NBA power rankings: Cavaliers undefeated at 13-0, but Western Conference is 35-15 vs. East
The Cleveland Cavaliers are undefeated. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics seem to be as good as advertised. The Golden State Warriors are off to a strong start with impressive wins over the Celtics and Thunder.
Projected Eastern Conference contenders such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers and Western Conference playoff have struggled with key players out due to injuries. The same is true for the New Orleans Pelicans, who expected to be a serious Western Conference playoff contender.
Things will change in the weeks to come, but for now 10 of The Sacramento Bee’s top 12 teams are from the West, which has gone 35-15 against the East so far this season.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 11/15
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-0)
Previous ranking: 3
The Cavs are the first team to go 13-0 since the Warriors in 2015-16. They will face their toughest test yet when they visit the Celtics on Tuesday.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-2)
Previous ranking: 1
The Thunder leads the league with a +12.6 point differential, but how will OKC hold up with Chet Holmgren out 8 to 10 weeks due to a hip fracture.
3. Golden State Warriors (9-2)
Previous ranking: 6
The Warriors have been the NBA’s biggest surprise. Stephen Curry scored 37 points to beat the Mavericks on Tuesday in Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay.
4. Boston Celtics (10-3)
Previous ranking: 2
Off to a strong start after winning their 18th NBA championship last season, the Celtics will clash with the Cavaliers in a TNT game Tuesday.
5. Phoenix Suns (9-3)
Previous ranking: 4
The Suns have lost two of their last three, both to the Kings, with Kevin Durant and now Bradley Beal sidelined due to calf injuries.
6. Denver Nuggets (7-3)
Previous ranking: 14
Nikola Jokic had his fifth triple-double of the season with 37 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists in Sunday’s win over the Mavericks.
7. Houston Rockets (8-4)
Previous ranking: 11
The Rockets have won three in a row and five of their last six behind Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (7-4)
Previous ranking: 7
Now in his 22nd NBA season, LeBron James recorded his fourth triple-double of the season – and his third in a row – with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (7-5)
Previous ranking: 19
Ja Morant is considered week-to-week with right hip subluxation and pelvic muscle strains. He has appeared in eight games, averaging 20.6 points and shooting 25.8% from 3-point range.
10. Sacramento Kings (7-5)
Previous ranking: 10
The Kings have won two of three and seven of 10 despite their 3-point shooting struggles and the loss of Malik Monk (ankle).
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (6-6)
Previous ranking: 9
The Timberwolves had lost three in a row going into Friday’s game against the Kings.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (6-6)
Previous ranking: 13
Kawhi Leonard (knee) has yet to suit up this season, but the Clippers are hovering around .500.
13. Orlando Magic (7-6)
Previous ranking: 8
The Magic has won four in a row despite losing Paolo Banchero to a torn oblique.
14. San Antonio Spurs (6-6)
Previous ranking: 28
Victory Wembanyama put up his first 50-point game in Wednesday’s win over the Wizards.
15. New York Knicks (5-6)
Previous ranking: 12
Karl-Anthony Towns had a season-high 46 points in a dramatic loss to the Bulls on Wednesday.
16. Indiana Pacers (5-6)
Previous ranking: 18
Tyrese Haliburton has struggled, shooting just 39.1% from the field and 27.1% from 3-point range.
17. Dallas Mavericks (5-7)
Previous ranking: 5
The Mavericks have lost four in a row to the Suns, Nuggets, Warriors and Jazz.
18. Brooklyn Nets (5-7)
Previous ranking: 24
Cam Thomas (23.8 ppg) and Dennis Schroder (19.3 ppg) are helping the Nets stay close to .500.
19. Chicago Bulls (5-7)
Previous ranking: 15
Zach LaVine scored 31 points in Wednesday’s dramatic win over the Knicks.
20. Atlanta Hawks (5-7)
Previous ranking: 22
Dyson Daniels scored a career-high 28 points to help the Hawks knock off the Celtics on Tuesday.
21. Miami Heat (4-6)
Previous ranking: 16
Miami had lost four of five going into Friday’s game against the Pacers.
22. Detroit Pistons (5-8)
Previous ranking: 27
Cade Cunningham poured in 35 points to help the Pistons beat the Bucks in overtime on Wednesday.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (5-8)
Previous ranking:20
The Blazers lost five of six before posting back-to-back wins over the Timberwolves.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (4-8)
Previous ranking: 25
The Bucks have finally two in a row after Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 59 points in Wednesday’s overtime win over the Pistons.
25. Charlotte Hornets (4-7)
Previous ranking: 17
Lonzo Ball is averaging 29.9 points but the Hornets have lost five of their last seven.
26. Utah Jazz (3-8)
Previous ranking: 30
Utah has won two of three and three of its last five, including Thursday’s victory over the Mavericks.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (3-9)
Previous ranking: 23
After losing six in a row, Jose Alvarado, Herbert Jones, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson were all ruled out for Friday’s game against the Nuggets.
28. Washington Wizards (2-8)
Previous ranking: 21
The Wizards lost their sixth in a row to the Spurs on Wednesday despite 42 points from Jordan Poole.
29. Philadelphia 76ers (2-9)
Previous ranking: 26
Philadelphia’s struggles continued with back-to-back losses to the Knicks and Cavaliers.
30. Toronto Raptors (2-10)
Previous ranking: 29
The Raptors have lost five in a row and nine of their last 10.
