Last week, Cleveland suffered their first loss of the season against Boston. Even with the loss, Cleveland still owns the NBA’s best record. The Los Angeles Clippers were a surprise, going a perfect 4-0 last week, and ending the week with an 11-7 record. Here is an updated look at the NBA power rankings heading into Week 6.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Boston put a blemish on Cleveland’s perfect start to the season, but with a league-leading +12.3-point differential, Cleveland needs to drop a few more games before Boston is ready to leap them for the overall spot.
2. Boston Celtics
A perfect 3-0 record and handing Cleveland their first loss, the Celtics are nipping at the heels of Cleveland. Another Cleveland loss would justify Boston claiming the top spot heading into Week 7.
3. Golden State Warriors
Golden State split last week’s games, going 2-2. However, their dominance late into games keeps them as one of the top teams early into the season. As the season progresses and their core needs breathers, Golden State could see their power ranking floating below the top 5.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Hartenstein’s season debut was much anticipated. He gives Oklahoma City depth of a true center that can provide beneficial minutes when Chat Holmgren needs a breather or the team needs a defense-first big man on the court.
5. Houston Rockets
Houston went 2-2 last week, but their two losses were by an average of 3.5 points. Their defense has stifled opponents through their first 18 games, and strong defense could keep the Rockets in the top 10 throughout the season.
6. Dallas Mavericks
Wins against the Thunder and Nuggets see Dallas jump up one spot from last week. Luka Doncic’s wrist injury will keep him sidelined for at least a week, and Dallas will need to rely on everyone to pick up the slack.
7. Denver Nuggets
Denver was able to lock in a win without Jokic and proceeded to get his services back in time to hand the Lakers a 25-point loss. The team’s experience should allow them to cruise throughout the season and take it up a notch when the playoffs start.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
No Ja Morant, no problem. The Grizzlies have continued to perform without their best player’s services, winning five of the eight games Morant has missed. Should luck run out before Morant’s return, the Grizzlies will undoubtedly fall outside the top 10.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Five straight wins will raise a team’s confidence, and this is the case with the Clippers. Last week, they were .500, and they enter Week 6 four games over. Their lack of depth questions whether they can stay competitive for the entire season.
10. Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner has single-handedly propelled Orlando to their 11-7 start. The Magic are young and gritty and have fans excited to see how long they can keep this hot streak alive.
11. New York Knicks
Tom Thibodeau’s teams are always known for their defense, but this Knicks team is ranked 2nd in overall scoring. If their shooters stay hot and their defense is a stalwart, the team will have success throughout the season.
12. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are not a great defensive team, and this was evident in last week’s losses to Orlando and Denver. High-upside offensive opponents will give the Lakers trouble throughout the season, but at least Dalton Knecht is blossoming into a draft-day steal.
13. San Antonio Spurs
The young Spurs are gaining momentum, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way. However, veteran Harrison Barnes has been a phenomenal addition for a team that is as young as San Antonio.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s defense has been a letdown early into the season. This needs to be addressed immediately or this could cost them mightily throughout the season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is dominant, with Damian Lillard and Giannis on the court. Lillard’s return, after missing three games, has allowed Milwaukee to win four straight. Continued success can happen so long as they have both Lillard and Giannis on the court.
16. Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant have missed Phoenix’s last five games, and the last five games have been losses. Their bench depth, or lack thereof, provides little to be excited about, and Phoenix could continue to drop games without the services of Beal and Durant.
17. Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler returns, and Miami starts to accumulate W’s. Miami, like many teams, will win if their best player is on the court.
18. Sacramento Kings
The Kings were without DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis for three games, and that left De’Aaron Fox to carry the weight of the team. DeRozan and Sabonis are back, and it is only a matter of time before the team starts firing on all cylinders.
19. Indiana Pacers
Road losses will hinder a team, and Indiana has dropped five straight on the road. The young Pacers are too talented to continue dropping games on the road. Before Sunday’s away game versus Memphis, the Pacers get New Orleans, Portland, and Detroit at home. Indiana should be back to .500 come Sunday’s meeting in Detroit.
20. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland does not dominate teams in wins, and this could lead to playing close games all season long. They do not possess the depth to make a run for the playoffs and should hover around or below .500 all season.
21. Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas has been the go-to option for the Nets, and this shouldn’t change throughout the season. They’re a young team, but they are easily dominated by better teams.
22. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and they do not get to the foul line. Their starting five have talent, but their lack of defense will see them outside the top 20 all season long. Defense not only wins championships, but it will help you in games against the Western Conference, and the Bulls are 1-7 against said Western Conference opponents.
23. Atlanta Hawks
Health and Trey Young catching fire will propel this Hawks team. Neither has happened yet, but when it does, expect them to stay over .500 for the remainder of the season.
24. Charlotte Hornets
Last week, the Hornets needed a big man, and this week, the Hornets need a big man. Until they solve this problem, they will continue to drop games due to opposing teams dominating them under the rim.
25. Detroit Pistons
Until Detroit gets Cade Cunningham help, they will continue to drop close games. When Cunningham is out of the lineup it is almost a guarantee this team will lose. On the bright side, they are seven wins away from equaling their total from last season.
26. Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes returns, and the Raptors double their win total to four games. This isn’t a great team, but having RJ Barrett and Scott Barnes on the court together should at least make the team more competitive than if they only feature one of the two.
27. Philadelphia 76ers
It will continue to be a long season for Philadelphia if Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George cannot feature on the court together. One, or multiple, get injured and this has been the case through 16 games. It would be interesting to hear if the front office has already started making plans to cut bait with Embiid and start building around Maxey and George.
28. Utah Jazz
Opposing teams are dominating Utah in transition. Couple this with the fact that Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton are their only consistent offensive performers, and it is easy to see why this team is terrible. It will be a long season in Utah.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
Injuries have plagued this team, and there is no question that motivation is gone. It is time for New Orleans to trade off their best players and build with assets they collect through trades.
30. Washington Wizards
Opposing teams are better than the Wizards. It is hard to think that there is one team worse than Washington’s current roster. That said, the Wizards will finish this season with the worst record and probably will end up with a draft pick outside the top 3.
