There are 11 games (three weeks) left in the 2024-2025 season. The major playoff players have come into focus as well as the teams hoping to land the number one pick in the upcoming draft. Below are the team power rankings heading into Week 23.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City owns the best record in the NBA at 59-12. They’ve clinched the Western Conference’s #1 seed. The Thunder can reach the Finals, and win, given their strong play throughout the season and long bench depth.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Coming into Week 23 with the NBA’s second-best record at 57-14, Cleveland looks the part of the best Eastern Conference team. Cleveland will need to get past Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, and that could provide the momentum to win the Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
Health will be the key to a successful playoff run. If healthy, Boston can reach the Finals and claim a second-straight championship.
4. Golden State Warriors
The veteran squad will rely on health as the playoffs start. Assuming healthy, Golden State can reach, and win, the NBA Finals with their veteran core and history of recent playoff success.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron must be healthy as the playoffs begin. He will be the reason the Lakers reach the Finals and win.
6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets hopes to reach, and win, the NBA Finals falls on the availability and health of Nikola Jokic.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Their window is closing to play themselves into a playoff spot and stay out of the play-in tournament. If Minnesota wins a championship, Anthony Edwards must play at an MVP level.
8. Houston Rockets
Houston has been strong all season. They will look to continue this trend in the playoffs and rely on all seven rotation players to win an NBA championship.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers playoff run can go as far as Kawhi Leonard can take them.
10. New York Knicks
The Knicks need a healthy Jalen Brunson for a deep playoff run.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
A healthy Giannis can lead Milwaukee deep into the playoffs.
12. Indiana Pacers
They’re young and fun to watch. Their youth may be the downfall in a deep playoff run.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis continues to improve, and solid playoff performances can lead to upsets.
14. Detroit Pistons
One of the best stories of the season, Detroit’s youth will get their first taste of playoff basketball.
15. Atlanta Hawks
They can score, but their defense will be the reason they make it through the play-in games.
16. Sacramento Kings
Domantas Sabonis can single-handedly give the Kings a deep playoff run.
17. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has entered the play-in tournament. Will their lack of depth cause them to miss the Conference Finals?
18. Orlando Magic
They’re the team to watch in the Eastern Conference play-in games.
19. Portland Trail Blazers
They may fall just short of the play-in games.
20. Chicago Bulls
They’re going to make the play-in tournament, but will not make a deep playoff push.
21. Miami Heat
Without a true star, are the Heat real contenders come playoffs?
22. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas lost one superstar to trade and the other to a season-ending injury. The next season looks bleak.
23. San Antonio Spurs
This season is lost, but there’s hope for the future.
24. Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s key is to enter next season fully healthy.
25. Brooklyn Nets
They’re young, but need to add in the draft.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
How do they keep their stars healthy? Until this is answered, the Pelicans will continue missing the playoffs.
27. Philadelphia 76ers
The rough season is almost over.
28. Charlotte Hornets
They have few bright spots and must hit on upcoming draft picks.
29. Utah Jazz
A complete rebuild needs to happen.
30. Washington Wizards
Washington will be in more trouble if they do not land the number one draft pick.
