NBA · 1 year ago

NBA Power Rankings: Thunderous Surge Propels OKC to No. 1

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

30. New Orleans Pelicans
Not many positives can be drawn from the Pelicans right now, with their current ten-game losing skid being a direct representation of how bad they’ve been. Ideally, they’ll be able to sell off at the deadline as much as other teams are willing to take.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have hit their stride, and it’s hard to find a flaw in what they are putting on the floor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like the MVP, Jalen Williams is putting up nice contributions as the second option, and Isaiah Hartenstein has rounded out the once-depleted frontcourt. Plus, Chet Holmgren is on track to return in the coming weeks.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Not many negatives can be said about the Cavaliers and their 28-4 record, as they are now amidst another lengthy win streak. They keep cruising through opponents, but they’ll have tough tests in the coming weeks, with a clash with the Thunder set for next Wednesday.
3. Boston Celtics
The Celtics have gone just 5-5 across their last ten games as they’ve gone cold from beyond the arc. No one is worried about their championship potential, but they certainly should round out the rest of their offensive game sooner rather than lat.
4. New York Knicks
The Knicks are rolling right now, winning eight straight games leading into the New Year. They are finally playing up to their preseason expectations consistently, showcasing a championship ceiling. Circle your calendars for when they face Oklahoma City this Friday night.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies quietly have a 22-11 record and are in second place in the West, but most glaringly has been how they’ve done it. It’s been a complete effort, as no one on their roster is averaging more than 30 minutes per game, with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way with just 28.2 minutes per game.
6. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have shown a willingness to compete with anyone they face, and they’ll have yet another chance to prove their contender status with games this week against Dallas and Boston.
7. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are in great shape in the Western Conference standings, but Luka Doncic's extended absence will need to make Kyrie Irving become Superman.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
This year has been full of ups and downs for the Timberwolves, but when they’ve been up, they’ve been very high. Wins this week on the road against Houston and Dallas are evidence of that.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers now own the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and Kawhi Leonard is getting closer to making his season debut. Paired with the impressive play of James Harden, the Clippers could find themselves with a top-four seed by season’s end, barring health.
10. Orlando Magic
11. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic is currently tied in the odds with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at +130 in the NBA MVP odds, but team success is definitely going to be a factor in the voting down the line. Overall, while the Nuggets are in respectable shape with their 18-13 record, they have work to do to make up ground on SGA’s Thunder.
12. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have been one of the most underrated teams in basketball. They’re currently riding a four-game win streak into a West Coast road trip that will be very revealing. De’Andre Hunter, in particular, has been awesome for them, scoring at least 20 points in ten of his last 12 games.
13. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James just turned 40 and still is leading the charge for the Lakers, averaging 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. The Lakers remain committed to competing this season, evidenced by their acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
14 may be considered high for the 76ers’ record, but this team has finally regained their health and has begun to stack wins. They’ve now won ten of their last 13 games, with an impressive win on Christmas Day in Boston putting the league on notice of their potential.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have gone 2-3 since their momentum peaked with their NBA Cup Championship, but an easy schedule ahead will give them a prime opportunity to stack wins.
16. Miami Heat
The Heat appear to be at a standstill until they get clarity on Jimmy Butler's situation as the star forward wants to be moved to a contender by the February deadline. Pat Riley has pushed back, but the rumor mill keeps on churning.
17. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers looked to be in rough shape, but as they have now won eight of their last eleven games, there are reasons to be optimistic about a potential turnaround.
18. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have to be pleased with how they’ve looked this season, considering they had low expectations. Not enough good things can be said about Victor Wembanyama, who made a statement with his 42-point Christmas Day performance.
19. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are spiraling and haven’t played an extended stretch of good basketball in weeks . Now, sitting with a 16-16 record, it’s hard to imagine this team getting back to contention unless they make a big deadline move.
20. Phoenix Suns
After a very promising start to the season, it may be time to start panicking about the Suns. Injuries are marginally to blame, but they’ve lost eight of their last eleven and are now below the .500 mark.
21. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are still sitting just under the .500 mark, and it is fair to expect them to remain in that range for the remainder of the season. Still, a complete roster overhaul is needed for this team to contend eventually, but the organization continues to be pleased with mediocrity.
22. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are still within the Play-In Tournament range of the Eastern Conference standings, and with three key road wins this week on the West Coast, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful about their chances of climbing the standings.
23. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are currently the biggest disappointment of the year, and they shook things up pretty massively by firing Mike Brown this week. Sacramento's issues appear deeper than just a coaching issue, making the trade deadline especially intriguing in Northern California.
24. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers haven’t been a complete dumpster fire, which can be viewed as a win in itself, yet they still don’t have many positives to look to this year. Their upcoming five-game road trip will be another test to gauge their resolve on the ro
25. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have made the two biggest trades of the NBA season thus far, sending Dorian Finney-Smith to Los Angeles along with Shake Milton. More moves are coming, and Cameron Johnson continues to improve his trade stock.
26. Utah Jazz
The seven-win Jazz aren’t going anywhere this year, but John Collins has revitalized his career in Utah, becoming an intriguing trade piece as we get closer to the trade deadline.
27. Washington Wizards
The Wizards find themselves out of last place in our power rankings thanks to lengthy losing streaks by other teams and two wins of their own. With both of their wins being against the Hornets, there aren’t many positives to be drawn outside of a rise in the rankings
28. Charlotte Hornets
The fight that the Hornets have shown early in the season has faded as they’re now losers of seven straight, but LaMelo Ball still appears destined for the All-Star game. Still, the team around him hasn’t progressed as many hoped.
29. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have bottomed out, losing eleven straight games, without many positives able to be picked out as this was supposed to be their “leap year.”
30. New Orleans Pelicans
Not many positives can be drawn from the Pelicans right now, with their current ten-game losing skid being a direct representation of how bad they’ve been. Ideally, they’ll be able to sell off at the deadline as much as other teams are willing to take.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have hit their stride, and it’s hard to find a flaw in what they are putting on the floor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like the MVP, Jalen Williams is putting up nice contributions as the second option, and Isaiah Hartenstein has rounded out the once-depleted frontcourt. Plus, Chet Holmgren is on track to return in the coming weeks.