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NBA Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First (Week 20)
The playoffs are inching ever so closer. We’re now six weeks away from the play-in tournament but it feels like it’s just around the corner. Teams like the Lakers and Pistons just keep riding their current highs into playoff contention and are certainly excited for April to get here. Teams like the Mavericks, though? Maybe they just want the season to end and for everyone to forget. Alas, there’s still one incredibly important task to get done for at least six more weeks: Power ranking every NBA team to the best of our abilities. Let’s get to it.
30. Washington Wizards
Last Week: 30
With a -4.7 net rating since the All-Star break, the Wizards actually have been playing a bit better than you’d expect! Double-digit wins over Charlotte and Brooklyn certainly help that cause. Otherwise it’s still bleak in DC. Six Wizards are averaging 10+ PPG but none are averaging more than 20. The offensive rating is still second-worst in the league since the break, but the defense has improved. Silver linings for the Wizards who are in good position to win the lottery.
29. Utah Jazz
Last Week: 29
The Jazz have notched just five wins since the beginning of February, but they’re actually some pretty impressive victories. The Magic, Warriors, Lakers, Rockets and the Timberwolves all have fallen to the Jazz. Solid wins on the outside until you realize they’re 5-10 in that timeframe. They haven’t been able to keep many of their best players healthy and at this point it may just be best to keep them rested and ready for next year (or the offseason if you’re John Collins and want to get back into the experience of constantly being in trade rumors again).
28. Charlotte Hornets
Last Week: 28
By far the worst team in the NBA since the All-Star break, the Hornets’ -21.6 net rating in those eight games is actually impressive in a way. Miles Bridges leads the way with 23.4 PPG since the break while LaMelo Ball is averaging just 18.0 PPG. Not the normal numbers we’re used to seeing from Ball and that’s making the Hornets’ viewing experience a bit less pleasant. The organization may be fine with it, though, as they’re sitting in a great spot to potentially win the top pick.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Last Week: 27
With a -11.6 net rating since the break, Brooklyn’s starting to take their path of tanking for a better pick. Given the roster uncertainty going into next season, mostly fueled by Cam Thomas’ potential departure, tanking may be their best opportunity. Though they’re within reaching distance of the play-in in the East, it may not be in their best interests right now. Brooklyn will continue to let it’s young guys develop but the goal for now isn’t winning.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Last Week: 26
Winners of five of their last seven games, New Orleans may have started to figure some things out. It’s going to be too little too late for a roster that’s been absolutely dismantled by injuries all season, but they’re finally fighting. Kelly Olynyk has started to make his presence known on the boards, grabbing 9.2 RPG since the break. The improvements will be nice, but New Orleans will certainly look to stay in the running for a top-four pick. Improvement without many more wins may be what management wants most here.
25. Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week: 23
Though the standings say they’re in line for a play-in run, that opportunity just may not be there for the Sixers any longer. After they sat down Joel Embiid for the season, Tyrese Maxey suffered a back injury against the Trail Blazers that may hamper him down the stretch. Philadelphia’s first round pick is only protected if it’s a top six pick, otherwise it goes to the Thunder. Philly is all of a sudden in a spot where tanking may be best for them. A disastrous season full of losing may only be able to be solved with more losing.
24. Chicago Bulls
Last Week: 25
They’ve got the final play-in spot in the East but for how long? Ayo Dosunmu was recently ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, making a thin roster even thinner. If their goal is to make the play-in then they have some flexibility as the teams directly below them may look to tank (Sixers, Nets) making their only real threat the Raptors. But they’ve were holding onto a five-game lead over the Raptors coming into Wednesday’s action so they have some breathing room for now. But if Philly or Brooklyn decide to make a run, that lead sits at just 2.5 games. Chicago is in one of the funkiest spots in the NBA given their current roster construction.
23. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: 24
Count me in as someone who believes the Raptors will make a strong run for the play-in. The post All-Star break numbers don’t look all that pretty, but the tougher part of their schedule is done with. If any reason to believe this team can make a run, it’s because they’ve got the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the league by a wide margin. Their remaining opponents have a .363 win percentage. The next easiest schedule, the Timberwolves, have opponents with a .435 win percentage. If Brandon Ingram is able to suit up at any point remaining in the season then that may make the Raptors a sneaky team to face in the play-in.
22. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: 21
It hasn’t exactly been pretty without Victor Wembanyama. With just two wins since the break, the Spurs may have lost any momentum they had towards getting a play-in spot. To make matters worse, they’re not in a spot where tanking for the rest of the season would make sense either. They simply need to play it out with De’Aaron Fox running the system and letting younger guys like Stephon Castle develop. That may not be the worst thing in the world for the Spurs, who now just need to prepare for next season.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
Last Week: 22
Are we looking at another potential play-in team that we hadn’t expected would be there just a month or so ago? The Blazers went on a hot streak prior to the All-Star break and now sit just four games back of a play-in spot. They’re tied with the Suns and are chasing the Mavericks. Given the dysfunctionality in front of them, opportunity certainly feels real for this young squad. With a +12.6 net rating since the break, fourth best in that span, the Blazers are showing that they may just be for real.
20. Phoenix Suns
Last Week: 18
Tied with the Blazers and chasing the final play-in spot, their views on their current position are much different than those in Portland. With a 2-5 record since the break, they’re not exactly clicking on all cylinders. All of Phoenix’s scoring is coming from their big three with some help from Bol Bol, but almost no one else is contributing enough to make Phoenix threatening. On top of that, their 120.4 defensive rating ranks fourth worst since the break. The jubilation of being in the running for the play-in doesn’t exist in Phoenix like it does in Portland.
19. Atlanta Hawks
Last Week: 20
Sitting comfortably in the play-in bracket, the Hawks have been working things out with their new roster. Post break they haven’t been all that impressive, but they’re getting solid scoring efforts from quite a bit of their roster. They have six players averaging 13+ PPG since the break, but only Trae Young averages more than 20 PPG. Caris LeVert is starting to run Atlanta’s bench well, putting up multiple 20-point games after the break. Atlanta has the flexibility to be able to try some things out before playing in the play-in yet again.
18. Miami Heat
Last Week: 19
With wins in three of their last four games, Miami is starting to mesh after trading away Jimmy Butler. Similar to Atlanta and Orlando, they’re pretty much set in the play-in and don’t have much of a worry of falling out of it. Sitting five games behind Detroit for the 6-seed, they may have a bit of an uphill climb if they want to avoid the play-in. That may not be necessary for this squad, though, who’s been through it all before. As long as Miami’s healthy they should be expected to come out of the play-in for a date against either the Cavaliers or Celtics in the playoffs.
17. Orlando Magic
Last Week: 17
Orlando still finds themselves looking for a bit of the magic (bad pun, I know) that they had early in the season when they were fighting through injuries and staying in the top six seeds. The defense has started to let up a bit after the break, posting a 112.5 defensive rating. That’s not bad by any means, but it’s a drop from their season-long stats. They simply need to be a bit stronger on offense to become a much stronger threat down the stretch. As with Atlanta and Miami, they’re essentially a lock for the play-in. Now they have to find a way to ensure they can come out of the play-in on top.
16. Dallas Mavericks
Last Week: 13
This blurb here is for everyone who watched every season of Dexter only to be incredibly disappointed with how Season 8 went and just how horrendous it felt to watch that god awful series finale. What’s happening in Dallas now is essentially Season 8 of Dexter. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse it does. First the Luka trade, then Anthony Davis getting injured in his Mavs debut, then Kyrie Irving getting ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear. Mavs fans absolutely hate basketball right now and no one can blame them for wanting Nico Harrison to drive his boat into a hurricane and emerge from the forests as a lumberjack. Oh yeah…spoiler alert.
15. Sacramento Kings
Last Week: 15
On a bit of a hot streak since the break, Sacramento’s got a nifty +15.0 net rating in that span and a 4-1 record. Surprisingly what’s driving Sacramento’s success is their defense. They’ve held four straight opponents to 103 points or fewer. Kings fans haven’t exactly been used to low-scoring games over the last few years. Is that likely to last? Probably not. A Wednesday matchup against the Nuggets will put that defense to the test. But it’s got the Kings looking strong as they fight to try and avoid the play-in and grab the 6-seed.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Last Week: 12
LA’s on a bit of a downswing as of late, losing five of their last six games coming into Tuesday’s matchup against the Suns. It doesn’t get all that much easier for them either with matchups against the Pistons, Kings and Knicks on the horizon. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are driving the offense, both averaging 20+ PPG since the break. Ivica Zubac is averaging 17.3 PPG, but no other Clipper has been scoring much as of late. Their 109.9 offensive rating since the break ranks as 9th worst in the league since the break, a main reason they’ve fallen to the play-in bracket.
13. Detroit Pistons
Last Week: 14
One of the best stories of the season, Detroit is humming since the break. A 6-1 record and a +11.1 net rating, it’s a fun time to be a Piston fan. With a five-game lead over the Heat, they’re in a great spot to make the playoffs and avoid the play-in all together. Looking up at the standings they will more than likely face the Knicks in the first round. Cade Cunningham and the Pistons can start breathing a little easier and focus on getting healthy for the playoffs.
12. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: 16
A big jump in the rankings this week is quite deserved for a roster that’s finally turned it around since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They’re now 9-1 when he’s active and have won seven of those games by double-digits or more. They’ve posted a 124.0 offensive rating since the All-Star break and are absolutely humming. They’re currently in the 6-seed and are three games back of the Rockets for the 5-seed. With everyone in the play-in bracket hot and heavy on their heels, Golden State needs to keep up its hot play to make the playoffs and avoid the play-in altogether.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week: 11
No team may feel more streaky than the Bucks. When they’re on fire, they get absolutely humming. But when they’re down, they’re down bad. As for now, they’re on a roll. With a 5-1 record since the All-Star break, they’re one of the hottest teams in the league. However, that’s paired with a +6.8 net rating that ranks ninth since the break. Not bad by any means, but they’re not quite pulling away from teams like they would probably want to. Their main goal needs to be to keep the 4-seed and get home court advantage in the first round over either the Pacers or Pistons.
10. Indiana Pacers
Last Week: 10
Speaking of those Pacers, they are 5-2 since the break with a +8.4 net rating. They’re humming on offense too, posting up an offensive rating over 120.0 as you’d likely expect out of the fast-paced Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 23.9 PPG while Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner are both right behind him with 19.4 PPG and 18.4 PPG respectively. As we mentioned on the Bucks’ slide, home court advantage needs to be the goal for Indiana as well, especially since it’s likely to be against the Bucks. If the Pacers keep fighting, they can reach that goal.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: 9
Disappointing losses to the Lakers and Jazz can be forgiven thanks to a hard fought overtime victory over the Thunder last week. They’ve done their part to catch up to and pass the Clippers in the standings, only now they’re still sitting in the 7-seed thanks to the Warriors speeding by them. At full strength Minnesota can be a force on the defensive end while providing some strong powered offense, but they need to be full strength. Julius Randle has finally returned after a lengthy absence but Rudy Gobert has been sidelined for the past eight games. Once he’s back, Minnesota will be back to full strength and ready to fight Golden State for the 6-seed.
8. Houston Rockets
Last Week: 8
The Rockets have been a very back-and-forth team since the All-Star break, going 3-4 after Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers. That’s something this young roster will need to get corrected as they gear up for the playoffs. It’s no coincidence that much of Houston’s slide has come without Fred VanVleet, who’s missed extended time with an ankle sprain and injured his ankle again the other night in his return to action. Houston needs him out there to provide veteran leadership. With a 3.5 game lead over the Timberwolves for the final play-in spot, Houston will need to fight strong to avoid slipping into the play-in with everyone in the seven through ten seeds fighting hard.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
Last Week: 5
Things are starting to get a little iffy in Memphis these days. With a 2-5 record since the All-Star break, the Grizzlies have fallen from the 2-seed and are now in the 4-seed in the West. It’s not a huge climb up as they’re just one game back of the Nuggets and Lakers, but they’re in danger of losing home court advantage if the Rockets, just 1.5 GB of them, turn things on and surpass them. Ja Morant has missed Memphis’ last two games, both losses. Luckily for Memphis their schedule softens up a bit, but only after a Wednesday clash with the Thunder. They’ll need the softer part of the schedule to get things right once again.
6. Denver Nuggets
Last Week: 6
Tied for the 2-seed in the West, the Nuggets have cooled off after going on a bit of a heater. They’re 2-3 in their last five games, mostly against better competition. It’s a weak point for the Nuggets right now who have otherwise been dominant. Chalk part of that up to the regular season being the regular season and not the playoffs, but it’s causing some worry for Nuggets fans. That worry will be ratcheted up over the weekend as they will have a road back-to-back in Oklahoma City, a huge test for the Nuggets and a matchup that may also carry some weight in the MVP conversation as well.
5. New York Knicks
Last Week: 4
The mood in New York isn’t exactly the best right now regarding the Knicks, but it doesn’t look like things are all that worrisome yet. They’re 6-3 in their last nine with losses to the Celtics, Cavaliers and Warriors. The bigger cause for concern right now is that they seem unable to get past Boston or Cleveland, giving fans doubt that they’ll be able to make any sort of real run in the playoffs. Their concerns may be valid, but that’s only because of how dominant Boston and Cleveland are. In the meantime, the Knicks are in a fine spot and will need to play the underdog role if they make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week: 7
Safe to say that the Lakers are good with Luka Doncic. Who would have guessed? Los Angeles is cruising and has gotten themselves into a tie for the 2-seed with the Nuggets after going on a 6-1 run coming into Tuesday’s matchup against the Pelicans. The defense has been the most impressive piece of their game, though. Since the break they’ve posted a 103.5 defensive rating, best in the league in that span. The offense is leaving a little something to be desired, but if the defense plays lights out then the offense won’t need to shoot lights out. Both might regress to the mean soon, but one way or another the Lakers have become a true threat in the West.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: 3
The Celtics looked to have gotten things figured out after winning six straight games, but after dropping the second leg of a back-to-back to the Pistons they had a chance to make a statement against the Cavs. Instead, the Cavs made a huge statement against them when the Celtics choked away an early 22-point lead. It’s one of the few true blemishes on the Celtics this season who otherwise are showing signs of being a championship contender yet again. They’re too far back of Cleveland to chase the top seed, but at just three games ahead of the Knicks they can’t afford many other hiccups if they want home court advantage over anyone besides Cleveland.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: 2
Speaking of that comeback against the Celtics, it just may have been the signature moment for Cleveland this season. They’ve continued just absolutely dominating seemingly everyone and it’s now a razor thin margin between Cleveland and OKC for the top spot in our rankings. There have been a few worrisome spots as of late, such as the Blazers forcing them to overtime and the Bulls hanging around for way too long before Cleveland pulled away, but for the most part Cleveland is still doing what it needs to do. With a huge lead over the Celtics for the top seed, they just simply need to stay healthy for their playoff run.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: 1
Staying in our top spot, the Thunder continue to dominate teams just as you’d expect them to do. Besides a couple slip-ups to the Timberwolves, no one’s beaten OKC since January. Similar to the Cavaliers, they have an 11-game lead over the Nuggets and Lakers in the 2-seed so they have more than enough opportunity to experiment with whatever they need to before the playoffs start. The biggest question that faces this Thunder team is if they’re truly ready to make a deep run for a title, but given everything we’ve seen out of them there’s not much reason to doubt that they’ll perform just as strongly in the postseason.
