Cleveland continues their domination, and the Knicks continue to surge in the power rankings. Orlando continues to impress while playing without Paolo Banchero. Golden State’s recent performances show a roster shakeup is greatly needed. San Antonio is .500, but can they be a matchup issue should they reach the play-in games? Here are this week’s NBA Team Power Rankings.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Winns of 10 of their last 11, Cleveland is pulling away from the Celtics. This week features tough but winnable matchups against the Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks, and Hornets. A 4-0 week would see Cleveland well on their way to leading the power rankings for another consecutive week.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder enter Week 11 on an 11-game winning streak. This week features matchups against the Timberwolves, Clippers, Knicks, and Celtics. The second half of this week’s schedule could put an end to their winning streak.
3. New York Knicks
New York battled last week and currently has a seven-game winning streak. Jalen Brunson continues to lead the way, and the Knicks will look to increase their winning streak against Washington and Utah early in the week. They end week 11 with contests at Oklahoma City and Chicago.
4. Boston Celtics
Slumps happen, and Boston has dropped four of their last six games. The defending NBA champs will look to rebound this week with matchups against Toronto, Minnesota, Houston, and Oklahoma City. After Toronto, the matchups are no cakewalks, but Boston will look to build momentum, especially with a win over Oklahoma City.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis will need to pick up the slack with Ja Morant out due to injury. Scottie Pippen Jr. is poised for more minutes, and Memphis is in line for a West Coast trip with games against Phoenix, Sacramento, and Golden State.
6. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas was gaining great momentum, but Luka Doncic is slated to miss over a month. Doncic’s extended stay on the shelf will be tough, and Dallas enters week 11 with matchups against Sacramento, Houston, and Cleveland. The game against Cleveland will paint a picture of whether Dallas must make a move to boost the roster while Doncic is out.
7. Houston Rockets
Houston continues to outproduce opponents during the first quarter of games, but production dwindles after the first quarter. Houston needs more consistency out of their starters, and until this changes, it can be rough sailing ahead.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
The roller coaster ride continues for Minnesota. They rattled off a few wins and lost a handful of games. However, they are staying above .500, but they must find a way to be consistent, or they could find themselves below .500 as the schedule flips to 2025.
9. Miami Heat
Miami’s front office stated they have no intention to trade Jimmy Butler. That said, Miami continues to play hard and find ways to win. This week’s schedule sees favorable matchups against New Orleans, Indiana, and Utah.
10. Orlando Magic
Orlando continues to gain respect around the league. They lost Paolo Banchero early in the season but continue to play hard and post a respectable record. Banchero has yet to return, but the Magic continue to be a feisty matchup. Banchero’s will only help Orlando continue to power up the rankings.
11. Los Angeles Clippers
One week, the Clippers look terrible, and the next, they look like a top 15 team. Kawhi Leonard is nearing his debut, but how many games can they count on him playing before “load management” becomes a constant ordeal? Their four-game schedule features a favorable matchup against New Orleans, followed by tough contests against San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Atlanta.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee was on the right track, but consistency issues have reappeared. It will be a roller coaster all season long, but they have winnable games lined up against Indiana, Brooklyn, and Portland.
13. Denver Nuggets
Denver continues to change starting lineups on a game-by-game basis. This isn’t ideal, but it is hard to find consistency changing up the starting give regularly. The Nuggets are finding ways to win, but they are starting to drop closer games than in recent years.
14. Atlanta Hawks
A healthy squad always produces wins, and Atlanta is healthy and winning. The Hawks will look to build off their momentum with this week’s schedule featuring games against the Nuggets, Lakers, and Clippers.
15. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles has bounced back from recent struggles and shipped off D’Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith will give them a much-needed forward and will likely play in their upcoming games against Cleveland, Portland, Atlanta, and Houston.
16. Indiana Pacers
Indiana features a young team, but they continue to battle. If Tyrese Haliburton is on the court, Indiana has a chance to win. Their upcoming games against Milwaukee, Miami, and Phoenix will be tough, but winning two of the three will build momentum.
17. Golden State Warriors
Golden State’s dominance in second halves has come to an end. Opponents are dominating the Warriors in the third and fourth quarters, and another roster move is needed after their acquisition of Dennis Schroder. Expect Golden State to make moves as the schedule turns to 2025 as additions are needed before they slip below .500 for a second time.
18. Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey continues to put the team on his shoulders and continues to do well as Philadelphia’s main man. One game out of a play-in spot, the 76ers will look to gain momentum this week with matchups against Portland, Sacramento, Golden State, and Brooklyn.
19. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is .500, but Wembanyama always gives the Spurs a chance to win. They are destined for a play-in spot, but they will be a tough team to beat as the season continues. The Spurs can build momentum with this week’s schedule featuring one game against the Clippers and two against Denver.
20. Phoenix Suns
Week after week, it is the same story for Phoenix. They do not consistently see a starting lineup with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Until all three are healthy or they bolster their bench, it will be the same story throughout the season.
21. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are right where most projected them to be. They are not a highly talented team and lack star players that want to play defense. A major bright spot is they’ve featured a healthy starting five, and this could lead them to outperform expectations.
22. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has more wins than a season ago and are a tough matchup on a nightly basis. They have a chance to find themselves in a play-in game and could raise some eyebrows down the stretch. They are improving and could be a team to watch heading into the upcoming seasons.
23. Sacramento Kings
Trying to find consistency, Sacramento fired head coach Mike Brown last week. Regardless of how one feels about axing a coach before the midway point of the season, Sacramento is in a complete downward spiral. It is hard to picture a coaching change aiding in righting the ship, and it does not get easier this week with games against Dallas, Philadelphia, Memphis, and Golden State.
24. Brooklyn Nets
Injuries and moving players have been difficult for Brooklyn early on, but they continue to be a tough matchup when their shots are falling. They acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Lakers, but his impact will be greater on fantasy basketball rosters.
25. Portland Trailer Blazers
They ranked towards the bottom offensively and defensively but won games here and there. This will be the story all season long.
26. Utah Jazz
When their offense is clicking, they win games, but defensive struggles continue. Defensive struggles won’t cut it with upcoming games against Denver, New York, Miami, and Orlando.
27. Washington Wizards
If Washington could play Charlotte every game, they would be a top 15 team each week. Unfortunately, that is a fantasy, but they do have Kyle Kuzma back in their lineup. Washington may not win 10 games this season.
28. Toronto Raptors
Toronto is beginning to get players back from injury, but offensive struggles have shown up to the party. Expect Toronto to drop against with this week’s schedule featuring games against Boston, Brooklyn, and Orlando.
29. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets continue to endure a rough season. The glaring bright spot is the lineup finally features LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller. The season will end on a great note if they can win 15 games by season’s end.
30. New Orleans Pelicans
Nine straight losses, and New Orleans continues to play without Brandon Ingram and Zion Willamson. It does not matter what players a team rosters if they are not healthy. New Orleans and Washington will fight for the best odds of the draft lottery for the rest of the season.
