NBA Power Rankings: Celtics, T-Wolves are Thunder-struck
The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore’s basketball editors.
This week, we’re assessing matters across the Association as the new calendar year begins.
1. Boston Celtics (26-7)
Previous: 2
The Celtics are a perfect 16-0 at TD Garden this season and own the second-best net rating in the league (plus-10.2). Joe Mazzulla’s new-look side is definitely resembling a serious championship contender.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-9)
Previous: 1
Minnesota owns the league’s 24th-best offensive rating over its last eight games, highlighting a clear ceiling on even the best defensive squads when they struggle to score.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-10)
Previous: 5
Amid a surprisingly strong start, the already legit Thunder might consider adding some star power for a deep playoff push. Expect the likes of Pascal Siakam and Zach LaVine to be mentioned come deadline time.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (24-10)
Previous: 4
It feels as if the Bucks have been slightly glossed over when assessing the heavyweights in each conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo aside, Milwaukee’s still 20-3 this season when Damian Lillard scores 20 or more.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (23-10)
Previous: 3
The 76ers can’t afford to be complacent. With two bona fide stars, top-five units on both ends, and an NBA title-winning coach, there might not be a better time to go all-in.
6. Denver Nuggets (24-11)
Previous: 6
Denver’s youthful second unit remains a concern for Mike Malone and Co. Adding some experience via trade or the buyout market in the coming weeks wouldn’t hurt the Nuggets.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (21-12)
Previous: 7
Tyronn Lue’s squad overcame a rough November, ending the calendar year with 11 wins in its last 13 games. The Clippers are ready to make a run with Kawhi Leonard and Mason Plumlee back in the fold.
8. Sacramento Kings (20-13)
Previous: 9
De’Aaron Fox is amid an underrated career season. The Kings star ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring (29.4 points per game) and is shooting 39% from deep on 3.4 makes per contest.
9. Miami Heat (20-14)
Previous: 17
Injuries to multiple key players have provided an opportunity for others, most notably Jaime Jaquez Jr. The rookie’s strong two-way play has made him indispensable to the Heat’s rotation.
10. New Orleans Pelicans (21-14)
Previous: 12
Winners in nine of their last 12 games, Zion Williamson and the in-form Pelicans are surging up the Western Conference standings, all the while boasting the seventh-best net rating (plus-3.7) in the league.
11. Orlando Magic (19-15)
Previous: 8
Paolo Banchero deserves to be an All-Star this season. The forward is averaging 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists for a Magic team in the top five in the Eastern Conference standings.
12. Dallas Mavericks (20-15)
Previous: 10
The Mavs did well to stay afloat during Kyrie Irving’s absence. The All-Star guard’s return should ease the workload on Luka Doncic and bolster an already potent offense.
13. Indiana Pacers (19-14)
Previous: 18
The Pacers desperately need more from their bench. Now that they’ve swapped Andrew Nembhard into the starting five for Obi Toppin, the whole group of regular reserves has a negative net rating on the season.
14. New York Knicks (19-15)
Previous: 11
While Knicks fans shouldn’t be planning a championship parade just yet, it’s clear that adding OG Anunoby to this core was a great fit and should finally shore up the league’s 21st-best defense.
15. Phoenix Suns (18-16)
Previous: 15
The Suns have zero luck. Bradley Beal finally returns from his injury absence, Phoenix wins two in a row with its Big Three together, and now Kevin Durant’s out with a hamstring issue. What a frustrating season.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-15)
Previous: 16
Since losing Darius Garland and Evan Mobley in mid-December, the Cavs have been a bottom-half defensive team after ranking eighth up to that point. Cleveland’s gone 6-3 over that span while teetering in and out of the top six in the East.
17. Houston Rockets (17-15)
Previous: 14
The Rockets have allowed over 121 points in regulation six times this season, five of them in the last 11 games. That stingy defense to begin the year is falling apart.
18. Los Angeles Lakers (17-18)
Previous: 13
So much for resting LeBron James in his 21st NBA season. The ageless wonder has played in all but three contests and has seen at least 35 minutes of court time in 12 of his last 14 games.
19. Golden State Warriors (16-17)
Previous: 19
The Warriors have endured through Draymond Green’s suspension, going 6-4 without the veteran forward in the lineup. Klay Thompson has stepped up, averaging nearly 20 points per game in that time.
20. Utah Jazz (15-19)
Previous: 25
Utah is turning things around after a 7-16 start to the campaign. It’s no surprise the returns of Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson have coincided with the Jazz’s best stretch of play.
21. Toronto Raptors (14-20)
Previous: 23
Acquiring Immanuel Quickley and hometown hero RJ Barrett seems to have injected new life into the Raptors’ lineup. All eyes are now on Siakam and whether Toronto trades its developmental success story.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (11-23)
Previous: 24
The Grizzlies look like a real team again with Ja Morant in the lineup, climbing to a respectable 5-2 in the games he’s played. There’s still time for a postseason push.
23. Brooklyn Nets (15-20)
Previous: 20
Changes might be coming to Brooklyn sooner than expected. The Nets are 1-10 in their last 11, falling to ninth in the Eastern Conference. With the trade deadline approaching, players might be on the move.
24. Chicago Bulls (15-21)
Previous: 22
Chicago has shown some life with LaVine sidelined. Coby White’s emergence should comfort Bulls fans, especially if the team trades two-time All-Star LaVine.
25. Atlanta Hawks (14-19)
Previous: 21
It may be time to admit the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray backcourt doesn’t work. The duo has a minus-2.9 net rating while sharing the floor this season, and the pairing has been even worse during the Hawks’ recent rough stretch.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (9-24)
Previous: 26
In the two games Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe both missed, Scoot Henderson finally lived up to his immense hype, averaging 23.5 points and 7.5 assists while making half of his 12 3-pointers.
27. Washington Wizards (6-27)
Previous: 28
The Wizards are 1-17 against teams with a winning record this season, and only three of those games have been within four points. This group remains nowhere near competitive.
28. San Antonio Spurs (5-28)
Previous: 29
Victor Wenbanyama has shown little signs of slowing down. The Spurs rookie recently became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points and seven blocks in less than 30 minutes of action.
29. Charlotte Hornets (8-24)
Previous: 27
Brandon Miller is starting to come into his own as the next major piece for the Hornets. Over December, the rookie averaged 15.5 points on 43% shooting from deep, all without LaMelo Ball.
30. Detroit Pistons (3-31)
Previous: 30
Despite setting the longest single-season losing streak record, the Pistons’ win over the Raptors prevented them from passing the 76ers’ mark of 28 straight losses (across two seasons). There’s only one way to go from here.
