NBA Power Rankings: Warriors back on top, Bulls right behind; Kemba Walker leads Knicks surge; Celtics fall

There were plenty of shake-ups and modified rosters in the final NBA Power Rankings of 2021

We're on the cusp of 2022, and what a year it's been. From the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA title to the league setting a new record for number of players in a season due to all the call-ups to mitigate health and safety protocols, it's safe to say that we hope things get back to normal in the new year ... a familiar refrain, to be certain.

It's been strange watching and evaluating NBA games recently, because every time you think a short-handed team has just pulled off a major upset, you look at the opponent's roster and realize that they, too, were likely missing key pieces. That's just the way the last month has gone in the NBA, but with shortened quarantine times and boosters becoming more widespread, perhaps nightly rosters will start to look a little more familiar.

Speaking of familiar rosters, the Golden State Warriors reclaimed the top spot in this week's Power Rankings after their big Christmas Day win over the former No. 1 Phoenix Suns. Golden State followed that up with a loss to the Denver Nuggets, which opened the door for the surging Chicago Bulls, but ultimately the lack of quality opponents this week kept them out of the top spot ... for now.