NBA Power Rankings: A reason for optimism for every team

The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore’s basketball editors.

It’s too early in the season to be cynical. With the 2023-24 campaign a little more than two weeks old, we’re highlighting reasons for hope for every team.

1. Denver Nuggets (8-1)

Previous: 1

There’s no championship hangover, but there’s a bump on the road to repeating. With Jamal Murray sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Western Conference-leading Nuggets will need to rely on Nikola Jokic’s 29.1 points per game.

2. Boston Celtics (5-2)

Previous: 3

Kristaps Porzingis has fit in seamlessly with the Celtics. The former All-Star ranks third on the team in points per game (20.9), third in rebounds (6.7), and first in blocks (1.6).

3. Philadelphia 76ers (6-1)

Previous: 8

Tyrese Maxey has officially arrived, making 76ers fans completely forget about that James Harden fellow. His 25.4 points and seven assists per game on 48/41/90 shooting are All-Star numbers.

4. Golden State Warriors (6-3)

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Amateur boxer/Nutcracker prince Draymond Green says the vibes have improved this season, and Steph Curry is on track to record career highs in field-goal percentage (.512) and 3-point percentage (.473). Absurd.

5. Dallas Mavericks (6-2)

Previous: 16

Hand Nico Harrison the Executive of the Year award already. Free-agent signing Grant Williams and lottery pick Dereck Lively II have been instrumental as starting options.

6. Milwaukee Bucks (5-2)

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Amid some speed bumps to begin the Giannis-Dame era, the Bucks still rank in the top half of the league in both offensive rating and true shooting percentage. This team will figure things out in due time.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-2)

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Naz Reid has been a consistent offensive option for the T-Wolves. Averaging a career-high 14.7 points, the 24-year-old could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year if he keeps it up.

8. Los Angeles Clippers (3-4)

Previous: 9

The Clippers possess the league’s sixth-best net rating (plus-5.3), Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both healthy, and James Harden was productive in his Clippers debut despite not participating in training camp or the preseason.

9. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-3)

Previous: 18

Chet Holmgren is quickly establishing himself as OKC’s second-best player behind SGA. The big man ranks third league-wide in blocks per game after overtaking the Thunder’s rookie rejection record in his second professional game.

10. Phoenix Suns (4-4)

Previous: 5

It’s hard to hit peak levels when only one star from a Big Three is available. If Kevin Durant remains hot once Devin Booker gets back on the court and Bradley Beal settles in, watch out.

11. Orlando Magic (4-3)

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The Magic don’t have a single 20-point-per-game scorer, but they’ve still been one of the early season’s pleasant surprises behind an elite defense and the balanced duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

12. Atlanta Hawks (4-3)

Previous: 17

The Hawks’ forward rotation has stepped up since John Collins was sent to Utah. Third-year forward Jalen Johnson is averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game, while Saddiq Bey is on fire – he’s knocking down 42.1% shots from deep.

13. New Orleans Pelicans (4-4)

Previous: 15

Zion Williamson is healthy and playing well for the Pelicans, who are suffering from other key injuries. Still, New Orleans’ franchise player is averaging 21.8/7/4.7 over six games after playing in just 29 contests last season.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-5)

Previous: 12

Donovan Mitchell is single-handedly trying to keep the Cavaliers afloat in the wake of injuries to Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland. Mitchell has career highs in points (30.7), field-goal percentage (.510), and rebounds (4.9).

15. Brooklyn Nets (4-4)

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Calling Cam Thomas a revelation could be an understatement. After a few flashes of elite scoring prowess last season, the guard is averaging 26.9 points per game in 2023-24, good for 10th in the league.

16. Indiana Pacers (5-3)

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The 5-3 Pacers might be inconsistent to start the campaign, but at least Tyrese Haliburton and Co. play a nimble brand of hoops boosted by the league’s second-best pace of play (103.4).

17. New York Knicks (4-4)

Previous: 14

The Knicks are a vintage Tom Thibodeau squad: bottom half in points scored and top five in points allowed. None of their starters are shooting well, either. Once that comes around, New York should rise in the standings.

18. San Antonio Spurs (3-5)

Previous: 26

Victor Wembanyama is exactly who we hoped he’d be. Also, Devin Vassell is taking the leap and his field-goal percentage (.537) is nearly 100 points better than last season.

19. Sacramento Kings (3-4)

Previous: 11

De’Aaron Fox has been in the lab. Building off his first All-Star nod and Clutch Player of the Year award, the Kings star is averaging 31.3 points per game despite missing several games with an ankle injury.

20. Toronto Raptors (4-4)

Previous: 22

Scottie Barnes has improved by virtually every single metric following a sophomore slump, so the Raptors’ front office now has the impetus to kickstart a rebuild that should have happened sooner.

21. Miami Heat (4-4)

Previous: 10

Among a ton of injuries and inconsistent play, Tyler Herro is proving the Heat right for not dealing him this offseason. He’s averaging a career-best 25.3 points per game on 41% shooting from deep.

22. Los Angeles Lakers (3-5)

Previous: 4

If there were any doubts about LeBron James at 38 years old, he’s squashed them. The ageless wonder is averaging an unprecedented 24.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 34.8 minutes per game.

23. Houston Rockets (4-3)

Previous: 25

Alperen Sengun’s breakout season is here. Taking fewer shots than Jalen Green and newbie Fred VanVleet, the Turkish center is averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game while chipping in 6.6 assists.

24. Portland Trail Blazers (3-5)

Previous: 27

Shaedon Sharpe has been the biggest beneficiary of Damian Lillard’s departure and the injury to Anfernee Simons, with a team-high 39.1 minutes per game and 19.9 points a few months removed from his 20th birthday.

25. Detroit Pistons (2-7)

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Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren are the cornerstones of a budding team, and rookie Ausar Thompson has rapidly become the Pistons’ best lockdown perimeter defender and an overall menace on the defensive end.

26. Charlotte Hornets (2-5)

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Brandon Miller is third among rookies in scoring (13.1 PPG) and shooting 44% from beyond the arc, an asset for a Hornets team that shot 33% from deep last season (the second-worst mark in the league).

27. Utah Jazz (2-7)

Previous: 21

John Collins has seemed to find himself in Utah after spending his first six seasons with the Hawks, though he was involved in trade rumors the entire time. He’s averaging 14.7 points and 8.6 rebounds on the year so far.

28. Chicago Bulls (3-6)

Previous: 24

Amid a slow start for the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan continues to steadily climb up the NBA’s all-time scoring list. His 21,878 career points have elevated him past Larry Bird, Chris Paul, and Gary Payton.

29. Washington Wizards (2-5)

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Nobody expected the Wizards to be competitive this season – and that’s played out to be true. But between the league’s fastest pace and an efficient offensive attack, this group has been entertaining to watch.

30. Memphis Grizzlies (1-7)

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In terms of the positives in the toothless Grizzlies’ 1-7 start, only 17 games remain on Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension. And at least they’re not last in net rating. They’re 27th (minus-6.5). Thanks, Wizards, Jazz, and Spurs.