- The Oklahoma City Thunder sit at the top spot.
- The Utah Jazz are ranked No. 30.
The NBA season finishes up its home stretch, heading into what should be a compelling postseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the top team in these power rankings, establishing themselves as NBA odds favorites in the Western Conference.
But how does the rest of the league stack up?
NBA Power Rankings 2024-25
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thunder |
| 2 | Cavaliers |
| 3 | Celtics |
| 4 | Rockets |
| 5 | Lakers |
| 6 | Knicks |
| 7 | Timberwolves |
| 8 | Warriors |
| 9 | Clippers |
| 10 | Nuggets |
| 11 | Pacers |
| 12 | Grizzlies |
| 13 | Pistons |
| 14 | Bucks |
| 15 | Magic |
| 16 | Hawks |
| 17 | Bulls |
| 18 | Kings |
| 19 | Mavericks |
| 20 | Heat |
| 21 | Suns |
| 22 | Trail Blazers |
| 23 | Spurs |
| 24 | Raptors |
| 25 | Nets |
| 26 | 76ers |
| 27 | Pelicans |
| 28 | Hornets |
| 29 | Wizards |
| 30 | Jazz |
Best NBA Teams, 2024-25
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
After finishing as the No. 1 team in the West during a breakthrough season last year, the Thunder have maintained their lead in the conference all season. This is the top defensive team in the league, but the Western Conference playoffs will be a challenging test for this young core.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference standings, making Kenny Atkinson the NBA Coach of the Year odds favorite after I suggested betting on him at 30/1 in the preseason. They arenโt the Eastern Conference favorites because the Celtics exist, but home-court advantage could make a difference this summer.
3. Boston Celtics
The defending champions enter the postseason as the team to beat. They remain my pick to win it all.
4. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have surpassed expectations with their young roster, currently ranked No. 2 in the West with a formidable defensive lineup. This could lead to an intriguing first-round matchup against the top play-in tournament winner.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
I donโt know how far the Lakers can go with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center, but it doesnโt get much better than the combination of LeBron James and Luka Donฤiฤ leading the way in the postseason.
6. New York Knicks
Like the Lakers, the Knicks can score on anyone, but their playoff ceiling will depend on their ability to make stops against the top teams.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves seem to be hitting their stride at the right moment. Only the Celtics and Thunder have performed better since March 1.
8. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have 20 wins and counting since Jimmy Butler joined the lineup. This team could make a deep playoff run if their spring performance was real.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is coming off his first back-to-back this season, which is a promising sign for the Clippersโ chances of doing something in the West.
10. Denver Nuggets
This time last year, Nikola Jokiฤ and the Nuggets were the favorites in the Western Conference and were coming off their first title in franchise history. Now, they are in danger of becoming a play-in team and have little chance of making a run if Jamal Murray isnโt healthy.
Life comes at you fast in the NBA.
11. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers are back. Could they replicate last yearโs conference finals run?
12. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies love playing in track meets, ranking No. 1 in pace.
13. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons notched their first playoff berth since 2019 after posting the worst record in the NBA last year.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been incredible this season, and the Bucks have needed it with Damian Lillard sidelined.
15. Orlando Magic
The Magic have climbed to the top of the play-in tournament picture, but this offense is too lethargic to expect much this postseason.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young leads the league in assists per game, demonstrating heโs one of the best offensive engines in the league.
17. Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddeyโs half-court buzzer-beater was the highlight of a solid spring stretch from the Bulls, who will be in the play-in again this year.
18. Sacramento Kings
Unsurprisingly, the Western Conference version of the Bulls will be featured in the play-in tournament.
19. Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis has returned to the lineup, as the Mavs are focused on spoiling Lukaโs return to Dallas.
20. Miami Heat
The Heat are one of the more interesting teams heading into the summer after trading away Butler to focus on their future outlook.
21. Phoenix Suns
The Suns will certainly make changes to their roster this offseason. Could Kevin Durant be on the move?
22. Portland Trail Blazers
The 2024-25 season felt like a step in the right direction for Portlandโs rebuild.
23. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been focused on their draft position after losing Victor Wembanyama and Fox for the year. But Stephon Castle is on his way to winning Rookie of the Year.
24. Toronto Raptors
Toronto traded for Brandon Ingram at the deadline, but heโs been out since Dec. 7.
25. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets won more games than they hoped this year, illustrating how difficult it is to tank under head coach Jordi Fernรกndez.
26. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
No team has dealt with as many injuries as the Pelicans. That could be a blessing in disguise, given the talent in the 2025 draft class.
28. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have missed the playoffs in nine straight seasons.
29. Washington Wizards
The Wizards leaned into a youth movement this year, hoping to determine which players will be a part of their long-term core.
30. Utah Jazz
The Jazz were fined for violating the player participation policy in March, but this team has its sights set on Cooper Flagg.
Who is the Best NBA Team this Season?
According to these power rankings, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best NBA team during the 2024-25 NBA season. The Cavaliers are ranked No. 2, while the Celtics are No. 3.
Who is the Worst NBA Team this Season?
The Utah Jazz are rated No. 30 in the league based on these updated power rankings.
NBA Standings 2025
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