All-Star Break Tiers: 4, Danger-Zone

Many of these teams are injury-ridden, and are in Play-In territory despite great talent and expectations. Time isn't their friend.

Tier 4 of 6 is home to some teams that should be in much better shape. Injuries are the main reason the Nets, and Lakers have fallen in the standings. Joining them are the Clippers, Hornets, Timberwolves, Hawks, and Wizards.

Brooklyn Nets

Record, Pre All-Star break: 31-28, 8th in Eastern Conference

Ben Simmons' arrival helps their perimeter defense, but how he is integrated into the offense remains to be scene. If the current NY ordinance holds, he will have more time as the primary ball handler in Barclays Center, but will Kyrie defer on the road? Simmons can fit in as a power forward nicely, too. Whatever the case, Brooklyn has fallen down a steep decline as they're in play-in territory, something that nobody would've expected a couple months ago. As soon as KD is healthy, they'll surely be out of that zone, but if that day comes too late, their playoff hopes could be severely threatened, especially if Kyrie can't play in the do-or-die scenario.

Los Angeles Lakers

Record, Pre All-Star break: 27-31, 9th in Western Conference

The window is closing fast on the Lakers if they hope to get up to the sixth seed. They're six games back of Denver for that mark, and LA has the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA. Despite a great win over fourth-seeded Utah before the All-Star break, AD once again went down with an injury, but hopefully this ankle sprain doesn't hold him out for long. It seems extremely likely that the Lakers will participate in the Play-In Tournament for the second year in a row, and their chances to beat Phoenix or Golden State if they make it out seem lower than they'd hope. LeBron is having an amazing year, so the only hope is that his supporting cast can rally around him and make a push.

LA Clippers

Record, Pre All-Star break: 30-31, 8th in Western Conference

The Clippers have been doing well this season, all things considered. Kawhi hasn't played at all this year and probably won't until the playoffs start, and Paul George has missed a lot of time. The Clippers have been the comeback team of the year, winning close games in which they trailed by a lot very often. The addition of Norman Powell helps them a lot in keeping their record solid without their stars, and they will maintain competitive until the end.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Record, Pre All-Star break: 31-28, 7th in Western Conference

Minny is having a very good year. They've bested both LA teams in terms of record and have a great core of talent led by KAT, D'Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards. As things currently stand, they'd have to face the eighth seed Clippers for the rights to the seventh seed, and making the postseason in any fashion is an accomplishment for this young squad. They have to outlast the teams behind them, and it will be a tight race as the season winds down.

Charlotte Hornets

Record, Pre All-Star break: 29-31, 9th in Eastern Conference

Charlotte has been on a bit of a slide recently, falling fast as Boston catapulted up. The Hornets need to get it together quickly if they want to make any sort of postseason run, because the Hawks are hungry, and the teams above them won't slow down. The only thing they can do is take care of business on their end and hope a team like Toronto descends.

Atlanta Hawks

Record, Pre All-Star break: 28-30, 10th in Eastern Conference

The Hawks joined their first-round opponent of last year's postseason as huge disappointments, but have rallied as of late, winning very important games. Trae Young has turned it up, and the Hawks hope to pass the Hornets and Raptors in the standings as time runs out. The Hawks are a dangerous offensive opponent for anyone come playoff time, so their goal should be to get out of Play-In territory.

Washington Wizards

Record, Pre All-Star break: 27-31, 11th in Eastern Conference

Washington was the top-seeded team in the East when the season began, and it has certainly been a fall from grace. The Knicks should be excited about this because the Wizards are unlikely to gain traction after Bradley Beal's injury. The addition of Porzingis may give them some life, but he always has trouble staying on the court. They still have a chance, but are the most unlikely in this tier to make the playoffs.

Full Tiers: