The NBA’s Eastern Conference is as unpredictable as any point in recent history.
Superstar injuries during last season’s playoffs depleted two East powers. The upstart Detroit Pistons sit atop the standings at the quarter mark. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a preseason conference favorite that returned most of last season’s 64-win team, are eighth. The Milwaukee Bucks, who made a free agency splash, are battling to stay in the play-in race as they await the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With so much basketball to be played, it’s too early to predict the contenders that will match up for conference supremacy in the spring. And while the superstars -- among them, the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, and, for now, the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo -- are well known, this race could very well be decided by players who fill in the gaps around them.
They’re the wild cards, and they could determine the futures of their teams come postseason time. Let’s examine four players who fit the bill and what league insiders are saying about their seasons so far -- plus break down one player that has the power to totally transform the race.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
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**Season so far:** Career highs in points (18.9) and assists (4.0)
**Why he’ll impact the East race:** Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson chuckled when Mobley was referred to as Slim Duncan, a nod to the Hall of Fame big man from the San Antonio Spurs. And the league has been waiting for Mobley to truly assert his dominance despite his reluctant personality and willingness to fit in alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
The Cavs haven’t dominated the conference (14-11 this season after 25 games compared to 21-4 last year), and the vibes have been different. If Mobley turns into the full-time matchup nightmare, there are maybe two East players who possess the two-way impact of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
**What league insiders are saying:**
Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
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**Season so far:** Career highs in 3-point percentage (42.6), assists (4.1) and steals (2.0); scored a season-high 35 in a near comeback against the Celtics last week.
**Why he’ll impact the East race:** When OG Anunoby is healthy, it truly unleashed Bridges, the former Defensive Player of the Year runner-up. With the Knicks’ roster not being the strongest at the point of attack (Jalen Brunson) or at the rim (Karl-Anthony Towns), Bridges, Anunoby and Josh Hart take on added responsibility on defense.
Bridges is not the most physical player but has fit well on offense next to Brunson and Towns. Knicks coach Mike Brown has also used Bridges in spurts as a primary playmaker to alleviate pressure on Brunson, who possessed the ball longer than any player in the league last season. Bridges is among the best players who hasn’t made an All-Star team, and during last year’s run to the conference finals, he made late key plays to help fuel a second-round upset of the Celtics.
**What league insiders are saying:**
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
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**Season so far:** Career highs in scoring (11.8) and assists (3.1); has a steal in 15 consecutive games
**Why he’ll impact the East race:** Thompson can lock up most wing scorers in the conference and, if nothing else, has shown a willingness to stick his nose into games and get physical.
He’s not a threat as a shooter, which makes things tricky when the Pistons need to create spacing for Cade Cunningham as a ball handler and Jalen Duren as a rim-roller. But that trio -- plus-13.8 points per 100 possessions this season -- is Detroit’s most-used and most efficient lineup. If the Pistons can find shooting -- perhaps with a deadline move -- it’ll make Thompson that much more valuable as the East leaders try to stay there.
**What league insiders are saying:**
Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
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**Season so far:** 18.3 points, 4.5 assists, career-low 31.9% from 3
**Why he’ll impact the East race:** The Bane trade signaled that Orlando is going for it in the East, especially with the plethora of draft picks the Magic sent to the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Bane’s playoff experience and shooting.
It has been choppy so far but with signs of a breakout, especially since the Magic have had to deal with consistent injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (Banchero was back for one game after a groin injury before Wagner exited Sunday’s game against the Knicks with a left leg injury). Bane scored 37 in back-to-back wins over the Chicago Bulls and Pistons, showing he’s getting more comfortable in the Magic offense.
And Bane adds an element of irritation the Magic will need if they want to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. On Sunday, he whipped the ball at Anunoby after being annoyed at a play on the other end, and last week he found himself jawing at everyone wearing a Pistons uniform during their NBA Cup game.
**What league insiders are saying:**
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
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**Season so far:** No games played as he rehabs from an Achilles injury
**How he could impact the East race:** Tatum might prove to be the ultimate East wild card. It seems like he got a jump start on rehab following that devastating injury during the second round of the Celtics’ series loss to the Knicks. The Celtics haven’t capsized despite missing Tatum and losing championship veterans Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. They’re 15-9, currently riding a five-game win streak to the third spot in the East.
Jaylen Brown has adjusted to being the first option, averaging 32 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6 assists over his past nine games.
But last week, Tatum told former teammate Marcus Morris on the “Morris Code Show” that, at the 29-week mark, this is the “strongest I’ve ever been.” It begs the question: Could Tatum really return for a late-season boost and turn the Celtics into a genuine title threat?
**What league insiders are saying:**