NBA Power Rankings: A Closer Look at the Final Stretch of the 2024-25 Season
As the 2024-25 NBA regular season draws to a close this Sunday, the excitement is palpable, and the anticipation is building for the upcoming playoffs. But before we get there, there’s a midweek showdown that has everyone buzzing. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, and it’s not just any game. This matchup marks Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas after his headline-grabbing trade to the Lakers in February. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans eager to see how Doncic performs against his former team.
Meanwhile, another game to keep an eye on is the Sacramento Kings hosting the Denver Nuggets. This game is particularly intriguing as it will be the Nuggets’ first outing since the surprising dismissal of their coach, Michael Malone, on Tuesday. This move, the second late-season firing of an NBA coach, has left the Nuggets, a formidable force in the Western Conference led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, in a state of uncertainty as they head into the playoffs.
As the regular season winds down, teams are jostling for playoff positions, while those at the bottom, like the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, are anxiously awaiting the draft lottery to see if they can secure the coveted No. 1 pick. In the midst of all this, our NBA insiders have compiled the final Power Rankings of the season, evaluating whether each team has met or missed their preseason expectations.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.
Let’s dive into the rankings and see where each team stands as we approach the playoffs.
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2024-25 record: 65-14
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: @ PHX (April 9), @ UTAH (April 11), @ NO (April 13)
- 2. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2024-25 record: 63-16
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: @ IND (April 10), @ NYK (April 11), vs. IND (April 13)
- 3. Boston Celtics
- 2024-25 record: 59-20
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: @ ORL (April 9), vs. CHA (April 11), vs. CHA (April 13)
- 4. Houston Rockets
- 2024-25 record: 52-27
- Previous ranking: 4
- Next games: @ LAC (April 9), @ LAL (April 11), vs. DEN (April 13)
- 5. New York Knicks
- 2024-25 record: 50-29
- Previous ranking: 11
- Next games: @ DET (April 10), vs. CLE (April 11), @ BKN (April 13)
The Thunder have secured the West’s No. 1 seed for the second consecutive postseason. With 15 players under contract for next season, including point guard Nikola Topic, who has been recovering from a knee injury, the Thunder are poised for continued success. They could have as many as three first-round picks in this year’s draft, although the odds are that the protected picks owed by the 76ers and Heat won’t convey this year.
The Cavaliers have had a stellar season, securing the second-most wins in franchise history and clinching the No. 1 seed in the East. Under first-year coach Kenny Atkinson, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley have all had All-Star seasons. A deep postseason run is now needed to validate their regular-season success.
The Celtics are in a strong position to defend their championship title, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge. Boston has met its expectations this season, and the team is well-prepared for the challenges of the playoffs.
The Rockets have made significant strides this season, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2019-20. Coach Ime Udoka has been instrumental in transforming the team’s culture, and the development of young players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun has been promising. The playoffs will be a crucial test for the Rockets as they consider their offseason moves.
The Knicks have met their preseason expectations, but their 0-9 record against the league’s top teams raises questions about their competitiveness in the playoffs. A strong postseason performance is needed to silence the doubters.
As we look ahead to the playoffs, the stakes are high for all teams involved. Whether it’s securing a top seed, making a deep playoff run, or building for the future, each team has its own set of challenges and opportunities. The final days of the regular season will be crucial in determining the playoff picture and setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting postseason.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
