While the outlet excluded players who sat out large segments of the year due to injury, the inclusion of stars like Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum—who also dealt with limited availability—has drawn scrutiny from observers.
Inconsistency in Injury-Based Exclusions
According to The Ringer, the ranking methodology explicitly excludes athletes who missed the entire season or a substantial majority of games due to injury. Porziņģis participated in 32 games during the regular season, a figure the publication apparently deemed insufficient for inclusion among the league’s top 100 talents.
However, the list includes Joel Embiid, who played only 38 regular-season games—just six more than Porziņģis. Furthermore, Jayson Tatum appears on the list despite participating in only 16 games during the regular season.
Did you know?
The top three players identified by The Ringer in their latest update are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.
The Impact of Subjective Player Rankings
The exclusion of Porziņģis is notable given his impact when healthy. The Ringer’s list ranks players such as Rui Hachimura, Keldon Johnson, Musa Diabate, Tumani Kamara, Alex Sarr, Donovan Clingan, and Cason Wallace ahead of the Latvian forward.
Pro Tip: When evaluating player rankings, always check the criteria for games played.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kristaps Porziņģis left off The Ringer’s top 100 list?
The Ringer cites the number of games played during the regular season as a primary factor. Porziņģis appeared in 32 games, which the outlet determined did not meet the threshold for inclusion.
Who are the top three players according to The Ringer?
As of the July 2026 update, the top three players are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.
Are there inconsistencies in the list’s injury policy?
Yes. Observers have noted that players like Joel Embiid (38 games) and Jayson Tatum (16 games) were included despite playing a similar or smaller number of games compared to Porziņģis.
What is your take on the latest NBA rankings? Should availability outweigh individual talent, or do lists like these undervalue high-impact players who face injury setbacks? Join the conversation in the comments below or sign up for our weekly newsletter for more deep dives into NBA trends and player analysis.
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