All-Star Break Tiers: 1, Powerhouses

The elite reside in their respective powerhouses, led by two generational point guards that are on an all-but certain collision course.

A tier of their own: The Suns and Warriors cap off our All-Star break rankings in spectacular fashion.

Phoenix Suns

Record, Pre All-Star break: 48-10, 1st in Western Conference

For the second year in a row, the Suns have the brightest luminosity in the Pacific Division. This time around, their nuclear fusion is fueled by revenge. Phoenix began the season 1-3, then proceeded to go 47-7 up until this point in the season. The Suns' temperature has exceeded that of a dying star and their blast radius is incinerating every team in their path. In fact, they would be alone on this list if not for their pesky division rivals from the Bay Area.

The Suns faced the Warriors three times in the span of a month, way back in that long year, 2021. Golden State bested them twice, once in blowout fashion. The Suns will look to even up the season series in the finale between these two powerhouses that will take place on March 30th. Their losses to the Warriors are hardly a blip on their '22 season timeline of success, and are not deterred by minuscule regular season woes.

Their minds are focused elsewhere, as the Suns are fresh off a run to the NBA Finals that ended with Giannis Antetokounmpo dropping a 50-piece on them to secure his first title. The Suns now have the experience of postseason heartbreak, and wired into their DNA is winning important games against Western playoff opponents.

Chris Paul has challenged Father Time, earning a reservation at the MVP table for his ability to captain the ship to such an astounding record, leading the team and the league in assists at 10.7 per game. Devin Booker's 25.5 PPG are tops on the team, and Deandre Ayton's 16-10 PTS/REBS split solidifies the team's interior presence. Another extended run at a title seems to be in the cards for the best team in the NBA, and outside of a young, electric Memphis team that was able to carve out a 114-113 victory against Phoenix back in December, the Warriors are the biggest threat to the Suns going back to the NBA Finals.

Golden State Warriors

Record, Pre All-Star break: 42-17, 2nd in Western Conference

It wasn't a matter of if the Warriors would be back to their dominant selves, it was when. Before the return of Splash Bro Klay Thompson, the Warriors were the best team in the Western Conference for a good amount of time, and his return solidified a team that was firing on all cylinders. Steph Curry led a very deep and talented roster to win after win, collecting a few milestone plaques on the way.

The team had a little slide, perhaps having to do with Draymond Green's injury, and have missed his floor general presence. In that slight decline, Memphis is only encroached Golden State in the standings, sitting only 1.5 games back of the Warriors. The Grizzlies also beat the Warriors in two of the first three matchups at the beginning of the season, and the final matchup between the squads will take place on March 28th.

The end of the regular season will have two closing examinations for the Warriors, two days apart. They'll have to fly to Memphis from Washington on a back-to-back, and have a day of rest before facing Phoenix at home. By this time, the standings may already be set if Phoenix clinches the top seed, in which case the Suns or the Warriors may rest their guys. However, if we get to see a battle of the West's best, these three teams will have a lot on the line as far as pride and home court advantage are concerned. The Warriors are the biggest threat to the Suns, and the Suns are to them. It feels as if these two teams are on a collision course that will lead to an incredible seven game series come May.

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