The 2024-25 season is nearing as the calendar has flipped to April. The league is entering into the final stretch of the season as teams begin to gear up to make a run at the playoffs, or for some, the play-in tournament.
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been a machine, and the Boston Celtics have been terrific, while the Philadelphia 76ers have been struggling all season as injuries have robbed them from what was expected to be a championship contender. The New York Knicks have been terrific, but injuries are beginning to hit, while the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks are lurking.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at the top while teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors will be teams to worry about as well.
Now is the time for the 19th edition of the NBA Power Rankings:
Previous ranking: 29
The Jazz have lost seven in a row and have put on a tanking masterclass. Coach Will Hardy has this team play hard every night, but come up just short every time in order to take the losses needed to prepare for the lottery. If the Jazz can add a talent like Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper to this group, it would be a big help with the infusion of talent.
Previous ranking: 30
The Wizards are slogging through another season, but there appears to be hope for this group. The deadline additions of Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart have brought some professionalism to a locker room in need of it and rookie Alex Sarr has proven he can be a starter in this league. Add another top young talent to this group and the Wizards could be in business.
Previous ranking: 28
The Hornets continue to be a disaster. There is a talent here. A lot of it, in fact. They just can’t stay healthy nor get on the same page. A team with LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, and Brandon Miller should at least be in the play-in conversation. However, nothing has gone right as Charlotte will miss the postseason for a ninth straight season.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (21-55)
Previous ranking: 27
The Pelicans have dealt with a ton of injuries and have officially ruled Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum out for the season. Therefore, their focus is on staying in front of the Sixers in the lottery standings and develop their youngsters. Veteran Kelly Olynyk is a solid example for them to learn from.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (23-53)
Previous ranking: 26
The Sixers are in the midst of a miserable season where nothing has gone right for them. Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey played 15 games together and the Sixers went 7-8 in those games. Now, they are just looking to get to the finish line and see what somebody like Quentin Grimes can do out on the basketball court.
Previous ranking: 25
On the one hand, the Nets are building a culture. Coach Jordi Fernandez has this group playing hard every night. On the other hand, the Nets are ruining their chances in the tank. They have won two in a row and are now two games back of the Sixers in the lottery standings. Brooklyn can only hope it gets some luck on lottery night on May 12 and move into the top 3.
24. Toronto Raptors (28-48)
Previous ranking: 24
Coach Darko Rajakovic deserves so much credit for getting the most out of this Toronto roster. Even when he benches guys like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley down the stretch of games in an effort to tank, the Raptors still find ways to win as Ja’Kobe Walter and others have stepped up. Toronto’s future could be bright with Rajakovic leading the way.
23. San Antonio Spurs (32-44)
Previous ranking: 22
The Spurs were having a solid season before Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox went down with their ailments. With that being said, the Spurs should make it into the playoffs in 2026 if they can get everybody back healthy and ready to go. Young players like Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell are getting some important reps.
22. Portland Trail Blazers (33-43)
Previous ranking: 21
The Blazers are going to come up short of the play-in tournament, but that shouldn’t be viewed as a bad thing. This group took a big step forward this season under coach Chauncey Billups and the Blazers have gotten good play out of everybody. Toumani Camara is now considered one of the better perimeter defenders in the league and Portland should be able to build off this season.
21. Chicago Bulls (34-42)
Previous ranking: 20
The Bulls are officially locked into the play-in tournament for the third straight season. They will give themselves a good chance to sneak into the playoffs when considering how well they have been playing as of late. If Chicago can continue getting consistent play out of Coby White and Josh Giddey then it will be in a good spot.
20. Phoenix Suns (35-41)
Previous ranking: 18
The Suns have been a huge disappointment. Yes, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have missed time with injuries, but Phoenix should not be fighting just to get into the play-in. The Suns are a game back of the Kings with six to play and when considering Sacramento is slumping, there is still a chance, but Phoenix shouldn’t be considered a serious threat.
19. Miami Heat (35-41)
Previous ranking: 23
The Heat have followed up a 10-game losing streak with a 6-game winning streak to solidify themselves as they have moved up to No. 9 in the East. The Heat aren’t the most talented group, but coach Erik Spoelstra is a genius, and he will have a solid core led by All-Stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
18. Sacramento Kings (36-40)
Previous ranking: 15
The Kings are sliding at the worst time. They have lost three in a row and are 3-7 in their last 10 games as they cling to the final play-in spot in the West. Sacramento will be a tough group in the play-in, thanks to Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but this team could probably use yet another retooling.
17. Atlanta Hawks (36-40)
Previous ranking: 16
The Hawks are going to be a tough team to beat in the play-in as Trae Young can go off at any moment while Dyson Daniels continues to be one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. Atlanta has a scrappy bunch, but coach Quin Snyder and Co. will have work to do in order to take another step in the East.
16. Orlando Magic (37-40)
Previous ranking: 17
For the love of everything that is good about basketball, the Magic need some offense. While Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are two elite scorers off the bounce, the front office needs to get some shooters. Orlando ranks 27th in offensive rating as the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has flopped a bit as he is shooting only 34.3% from deep. Even Wagner’s shooting only 29% from deep.
15. Dallas Mavericks (38-39)
Previous ranking: 19
The Mavericks are alive. Anthony Davis is somewhat healthy and he has been terrific for Dallas on the floor. He put on a masterclass in a win over the Hawks on Wednesday and one has to wonder if this team has a shot to do something in the postseason as long as Davis healthy and ready to go. The Mavs are no longer contenders, but they are dangerous when they’re healthy.
14. Milwaukee Bucks (41-34)
Previous ranking: 14
Are the wheels falling off in Milwaukee? There is a strong chance the Bucks will enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. That isn’t the worst case in the world when considering their potential opponent would be a banged up Knicks team, but that means a potential Round 2 matchup with the Celtics. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still an elite talent and Damian Lillard–if he returns–will help, but this could be the end of this era in Milwaukee.
Previous ranking: 8
The Grizzlies are in disarray. They made a surprising move by firing coach Taylor Jenkins so close to the playoffs beginning and they have dropped to the play-in tournament as the No. 8 seed at the moment. Ja Morant was looked into by the NBA for his gesture in a loss to the Warriors and Memphis needs some type of pick-me-up to help push them back forward.
Previous ranking: 12
The historic turnaround in Detroit continues. The Pistons are the first time in NBA history to triple their previous season’s win total and they are currently the No. 5 seed in the East. A big concern is the injury to All-Star guard Cade Cunningham as one has to wonder if that could derail Detroit’s plans. Tobias Harris is also dealing with a nagging right Achilles issue so the Pistons need to get healthy quickly.
11. Los Angeles Clippers (44-32)
Previous ranking: 10
The Clippers are ranked 4th in defensive rating which is what will give them a chance in the playoffs, but they will need Kawhi Leonard healthy enough to make a run in the postseason. While James Harden is still playing at a high level and has shown that he still has what it takes, he will need some help. That’s where Leonard has to come in and produce.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (44-32)
Previous ranking: 13
The Wolves had a fantastic win over the Nuggets in Denver and they have a chance to really move up. Minnesota is sitting at No. 6 in the West, and have two contests against the tanking Nets, one against the tanking Sixers, another one with the Jazz, and another one with the dysfunctional Grizzlies. There is an excellent chance for Anthony Edwards and Co. to move up.
9. Golden State Warriors (44-31)
Previous ranking: 11
The Warriors have won three in a row and are making a push up the standings. They have a huge contest against the Lakers–who they trail in the standings by two games–on Thursday. If Golden State can string a few wins together, then it could move back into the top 4 in the West and have home court advantage in the playoffs. A big development for Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, and Co.
8. Indiana Pacers (45-31)
Previous ranking: 9
The Pacers have clinched another playoff berth and are now in position to have home court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs. Their possible Round 1 opponents will either be an inexperienced Pistons team or the banged up Bucks so there is a chance for Indiana to make things happen and make another run in the playoffs.
7. New York Knicks (48-28)
Previous ranking: 7
The Knicks are talented. They are experienced. However, they are banged up. Jalen Brunson is still working his way back from an ankle injury while Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with nagging injuries. New York will be tough in the postseason, but one has to wonder if it will truly be able to make a run when considering the injuries at the moment.
Previous ranking: 6
The Lakers are going to be a serious challenge in the playoffs. As long as LeBron James and Luka Doncic are healthy, then LA is going to be able to make a run in the postseason. Austin Reaves continues to take steps forward while Jaxson Hayes deserves a lot of credit for stepping up and producing at the center spot.
Previous ranking: 5
The Nuggets have to be kicking themselves at the moment. They wasted a 61-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic in a double OT loss to the Timberwolves as Russell Westbrook committed some big mistakes down the stretch. Give Westbrook a ton of credit for being able to bounce back against the Spurs, but Denver can’t afford those mistakes in the playoffs.
4. Houston Rockets (50-27)
Previous ranking: 4
The Rockets are headed back to the postseason for the first time since 2020 and they should be able to make things happen in the playoffs. Led by the duo of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun and the steady play of Fred VanVleet plus the edginess Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson bring, they will be a tough out in the postseason. Coach Ime Udoka has done a great job with this group.
Previous ranking: 3
Despite the record and the seeding, the Celtics should be considered the favorites in the East. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will continue to be a dominant duo, but there are questions for this group at the moment. One has to wonder whether Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis will hold up in the playoffs. Either way, the defending champs should be the favorites again.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15)
Previous ranking: 2
The Cavaliers have the best offense in the league and are ranked 8th in defense. That combination will make them tough in the playoffs, but it will come down to Evan Mobley continuing to take that next step in his development. Cleveland will get strong play out of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, but the Cavs will need Mobley in order to take that next step.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-12)
Previous ranking: 1
The Thunder have the best defensive rating in the league and are ranked third in offense. However, the playoffs will come down to stars, and while OKC has the brightest one in the league at the moment in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there are other teams in the league who have more star power. It will be interesting to see how things shake out in the postseason.
