NBA Power Rankings: Pacers firing on all cylinders; Heat and Rockets remain hot
The NBA season is nearly one month old, with a dozen or so games in the books, and several teams have started to emerge as contenders in the early going.
The early favorites entering the year, like the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, have gotten off to strong starts and still very much look to be the front-runners. Others, like the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, have struggled some out of the gate.
Conversely, some initial title long shots have started to emerge behind quick starts. As a result, there are a handful of teams between both conferences that missed the playoffs last year that are currently in the mix at this stage of the season.
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 (2-10)
Last Rank: 30
The Pistons are currently at the bottom of the standings in the NBA after losing nine straight games. Despite the skid, the team has received some strong play from Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. The rookie recently became the first player since 1978 to tally 115 rebounds, 35 assists, 20 blocks and 10 steals in the first 12 games of their career (Mychal Thompson, Portland).
Washington Wizards (2-9)
Last Rank: 27
The Wizards are 2-9 this season and have already managed to have two separate four-game losing streaks. Based on that math, they are on pace to win Friday against the Knicks and then drop their next four games.
Memphis Grizzlies (2-9)
Last Rank: 24
The Grizzlies continue their free-fall down the standings this season without Ja Morant and Steven Adams. They are 28th in the league in offense and have the third-worst point differential this season (minus-7.1). There are a lot of things going against the Grizzlies at the moment, but it is far too early in the season to panic.
Portland Trail Blazers (3-8)
Last Rank: 25
After starting 3-3 this season, the Trail Blazers have lost five straight. The group has been battered by injuries, with Anfernee Simons (thumb), Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Robert Williams III (knee) and Scoot Henderson (ankle) all out of the lineup at the moment. They are likely a better team than what they’ve shown in the early going, but it is hard to get going with four rotation players down.
Charlotte Hornets (3-7)
Last Rank: 28
The Hornets continue a five-game homestand on Friday versus the Bucks. They will have Miles Bridges (suspension) back for the contest and hope Gordon Hayward (hamstring) and Brandon Miller (ankle) can also return. The decision to have Bridges back hasn’t been a popular one, but the team and player have vowed to move forward after his domestic violence allegations.
Chicago Bulls (4-8)
Last Rank: 26
The Bulls are coming off a loss to the Magic on Wednesday, in which they overcame a 19-point deficit to tie it up in the closing seconds. However, the NBA admitted it should have called Paolo Banchero for a travel on his eventual game-winning shot. In either case, the Bulls have some internal issues, and that loss actually seems to be the least of their worries.
For more coverage on the Bulls, visit Bulls Wire
Utah Jazz (4-7)
Last Rank: 29
Much of the Jazz‘s early-season struggles have been self-inflicted. They lead the league in turnovers (18 per game) and turnover percentage (17.7), resulting in a defense ranked 26th. They only had 13 turnovers in their last time out on Tuesday and will be hopeful that can be a sign of future things. They have a two-game set against the Suns this weekend, so it will be worth watching if they can continue to take care of the ball.
San Antonio Spurs (3-8)
Last Rank: 22
The Spurs have dropped five straight after starting 3-2 this season. The team was embarrassed by the Thunder Tuesday on TNT after trailing by as many as 40 points. The game was so lopsided that the network opted to cut away from it and show others that were happening. The bad news is they have another nationally televised game on Friday on ESPN against the Kings, which could yield the same results. Wemby or not, the Spurs may not have too many more of these showcase games left if they keep getting blown out.
For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire
Toronto Raptors (5-6)
Last Rank: 20
The Raptors have had a stout defense thus far (8th) but are still looking to get their offense running (27th). Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam have been magnificent in the early going and look to be forming a strong duo. Barnes leads the team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks.
Cleveland Cavaliers (5-6)
Last Rank: 19
The Cavaliers have alternated wins and losses since Nov. 1 and are 4-3 since starting 1-3. They have seven out of their next eight games at home and will be looking to get on track in The Land.
New Orleans Pelicans (5-6)
Last Rank: 15
The Pelicans snapped a five-game losing streak on Tuesday in a win over the Mavericks. Brandon Ingram led them with 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while rookie Jordan Hawkins added 25 points. Hawkins hit five 3s in that contest to put his season total to 32, which are the most by a first-year player in history through the first 11 games of a career. He has emerged as a key player and should be in for a strong rookie campaign.
LA Clippers (3-7)
Last Rank: 10
The Clippers have the second-longest losing streak in the NBA at six games. The team hasn’t won since acquiring James Harden from the Sixers and is still looking to find its rotations. In an effort to shake things up and try out different lineups, head coach Ty Lue is reportedly going to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench on Friday versus Houston. We’ll see if it can bring any change.
Orlando Magic (6-5)
Last Rank: 21
The Magic held on to beat the Bulls on Wednesday, thanks to a game-winning shot by Paolo Banchero with 1.4 seconds left. However, the team again had a problem closing the contest after boasting a 19-point lead in the second half.
They are first in the league with a plus-95 point differential in the first half but are minus-77 in the second half, which ranks 28th. However, that win over the Bulls brought their season total to six; they didn’t get their sixth win until their 26th game last year.
Houston Rockets (6-3)
Last Rank: 23
The Rockets have the second-longest active winning streak in the NBA after winning their last six games. They have pushed their record to above .500 for the first time since February 2021 and are getting it done with their defense.
The group ranks fourth in the league in that category and is sixth in net rating (plus-5.1). Even more impressive: They are beating playoff teams from a year ago. Their offseason additions are paying off, and they finally look to be reaching their potential under Ime Udoka.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
New York Knicks (6-5)
Last Rank: 18
The Knicks have won four out of their last five games to get above .500, as the offense looks to be coming around after starting slowly. They are getting strong contributions from several players and could start to go on a run. They are heavy favorites on Friday versus Washington in the in-season tournament.
Brooklyn Nets (6-6)
Last Rank: 16
With Ben Simmons out, the Nets have received strong contributions from the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie, Miles Bridges, Cam Johnson, Royce O’Neale and Lonnie Walker IV. The team is ninth in offense and will be looking to keep it going with a home-heavy schedule coming up.
For more coverage on the Nets, visit Nets Wire
Atlanta Hawks (6-5)
Last Rank: 14
The Hawks are sixth in offense and have been clicking on that end. Trae Young is leading the team with 23.5 points, 10.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds, and Dejounte Murray is adding 22 points per game. The early part of the year has also seen Jalen Johnson performing at a high level. He is averaging a career-high 14.7 points.
Los Angeles Lakers (6-6)
Last Rank: 11
LeBron James continues to defy Father Time after recording his 108th career triple-double on Wednesday in a loss to the Kings to become the only player in history to register a triple-double in his 21st season. The team seems to be getting healthier now and has strung together a nice run after winning three out of their last four games. They will look to keep it going on Friday versus Portland in the in-season tournament.
For more coverage on LeBron and the Lakers, visit LeBron Wire
Indiana Pacers (7-4)
Last Rank: 17
The Pacers are on an incredible run on offense at the moment. They rank first in offense and are in the top five in several other categories: Points (first), field goals made (first), field-goal percentage (second), 3s per game (third) and 3-point percentage (third).
Tyrese Haliburton has been the head of the snake for the team and is on a tremendous run of late, dishing out 32 turnovers with no turnovers over his last two games. From the starters to the bench, which ranks first in points, the Pacers are flat-out firing on all cylinders right now and have been fascinating to watch on #LeaguePass.
Sacramento Kings (6-4)
Last Rank: 12
The Kings have won four straight and got a key player back in De’Aaron Fox after a five-game absence. The offense looks to be getting better now with him back as the team looks to get back into the top 10 in that area. They are getting strong contributions and seem to have a different player leading them nightly. They continue a six-game road trip Friday in San Antonio.
Phoenix Suns (5-6)
Last Rank: 7
The Suns continue to be up and down to start the year after dealing with some injuries. They nearly got their Big 3 on the court for the first time on Wednesday, but Bradley Beal was a late scratch from the lineup. He is now expected to miss at least three weeks due to his lower back injury. The Suns should still be in good shape, with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker playing together.
Golden State Warriors (6-7)
Last Rank: 4
The Warriors had quite the week. They have lost five straight and played the last two games without Stephen Curry due to a knee injury, which isn’t considered serious. They will also be without Draymond Green for four more games due to his role in the on-court altercation against Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves.
With the team playing short-handed, rookie Brandin Podziemski has been among those who have been called upon by Steve Kerr. He had a career-high 23 points on Tuesday against Minnesota and 13 points and eight rebounds Thursday versus OKC. Kerr & Co. will need others to step up in the meantime as the team looks to get back on track.
For more coverage on the Warriors, visit Warriors Wire
Miami Heat (8-4)
Last Rank: 13
The Heat have been red-hot of late (no pun intended) after winning their league-leading seventh straight game on Thursday versus the Nets at home. Jimmy Butler had a season-high 36 points to lead the Heat, who scored a season-high 122 points.
Bam Adebayo has also been putting up some videogame-like numbers of late, averaging 24.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 steals over his last five games. After going 4-0 on their recent road trip, they begin a five-game trek on Saturday in Chicago.
Milwaukee Bucks (7-4)
Last Rank: 5
The Bucks still look to be all getting on the same page to start the year, which is to be expected. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have led the way, while Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, Malik Beasley and Brook Lopez have also contributed at a high level. With such high expectations, the team will be looking to build its chemistry throughout the year to click in April and beyond.
Oklahoma City Thunder (8-4)
Last Rank: 9
The Thunder have won five out of their last six games and are coming off a dominating win over the Warriors on Thursday. They are in the top 10 in offense, defense and pace, and have been a lot of fun to watch. The team has all of the tools needed to go on a run this year, and it looks like the group is well on its way to doing so.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3)
Last Rank: 8
The Timberwolves saw their seven-game win streak snapped on Wednesday to the Suns, but they have been on fire out of the gate. That was their longest win streak since 2004 as their previous 8-2 record tied their second-best 10-game start in franchise history. They remain first in the league in defense and fourth in net rating (plus-5.8). Things seem to be clicking for the group and it will be worth watching to see if it can go on a run.
Dallas Mavericks (9-3)
Last Rank: 6
The Mavericks continue to pour it in after producing at least 110 points in each of their first 12 games, which is the longest streak to start a season since 1986. Unsurprisingly, the team is second in the league in offense, with the likes of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. leading the way. They are getting good production from several other players and look to be playing as well as they have in recent years.
Philadelphia 76ers (8-3)
Last Rank: 2
The Sixers have lost two straight for the first time this season. The team hasn’t had many issues to worry about, but its minutes with Tyrese Maxey off the court have been negative. They are also dealing with injuries to Nic Batum and a precarious situation with Kelly Oubre Jr. But, with several other capable players off the bench, their issues don’t seem all that pressing at the moment. Maxey and Joel Embiid have been fantastic to start and tough to slow down.
For more coverage on the 76ers, visit Sixers Wire
Boston Celtics (9-2)
Last Rank: 3
The Celtics have won four straight after knocking off the Sixers on Wednesday without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. They are in the top five in offense and defense and have an absurd plus-13.4 net rating entering play Friday in Toronto. Through 11 games, the Celtics have been the top team in the Eastern Conference.
For more coverage on the Celtics, visit Celtics Wire
Denver Nuggets (9-2)
Last Rank: 1
The Nuggets handed the Clippers their sixth straight loss on Tuesday to remain the top team in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for his 11th straight game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. They will now hit the road for a five-game trip starting Friday in New Orleans.
