NBA power rankings: MVP leaders emerge as Thunder, Lakers rise while Kings, Warriors fall
The NBA’s MVP race is beginning to take shape while contenders and pretenders emerge in both conferences.
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic looks like the favorite to win his fourth MVP award. Other leading candidates include the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are holding on to the No. 1 spot in The Sacramento Bee’s power rankings followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks moved up this week while the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings have fallen.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 12/20
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4)
Previous ranking: 1
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (21-5)
Previous ranking: 3
3. Boston Celtics (21-6)
Previous ranking: 2
4. Memphis Grizzlies (19-9)
Previous ranking: 4
5. Houston Rockets (18-9)
Previous ranking: 5
6. New York Knicks (17-10)
Previous ranking: 8
7. Dallas Mavericks (17-10)
Previous ranking: 6
8. Orlando Magic (17-12)
Previous ranking: 7
9. Los Angeles Clippers (16-12)
Previous ranking: 11
10. Milwaukee Bucks (14-11)
Previous ranking: 13
11. Denver Nuggets (14-11)
Previous ranking: 12
12. Los Angeles Lakers (15-12)
Previous ranking: 14
13. Miami Heat (13-11)
Previous ranking: 10
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-12)
Previous ranking: 17
15. Phoenix Suns (14-12)
Previous ranking: 16
16. Golden State Warriors (14-12)
Previous ranking: 9
17. San Antonio Spurs (14-13)
Previous ranking: 19
18. Atlanta Hawks (14-14)
Previous ranking: 15
19. Sacramento Kings (13-15)
Previous ranking: 18
20. Indiana Pacers (13-15)
Previous ranking: 21
21. Chicago Bulls (13-15)
Previous ranking: 22
22. Brooklyn Nets (11-16)
Previous ranking: 20
23. Detroit Pistons (11-17)
Previous ranking: 23
24. Portland Trail Blazers (9-18)
Previous ranking: 24
25. Philadelphia 76ers (8-16)
Previous ranking: 25
26. Charlotte Hornets (7-20)
Previous ranking: 26
27. Toronto Raptors (7-21)
Previous ranking: 27
28. Utah Jazz (6-20)
Previous ranking: 28
29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-23)
Previous ranking: 29
30. Washington Wizards (4-21)
Previous ranking: 30
