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NBA Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First
Just a week after the All-Star break and things are already looking different in the NBA. The West’s play-in race may have gotten a touch clearer after the Spurs’ chances diminished with news that Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season. Another big man in the East, Joel Embiid, may not play for the rest of this season as well, potentially providing more clarity in the East for their play-in scenarios. But one thing has remained the same: Our top rated teams continue to roll. Read on to see how things shape up for us this week.
30. Washington Wizards
Last Week: 30
After starting off February with three straight wins the Wizards have come back down to earth and have won just one game since. Over their last five games they have a 54.1% eFG%, which actually ranks them 12th in the league during that span. That’s a good amount above their 51.1% season-long eFG%, so things are looking better on the offensive end. But the defense is still a struggle. That may not be the worst thing for a team that’s aiming for the top overall pick, so there’s your silver lining Wizards fans.
29. Utah Jazz
Last Week: 29
Speaking of bad teams shooting well, the Jazz are shooting for a 55.9% eFG% in their last five games, good enough for eighth best in the league in that span. That includes wins over two western conference playoff teams in the Lakers and Rockets. Things may get tougher as Utah faces more injury issues with Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and John Collins, but at least the basketball is fun for the Jazz right now.
28. Charlotte Hornets
Last Week: 28
The Hornets had been stuck in a mold of games where they wouldn’t score many points but they also did well enough to keep their opponents in check. Half of that formula has been thrown out the window in their last four games as they now are showing an inability to play defense. Four straight games of giving up 128 points or more, while scoring 92 points or fewer three times, makes for some miserable basketball in Charlotte. Clearly in the mix for the top pick, there’s not much interest in competitive basketball being played here.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Last Week: 27
Would you believe me if I told you the Nets had won seven of their last 10 games before facing off with the Thunder on Wednesday? A bit surprising given how clear it looked that tanking was the goal, they’ve improved their play-in positioning and the 10-seed is within reach. Cameron Johnson is leading the way, averaging 17.6 PPG over the last 10 games for the Nets. All of this is happening without Cam Thomas too, who’s now being considered day-to-day after not playing in a game since January 2nd. If they decide not to tank, the play-in could be a realistic option for the Nets.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Last Week: 26
The Pelicans wouldn’t lose another game this season if they just faced the Spurs for every single remaining game. Unfortunately for them that’s not the case, but winning three of their last four (with two being over the Spurs) has to make them feel good. Yves Missi has also started to clean up the boards more, posting up 10+ rebounds in three straight games. The schedule for New Orleans toughens up here shortly, but for now the basketball is fun in the Big Easy.
25. Chicago Bulls
Last Week: 24
Chicago finally snapped a six-game losing streak by smashing the Sixers in a 142-110 beatdown. The offense will still be there for the Bulls, even though they’re very much in a “find your identity” stage here. Holding onto the final play-in spot in the East, Chicago needs to decide if it’s worth chasing the play-in or letting one of the three teams below them take the 10-seed. If they can find their identity then chasing the play-in may make sense, but they also face major rebuilding questions that may make the play-in a not-so-smart situation for them to end up in.
24. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: 25
Speaking of the play-in spot, the 10-seed could be overtaken by Toronto. The Raptors have the league’s easiest remaining schedule and were within five games of the Bulls coming into Wednesday night’s action. It’s a long stretch, but it’s something the Raptors may be able to fight to achieve once Brandon Ingram’s healthy. RJ Barrett has scored at least 22 points in four of his last five games, helping to drive the offense. Raptors fans wanting the team to tank may not love to see it, but it feels like Toronto will make a run for the play-in here shortly.
23. Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week: 21
Just last week we made our goal for the Sixers to make the play-in at all costs. In just seven days things have changed dramatically in Philadelphia as it’s looking more and more likely that Joel Embiid will sit out the rest of the season. If that’s the case, the goal for the Sixers pivots to tanking. Their first round pick this year belongs to the Thunder unless they finish in the top six picks, making actual tanking a realistic scenario in Philly now. Consistent losing has made this a disappointing season in Philadelphia. Ironically, more consistent losing may save it.
22. Portland Trail Blazers
Last Week: 23
Similar to the Raptors, there may be a solid path to the play-in for the Blazers in the West. At 4.5 GB, they only have Phoenix in front of them but will also need help from a team or two in front of them. After losing four straight games they’re back on a roll and had won two straight coming into Wednesday night’s action. If the Kings or the Mavericks fall alongside the Suns then Portland can sneak in. It’s a longshot, but Blazers fans are at least enjoying the moment.
21. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: 18
So much for seeing how the Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox combo works. After Wembanyama was sidelined for the season with a blood clot issue, the Spurs now have to move on without their leader. In his absence the Spurs have gone 1-3 coming into their Wednesday night matchup against Houston. The Spurs now need to put faith in Fox, who was underwhelming against the two-game series against New Orleans and failed to score more than 15 points. If he can turn things around then San Antonio may be able to make a push.
20. Atlanta Hawks
Last Week: 22
The great thing about being the Hawks right now is you know pretty much exactly where you’ll be come play-in time. Unlikely to rise into the standings and not likely to fall out of the play-in bracket, they’re pretty much locked into playing in the play-in come April. That gives them plenty of time to work in their new pieces that they acquired at the deadline. One of those newly acquired pieces, Georges Niang, has provided quite a bit of firepower off the bench. The Hawks are prepping for the play-in and they’ll be a real threat to make the playoffs through it.
19. Miami Heat
Last Week: 20
Similar to the Hawks, Miami’s pretty locked into the play-in as well. In fact, the play-in may as well be the Southeastern division invitational with them, Atlanta and Orlando all likely to make the play-in. Andrew Wiggins has fit right in with the Heat, putting up 20+ points in four straight games. Miami’s goal is the same as Atlanta’s: Work in your new pieces and stay healthy. They know where they’ll be come April and they just need to be ready for it.
18. Phoenix Suns
Last Week: 19
Sitting 2.5 GB of the final play-in spot in the West, Phoenix’s goal needs to be to to make the play-in. However, that’s hard to imagine as a possibility given they’ve lost 10 of their last 13 games. Their -8.1 net rating in their last 10 games ranks as third worst in the league in that span. It’s really hard to believe a team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are this bad. But it’s happening and they’ve got a lot of work to do in order to even have a shot at the playoffs.
17. Orlando Magic
Last Week: 17
Outside of getting crushed by 40-points against the Cavs, Orlando seems to have finally gotten off the schneid that was holding them back. They’ve won five of their last nine games. On its own that’s not impressive, but given the slide they were on it’s got to feel like a big relief to be winning fairly often. Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are both averaging 23+ PPG and driving the Magic. They’ll be driving them in the play-in as well, certainly something Magic fans would have been happy with at the beginning of the season.
16. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: 16
The Warriors are finally starting to win games like we know the Warriors can. They’ve got a +11.1 net rating in their last 10 games, sixth best in the league in that span. They’re 6-1 since trading for Jimmy Butler, who’s averaging 18 PPG as a Warrior. The schedule doesn’t exactly get tough for the Warriors for a bit so there will be plenty more time for them to keep improving.
15. Sacramento Kings
Last Week: 14
Holding onto the final spot in the play-in in the West, the Kings have just a bit of breathing room between them and the Suns. With the Blazers also playing well, though farther behind, Sacramento can’t exactly slip up. Luckily for them, Zach LaVine has been playing like his normal self as a King and is averaging 23 PPG with Sacramento. His 42-point performance against the Hornets was a season high and gives Kings’ fans faith that he can easily replace the production lost when they traded De’Aaron Fox. They’re in a good spot for the play-in but still can’t slip up.
14. Detroit Pistons
Last Week: 15
After thrashing the Celtics by 20 on Wednesday night, the Pistons have now won eight straight games and are becoming the focus of the league yet again. Sure, if you look back at who they’ve beaten the only really impressive teams are the Clippers and Celtics, but it’s still an impressive feat in this league for anyone to win eight straight games. Cade Cunningham has averaged 28 PPG and 10.1 APG over the last 10 games while Jalen Duren is averaging 11.9 RPG in that same span. They’re leading the Pistons who are finally a team to be taken serious in the East for the first time in what feels like since the mid-2000s.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Last Week: 13
It certainly feels like things have fallen apart since the Luka trade. Vibes are down and no one on the roster is healthy and it seems like they’re losing every game. Yet they’re 5-5 with him gone. Are things totally lost? Not yet. As many have pointed out, this roster will be a threat when fully healthy. But again, that’s a major question mark with this roster. If they can get healthy they will get into the playoffs through the play-in and stand to make noise. But if not they’ll be faced with more than just vitriol from their fanbase.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Last Week: 12
On a little bit of a downswing, the Clippers have won just four of their last ten games. It’s gotten them into a tight situation where they’re now just a half game over the Timberwolves for the 6-seed. The Clippers’ goal needs to be to avoid the play-in. Their current matchup in the West would be the Nuggets or the Grizzlies (both are tied for the 2-seed). They’re 2-0 vs Memphis and 2-2 vs Denver. If they fall further they risk being the 8-seed via the play-in and having to face the Thunder, who have not been kind to them. LA needs to pick it up.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week: 11
Boy have the Bucks missed Giannis Antetokounmpo. In his four games back the Bucks are 3-1 while Giannis hasn’t scored more than 27 points. He actually leads the Bucks in PPG in those four games at 22.8 PPG, but it’s their defense that’s winning them games. With a 106.5 defensive rating, they’re winning their games with defense. The most points they’ve given up in the past five games is 113, so you’re going to have to grind it out against Milwaukee if you want to beat them now.
10. Indiana Pacers
Last Week: 10
Winners of four of their last five games, Indiana’s doing its job to keep the four-seed. As we mentioned in last week’s rankings, it’s very important for Indiana to hold the higher seed above Milwaukee for a potential first round matchup. They’ve got even more pressure to keep it now, though, as the Pistons have caught fire and are just a game behind them in the standings. Indiana’s not totally in danger of falling into the play-in but they’ve got work to do to keep their positioning.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: 8
Not many teams have a weird schedule quirk that makes you face the best team in the NBA in three of four games but that’s exactly what happened with Minnesota. They’re a little busted in the injury department but they were still able to beat the Thunder in two out of three games. Not too shabby for the Timberwolves! But they’re still a half game behind the Clippers for the 6-seed and they’d rather take that route than have to fight in the play-in. When they get healthy they’ll be a sneaky scary team to face.
8. Houston Rockets
Last Week: 7
Winners of five of their last seven games, Houston’s finally back on the right track. They’re not winning by a ton but they’re doing enough to start becoming formidable again. All of this is happening without Fred VanVleet, who hasn’t played a game since February 1st. That’s allowed Amen Thompson to continue to grow as he’s notched two triple-doubles since then. They’re in the 4-seed now, just ahead of the Lakers, but it may be tough to hold onto it and keep home court advantage in the playoffs. The Rockets can certainly benefit from that and will need to fight to keep HCA.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week: 9
Speaking of those Lakers, they’re starting to come into form after the Doncic trade. Losses to the Jazz and Hornets were quickly erased with big wins against the Nuggets and Mavericks. On the defensive end they’ve improved greatly too. They haven’t given up more than 102 points in any of their last four games. A team that got better on defense AFTER shipping out Anthony Davis? A bit surprising, but the Lakers have it going right now.
6. Denver Nuggets
Last Week: 6
The Nuggets have been on a roll, winning 10 of their last 11 games. It’s an impressive feat in any league. However, if there’s one thing that’s worrisome to Nuggets fans it’s their inability to beat good teams. And it’s not that the Nuggets are bad against good teams, they’re just not at a level you’d expect them to be as former champions. They’re 13-14 against teams above .500, which isn’t bad! Only six NBA teams have a winning record against teams above .500 but Denver needs to show up against the big dogs to prove they can still do it when it counts. They’re still tied for the 2-seed in the West with Memphis and that’s a seed they’ll want to keep come playoff time.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Last Week: 5
Speaking of those Grizzlies, they’re in danger of slipping in the standings. Of course slipping in our rankings are just as important, but I doubt they care about my opinions. They’ve lost four of their last seven games, though all the losses are respectable. They continue to play team ball with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way scoring 23.3 PPG over the last 10 games. In the next couple weeks they face a few big tests against the Knicks, Thunder and Cavs, but outside of that their schedule doesn’t appear to be all that tough. They’ve got to fight to keep a tight hold on that 2-seed as the Nuggets are neck and neck with them but they’ll be given ample opportunity to do just that.
4. New York Knicks
Last Week: 4
They keep winning games are staying solidly in the three seed in the East but they’re not quite winning convincingly any more. They’re 5-3 in their last eight games with the three losses coming to the Celtics (twice) and Cavs. So those aren’t the worst losses. But they could have also had two more racked up as they just barely skated by the Bulls and Hawks, both in overtime. They’re pretty set in the three seed unless they slip up, but they’ll need to tighten a few things up before the playoffs come around.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: 3
Up until the Pistons thrashed them on the second leg of a back-t0-back, Boston had been cruising. Winning 10 of their last 12 games, Boston’s getting themselves back into championship form. Jayson Tatum, over the last 10 games, is leading the Celtics in PPG (26.5), RPG (7.6) and APG (6.8), continuing his run as one of the league’s best all-around players. Boston will be a force come playoff time, as they always are, and may be the first team to repeat since the 2017-18 Warriors.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: 2
Potentially the only team that can prevent Boston from coming out of the East, the Cavaliers have somewhat quietly turned themselves back into a juggernaut. Not that they ever stopped being one, but the hype around Cleveland has quieted since their loss to the Thunder. But over the last 10 games no one’s got a better net rating (+18.7) or eFG% (59.1%) than the Cavs. De’Andre Hunter has fit in well with the Cavs, bringing over solid defense while shooting 56.7% from three in his six games with Cleveland. They’re easily a threat to win it all.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: 1
For a while on Wednesday it looks like OKC was going to lose back-to-back games for the first time since mid-November. But they overcame a surprisingly strong effort from the Nets to push that to the side and keep our extremely coveted number one spot. If it weren’t for the Timberwolves we’d probably be looking at OKC having an undefeated February, but Minnesota has played them well. And after Brooklyn played them tightly for a little over three quarters it’s fair to wonder if the Thunder may be losing a bit of focus. They’ve got a couple games to get themselves back right before facing the Rockets, Grizzlies and the Nuggets in a two-game home series, followed by a road trip to Boston, Detroit and Milwaukee. The best team in the NBA is about to go on a tough stretch where they’ll have to continue to prove themselves.
