NBA Power Rankings: Celtics jump Timberwolves to take the No. 1 spot

With the calendar set to flip over to 2024, the NBA is through two-plus months of action on the court behind some incredible play from the top players in the game.

The first half of the season has seen most of the championship contenders establish themselves as the front-runners to win this year. Other teams who’ve had surprising starts this season find themselves right there alongside the favorites, too.

To make further sense of it all, Rookie Wire looked at the NBA and ranked each team from worst to first. We will return each week and provide our latest assessment of the best teams and those that are rising.

Detroit Pistons (2-29)

Last Rank: 30

The Pistons, who entered play Thursday as 17.5-point underdogs against the Celtics, came up just short in Boston. Cade Cunningham scored 22 points in the first half as the Pistons held a 21-point advantage at the intermission, but the Celtics outscored them, 61-42, over the last two quarters to force overtime and pull out the win. That game seemed to be their best chance of winning, but, instead, they are now one loss away from clinching the longest overall losing streak in history. Next up: Toronto at home on Saturday.

San Antonio Spurs (5-25)

Last Rank: 29

The Spurs are coming off a wire-to-wire win over the Trail Blazers on Thursday, in which Victor Wembanyama was magnificent. He became the first teenager ever to record 30 points, seven blocked shots, six rebounds and six assists in a game. After setting a franchise record for longest losing streak, the Spurs now have two wins in their last seven games.

For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire

Washington Wizards (5-25)

Last Rank: 28

The Wizards continued their downward spiral after losing their third straight game to the Raptors on Wednesday. In other news: Kyle Kuzma stirred the pot on social media once the Celtics defeated the Pistons for their 28th straight loss.

Of course, #NBATwitter was very quick to point out that the Wizards are only 3 1/2 games ahead of the Pistons in the Eastern Conference, making Kuzma’s trash-talk even more hilarious.

Charlotte Hornets (7-22)

Last Rank: 27

The Hornets are just 1-11 in December after losing their last nine games. They are in the midst of a six-game West Coast road trip and don’t have many winnable games on the horizon. They will face Phoenix, Denver, Sacramento and Chicago before returning home on Jan. 8.

Portland Trail Blazers (8-22)

Last Rank: 26

The Trail Blazers are coming off a 118-105 loss to the Spurs on Thursday, in which they trailed by 28 points in the first quarter. The result came just two nights after knocking off the Kings by 17 points. But, the team has received some strong play from Scoot Henderson of late. He produced a career-high 25 points in that loss to the Spurs.

Atlanta Hawks (12-18)

Last Rank: 22

Atlanta is 3-9 in December and has dropped its last three games. But here is some good news: The team has scored 100 or more points in 87 straight games, the third-longest streak in history. They will host the Kings next on Friday.

Toronto Raptors (12-18)

Last Rank: 25

The Raptors snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday against the Wizards. Scottie Barnes continues a strong run of late and has produced three games of at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in December. He has a total of four such games this season, which ranks fifth in the NBA.

Utah Jazz (13-19)

Last Rank: 24

The Jazz went 3-2 on their recent five-game road trip that concluded on Thursday. They got a boost to the lineup when rookie Keyonte George returned on Tuesday after missing six games due to foot inflammation. He ranks first in assists and seventh in scoring among rookies. The Jazz begin a three-game homestand on Saturday with the Heat.

Houston Rockets (15-14)

Last Rank: 21

The Rockets have dropped five out of their last seven games but remain one game above .500 for now. They have gotten some good production from Alperen Sengun, who has led the team in scoring in four straight games. He is averaging 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 13 December games.

For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire

Memphis Grizzlies (10-20)

Last Rank: 23

The Grizzlies are 4-0 with Ja Morant in the lineup but just 6-20 without him. They saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday in Denver, in which Morant didn’t play due to an illness. Unsurprisingly, the Grizzlies’ offense simply runs better with Morant on the court as any chance they have of making the playoffs rests solely on his availability this season.

Brooklyn Nets (15-16)

Last Rank: 18

The Nets have lost six out of their last eight games and are coming off head-coaching malpractice by Jacque Vaughn, who opted to rest most of his starters after the first quarter on Wednesday in a 144-122 loss to the Bucks. He stated afterward that the group had logged heavy minutes the night before and wanted to give them a break. The decision didn’t sit well with, basically, everyone, as you might expect.

For more coverage on the Nets, visit Nets Wire

Golden State Warriors (15-16)

Last Rank: 19

Since winning five straight games, the Warriors have dropped back-to-back games. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson looked especially deflated after losing to the Heat on Thursday, which was the first game of a seven-game homestand. They seemed to be in a groove during their recent win streak and will be hopeful to find that again over their upcoming home stretch.

For more coverage on the Warriors, visit Warriors Wire

Chicago Bulls (14-19)

Last Rank: 17

The Bulls will wrap up a strong month of December on Saturday against the Sixers. They have gone 8-5 with a defensive group ranked 10th in the league in December. Andre Drummond put up a vintage display of scoring and rebounding this week after recording 24 points and 25 rebounds on Wednesday in a win over the Hawks. It was his eighth career 20-20 performance.

For more coverage on the Bulls, visit Bulls Wire

Cleveland Cavaliers (18-13)

Last Rank: 20

The Cavaliers are again rising after winning five out of their last six games. Their recent stretch has come with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley each sidelined due to injury. They have received some superb play from undrafted rookie Craig Porter Jr. of late to hold down their backcourt. He has started in the last four games, averaging 10.3 points, eight assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. He is now third among rookies in assists.

Indiana Pacers (16-14)

Last Rank: 16

The Pacers look to be on the right track again after a recent rough stretch. The team had lost seven of nine games but has posted back-to-back wins for the first time since the beginning of the month. Tyrese Haliburton is coming off another remarkable performance, recording 21 points, 20 assists and no turnovers on Thursday in a win over the Bulls. It was his league-leading eighth game this season with at least 15 assists and no turnovers.

Phoenix Suns (15-15)

Last Rank: 14

The Suns have gone just 4-8 in December but are expected to get Bradley Beal back in the lineup on Friday against the Hornets. He has missed the past five games with an ankle injury suffered on a reckless closeout against the Knicks on Dec. 15. The team hasn’t had its Big 3 available for most of the season and will be looking to get them back on Friday.

New Orleans Pelicans (18-14)

Last Rank: 15

The Pelicans welcomed Larry Nance Jr. back to the lineup on Thursday in a win over the Jazz. He produced nine points, seven rebounds, five steals and one block in his first appearance since Nov. 27. They are seemingly as healthy as they’ve been all year and will be looking to move forward with a full roster.

Dallas Mavericks (18-14)

Last Rank: 12

The Mavericks have posted just three wins in their last nine games. Despite their recent skid, Luka Doncic dazzled on the national stage on Christmas Day after dropping a season-high 50 points in a win over the Suns. He reached 10,000 career points with the performance in the fewest games needed (358) since Michael Jordan (303). He is the sixth-youngest player to reach that milestone (24 years, 300 days).

Sacramento Kings (17-12)

Last Rank: 13

De’Aaron Fox registered his fourth 40-point game of the season on Tuesday in a loss to the Trail Blazers. He is fifth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.2 points, 6.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds on 39.6% shooting from 3-point range. He has the Kings in fifth in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers (17-15)

Last Rank: 10

The Lakers defeated the Hornets on Thursday for only their second win in seven games. Anthony Davis led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds, his 20th game of the season with at least 25 points. They improved to 11-4 at home after dishing out a season-high 41 assists. Davis & Co. returns to action on Saturday in Minnesota.

For more coverage on LeBron and the Lakers, visit LeBron Wire

Orlando Magic (18-12)

Last Rank: 9

Since starting 16-7, the Magic have lost five out of their last seven games. They saw their two-game win streak snapped on Wednesday against the 76ers, who were playing without Joel Embiid. Franz Wagner led the way with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists for his fourth-straight 20-point game. The team also recently got a strong outing from rookie Anthony Black on Tuesday in a win over the Wizards. He produced a career-high 23 points, six rebounds and four steals. Up next: New York at home on Friday.

New York Knicks (17-13)

Last Rank: 8

The Knicks tipped off their three-game road trip on Wednesday with a loss in Oklahoma City to drop to 6-6 in December. Despite an uneven month, Jalen Brunson continues to perform at a high level. He is one of six players with a 50-point game this season and is averaging 27.3 points, 6.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals on 40% shooting from 3-point range in December.

Miami Heat (19-12)

Last Rank: 11

The Heat have posted four straight wins after knocking off the Warriors on Thursday to begin a five-game road trip. They have relied on their depth throughout their recent run, with Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin and Josh Richardson all dealing with injuries. While the usual suspects have stepped up, like Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, the team is also receiving strong production from the likes of Jamal Cain, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic of late. They will face the Jazz next on Saturday.

LA Clippers (18-12)

Last Rank: 7

The Clippers are tied with the Celtics and Bucks for the best record in December (10-2). Behind their recent run, they are up to 10th in offense and 12th in defense on the season. With a mostly healthy roster, and their Big 3 performing at a high level, the Clippers are finally showing how dangerous they can be.

Denver Nuggets (23-10)

Last Rank: 6

The Nuggets have the longest active winning streak in the NBA after knocking off the Grizzlies on Thursday (six games). Jamal Murray has scored at least 20 points in every game during their win streak, averaging 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 55.9% shooting from 3-point range in that span. The group will face the Thunder on Friday, who were their last loss on Dec. 16.

Oklahoma City Thunder (20-9)

Last Rank: 5

The Thunder have won five out of their last six games entering play on Friday. They picked up a dominating win over the first-place Timberwolves this week to pull within one game of them in the standings. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has paced the Thunder in scoring in their last 10 games, while the team has also received timely performances from Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and others. Speaking of Williams: He is coming off a career-high 36-point performance on Wednesday in a win over the Knicks.

For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire

Philadelphia 76ers (21-9)

Last Rank: 4

The Sixers are 9-3 in December and have gotten it done lately with Joel Embiid nursing a sprained ankle. They have split a pair of games without the MVP and are hopeful to get him back in the next week. In the meantime, the group will continue to rely on the likes of Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Paul Reed and others.

For more coverage on the 76ers, visit Sixers Wire

Milwaukee Bucks (23-8)

Last Rank: 3

The Bucks are tied for the best record in December (10-2) after winning eight of their last 10 games. They are second in the league in offense and have the sixth-best net rating, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton leading the way each night.

Antetokounmpo is coming off his second game of the season with at least 30 points on 80% or better shooting from the field in a win over the Nets. He is on pace to become the first player to average 30 points on 60% shooting in a season.

Minnesota Timberwolves (23-7)

Last Rank: 1

The Timberwolves bounced back from a lopsided loss to the Thunder with a win over the Mavericks on Thursday. Anthony Edwards dropped a season-high 44 points in the 118-110 victory for his seventh career 40-point game. The Timberwolves are now 16-4 against the Western Conference, the best mark by any team in the league.

Boston Celtics (24-6)

Last Rank: 2

The Celtics avoided an upset loss to the Pistons on Thursday to remain unbeaten at home (15-0). They may have needed overtime to do so, but the team got great contributions in the second half from Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford to erase a 21-point halftime deficit to win.

It seems like an odd time to move the Celtics into first place in our power rankings, having needed overtime to beat a team that has lost 28 straight games, but the group has the best record in the league and is in the top five in several categories, including offense (fourth), defense (third), net rating (second), 3s (first), rebounds (second) and blocks (fifth).

For more coverage on the Celtics, visit Celtics Wire

Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire