Two weeks are left in the 2024-2025 NBA season. The playoff picture is becoming clearer, and teams are making their final pushes for playoff seeding. Below is a breakdown of NBA team power rankings for Week 25.
- Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City enters week 25 holding the top spot again. Their rotation is healthy, and this will play an integral role in their playoff success. They are the clear favorite to reach the Western Conference Finals.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Cleveland entered Sunday with a five-game lead on Boston. Five games remain, and the Cavaliers are headed for the Eastern Conference regular-season crown. Cleveland is the favorite to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and has the best odds to win the NBA Finals.
- Boston Celtics
The Celtics are likely to finish second in the Eastern Conference, and the team is focusing on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s health as the playoffs begin. The duo, along with Kristaps Porzingis, must be healthy to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Houston Rockets
Houston continues to finish the season strong and seems to be in a three-dog race with Oklahoma City and Denver to reach the Western Conference Finals. Their defense will be a deciding factor in whether they reach the conference finals.
- Golden State Warriors
Golden State faced adversity for the better part of the season, but the acquisition of Jimmy Butler seemed to right the ship. Entering week 25 healthy, the veteran team will be a tough matchup in the playoffs, and their experience can be the reason they win this year’s NBA Finals.
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota currently holds the Western Conference’s sixth seed, but the Los Angeles Clippers will make a push to leapfrog Minnesota and stay out of the play-in tournament. Minnesota will need to dominate the glass and play stout defense to maintain its current seeding.
- Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are currently in the play-in tournament and entered Sunday with four regular-season games remaining. Whether they finish as the Western Conference’s 6th seed or find themselves in the play-in tournament, Kawhi Leonard will be heavily relied upon for a deep playoff run.
- New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson’s absence was a major blow to the Knicks. His return Sunday gives him five games to prepare for the playoffs. A deep playoff run will lie solely on Jalen Brunson quickly shaking off any rust from his ankle injury that caused him to miss a month of action.
- Indiana Pacers
Indiana is firmly planted in the Eastern Conference’s fourth seed and is gearing up for the playoffs. Pascal Siakam is dealing with elbow discomfort, but has two weeks to prepare for the playoffs. The Pacers have a young team, but play better all-around basketball for a team lacking great experience. Pascal Siakam’s veteran experience can lead the young Pacers team to a deeper playoff run than many expect.
- Denver Nuggets
Denver is 4-6 over its last 10 games, but with a handful of games left in the regular season, the focus will be on entering the playoffs fully healthy. If Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray stay healthy, Denver can reach the Western Conference Finals.
- Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ last 10 games have seen them post a 5-5 record. LeBron James is dealing with a groin issue, and this isn’t ideal with a week left in the season. If James’ groin issue carries into the playoffs, the Lakers could be headed for an early exit.
- Detroit Pistons
Detroit will finish the season as the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed and have an extra week of rest while the play-in games play out. However, they may not have enough to get past their first-round series.
- Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the Bucks, but the team needs Damian Lillard to return healthy from his calf issue. Milwaukee may win their first-round series, but their lack of depth will ultimately undo them shortly after.
- Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis will be a favorite to come out of the play-in tournament, and a successful run after will rely on the play of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Orlando Magic
Orlando heads the Eastern Conference play-in games along with Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami. If they make it out of the play-in tournament, they could be a sneaky team to upset their first-round playoff series.
- Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta will make it through the play-in tournament if its defense improves. The team continues to live and die by the three while allowing opponents to shoot a high three-point percentage.
- Chicago Bulls
After the trade deadline, the Bulls were an afterthought for the remainder of the season. Now, their starting rotation of Josh Giddey, Lonzo Ball, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic is a must-watch. Should they survive the play-in tournament, their first-round matchup will see them play either Cleveland or Boston, and their run will ultimately end in the first round.
- Sacramento Kings
Sacramento will either end as the final Western Conference play-in team or see Phoenix overtake them. If they reach the play-in tournament and survive, their run will end in the first round of the playoffs.
- Miami Heat
Lacking a true superstar, Miami will be lucky to make it through the play-in games.
- Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis is back on the court, but the Mavericks will be lucky to make it through the Western Conference play-in tournament.
- Phoenix Suns
The Suns need to win out and see Sacramento slip during the final week of the regular season. As of now, the Suns are set to miss the play-in tournament.
- Portland Trail Blazers
Portland must find a way to build around the core of Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe.
- San Antonio Spurs
This season is an afterthought, but their future is bright with the roster featuring Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.
- Toronto Raptors
Toronto will focus on entering next season with a healthy core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley. Adding an outstanding big will be on their offseason to-do list.
- Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn will look to add to its young squad, which includes Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, Noah Clowney, Keon Johnson, Nic Claxton, and veteran D’Angelo Russell.
- New Orleans Pelicans
Another offseason begins with the question being how to keep Zion Williamson healthy to play with Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, and Jordan Hawkins. Since his 2019-2020 rookie season, Zion Williamson has averaged 35 games per season while missing the entire 2021-2022 campaign.
- Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte must find a way to add pieces around Lonzo Ball and Miles Bridges while continuing to develop Brandon Miller. They’re miles away from competing for a playoff spot.
- Washington Wizards
Washington needs draft assets to prepare for the future. Their best option is to trade Khris Middleton, Jordan Poole, and Marcus Smart for draft capital and focus on Alex Sarr’s development.
- Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is in a tough spot. Tyrese Maxey is a 24-year-old star, but Joel Embiid (31 years old) and Paul George (34 years old) are always injured and not getting younger. It will be almost impossible to trade their hefty contracts.
- Utah Jazz
Utah needs to tear it down and rebuild. John Collins and Lauri Markkanen’s contracts will be hard to move, but trading both needs to be the main goal this offseason. After that, trading Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton should be a bit easier, given their friendlier deals. Once they’ve received draft assets from the four, the Jazz front office should emphasize building around Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Walker Kessler while hoping they win the draft lottery and Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
