NBA Power Rankings: Knicks, Clippers move up while other teams search for answers

Every now and again, we try to have fun with the NBA Power Rankings. Clearly, there were some creative differences last week. That is, we tried to be creative, but the people wanted something different!

The regular season is down to the final week, so what we are going to do is go back. All the way back to Week 1. We had some questions and observations, and now is the best time to revisit our initial queries from the beginning of the season.

A reminder: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every week:

• Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
• In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams.
• The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack.
• Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do.
• Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear.

Let’s look at Week 24 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings together. Standings and statistics are through Monday’s games:

Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs. DET, L at HOU, L vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 118.8 (third)
Defensive rating: 106.5 (first)

The Week 1 Question: How do they hold up without Isaiah Hartenstein?

The Thunder were “only” 11-4 by the time Hartenstein made his debut with the team after missing the start of the season with a fractured shooting hand. What complicated things was Chet Holmgren missing nearly three months with a hip fracture — Oklahoma City went 32-7 while Holmgren recovered from that injury. The Thunder took a big hit this past week toward their quest to be only the fourth team in NBA history to outscore their opponents by at least 1,000 points for a season. They’re at plus-977 with four games left; the all-time leaders are the 1972 Los Angeles Lakers (plus-1,007), the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks (plus-1,005) and 1996 Chicago Bulls (plus-1,004).

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (62-16)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs. NY, W at SA, L vs. SAC
Offensive rating: 121.4 (first)
Defensive rating: 112.0 (eighth)

The Week 1 Question: Is this the year Evan Mobley becomes a star?

A resounding yes. Mobley got his bag before the season then turned in an All-Star season while averaging a career-best in points (18.5). Mobley made more 3s this season (81) than his previous three seasons combined (67). Cleveland has a top-10 defense anchored by Mobley as well. Mobley’s breakout has coincided with the Cavaliers leading the Eastern Conference all season despite being pushed by the defending champion Boston Celtics, as well as the top offense in the league.

3. Boston Celtics (58-20)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L vs. MIA, W vs. PHO, W vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 120.0 (second)
Defensive rating: 110.4 (fifth)

The Week 1 Question: Is it simply 3-point or bust?

I resent the notion that the Celtics are a one-dimensional team that merely shoots more 3s than their opponents, as if that’s their only pathway toward success. With that said, they smashed the record for most 3s made by a team in a season. They averaged 17.9 3s per game, but note that Boston has a 9-6 record when it fails to make 15 3s this season. The only team that takes better care of the basketball than the Celtics is the Thunder, and Boston and Oklahoma City are the only teams with a top-five offense and a top-five defense.

4. Los Angeles Lakers (48-30)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L vs. GS, W vs. NO, W at OKC
Offensive rating: 115.0 (12th)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (15th)

The Week 1 Question: How to keep LeBron James and Anthony Davis from wearing out?

Well, you keep James from wearing out by holding him out of stretches where the team plays six games in eight days. You keep Davis from wearing out by trading him for Luka Dončić while both players are injured. Dončić is one of the few players who can help reduce James’ workload. James missed 15 games and is averaging his fewest minutes per game (35.1) in four years, while Dončić averages 35.4 minutes per game as a Laker. Trading Davis has increased the Lakers’ chances of getting out of the West, a threat that was renewed with how Dončić and the Lakers played in Oklahoma City over the weekend.

5. Houston Rockets (52-27)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs. UTA, W vs. OKC, W at GS
Offensive rating: 115.0 (11th)
Defensive rating: 109.4 (fourth)

The Week 1 Question: Can the offense take the next step?

Two things are true. A) The Rockets are a nasty shooting team, ranking only 23rd in field goal percentage, 25th in 3s made per game, 21st in 3-point percentage, 22nd in midrange field goal percentage and dead last from the free-throw line. But B) they are a shade outside of the top 10 offensively because volume is a part of efficiency! The Rockets are the best offensive-rebounding team in the NBA, and that allows them to get more shots than their opponents. Only the Thunder have a better field goal attempt margin. Houston actually isn’t as good at protecting the ball or getting to the free-throw line this season compared to last season, so the improvement offensively has literally just come down to being the team most committed to chasing down its own bricks.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Indiana Pacers (47-31)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs. CHA, W vs. UTA, W at DEN
Offensive rating: 115.8 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (14th)

The Week 1 Question: Can they build on their run to the Eastern Conference finals?

Indiana needs just one more win to surpass last season’s win total, and three more wins for the franchise’s first 50-win regular season in 11 years. While the offense isn’t as potent as last season’s unit that ranked second in the NBA, the Pacers have become a league-average defense for the first time since Rick Carlisle returned as coach in 2021. Most importantly, the Pacers are playing very well right now and have won 12 of 15 games. At the very least, the Pacers are giving themselves a good chance to keep the momentum going heading into the playoffs.

7. LA Clippers (46-32)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. NO, W vs. DAL, W vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 113.8 (17th)
Defensive rating: 109.0 (2nd)

The Week 1 Question: When will Kawhi Leonard play?

The Clippers were 19-15 when Leonard made his season debut Jan. 4, so that was already an accomplishment given the team’s lowly external expectations. The Clippers were only 13-14 from the time Leonard debuted through the team’s embarrassing blown lead in Phoenix on March 4. But the Clippers have now won 14 of 17 games, and Leonard just earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors after playing in both ends of a back-to-back for the first time while extending his streak of 20-point performances to 12 games. Playoff mode started early for the Clippers, but they’re showing a powerful ceiling. If they can keep it up for one more week, they will stay out of the Play-In Tournament.

8. Golden State Warriors (46-32)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W at MEM, W at LAL, W vs. DEN, L vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 114.0 (15th)
Defensive rating: 111.2 (seventh)

The Week 1 Question: Have they addressed all their defensive inconsistencies?

When Golden State started 12-3, it had the NBA’s fourth-best defense. From that point until the trade deadline, the Warriors were 13-23 with the 20th-ranked defense. But since Jimmy Butler debuted, Golden State has the NBA’s best defense. Not exactly the mark of consistency over the full season, but there is no denying the Warriors’ ceiling is much higher with Butler defending with self-proclaimed Defensive Player of the Year candidate Draymond Green.

9. New York Knicks (50-28)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs. PHI, L at CLE, W at ATL, W vs. PHO
Offensive rating: 117.5 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (13th)

The Week 1 Question: Is this team too top-heavy?

The minutes police have been loud all season. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are Nos. 1 and 2 in total minutes played this season. OG Anunoby ranks ninth. Karl-Anthony Towns ranks 26th. And Jalen Brunson ranks 50th. Brunson’s injury allowed others to step up, though, and New York survived his absence by going 9-6. Brunson is back in time with him needing three more games to reach the 65-game award threshold.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W at DEN, W at BRK, W at PHI
Offensive rating: 115.3 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 110.8 (sixth)

The Week 1 Question: How long does it take Julius Randle to get acclimated?

This was certainly an adjustment season for Randle, who averaged his fewest points per game in seven seasons. But despite Randle missing all of February with a groin injury, Minnesota seemed to benefit from his decreased shot volume. Randle hasn’t averaged 20 points per game in a month since November, but he averaged 5.4 assists per game in March while Minnesota went 11-3. It doesn’t always look pretty with this team, but the Wolves have gotten it done in big moments. Few games exemplify that sentiment more than the end of regulation and the overtimes in Denver last week, a game in which Randle finished with 26 points and seven assists.

11. Milwaukee Bucks (44-34)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs. PHO, W at PHI, W at MIA, W at NO
Offensive rating: 114.6 (13th)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (12th)

The Week 1 Question: Is this team too old to defend?

The Bucks ceded the title of oldest team in the NBA back to the Clippers at the trade deadline, and they have actually had a decent defense this season. It helps to have Giannis Antetokounmpo’s activity. The only players in the NBA who average more rebounds per game than Antetokounmpo are centers, and Antetokounmpo blocks more shots per game (1.2) than the three players who average more defensive rebounds per game (Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Jokić, Karl-Anthony Towns). Antetokounmpo was just named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and the Bucks are eager to have him play a full playoff series for the first time in three years.

12. Detroit Pistons (43-36)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at OKC, W at TOR, L vs. MEM, L vs. SAC
Offensive rating: 114.3 (14th)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (10th)

The Week 1 Question: It has to get better for Cade Cunningham at some point, right?

Yes! In fact, it got so much better that Cunningham became an All-Star and the Pistons became a winning team that clinched the postseason one year after the franchise hit rock bottom last season at 14-68. Cunningham deserves a great deal of credit for emerging as a 25-point scorer who averages more than nine assists per game. Detroit also did well to hire the right coach in J.B. Bickerstaff, while complementing the young talent on hand with veterans.

Tier 3: The Bubble

13. Denver Nuggets (47-32)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L vs. MIN, L vs. SA, L at GS, L vs. IND
Offensive rating: 118.7 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 115.1 (20th)

The Week 1 Question: Where are the shooters?

You’ll have to look hard to find them outside of the 3-point line. For the second season in a row, the Nuggets are last in 3-point attempts per game. But they’re also fifth in 3-point percentage. All five starters (Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun) attempt at least 2.8 3s per game, and all five make at least 39.3 percent. The issues for the Nuggets come when their starting five is broken up, and that’s where the Nuggets are currently with Murray out with hamstring concerns. They lack depth, and they lack defense.

14. Memphis Grizzlies (46-32)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L vs. GS, W at MIA, W at DET
Offensive rating: 117.1 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 112.6 (11th)

The Week 1 Question: Is the return of Ja Morant all this team needs?

Morant has missed a lot of time this season, as usual. And the Grizzlies have won plenty of games without Morant (17-14 with him out). In Miami, Morant had his second career game-winning buzzer-beater, a reminder of his value. Obviously, Morant’s presence wasn’t enough to save head coach Taylor Jenkins’ job before the playoffs. But there’s enough time for the Grizzlies to save their season and get into the postseason, and Morant’s buzzer-beater snapped a stretch in which the Grizzlies lost seven of eight games.

🥶 https://t.co/ZAvp3ve3vh pic.twitter.com/CbQvlrlUX3

— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2025

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

15. Chicago Bulls (36-42)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W vs. TOR, W vs. POR, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 113.2 (20th)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (23rd)

The Week 1 Question: Will they acknowledge the 3-point line?

Last season, only three teams made fewer 3s per game than the Bulls. This season, the only teams that made more 3s than Chicago were the Celtics and the Cavaliers. It’s a complete 180 that hasn’t necessarily made the Bulls a better team or a better offense. Only the Celtics get to the free-throw line at a lower rate, and only the Pacers and Bucks are worse on the offensive glass. Chicago has won 14 of 21, though, and the backcourt tandem of Coby White and Josh Giddey has been difficult to contain.

16. Miami Heat (36-43)

Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at BOS, L vs. MEM, L vs. MIL, W vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 112.0 (21st)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (ninth)

The Week 1 Question: How does Jimmy Butler approach this regular season?

Butler’s scoring and field goal attempt averages were at their closest levels in 11 seasons. It got to the point where Miami suspended Butler just for moving the wrong way at shootaround. Now Butler is a member of the Warriors, spurring a turnaround for a team that was lost. Andrew Wiggins hasn’t had nearly the same level of impact in Miami, and now he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. But Miami did start turning things around when Wiggins was on the floor, and the Heat have won four of six games with Wiggins out of the lineup.

17. Orlando Magic (38-40)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at SA, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 108.7 (27th)
Defensive rating: 109.2 (third)

The Week 1 Question: Can the offense take the necessary steps forward?

Like the Rockets, the Magic are a woeful shooting team. Unlike the Rockets, the Magic also have issues taking care of the ball. Orlando has had a lost year on offense, and a lot of that is because of missing one of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner or Jalen Suggs for most of the season. They’ll still be a rough team to play because of how rugged the defense has been.

18. Atlanta Hawks (37-41)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs. POR, L at DAL, L vs. NY, W vs. UTA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (19th)
Defensive rating: 115.1 (19th)

The Week 1 Question: How can Zaccharie Risacher make his mark next to Trae Young?

Risacher hasn’t exactly been looked at as a co-star with Young. Jalen Johnson was that player for the Hawks this season until his season-ending shoulder surgery. Caris LeVert was acquired in place of De’Andre Hunter, and both players averaged more shots than Risacher. Even Dyson Daniels gets more touches and shots than Risacher. But Risacher has still been a steady contributor for an Atlanta team that is right in the middle of the postseason picture in the East, and he has found a way to score at least 30 points in three games this season.

19. Sacramento Kings (39-40)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at WAS, W at CHA, W at CLE, W at DET
Offensive rating: 115.8 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 115.2 (22nd)

The Week 1 Question: How does this roster get stops?

This question still needs an answer. The Kings put together a roster full of players who can score at will, ultimately cashing in on a move to end the De’Aaron Fox era to bring in DeMar DeRozan’s former Bulls teammate Zach LaVine. To the surprise of few, the Kings have resembled the Play-In Tournament Bulls from the last few years, right down to their spot in the conference. Sacramento is the second-best defensive-rebounding team in the NBA. But actually forcing teams to miss has been an issue, whether the coach was Mike Brown or Doug Christie.

20. Dallas Mavericks (38-41)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W vs. ATL, L at LAC, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 114.0 (16th)
Defensive rating: 115.0 (18th)

The Week 1 Question: Can the late-season defense from 2023-24 carry over for a full year?

I saw the Mavericks twice last weekend, once with Anthony Davis in the lineup. It is safe to say this is not going to be the NBA’s next defensive powerhouse. Dallas allowed 80 points in the paint Saturday even though it was starting Davis in between center Dereck Lively II and small forward P.J. Washington. Davis can make great individual defensive plays. But his presence alone does not guarantee a strong defense, something that should have been apparent in Davis’ time with the Lakers.

21. Phoenix Suns (35-43)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at MIL, L at BOS, L at NY
Offensive rating: 115.1 (10th)
Defensive rating: 117.7 (27th)

The Week 1 Question: Did they figure out the point guard situation?

Absolutely not. Tyus Jones started 57 games and stayed healthy. Jones did what Jones does, averaging 5.4 assists per game and only 1.2 turnovers, though the turnovers were a career high. But Jones is a small guard who doesn’t contribute positively to defense. Phoenix had to resort to starting Collin Gillespie for a stretch last month despite having Jones, Monte Morris and Vasilije Micić all on standard contracts. Now, the Suns are trying to sneak into the Play-In Tournament with an arrangement they tried last season: Devin Booker and Bradley Beal starting together. This season has been a colossal failure, and it’s mainly because the Suns could not win games with Kevin Durant out of the lineup, as he is now. Phoenix is 33-29 with Durant playing and 2-14 without Durant this season.

22. Portland Trail Blazers (35-44)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W at ATL, W at TOR, L at CHI, W vs. SA
Offensive rating: 111.3 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (17th)

The Week 1 Question: How does Scoot Henderson develop?

The bar to improve was quite low for Henderson after a challenging rookie season. There were moments of improvement in Henderson’s second NBA season but not yet enough to justify his draft status. The issue remains that Henderson is on the same team as too many other players who need touches and get so many more of them than Henderson gets. Henderson started 32 games as a rookie and only 10 this season. Portland is eliminated from playoff contention, but Henderson is also in concussion protocol and might not make it back this season. He only made 41.9 percent of his field goals. It will be interesting to see how Portland moves forward to put Henderson in position to succeed. General manager Joe Cronin had his contract extended, but coach Chauncey Billups’ future still has to be determined.

23. San Antonio Spurs (32-46)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs. ORL, W at DEN, L vs. CLE, L at POR
Offensive rating: 113.4 (18th)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (25th)

The Week 1 Question: What does Victor Wembanyama’s takeover look like in Year 2?

Wembanyama became an All-Star and looked poised to keep the Spurs in the Play-In picture before his season-ending deep vein thrombosis diagnosis after All-Star Weekend. It’s clear Wembanyama’s defense is ahead of his offense right now. Wembanyama is a world-class defender, and San Antonio was helpless on that end without him. On offense, Wembanyama is very comfortable with his shot, making improvements to all of his percentages. But the next step is for him to continue developing his shot selection and applying force offensively. There’s no reason a player with Wembanyama’s size and skill set should average only 4.1 free throws per game.

24. Toronto Raptors (29-50)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L at CHI, L vs. POR, L vs. DET, W at BRK
Offensive rating: 109.5 (26th)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (16th)

The Week 1 Question: How will they build around Scottie Barnes?

Barnes actually played in more games this season than last season. But the Raptors started the season 8-31 while going 2-9 when Barnes was out with an orbital fracture. We got a hint about what the Raptors want to do next season when they traded for Brandon Ingram, but Toronto decided the world didn’t need to see Ingram suit up at all this season. Despite missing 17 games, the only Raptor who played in more games than Barnes was second-round rookie Jamal Shead. Immanuel Quickley missed more than half of the season, which leads to the biggest challenge of a Barnes-led squad going forward: Is there enough shooting considering the need for so many ballhandlers between Barnes, Ingram and RJ Barrett? Barnes’ 3-point percentage plummeted to 26.3 percent this season.

25. Brooklyn Nets (25-53)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L vs. MIN, L vs. TOR
Offensive rating: 108.2 (28th)
Defensive rating: 115.2 (21st)

The Week 1 Question: Why would Cam Thomas ever pass the ball?

On one hand, Thomas did pass the ball enough to average a career-high 3.8 assists per game. On the other hand, Thomas’ season was marred by hamstring issues, so he didn’t reach 100 assists on the year. Only the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards had a worse offensive efficiency ranking than the Nets. Thomas is certainly a helpful offensive player, but his defense and durability make his next contract an interesting decision for the rebuilding Nets.

Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Washington Wizards (17-61)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs. SAC, L vs. ORL, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 106.0 (30th)
Defensive rating: 118.2 (28th)

The Week 1 Question: How can Alex Sarr best be set up for success?

Sarr has one more week to get over 40 percent field goals for the season. There were flashes of skill in Sarr’s rookie season, but even in his nine games with at least 20 points, three of them came with Sarr being held under 50 percent from the field. Sarr was certainly the victim of shaky guard play while trying to adjust to playing center, but he needs to get stronger and utilize his skill set to produce more on his own.

27. Philadelphia 76ers (23-56)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at NY, L vs. MIL, L vs. MIN, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 111.2 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (26th)

The Week 1 Question: When will Joel Embiid play?

While Kawhi Leonard is thriving in his first season without Paul George, Embiid faces even greater questions entering this offseason. Embiid’s season lasted only 19 games after it was delayed by knee issues and a suspension for how he addressed a columnist. Embiid was done by the end of February, and he will get his knee scoped this week. The Sixers were only 8-11 with Embiid on the floor this season, a 35-win pace that still would not have had the Sixers in the trough of the East Play-In Tournament. Embiid’s viability going forward is a major concern.

28. New Orleans Pelicans (21-57)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at LAC, L at LAL, L vs. MIL
Offensive rating: 110.0 (25th)
Defensive rating: 118.7 (29th)

The Week 1 Question: What is this team supposed to be exactly?

I asked this question before it all went to hell in New Orleans. The Pelicans never rolled out the lineup that they wanted to try when putting this team together. We never saw Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson on the floor together. And we never will, with Ingram traded and Murray suffering a torn Achilles tendon. Nothing illustrates how sideways this season went for the Pelicans more than the fact that rookie center Yves Missi led the team in minutes, and that three of the eight Pelicans to play at least 1,000 minutes this season included Jordan Hawkins, Jose Alvarado and the since-waived Javonte Green.

29. Charlotte Hornets (19-59)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at IND, L vs. SAC, L vs. CHI
Offensive rating: 107.2 (29th)
Defensive rating: 115.5 (24th)

The Week 1 Question: What kind of identity can Charles Lee bring?

Initially, it seemed like the Hornets would push the pace and get as many 3s up as possible while defending with some urgency. But this was a woeful 3-point shooting team, as only the Wizards and Magic were less accurate. LaMelo Ball got All-Star consideration, but he only made 40.5 percent of his shots while missing 35 more games. Brandon Miller only made it through 27 games of shooting 40.3 percent before season-ending wrist surgery. And the center position was a hot mess because of trades, injuries and trades that couldn’t be completed because of injury concerns. This is going to be the first time the Hornets lose 60 games in back-to-back seasons since 1990.

30. Utah Jazz (16-63)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at HOU, L at IND, L at ATL
Offensive rating: 110.3 (24th)
Defensive rating: 119.4 (30th)

The Week 1 Question: Who is helping Lauri Markkanen?

Hopefully Danny Ainge gets his lottery luck, because this was a waste of a season in Utah in so many regards. Markkanen played a career-low 47 games and made a career-low 42.3 percent from the field. The other veterans on the team like John Collins and Jordan Clarkson were aggressively limited this season, while Utah’s young perimeter players were overwhelmed. It is hard to imagine putting together multiple seasons like this while waiting on a blue-chip talent to arrive in Salt Lake City.

(Top photo of Kawhi Leonard: Luke Hales / Getty Images)