NBA power rankings: Cavaliers, Thunder rolling; Lakers, Hawks rising; Kings falling fast
The Cleveland Cavaliers have created some separation in the Eastern Conference standings while the Oklahoma City Thunder is emerging as the top team in the Western Conference.
Some teams are on a roll while others are caught in a freefall as the midway point in the 2024-25 NBA season approaches. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers have jumped into the thick of their respective playoff races while the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are just trying to get into play-in position.
The Thunder has the longest winning streak in the league after winning 11 in a row. The New York Knicks have a seven-game winning streak. The Cavaliers have won six in a row.
The Toronto Raptors have the league’s longest losing streak after dropping 10 in a row. The New Orleans Pelicans have the worst record in the NBA after losing nine in a row. The Kings have lost six in a row, their longest losing streak since dropping seven in a row in January 2022.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 12/29
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-4)
Previous ranking: 1
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5)
Previous ranking: 2
3. Boston Celtics (23-9)
Previous ranking: 3
4. New York Knicks (22-10)
Previous ranking: 6
5. Memphis Grizzlies (22-11)
Previous ranking: 4
6. Houston Rockets (21-11)
Previous ranking: 5
7. Dallas Mavericks (20-12)
Previous ranking: 7
8. Orlando Magic (20-14)
Previous ranking: 8
9. Los Angeles Clippers (18-13)
Previous ranking: 9
10. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13)
Previous ranking: 12
11. Denver Nuggets (17-13)
Previous ranking: 11
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-14)
Previous ranking: 14
13. Atlanta Hawks (18-15)
Previous ranking: 18
14. Miami Heat (16-14)
Previous ranking: 13
15. Milwaukee Bucks (16-14)
Previous ranking: 10
16. Golden State Warriors (16-15)
Previous ranking: 16
17. San Antonio Spurs (16-16)
Previous ranking: 17
18. Indiana Pacers (16-17)
Previous ranking: 20
19. Phoenix Suns (15-16)
Previous ranking: 15
20. Chicago Bulls (14-18)
Previous ranking: 21
21. Detroit Pistons (14-18)
Previous ranking: 23
22. Philadelphia 76ers (12-17)
Previous ranking: 25
23. Sacramento Kings (13-18)
Previous ranking: 19
24. Brooklyn Nets (12-20)
Previous ranking: 22
25. Portland Trail Blazers (11-20)
Previous ranking: 24
26. Utah Jazz (7-23)
Previous ranking: 28
27. Charlotte Hornets (7-24)
Previous ranking: 26
28. Toronto Raptors (7-25)
Previous ranking: 27
29. Washington Wizards (5-24)
Previous ranking: 30
30. New Orleans Pelicans (5-27)
Previous ranking: 29
