NBA power rankings 2024-25: Thunder remain on top while Rockets vault up to second after dominating week

The Rockets announced their presence as a title contender this week, but everyone is still chasing Oklahoma City in the West.

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-8, Last Week No. 1). The Thunder went 3-2 in this stretch of games without either Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstien, but Hartenstein returned for the win against Portland — scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds and 6 assist — and things have returned to normal in Oklahoma City. Half of the Thunder’s losses this season have come in games Hartenstein and Holmgren both missed and while we have yet to see what the Thunder look like when both play, the team is 23-2 when Hartenstein has taken the court this season. Jalen Williams is a no-brainer All-Star reserve when those are announced Thursday.

2. Houston Rockets (32-14, LW 4). I’ve been hesitant to move the Rockets into this top tier of contenders because I was not sold that this team could deliver on offense in the biggest moments. Who is their No. 1 option? However, this week — with two wins over Cleveland and one over Boston — ended that doubt. Houston’s defense and opportunistic offense are enough to be a significant postseason threat — and Amen Thompson may be that No. 1 scorer they are looking for. Don’t expect a Rockets trade at the deadline, their GM Rafael Stone wants to see what this roster can do in the postseason. So do we.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9, LW 2). The loss to Philadelphia can be ignored as a one-off — the Sixers shot 53% from 3 — but it and other recent games showed how teams have changed their attack against the Cavaliers’ defense: They are hunting weaker defenders such as Georges Niang, Sam Merrill, and the guards Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Ty Jerome. While the Cavaliers have strong backstops behind those guys in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, this is something Kenny Atkinson needs to figure out how to handle heading into the playoffs. Well, he can figure it out once he gets back from coaching in the All-Star Game, where Donovan Mitchell is a starter, and we should find out Thursday that Garland and Mobley should be joining them as reserves.

4. Boston Celtics (32-15, LW 3). Late-game execution continues to be a concern for this team. We saw it twice last week, first when the team blew a six-point lead with 1:03 remaining in regulation against a shorthanded Clippers squad and had to win in overtime, and then there were the defensive blunders against the Rockets. The Celtics offense gets stagnant late, and the team has now blown nine fourth-quarter leads this season — that’s how many they lost all of last season, and we’re just halfway through this campaign. Call it a mid-season malaise if you want, but this is becoming concerning.

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5. Memphis Grizzlies (31-16, LW 5). Thursday could be a telling day for Memphis. That’s when it faces Houston — the physicality of the Rockets has led to them winning all three previous matchups between these teams. If it happens a fourth time, Memphis may be more inclined to make a move at the trade deadline (but don’t bet on Jimmy Butler coming to the Grizzlies, that remains improbable league sources told NBC Sports). Also on Thursday, Ja Morant likely will hear his name called as a Western Conference All-Star reserve, but it will be a miscarriage of justice if Jaren Jackson Jr. does not as well.

6. New York Knicks (31-16, LW 7). It’s fun to see Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns become the first pair of Knicks All-Star Game starters since Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe did it in 1975 (even if Brunson and Towns may not be on the same team in the funky new four-team format for this year’s All-Star Game). Towns and Brunson have sparked a Knicks offense that scored 143 points in consecutive games over the weekend, wins against the Kings and Grizzlies. New York sits comfortably in third in the East, four games ahead of Milwaukee, but the Knicks have the toughest remaining schedule in the East.

7. Milwaukee Bucks (26-19, LW 8). Milwaukee — recognizing it is 0-8 against the top three teams in the East — is looking to make a splash at the trade deadline. While Bradley Beal rumors swirl, what seems more likely is landing Zach LaVine from Chicago or someone of that ilk, but with the Bucks over the second apron, this would have to be a 3- or 4-team trade with Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis going elsewhere (the Bucks cannot aggregate players in a trade, so it would have to be a series of separate trades). All that said, the Bucks are 9-3 in their last 12 and playing their best ball of the season, things are building the right direction.

8. Denver Nuggets (28-18, LW 6). Denver is 8-3 in its last 11 games, with Nikola Jokic looking like an MVP and leading Denver to the best offense in the NBA over that stretch. More importantly, the Nuggets defense has been improved as well and is 12th in the league over that stretch — although a rough defensive outing against Minnesota this week can give one pause about how good they are on that end. If Denver makes a move at the trade deadline, it is likely to shed salary to get itself out of the first apron, which will allow it to go after the biggest names on the buyout market (like former Nugget Bruce Brown).

PLAYOFFS OR BUST

9. Los Angeles Clippers (26-20, LW 10). James Harden is a dichotomy. He is in the mix for a reserve All-Star spot in the West, averaging 21.7 points and 8.3 assists a game, and the Clippers’ offense revolves around him. However, this is not the efficient Harden of his Houston days. His true shooting percentage of 57.3 is right about the league average and the second-lowest of his career (behind only his rookie season). Overall he’s shooting 39.8% from the field, and his stepback shots that was a staple of his game is not as feared (he’s shooting 35.5% on those, according to NBA tracking number). The Clippers need him to run their offense, but there are limits to what he can do at age 35.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21, LW 11). Why is it hard to believe Minnesota can be an elite squad in the West this season? Because of their clutch-time stats. The Timberwolves have played in 29 clutch games (within five points in the final five minutes) and are 13-16 in those games with a -17.2 net rating in those minutes and a dreadful 98.5 offensive rating. A lot of Wolves fans are pointing fingers at Anthony Edwards, who is -49 in those clutch minutes, the worst ranking in the league (he is shooting 39.1% in the clutch on 64 shot attempts). While Edwards can rely too much on hero ball against double-teams, he’s also dealing with a clogged paint and teams shifting their defense toward him because they don’t fear anyone else. This is a roster issue as much as an Edwards issue.

11. Los Angeles Lakers (26-19, LW 14). It seemed like things were finally going the Lakers’ way, getting Jarred Vanderbilt back and healthy — he is the kind of two-way wing this roster desperately needs for balance. Now comes the news that Anthony Davis is out for at least a week with a strained abdomen. As LeBron James said, Davis has been the best Lakers player this season, averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds a game, plus playing elite defense. More concerning, the Lakers have a -5.3 net rating when Davis is off the court. All this adds weight to Davis’s urging the Lakers front office to get another big man before the trade deadline.

12. Indiana Pacers (25-20, LW 9). 2025 has been good for the Pacers, who have looked like a different team. They went 9-2 with the fifth-ranked offense and fourth-ranked defense in the league over that time. Don’t be surprised if the Pacers have a little Paris hangover this week after splitting two games with the Spurs in France last week. Tyrese Haliburton’s slow start to the season likely keeps him out of the All-Star Game this year, but he is in the mix.

13. Sacramento Kings (24-22, LW 12). It sucks for a passionate and loyal fan base, but De’Aaron Fox wants out of Sacramento and that is going to happen, sooner or later. Fox’s agent, Rich Paul, is pushing for something to happen before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but league sources speaking to NBC Sports think it is more likely a trade made around the draft or in July. The Kings are looking for a combination of players who can help them win now and draft picks. Also, it’s an open secret Fox wants to go to San Antonio and team up with Victor Wembanyama, which is likely his ultimate destination.

14. Dallas Mavericks (25-22, LW 13). Losing Dereck Lively II for an extended period hurts, but with Dwight Powell out as well things get a little ugly once Daniel Gafford goes to the bench (Jason Kidd will have to lean hard into small Ball for a while). Luka Doncic remains out as well. Dallas feels like a team that could get healthy in March and suddenly we look at them fully loaded heading into the playoffs and see a real threat. It’s just a long road to get there from here.

15. Phoenix Suns (24-21, LW 19). Phoenix is 22-8 this season when both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker play. The Suns also have seen a boost from Nick Richards since he came over from Charlotte in a trade: 11.8 points on 62.9% shooting, plus 11.2 rebounds a game. Things look like they are coming together for the Suns… and nobody is talking about out that because Mat Ishbia’s new owner syndrome has them chasing Jimmy Butler. While it feels more and more like Butler will get traded somewhere, it also feels like that may not be Phoenix because there is no market for Bradley Beal.

16. Miami Heat (23-22, LW 15). Jimmy Butler is suspended — again — and momentum is building toward him being traded before the deadline after the Heat lowered their asking price. Which is good, because this team has shown flashes of finding its identity without Butler (when Tyler Herro is healthy). Whatever trade the Heat find for Butler (before the deadline or this offseason) it will not involve taking on long-term salary as the target is clearly a potentially deep 2026 free agent class (which is why the Heat don’t want Bradley Beal).

17. Detroit Pistons (23-23, LW 17). While Cade Cunningham has drawn all the attention — and he should be named an All-Star Game reserve on Thursday — it is the Pistons defense that is driving this winning streak. Detroit has the third-best defense in the NBA in January, and the big man combo of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (particularly Stewart) deserves a lot of credit for that. Good test for this team Wednesday night against Indiana.

18. Orlando Magic (24-24, LW 18). For the first time since October, the Magic had Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs all available for a game last week, and we should see this team start to climb the ladder again out of the play-in in the East. Orlando has been mentioned as one of the teams calling about Sacramento point guard De’Aaron Fox and they should — he would be a fantastic fit for their backcourt with Suggs. It may not happen, but the Magic should consider taking a home run swing.

PLAY IN HOPEFULS

19. Golden State Warriors (23-23, LW 20). If the Warriors were going to make a push up the standings, this seemed like the best stretch for it to happen — they were finally getting healthy, with Brandin Podziemski and Kyle Anderson returning in the past week (although Jonathan Kuminga remains weeks away due to his sprained ankle), and they had 8-of-9 at home. So far on that home stand they are 3-3. Golden State is back in the conversation for Jimmy Butler now that the Heat have dropped the price tag, but that trade still seems unlikely. Still, this roster needs some kind of jolt at the trade deadline, or they will spend the rest of the season fighting for a bottom spot in the play-in.

20. San Antonio Spurs (20-23, LW 21). It’s been an open secret around the league that De’Aaron Fox had his eyes on teaming up with Victor Wembanyama, and now that push has officially started (although Fox ending up with another team is not out of the question). Any Fox to San Antonio trade at the deadline likely involves Detroit as a third team (with cap space) because Harrison Barnes would be one of the guys in the deal but Sacramento cannot reacquire him. If San Antonio has postseason dreams (with or without Fox) it needs to turn things around, having lost 7-of-9 coming into this week with the Clippers, Bucks and Heat on the schedule.

21. Atlanta Hawks (22-25, LW 16). Losing Jalen Johnson for the season to a shoulder injury is a brutal blow, he was having a breakout season and should have been in consideration for an All-Star reserve spot in the East. Atlanta has lost six straight but don’t expect them to tank with Johnson out because the Hawks’ first-round pick belongs to the Spurs (the Hawks do have the Lakers first rounder). Atlanta seems destined for the play-in.

22. Chicago Bulls (20-27, LW 22). No team comes up more in trade rumors than Chicago, with everyone on the roster available in a deal (except for rookie Matas Buzelis) — Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. After years of holding on to being mediocre too long, this seems like the year the Bulls finally trade away the rest of their stars and pivot toward a rebuild, but until we see it we are hesitant to believe it.

23. Philadelphia 76ers (18-27, LW 23). Here’s the stat of the day, via the fine people at Spotac: Joel Embiid missed his 400th game with the 76ers on Tuesday night, he has been active for 446 games in 10.5 seasons (total salary in that time, $266 million). The 76ers are at a crossroads approaching the trade deadline, do they bank on Embiid (and Paul George) getting healthy, them pushing the Sixers into the play-in and making a postseason run, or do they write this season off and enter the trade deadline more as sellers than buyers? Philly currently has the eighth-worst record in the NBA, and they owe their pick to San Antonio (protected 1-6) — should Philly tank to try and make that a top-six pick? Don’t bet on it. Teams have called about Guerschon Yabusele and guard Eric Gordon.

CAPTURE THE (COOPER) FLAGG

24. Toronto Raptors (14-32, LW 27). It may frustrate some Toronto fans rooting for tanking, but the Raptors are looking pretty good now that they are largely healthy. This team can come together, like against Atlanta when the tandem of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are both hitting their shots — this is a jump-shooting team, and when they fall, everything clicks.

25. Portland Trail Blazers (18-29, LW 26). In a season about building for the future, it’s a good sign how well rookie Donovan Clingan is protecting the rim and on the glass. His offensive game has a ways to go, but he’s got an NBA foundation to build upon. The guy who is standing out in Portland is Danny Avdija — and when he gets an and-1 they play the John Cena soundtrack in the arena. “John Cena was my favorite wrestler when I was growing up, so I said I wanted them to play that track when I get an and-1.”

26. Charlotte Hornets (12-31, LW 24). Will LaMelo Ball be an All-Star reserve? He topped the fan vote to be an All-Star starter, but because of the players (who voted him third) and more so the media (seventh), Ball is not starting. He’s putting up 28.2 points and 7.3 assists a night, efficient or not that’s got to be enough to get him into the All-Star Game, right? We will see, it’s up to the coaches now.

27. New Orleans Pelicans (12-35, LW 25). Someone on the Pelicans will get traded before the deadline because this team is $2 million over the luxury tax line and not going anywhere, they are looking for a salary dump. The more interesting question is will that be Ingram, who the Pelicans have been trying to trade (and Toronto has come up as a possible destination). If not, would the Pelicans re-sign Ingram this summer, or would he find a sign-and-trade and move on?

28. Utah Jazz (10-35, LW 28). Isaiah Collier, who fell down the draft board last June to Utah at No. 29, seems to be finding his footing in the NBA. In his previous five games, he’s averaged 12 points and 7.6 assists in 30 minutes a night. His shot needs to become more efficient, but this is a step forward for one of the top-rated players in his class coming out of high school.

29. Brooklyn Nets (14-33, LW 29). Can you sum up the Nets’ season in one short video clip? Yes.

30. Washington Wizards (6-39, LW 30). Which Wizards will get traded at the deadline? The market for Kyle Kuzma is looking very thin, which makes it more likely Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas are the guys on the move. If anyone. Also, sorry Jordan Poole, but you’re not an All-Star.