated to be unveiled by the Giants a day earlier — would actually join the New York Mets.

Correa, a 28-year-old infielder who played for the Minnesota Twins last season, will head to Queens on a 12-year contract worth $315 million, making him the latest flex of Mets owner Steve Cohen’s financial muscle this offseason.

It is, to put it lightly, a stunning turn of events just hours after the Giants were slated to reveal Correa. According to the Associated Press, something concerned San Francisco while Correa went through his physical, which led to the team postponing the news conference where the All-Star would be announced as a member of the franchise.

One person confirmed to the AP that Tuesday’s conference to welcome Correa was put on hold because the sides were awaiting the results of testing. A second person said that a medical issue was flagged during Correa’s physical.

It is unclear what, exactly, caused this concern, but it evidently did not scare off the Mets from adding another bat to its lineup. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the expectation is that New York will keep Francisco Lindor at shortstop and move Correa to third.

Adele is continuing her Weekends With Adele residency in Las Vegas and wanted to make a recent show a memorable one. Because it was her boyfriend Rich Paul’s 41st birthday, Adele encouraged the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” to him along with her.

“Can we wish him happy birthday?” she said. “His name is Rich.”

“I’ve never been in love like this. I’m obsessed with him,” Adele shared of her relationship during an August interview with Elle, before speaking on an NBA game they attended together. “Lucky for him, I love basketball.”

The singer was previously married and shares one kid with Simon Konecki. They eventually divorced in 2019. Adele began dating Paul in 2021, and things appear to have been smooth sailing ever since.

“I definitely want more kids. I’m a homemaker and I’m a matriarch, and a stable life helps me with my music,” she added. “But right now, all I got in my brain is Vegas. I wanna f*cking nail it.”

Adele’s Vegas residency was initially supposed to begin last January, but was canceled one day prior.

“The stage setup wasn’t right. It was very disconnected from me and my band, and it lacked intimacy,” she explained in the interview. “And maybe I tried too hard to give it those things in such a controlled environment. It was the worst moment in my career by far.”

Weekends With Adele is currently playing at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and is set to run until March 15, 2023.

Lil Yachty might be one of the biggest rappers in the world right now, especially with his viral hit, “Poland.” However, despite his resume in the rap game, boasting years of bangers, he admitted he doesn’t really live the sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle: In a recent interview on the Sofia With An F podcast, Yachty admitted that he’s not sexually active.

“I don’t have sex, and I think women probably think I’m gay,” he said. “I don’t care that much. I think a lot of times women think if they flying out to you like that we have to have sex. Or like that’s on my mind.”

Yachty broke through in the mid-2010s with hits like “Minnesota,” “One Night,” and “Broccoli,” which is likely when most of his partying days took place. Though still a heavy-hitter, Yachty seems to have slowed down on the debauchery in recent years.

“I just had so much sex that it’s, like, diluted to me,” Yachty said. “Yea, like, it’s just… it’s not what it used to be. Like, I get off more on just really laughing. Like, ’cause laughing is so good to laugh and it’s a real laugh and it’s like yea, we’re laughing together.”

While he’s not driven by sex, one thing that hasn’t changed is Yachty’s love for pizza: Back in September, he launched a line of frozen pizzas at Walmart called Yachty’s Pizzeria.

Smino is one of St. Louis’ most famous residents and on Sunday, his fifth annual Kribmas concert brought the news that the city would be honoring him with his own day. At the end of the show, Smino’s team surprised him with a video featuring the city’s mayor Tishaura Jones announcing the honor.

“I just want to congratulate Smino on the 5 year anniversary of Kribmas,” she said. “You’re always outreaching the community and being just a wonderfully talented artist. And it’s my pleasure as mayor of the city of St. Louis to declare today, December 18, as Smino Day.”

The honor follows the release of Smino’s new album, Luv 4 Rent, which ended a four-year break after 2018’s Noir (although he did release the mixtape She Already Decided in 2020). The album features the singles “I Deserve” and “90 Proof” featuring J. Cole and appears on Uproxx’s Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2022.

Smino announced that he’s taking Luv 4 Rent on the road next year, along JID and his album The Forever Story, with the Luv Is 4ever Tour beginning January 22 and running through March 29. You can see the dates below.

01/22/2023 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
01/24/2023 — Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum
01/26/2023 — Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
01/28/2023 — Oakland, CA @ The Fox
01/31/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
02/02/2023 — San Diego, CA @ SOMA San Diego
02/03/2023 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
02/08/2023 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
02/10/2023 — Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
02/13/2023 — Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
02/14/2023 — Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
02/15/2023 — San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
02/16/2023 — Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
02/18/2023 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
02/21/2023 — St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
02/22/2023 — Miami, FL @ Oasis Wynwood
02/24/2023 — Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
02/26/2023 — Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
03/01/2023 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
03/03/2023 — New York, NY @ Terminal 5
03/07/2023 — Wallingford, CT @ Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
03/09/2023 — Boston, MA @ House of Blues Boston
03/12/2023 — Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
03/15/2023 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
03/17/2023 — Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
03/18/2023 — Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe
03/21/2023 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
03/23/2023 — Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
03/24/2023 — Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Minneapolis
03/25/2023 — Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
03/28/2023 — Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center
03/29/2023 — Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

It seems like the five-year wait has paid off for singer SZA. Rave reviews for her sophomore album, SOS, continue to pour in from fans (we really like it, too). Ditching the “sad girl music” label she had been bestowed. On the now-No. 1 album, SZA explores relationships with a fresh new perspective as a songwriter.

In a recent interview with the online casino Stake, rap superstar Drake shared admiration for the 23-track body of work. However, as the “Rich Flex” rapper peered through the live chat, he noticed one question continued to pop up. “I know one of the questions was ‘what have I been listening to,” said Drake.

The rapper then proceeded to list off a few artists, including Lilah and Baby Drill, before disclosing, “And I’ve been listening to the new SZA, listening [to SOS], [it’s] incredible.”

This should come as no surprise that Drake is a fan of alternative R&B, as he constantly refers to himself as a “certified lover boy.” But, given Drake and SZA’s history, some fans were taken back by his response. But fear not: after their brief fling ended in 2009, the former lovers remained cordial.

Recently, the singer shared that even though Drake “has a Regina George quality to him,” they are in good standing.

“We’re cool. And we’ve always been cool,” said SZA, “It’s never been weird. It didn’t come completely out of the blue when he let me know. I didn’t know it was a song with 21 [Savage] or anything like that. But anytime he’s ever mentioned me, it’s always been positive. He’s never said anything negative about me. I’m grateful for that. I think highly of him… He’s King Drake.”

SOS is out now via Top Dawg Entertainment. Get it here.

After a one-year dip in 2020-21, the Toronto Raptors bounced back with 48 wins in 2021-22 and appeared to be on the upswing. In addition to Pascal Siakam and 2022 All-Star Fred VanVleet, Toronto landed 2021-22 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes and entered the 2022-23 campaign with real expectations. The season started in middling fashion but, rather than throwing things into high gear, the Raptors are spinning out. Toronto is on a six-game losing streak, dipping to 13-18 on the season, and are allowing almost 1.19 points per possession over the six-game downturn.

That stretch includes three home losses. With all due respect to the improved Orlando Magic, a pair of losses in Orlando kicked off the swoon in ugly fashion. Toronto did perform well in Monday’s road loss in Philadelphia before losing in overtime, but the team’s overall projection is middling at best. Amusingly, the Raptors have scored and allowed the exact same number of points (3,444) through 31 games, essentially profiling as the most average team in the NBA. Of course, Toronto would gleefully take average in the standings compared to 13-18, and that is one area to find optimism in that the Raptors probably should have a couple of more victories.

With that said, the Raptors have familiar strengths and weaknesses, but a few troubling trends are emerging. Toronto is very good (+4.4 per 100) with Siakam on the floor and pretty bad (-4.4) without him. Toronto remains excellent in transition, posting top-three marks in efficiency and frequency, but are No. 29 in the league in halfcourt offense, per Cleaning the Glass, while scoring only 0.90 points per possession. That is a hideous figure and, while the Raptors are elite in turnover rate and offensive rebound rate, it is tough to overcome that level of halfcourt impotence.

On defense, the Raptors are always fantastic at creating havoc, and that applies to this year’s sample. Still, opponent shooting has bitten the Raptors to the tune of bottom-five marks in effective field goal percentage on both offense and defense. In short, it is exceptionally difficult to sustain consistent success with that level of shooting on both sides of the floor, and the Raptors need improvement from players like VanVleet (46.7 percent effective field goal percentage) and Barnes.

Things don’t get easier anytime soon for the Raptors on paper, with the red-hot Knicks, Cavaliers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Suns on the schedule over the next five games. Toronto does have 9 of the next 12 games at home, and given that the Raptors are 10-6 in Canada, that safety could be helpful. It could potentially get gross before it gets better, though, and the Raptors are staring at a potential play-in trip in the face if the ship isn’t righted soon.

Where is Toronto in this week’s DIME power rankings? Let’s find out.

1. Milwaukee Bucks (22-8, Last week — 2nd)

Milwaukee is closer to full strength these days and continue to really excel on the defensive end. The Bucks essentially inherited the top spot with Boston’s recent struggles, but Milwaukee was also impressive in a road win over New Orleans on Monday to clinch the No. 1 location.

2. Brooklyn Nets (19-12, Last week — 5th)

We went deep on the Nets a week ago, and it was a quiet week in a good way. Brooklyn won a pair of road games, and the Nets’ only loss in the last 11 games came against the Celtics. This is probably too high for Brooklyn, but they’ve earned it.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-11, Last week — 7th)

Cleveland now leads the NBA in net rating, out-scoring opponents by 6.5 points per 100 possessions. The Cavaliers also lead in defensive rating after a 4-0 week with wins over Dallas (twice), Indiana, and Utah. The Cavaliers don’t have an easy week coming up with games against the Bucks, Raptors, and Nets, but each of those contests is in Cleveland.

4. Denver Nuggets (19-11, Last week — 6th)

The Nuggets vault here on the strength of a nice win over Memphis on Tuesday. Denver has won four of the last five and Nikola Jokic had a triple-double with 40 points and 27 (!) rebounds on Sunday. Come on.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (17-12, Last week — 8th)

Joel Embiid’s MVP push is ongoing with 36.9 points per game over the last seven contests. Philadelphia is on a five-game winning streak behind Embiid and James Harden, and the Sixers are into the top five of the Eastern Conference with this latest run.

6. Boston Celtics (22-9, Last week — 1st)

Trouble in Boston? The Celtics just lost four of five, including back-to-back home losses to Orlando. Granted, Jayson Tatum missed one of those games, but it wasn’t great. It’s probably too early to actually worry, but the Celtics have some discomfort for the first time all season.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (19-11, Last week — 12th)

This is more of a market correction than anything. Memphis actually went 1-2 this week, but the Grizzlies absolutely bludgeoned the Bucks. The two losses were on the road. It’s really fine.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (18-12, Last week — 4th)

Right as the Pelicans were garnering contender buzz, they’ve lost four in a row. The last three of those losses came by single digits, with two on the road and a loss to Milwaukee. Those aren’t damaging defeats, but the Pels’ red-hot run came to a screeching halt.

9. Phoenix Suns (19-13, Last week — 12th)

Phoenix was going to jump higher after three straight wins and a 58-point outburst from Devin Booker. Then, the Suns led by double-digits in the fourth quarter on Tuesday before losing to the previously skidding Wizards. That’s only one result, but it wasn’t a good one.

10. New York Knicks (18-13, Last week — 13th)

The Knicks are scalding-hot with eight straight wins. It’s been a fairly soft schedule over that sample, but New York is also playing quite well and throttling opponents with a +17.3 net rating. The Knicks also have a two-game lead for the No. 6 seed and the defense has been locked in since rotation shifts leaned in that direction.

11. L.A. Clippers (18-14, Last week — 9th)

The Clippers haven’t played since Saturday. L.A. is 4-1 in the last five, though, and the Clippers are quietly 9-2 when Kawhi Leonard plays. He hasn’t played enough yet to make huge takeaways, but it’s a good indicator.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-15, Last week — 17th)

The Wolves put 150 on the Bulls this week, and Anthony Edwards is picking up steam. Minnesota is on a three-game winning streak that was needed before a five-game gauntlet against the Mavericks, Celtics, Heat, Pelicans, and Bucks beginning on Wednesday.

13. Portland Trail Blazers (17-14, Last week — 14th)

Damian Lillard is now the all-time scoring leader for Portland, which seems fitting. Unfortunately, the Blazers lost on the night Lillard passed Clyde Drexler, but Portland has some very winnable games on the horizon beginning with a rematch on Wednesday against the Thunder.

14. Utah Jazz (18-16, Last week — 18th)

Lopsided losses to the Bucks and Cavs aren’t great, but they aren’t terribly worrying given where Utah is. The Jazz did beat the Pelicans to start the week and also walloped the Pistons on the road on Tuesday. Things are stable for now.

15. Dallas Mavericks (15-16, Last week — 11th)

Dallas has dropped five of seven and 10 of 16 with injuries mounting. The absence of Maxi Kleber is huge in that he unlocks defensive lineups for Dallas and the Mavericks don’t have great alternatives.

16. Sacramento Kings (16-13, Last week — 15th)

The Kings have flattened out to be sure, including a bad home loss to Charlotte on Monday. The profile remains solid, but Sacramento needs to take advantage of the next five games coming at home.

17. Atlanta Hawks (16-15, Last week — 21st)

After losing five of six, the Hawks won back-to-back games to close the week, and the team is healthier with the return of Dejounte Murray and John Collins. However, a bomb dropped on Wednesday morning with President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk taking an advisory role and Landry Fields taking an elevated position in his place. For a team perennially involved in trade rumblings, that shake-up could be instructive.

18. Golden State Warriors (15-17, Last week — 10th)

It isn’t rocket science, but the Warriors aren’t very good without Steph Curry. Golden State is just trying to hold on for dear life in his absence, but the Warriors got flogged in New York on Tuesday and Andrew Wiggins is still out as well.

19. Miami Heat (16-16, Last week — 20th)

Miami still ticks up in the standings, but a home loss to the scuffling Bulls on Tuesday wasn’t great. The Heat did win four in a row before that, and the next three games are manageable at home.

20. Orlando Magic (11-21, Last week — 26th)

It’s pretty rare to see a 5-20 team win six games in a row, but the Magic just did it. The run came to an end in Atlanta on Monday, but kudos to Orlando for making that spurt and doing it without Wendell Carter Jr. to boot.

21. Indiana Pacers (15-16, Last week — 22nd)

Reality is here for Indiana with a 3-8 mark in the last 11 games. The Pacers also project as underdogs in the next three games on the road, and the losses could keep mounting after the fun start.

22. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-18, Last week — 24th)

OKC stopped a five-game losing streak and won two games in a row to end the week. One of those wins spoiled a big night for Damian Lillard, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was responsible for the game-winner.

23. Chicago Bulls (12-18, Last week — 23rd)

The vibes are reportedly hideous in Chicago. The Bulls did win on Tuesday to stop the bleeding a bit, but Chicago is on the road for the next two games and clearly facing potential upheaval.

24. Los Angeles Lakers (13-17, Last week — 16th)

It’s not the fault of the Lakers that Anthony Davis is out, but Los Angeles isn’t the same team without him. He is reportedly going to miss at least a month and, with apologies to LeBron, the Lakers are pretty thin without Davis, who was dominating before the injury.

25. Toronto Raptors (13-18, Last week — 19th)

There is an entire rabbit hole to go down on whether the Raptors should blow it up or at least examine shedding a veteran or two in the coming months to retool on the fly. The next few weeks will dictate a lot of the direction.

26. San Antonio Spurs (10-20, Last week — 27th)

It’s hard to know what to make of the Spurs. San Antonio is obviously playing better with a 4-2 mark in the last six games. However, the losses came by double-digits at home, and the Spurs still have a hideous -10.0 net rating that is dead-last in the NBA.

27. Charlotte Hornets (8-23, Last week — 29th)

With LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward back, the Hornets have at least been more competitive. Charlotte did lose eight in a row, but a win on the second night of a back-to-back against Sacramento was nice.

28. Washington Wizards (12-20, Last week — 28th)

The Wizards snapped a 10-game losing skid with a road (!) win over Phoenix on Tuesday. If not for that result, Washington would’ve been No. 30 this week, but they pulled it out of the fire despite blowing a 17-point lead. The vibes are still ugly, but Washington avoids the total free fall.

29. Houston Rockets (9-21, Last week — 25th)

It was an 0-3 week for the Rockets and each defeat came on the team’s home floor. The ugliest loss was a 19-point drubbing at the hands of the Spurs, and that ensured a dip in the pecking order.

30. Detroit Pistons (8-25, Last week — 30th)

Detroit is 1-6 in the last seven games, including four home losses. The Pistons continue to operate with the worst win-loss mark in the league, and Detroit’s defense has been quite ugly, both on the broad and granular level.