NBA power rankings: Cavaliers on collision course with Thunder. Kings and Lakers climbing
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers have opened up big leads in their respective conferences as the midway point in the 2024-25 season approaches.
The Cavaliers have a 4 ½-game lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder has a seven-game lead over the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers will play host to the Thunder on Wednesday (ESPN) in a possible preview of the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have won seven of 10 to move into a tie for fourth in the West. The Kings have won three in a row under interim coach Doug Christie to get within 1 ½ games of the final play-in spot.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 1/5
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-4)
Previous ranking: 1
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (29-5)
Previous ranking: 2
3. Boston Celtics (26-9)
Previous ranking: 3
4. New York Knicks (24-12)
Previous ranking: 4
5. Houston Rockets (22-12)
Previous ranking: 6
6. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13)
Previous ranking: 5
7. Denver Nuggets (20-14)
Previous ranking: 11
8. Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Previous ranking: 10
9. Orlando Magic (20-14)
Previous ranking: 8
10. Los Angeles Clippers (20-15)
Previous ranking: 9
11. Dallas Mavericks (20-15)
Previous ranking: 7
12. Golden State Warriors (18-16)
Previous ranking: 16
13. Milwaukee Bucks (17-16)
Previous ranking: 15
14. Miami Heat (17-16)
Previous ranking: 14
15. San Antonio Spurs (18-17)
Previous ranking: 17
16. Indiana Pacers (18-18)
Previous ranking: 18
17. Atlanta Hawks (18-18)
Previous ranking: 13
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Previous ranking: 12
19. Detroit Pistons (17-18)
Previous ranking: 21
20. Sacramento Kings (16-19)
Previous ranking: 23
21. Chicago Bulls (16-19)
Previous ranking: 20
22. Phoenix Suns (15-18)
Previous ranking: 19
23. Philadelphia 76ers (14-19)
Previous ranking: 22
24. Brooklyn Nets (13-22)
Previous ranking: 24
25. Portland Trail Blazers (12-22)
Previous ranking: 25
26. Utah Jazz (8-25)
Previous ranking: 26
27. Toronto Raptors (8-27)
Previous ranking: 28
28. Charlotte Hornets (7-26)
Previous ranking: 27
29. Washington Wizards (6-26)
Previous ranking: 29
30. New Orleans Pelicans (6-29)
Previous ranking: 30
