It is still early in the season, but we are starting to see teams establish themselves and others show us that they are in for a very long season. Here are the NBA week 5 power rankings, let us know where your team ranks!
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland enters Monday a perfect 15-0. The NBA-best +12.2-point differential, the team faces a tough contest in Boston on Tuesday.
2. Boston Celtics
Boston continues their fast surge following their 18th NBA championship. Jayson Tatum sits 3rd in the NBA with 29.7 PPG and continues to be the catalyst for the Celtics.
3. Golden State Warriors
Golden State continues to dominate teams at the end of games. If the Warriors can continue to put teams away, and stay healthy, there is no question this team will be a force as the season progresses.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be the focal point in Oklahoma City, but Chet Holmgren’s dominance of the glass has Oklahoma off to one of the best starts of the season. A healthy Holmgren will keep the Thunder fighting for the top seed in the West.
5. Houston Rockets
Winners of nine of their last eleven, Houston is getting it done, holding opposing teams to a second-best 103.5 PPG. Continued defensive dominance will help Houston as the season progresses.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is off to a strong start, but shots have not been consistently falling. Once this reciprocates, Minnesota should be a strong team for the entire season.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has lost a handful of games by three possessions or less. Luka Doncic’s health will be a priority throughout the season, and when Dallas gets hot there is no stopping the team.
8. Denver Nuggets
Jokic plays, and Denver wins. Jokic sits, and Denver loses. This team will continue to shine if Jokic stays on the court.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles is off to a strong start, and configuring the starting lineup has JJ Redick comfortable in his first season as Lakers head coach. A healthy LeBron will carry the team into the playoffs, but when will he need regular load management?
10. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are winning close games, and that has them starting the season on a great path. As the season progresses, the team’s overall health will be a factor in how far they can go in the playoffs.
11. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento’s defense has been a factor in their six losses. Their opponents’ success in the paint has been the Kings’ Achilles heal early into the season. They will need to put an emphasis on fixing this deficiency as the season progresses.
12. Phoenix Suns
When Kevin Durant is on the court, the Suns always have a chance to win. If Durant is not playing, the Suns tend to lose close games. Lacking bench depth, the Suns need to find a way to keep Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on the court as much as possible.
13. New York Knicks
Like Sacramento, the Knicks’ greatest flaw is defense in the paint. They have given up one of the highest scoring percentages in the paint, and a defensive big man is a must as the season rolls along.
14. Orlando Magic
The loss of Paolo Banchero has been felt, but the Magic have fared well defensively, especially on the defensive side of the glass. If Orlando can weather the storm until Banchero returns and play .500 or better, they will be an underrated team in the next few months.
15. Indiana Pacers
Andrew Nembhard’s and Aaron Nesmith’s absences have seen Tyrese Haliburton take more shots while registering a decrease in assists. Nembhard and Nesmith’s return will help balance out the offense and see more success in Haliburton’s ability to distribute scoring opportunities.
16. Los Angeles Clippers
A below-average team with below-average bench depth, the Clippers will fluctuate above and below .500 all season. Poor defense and Kawhi Leonard being MIA will see the Clippers endure a long season.
17. Detroit Pistons
Strong defense and strong performance from their starting cast have seen the Pistons play well early into the 2024-2025 season. They’re halfway to besting their win total of 14 games from a season ago.
18. Miami Heat
Minor injuries to Jimmy Butler and Jaime Jacquez Jr. have seen an up-and-down start to the season in Miami. Their defense has been abysmal, and Bam Adebayo has been relied upon as a main offensive contributor. As Miami’s key contributors become healthy and their defense improves, they will quickly jump over .500.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama’s long-range game has improved, and rookie Stephon Castle gets better each game. The Spurs’ two young stars have San Antonio positioned well through the first four weeks. Tightening up their defense can see San Antonio’s ranking rise quickly
20. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have seen positive production from Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson has picked up where he left off a season ago prior to injury. Tray Young’s health will play a factor in how well the Hawks fare in the upcoming months.
21. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets last six games have come against Boston, Cleveland, New Orleans, and New York. A tough start against three top-tier teams has contributed to five losses in their last six, but a young team facing early adversity can use this to learn from as the season continues.
22. Portland Trail Blazers
Deandre Ayton’s absence leaves Portland without not only their best player but also their best big man. Ayton’s return will help Portland, but the team will undoubtedly be at the bottom of the rankings all season.
23. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte has been plagued by injuries to big men. Mark Williams has yet to play, and Nick Richards’s absence has greatly affected the team’s ability to rebound. Until they feature stability at the five, this team will continue to struggle.
24. Chicago Bulls
Chicago has played at a high pace out of the gate, but their opponents have outscored them, especially in the paint. Nikola Vucevic has never been sound defensively, and this could be an issue all season should the Bulls continue to allow opposing teams to dominate the paint.
25. Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard is the only true point guard on Milwaukee’s roster. When he misses time, the Bucks struggle to play a point guard that can facilitate. However, the Bucks have played close games early on, and they will eventually be on the winning side of those games. Still, the team needs to have a solution for games that do not feature Lillard.
26. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid missed Philadelphia’s first ten games, and even with him returning he has not yet seen his body in game form. A lousy start was expected with Embiid’s absence, and Philadelphia will see a rebound within the upcoming months.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
Injuries have plagued New Orleans more than any team in the league. The team has seen numerous second-unit players jump into starting roles, and this has led to a decrease in defensive and offensive production. A healthy starting lineup will help the Pelicans, but they are destined to be a bottom-feeder throughout the season.
28. Toronto Raptors
Toronto has been without Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, and Kelly Olynyk frequently out of the gate. Quickley and Barnes figure to miss an extended period, and Toronto may fail to reach double-digit wins before the calendar changes. However, Gradey Dick has produced mightily, given his uptick in minutes.
29. Utah Jazz
Turnovers and point differential have plagued Utah through their first 13 games. If the team continues to play a run-and-gun offense while continuing to lose possession, it will be another dismal outcome to the season.
30. Washington Wizards
The Wizards have been outscored and look like a group that lacks motivation. If Kyle Kuzma finds himself missing time, as he did earlier, Washington may fail to reach 10 wins.
