With the end of the year approaching, the NBA is struggling to stay afloat as teams and players alike deal with health and safety protocols and other issues related to the coronavirus.
Over 200 players have entered the health and safety protocol in the month of December alone as 10 games have been postponed as a result. Teams have called up over 80 players from the NBA G League to replace those in the protocol, creating opportunities for under-the-radar guys.
With several players sidelined, the rookie class has seen more action this month with some unlikely guys receiving more playing time and larger roles as of late. In addition, the usual cast of rookie standouts have also continued to perform at a high level.
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.
Note: Players with at least 5 appearances since Dec. 15 were eligible for this week’s Rookie Wire Power Rankings.