NBA Power Rankings: A Deep Dive into the Latest Standings and Surprises
As the dust settles on the second inaugural NBA Cup, the Milwaukee Bucks have emerged victorious, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling finale. But while the Bucks celebrate their triumph, the regular NBA season marches on, with teams and players eager to make their mark as we head into the new year.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are living up to their preseason expectations, proving to be formidable forces. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers are struggling to find their footing, hoping that 2025 will bring a change in fortune.
Over in the Western Conference, the competition is as fierce as ever. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers are all within six games of the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, making for an exciting race to the playoffs.
Let’s take a closer look at how all 30 teams stack up in this week’s power rankings, as determined by our panel of experts, including ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring, and Kevin Pelton.
Top 5 Teams in the Power Rankings
- 1. Boston Celtics
- 2024-25 record: 21-5
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: vs. CHI (Dec. 19), @ CHI (Dec. 21), @ ORL (Dec. 23)
The Celtics are on a roll, with Kristaps Porzingis downplaying a recent heel injury scare. Boston is on pace to win 65 games, aiming to become the first defending champion to repeat since 2018.
- 2. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2024-25 record: 23-4
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: vs. MIL (Dec. 20), vs. PHI (Dec. 21), vs. UTAH (Dec. 23)
Evan Mobley is stepping up as a scorer, leading the Cavs in three of their past five wins. Cleveland is on track to become the third team in league history to win 70 games.
- 3. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2024-25 record: 20-6
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: @ ORL (Dec. 19), @ MIA (Dec. 20), vs. WAS (Dec. 23)
With a strong record when their 7-footers are available, the Thunder are proving to be a tough team to beat. Isaiah Hartenstein has been a key addition, providing much-needed physicality.
- 4. Memphis Grizzlies
- 2024-25 record: 18-9
- Previous ranking: 5
- Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 19), @ ATL (Dec. 21), vs. LAC (Dec. 23)
Despite a recent loss to the Lakers, the Grizzlies have won 10 of their past 12 games. Ja Morant has highlighted areas for improvement, including reducing fouls and improving on the offensive glass.
- 5. Houston Rockets
- 2024-25 record: 17-9
- Previous ranking: 6
- Next games: vs. NO (Dec. 19), @ TOR (Dec. 22), @ CHA (Dec. 23)
The Rockets have hit a rough patch but continue to excel in clutch situations. With upcoming games against teams with a combined record of 19-61, Houston has a chance to regain momentum.
As we continue down the list, it’s clear that the NBA landscape is as dynamic as ever. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are making significant strides, while others like the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers are facing challenges that could shape their seasons.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see which teams can maintain their momentum and which will need to make adjustments to stay competitive. With so much at stake, the coming weeks promise to be an exciting time for basketball enthusiasts everywhere.
Originally Written by: NBA Insiders
