NBA Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2024-25 Season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks on January 3, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top-ranked team during the 2024-25 season.
  • The Washington Wizards are ranked No. 30.

The NBA season enters the 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

RankTeam
1Thunder
2Cavaliers
3Celtics
4Rockets
5Nuggets
6Knicks
7Lakers
8Grizzlies
9Warriors
10Timberwolves
11Clippers
12Pacers
13Bucks
14Pistons
15Kings
16Hawks
17Suns
18Magic
19Mavericks
20Bulls
21Heat
22Spurs
23Trail Blazers
24Raptors
25Nets
2676ers
27Pelicans
28Hornets
29Jazz
30Wizards

Best NBA Teams, 2024-25

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

After being the No. 1 team in the West during a breakthrough season last season, the Thunder have led the conference all year. This is the best defensive team in the league, but does this young core deserve to be a minus-odds favorite to win the West?

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 hope to hold off the Celtics for home-court advantage in the East.

3. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are the championship favorites for a reason. They are still the team to beat in basketball.

4. Houston Rockets

The Rockets have exceeded expectations with their young roster, sitting at No. 2 in the West. That could create an intriguing first-round matchup with the top play-in tournament winner.

5. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokiฤ‡ has been sidelined in recent games, but the Nuggets are in the inner circle of contenders as long as they have the best player in the world.

6. New York Knicks

The Knicks just need Jalen Brunson back before the playoffs.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James is back in the lineup. The Lakers are a formidable threat in the West with him and Luka Doncic leading the way.

8. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have reminded everyone they are a contender after an injury-riddled campaign in 2023-24.

9. Golden State Warriors

While March can be arduous in assessing whatโ€™s real in the NBA, the Warriors have been incredibly hot since trading for Jimmy Butler.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves have been rounding into form in recent weeks, but canโ€™t seem to climb higher than the top play-in spot.

11. Los Angeles Clippers

Is it finally happening? Kawhi Leonard looks back, making the Clippers a dark horse in the West.

12. Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers have put it together after an underwhelming start to the season.

13. Milwaukee Brewers

Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging the most points in the paint for any player in the last 25 seasons.

14. Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham, the NBA’s Most Improved Player odds favorite, earned his first All-Star nod and has been carrying Detroit this year.

15. Sacramento Kings

The Kings traded away De’Aaron Fox to pair Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan together again. Get ready to learn play-in basketball, Sacramento.

16. Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young leads the league in assists per game, demonstrating heโ€™s one of the best offensive engines in the league.

17. Phoenix Suns

After being everyone’s favorite dark horse in the summer, the Suns have underwhelmed. This team is facing a likely breakup this offseason.

18. Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are back, but the Magic have looked lethargic offensively for much of the year.

19. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs took a gamble by trading for Anthony Davis. He suffered an injury in his debut for Dallas, but could be nearing a return.

20. Chicago Bulls

Matas Buzelis had a career night in a win over the Lakers, scoring 31 points for the play-in-bound Bulls.

21. Miami Heat

The Jimmy Butler era has ended in Miami. The Heat havenโ€™t had much success since making the deal.

22. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are focused on their draft position after losing Victor Wembanyama and Fox for the year.

23. Portland Trail Blazers

Point guard Scoot Henderson leads the team in assists in his second NBA season.

24. Toronto Raptors

Toronto traded for Brandon Ingram at the deadline, but heโ€™s been out since Dec. 7.

25. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets continue to win more games than they should, 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

LaMelo Ball leads the Hornets in scoring with an average of 25.2 points per game.

29. Utah Jazz

The Jazz were fined for violating player participation policy in March, but this team has their sights set on winning the Cooper Flagg lottery.

30. Washington Wizards

The debate for the worst team in the league has long been decided.

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 Washington Wizards are rated No. 30 in the league based on these updated power rankings.

NBA Standings 2025

NBA Playoffs Odds

When the stakes increase on the court, they can increase at the online sportsbook with NBA playoff odds. From the play-in tournament through the NBA Finals, BetMGM is the premier destination for NBA betting.

If you’re new to the sportsbook, register today with BetMGM’s welcome promo. And check out updated sportsbook promos each day of the year.

Split First Bet Offer FBO March Matchups 1080x610
About the Author

Shane Jackson

Read More @Sjacksonmgm

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.