NBA Power Rankings: Bucks recover, Lakers ascend with NBA Cup, Warriors decline…
Following an exhilarating inaugural in-season tournament that concluded with the Los Angeles Lakers clinching the NBA Cup and adding extra dollars to their coffers, the regular season unfolds.
As we approach the end of 2023, the competition for the top five spots in our rankings is intense, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Surprisingly, the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks have both surged in the first quarter of the season.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers have made a statement in the Eastern Conference after a successful tournament run, showcasing a potent offense that shows no signs of slowing down.
However, the holiday season brings uncertainty. Can the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets break away from the middle of the pack? When will we witness the Phoenix Suns’ formidable trio in action? With numerous storylines, let’s delve into this week’s Power Rankings.
Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk) is evaluating all 30 teams, assessing which ones are displaying top-tier basketball and positioning themselves as title contenders.
Previous rankings: Post-Finals | Nov. 1 | Nov. 8 | Nov. 15 | Nov. 22 | Nov. 29 | Dec. 6
Jump to a team: ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
- Boston Celtics 2023-24 record: 17-5
Previous ranking: 1
Upcoming games: vs. NY (Dec. 13), @ PHI (Dec. 15), @ TOR (Dec. 17), @ MEM (Dec. 19)
Boston, now tied with Minnesota for the league’s best record, is off to an impressive 3-1 start in December, including a victory against Cleveland on Tuesday. With a challenging 11-game stretch leading up to Christmas, the Celtics’ reunited starting five is dominating opponents by a staggering 27.5 points per 100 possessions across more than 200 minutes.
— Tim Bontemps
- Minnesota Timberwolves 2023-24 record: 17-5
Previous ranking: 2
Upcoming games: @ DAL (Dec. 14), vs. IND (Dec. 16), @ MIA (Dec. 18)
Despite a recent loss to New Orleans, the Timberwolves maintain their position atop the Western Conference with a franchise-best start of 17-5. The absence of Anthony Edwards, limited by a hip injury for the past five games, has impacted Minnesota’s offense, which scored 114.1 points per 100 possessions during that span (19th in the NBA).
— Jamal Collier
- Philadelphia 76ers 2023-24 record: 15-7
Previous ranking: 6
Upcoming games: @ DET (Dec. 13), vs. DET (Dec. 15), @ CHA (Dec. 16), vs. CHI (Dec. 18)
Philadelphia capitalized on missing the knockout rounds of the in-season tournament, securing victories over the Wizards and Hawks. Riding a three-game winning streak, the 76ers face a favorable schedule, with only two road games and one matchup against a winning team (Minnesota) until Christmas.
— Bontemps
- Milwaukee Bucks 2023-24 record: 16-7
Previous ranking: 5
Upcoming games: vs. IND (Dec. 13), vs. DET (Dec. 16), vs. HOU (Dec. 17), vs. SA (Dec. 19)
After a brief stint in Las Vegas and an early exit from the NBA Cup, the Bucks embark on a six-game homestand, aiming to rebound from recent uneven performances. Milwaukee, dominant at home with an 11-2 record, looks to capitalize on the comfort of Fiserv Forum, hosting the next five contests.
— Collier
- Oklahoma City Thunder 2023-24 record: 15-7
Previous ranking: 4
Upcoming games: @ SAC (Dec. 14), @ DEN (Dec. 16), vs. MEM (Dec. 18)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s outstanding performances make a strong MVP case for OKC. With the league’s first three-game streak of 30-point, three-steal displays since James Harden in 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander ties for fifth in scoring (30.4 points per game) and leads the league in steals (2.8).
— Tim MacMahon
- Denver Nuggets 2023-24 record: 16-9
Previous ranking: 3
Upcoming games: vs. BKN (Dec. 14), vs. OKC (Dec. 16), vs. DAL (Dec. 18)
The Nuggets faced a challenging week, losing three consecutive games. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic had a rare off-shooting week, but Denver secured a win in Atlanta despite Jokic’s ejection. Now with three home games, where they boast a 9-1 record this season, the Nuggets aim to bounce back.
— Ohm Youngmisuk
- Orlando Magic 2023-24 record: 16-7
Previous ranking: 8
Upcoming games: @ BOS (Dec. 15), @ BOS (Dec. 17)
Orlando, after a nine-game win streak was halted, rediscovered its winning form with a triumph against the Cavaliers. Paolo Banchero’s 20 points and 10 rebounds showcased the Magic’s strengths, particularly their proficiency in scoring in the paint.
— Andrew Lopez
- Los Angeles Lakers 2023-24 record: 14-10
Previous ranking: 15
Upcoming games: @ SA (Dec. 13), @ SA (Dec. 15), vs. NY (Dec. 18)
The Lakers, winners of the in-season tournament, await their winnings as a $500,000 per player payout is set to be deposited into individual accounts. However, a shaky performance in Dallas, allowing 71 first-half points, highlights the need for consistency as they navigate upcoming games.
— Dave McMenamin
- Indiana Pacers 2023-24 record: 13-8
Previous ranking: 10
Upcoming games: @ MIL (Dec. 13), @ WAS (Dec. 15), @ MIN (Dec. 16), vs. LAC (Dec. 18)
The Pacers quickly rebounded from their NBA Cup final loss, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 14 points and 16 assists in a victory against Detroit. Indiana’s offense continues to lead the league with an impressive 123.4 points per 100 possessions.
— Collier
- Dallas Mavericks 2023-24 record: 15-8
Previous ranking: 13
Upcoming games: vs. MIN (Dec. 14), @ POR (Dec.
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