The regular season is winding down, with 25 games left, and the playoff picture is coming into focus. Sunday evening’s Memphis versus Cleveland contest saw players getting chippy with one another, setting the tone for NBA playoff basketball. Fans are in for a treat once the playoffs roll around. Below are the NBA Team Power Rankings heading into Week 19.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City continues to run away with the Western Conference with a 9.5-game lead on Memphis and Denver. Anything but a trip to the NBA Finals would be a letdown, given the continued domination. If the Thunder dominate the playoffs, they will end the season with their first NBA title.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland sits atop the Eastern Conference standings at 47-10. They’ve stayed consistent throughout the season, and the trade deadline acquisition of De’Andre Hunter has helped solidify their defensive presence. If Cleveland stays healthy and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ty Jerome continues his hot play, they can enter next season with a championship banner raised to the rafters.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston enters Week 19 as one of the NBA’s hottest teams. 9-1 over their last 10 games, Boston is ironing out any deficiencies as they prepare for the playoffs. Entering the playoffs and firing on all cylinders will make Boston a tough matchup for any opposing team. Boston’s chances of a repeat come down to health and winning close games throughout the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are 2-2 since acquiring Luka Doncic. Doncic continues to become better acclimated with his Lakers teammates and Saturday’s route of Denver saw his best game as a Laker with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. If Los Angeles can keep LeBron and Luka healthy throughout the playoffs, the Lakers can find themselves in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City. Overcoming the Thunder can lead them to an NBA championship.
5. Denver Nuggets
Denver continues to dominate teams with a .500 record or worse. This helps them in the standings, but they must play well against fellow playoff teams. Their experience and Nikola Jovic will carry them through the playoffs. Denver can be crowned NBA champions for a second time, dominating their playoff opponents with an uptick in defense.
6. New York Knicks
New York has gone 6-4 over their last 10 games due to their defense taking a step back. They need to solidify their defense as the playoffs start. New York’s NBA championship hope comes down to winning playoff games by lockdown defense.
7. Indiana Pacers
Indiana continues their torrid pace since the calendar changed to 2025. Winners of seven of their last ten games, the Pacers’ youth continue to be a tough matchup as the season winds down. Yes, the Pacers lack playoff experience, but they will be an underdog that can win a championship by outpacing their opponents and winning close playoff games.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has taken a step back defensively but has gone 6-4 over their last 10 games and currently sits 2nd in the Western Conference. Their offensive production continues to match their opponents, and role players, like Jaylen Wells, have stepped up throughout the season. The Grizzlies can win the 2024-2025 NBA Finals with their offensive output and finding a way to increase their defensive efficiency.
9. Houston Rockets
Currently 5th in the Western Conference, Houston has overcome adversity over their last 10 games. They’re 3-7 in that stretch but have been without Fred VanVleet since February 1st. Houston’s one of the best teams in crunch time, and late-game heroics in the playoffs can lead them to an NBA championship.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota enters Week 19 with the top spot in the Western Conference play-in standings and one game out of the 6th seed. The return of Rudy Gobert will help with any defensive deficiencies and increase their ability for second-chance points. Minnesota’s championship hopes to come down to improved defense in the playoffs and keeping their core healthy.
11. Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler is keeping Golden State afloat and will be heavily relied upon in the play-in tournament. Age may be the reason Golden State doesn’t make a deep playoff run.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is one of the hottest teams following the All-Star break. A healthy Giannis will carry this team throughout the playoffs.
13. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are hanging onto the Western Conference’s 6th seed by the skin of their teeth. Kawhi Leonard is dealing with a sore foot, and health will be the reason Los Angeles doesn’t find themselves in the Western Conference Finals.
14. Dallas Mavericks
This is a crucial part of the season for Dallas as their big men battle injuries. They cannot fall too far back, or they could find themselves on the outside looking in for a play-in spot.
15. Detroit Pistons
If the season ended today, Detroit would enter the playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham continues to lead Detroit, but will a lack of playoff experience see an early-round exit?
16. Orlando Magic
Orlando continues to search for consistent offense, but they are sitting in a play-in spot. They could be a Cinderella Story if they survive the play-in tournament.
17. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland currently stands nine games below .500 and will likely miss the play-in tournament. The organization must find ways to bolster its roster following the upcoming draft.
18. Miami Heat
Miami is playing itself into the play-in tournament behind Kel’el Ware’s hot play. Will the lack of a superstar prevent them from reaching the playoffs?
19. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento will be a team no one in the Western Conference will want to face in the playoffs. They will be a favorite to make it out of the play-in tournament.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama being shut down for the remainder of the season is the nail in the coffin for San Antonio’s playoff hopes. They will be a bettor’s favorite heading into next season.
21. Phoenix Suns
The Suns are in jeopardy of missing the play-in tournament. Their core has battled injuries throughout the season, and their lack of roster depth will be the reason they miss the play-in games.
22. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s defense is taking its toll as the season reaches the final 25 games. They may reach the playoffs, but their defense will lead to a quick exit.
23. Brooklyn Nets
They have a handful of talented youth, but injuries have been the story for Brooklyn’s season. A major roster overhaul is needed heading into the next season.
24. Toronto Raptors
Toronto will miss the playoffs but roster a ton of young talent. The upcoming draft will be a focus as the team builds around Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Brandon Ingram.
25. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid is likely to miss the rest of the season, and the pairing of Tyrese Maxey and Paul George is not enough to get Philadelphia into the play-in tournament.
26. Utah Jazz
The lost season continues for Utah. The front office has their work cut out for them heading into the next season.
27. Chicago Bulls
Chicago may find themselves in the play-in tournament, but their opponents are better equipped to move on to the playoffs. Chicago needs a complete teardown and acquire draft assets.
28. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans will have a serious question to answer this offseason. Is it better to move Zion Williamson for future assets or continue to have lackluster seasons while Zion deals with injuries?
29. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte needs to hit on upcoming draft picks, or they will continue to be one of the league’s worst teams.
30. Washington Wizards
It’s been a terrible season for Washington, and not landing the first-overall pick would be the worst possible case for this organization.
