Week 24 of NBA basketball is done, and the postseason is upon us. For most NBA teams battling for playoff positioning and conference rankings down to the last week of games, it certainly felt like the intensity went up a notch this past week. The results have been crazy and chaotic, but that’s what makes this game exciting to watch.
Today, we will take a look at the ranking of all 30 NBA teams after week 25.
Which teams made a huge stride in this week’s NBA team rankings?
30. Detroit Pistons (Last Week’s Rank: 30)
Detroit already had a forgettable year and they inevitably surpassed their franchise record for most losses in a season with 68. Their lottery odds are now tied with the Wizards.
29. Washington Wizards (Last Week’s Rank: 29)
If we compare the Wizards and the Pistons, it certainly feels like the latter has a brighter future compared to the former. A couple of lottery picks won’t save this franchise any time soon.
28. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week’s Rank: 28)
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The Hornets had a bad year, but much of it was due to LaMelo Ball’s absence. The future certainly looks a little brighter compared to other hapless NBA teams in this ranking.
27. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week’s Rank: 27)
The Blazers lost a lot of momentum when injuries started to pile up during the middle part of the season. Is Scoot Henderson really a franchise-altering talent? That’s a question they need to address in the offseason.
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26. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week’s Rank: 28)
There’s a lot to like about the Spurs but much of it is due to having a potential soon-to-be face of the NBA kind of player in Victor Wembanyama. He’s a problem now and it’ll get worse for everybody in the very near future. No doubt, he’s the winner of Rookie of the Year. Maybe throw an All-NBA Defensive Second Team there too.
25. Toronto Raptors (Last Week’s Rank: 25)
The Raptors initially had playoff goals to start the season but it all went down the drain when they decided to blow their team up and trade the last remnants of their 2019 championship-winning team. They need to draft well in June to accelerate their timeline and possibly contend again in the East.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week’s Rank: 24)
Without Ja Morant for most of the season, the Grizzlies expectedly struggled in this year’s NBA rankings. The only good thing going for them is that they may have found a player that could be included in their future core in the form of GG Jackson II.
23. Utah Jazz (Last Week’s Rank: 23)
Looking to replicate their surprising ascent last season, the Jazz were hounded by injuries and never really found momentum throughout the year. Are they really considering John Collins as part of their core moving forward?
22. Brooklyn Nets (Last Week’s Rank: 22)
It’s clear now that Mikal Bridges is not capable of being tagged as the team’s franchise player. Their NBA rankings have suffered throughout the season due to their inconsistent play. Is Cam Thomas really a stud or just a TJ Warren type of player who can score but has no impact on winning?
21. Houston Rockets (Last Week’s Rank: 21)
If the Rockets were in the East, they would be in the play-in tournament with a 41-41 record. Nonetheless, this was a very good year for Houston as they’ve finally established a winning culture post-Harden era despite missing the playoffs entirely.
20. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week’s Rank: 20)
At just 36-46, the Hawks have no business participating in the play-in tournament, but here they are. They are currently ranked 10th in the East but have an inferior record against other NBA teams who missed the play-in in the West.
19. Chicago Bulls (Last Week’s Rank: 19)
This was a decent year for the Bulls, especially considering that Zach LaVine has sat out over half of regular season play due to an injury. Can they make some noise in the play-in tournament? Maybe if DeRozan plays somewhat Jordanesque.
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18. Golden State Warriors (Last Week’s Rank: 18)
At 46-36, the Warriors officially have the best record throughout NBA history as the 10th seed, regardless of conference. NBA teams, especially in the West, were brutal in their quest for higher rankings this season. Are they capable of winning two games in the play-in to secure a playoff spot?
17. Sacramento Kings (Last Week’s Rank: 14)
After spending most of the season in the 10 to 15 range in the NBA rankings, the Kings finished the year with a noticeable limp due to the injuries of Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk. They are at the 9th spot in the West and will have a tough play-in battle with the Warriors in a few days.
16. Miami Heat (Last Week’s Rank: 16)
At 46-36, it’s quite unbelievable to fathom that the Heat were not able to secure a playoff spot at the end of the season. They might settle in either the 7th or 8th spot after the play-in tournament is over this week.
15. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week’s Rank: 17)
Even with a record of 47-35, the Lakers just finished the season in the 8th spot in their conference. At the age of 39, LeBron has been putting in otherworldly numbers, and the playoffs would certainly have a much better atmosphere with him in it.
14. New Orleans Pelicans (Last Week’s Rank: 11)
This season was a great one for New Orleans as they are 16 games over .500 but they just missed out on a guaranteed playoff spot in the West. They now sit at the 7th spot in their conference and that’s why their NBA rankings have suffered as of late.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (Last Week’s Rank: 15)
The Sixers were mostly a top-10 team throughout the year, but a Joel Embiid injury late in the season truly hampered their performance on the court. But the 2022-2023 MVP is back, and they’ll be a dangerous team once the play-in kicks off this week.
12. Indiana Pacers (Last Week’s Rank: 13)
This is an exciting time for Pacers fans as they secured a top 6 finish in the Eastern Conference this season. As a result, their NBA rankings have drastically improved throughout the year due to the brilliant play of Tyrese Haliburton.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week’s Rank: 12)
The Cavs finished the year as the fourth seed in the East. Are they legitimate contenders? Probably not, as they are widely considered the most vulnerable playoff team in a seven-game series. Prove us wrong, Cleveland.
10. Orlando Magic (Last Week’s Rank: 8)
For a young team like the Magic, securing a top 5 seed in the East is nothing to scoff at. They may not make enough noise in this year’s playoffs, but they would certainly be a handful in a playoff series.
9. Phoenix Suns (Last Week’s Rank: 10)
After a season full of inconsistencies, it’s quite surprising that the Suns were able to secure a top-six finish in the West and a guaranteed playoff spot. Their NBA rankings throughout the season were all over the place despite the immense talent on their roster.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week’s Rank: 7)
Oh my…how the mighty has fallen. The Bucks were mostly among the top five teams in the league this season, but their recent struggles have made them susceptible to a possible collapse in the upcoming playoffs, even as the third seed in the East.
7. New York Knicks (Last Week’s Rank: 9)
Even if he won’t win it, Jalen Brunson should deserve some MVP love in the votes for keeping the team afloat despite Julius Randle’s absence. Nobody expected the Knicks to finish 50-32 this season and second overall in the East.
6. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week’s Rank: 7)
What a turnaround for the Mavs. Despite their struggles to start the year and their ever-changing status in the NBA rankings, the team still managed to finish 5th in the brutal Western Conference standings. Everyone was healthy at the end of the season, and they’ll definitely be one of the favorites to come out of the West.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week’s Rank: 5)
This was a good year for the Clippers, as their superstars managed to gel on the court. The only problem for them right now is Kawhi Leonard’s status in the upcoming playoffs. Do Harden, Westbrook, and George still have some gas left in the tank for a shot at a title?
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week’s Rank: 3)
If there’s something certain about the Wolves this season, it’s that they would be a tough matchup against any team in a seven-game series. They are for real, and teams should never overlook them in the playoffs. Their 56-26 record is the second-best finish the team has had since the 2003-2004 season.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week’s Rank: 4)
OKC is your number-one seed in the West. SGA had an unbelievable regular season and so has the rest of the team. Are they legitimate contenders? That should be a discussion for later as they’ll inevitably face either the Pelicans, Lakers, Kings, or Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
2. Denver Nuggets (Last Week’s Rank: 2)
Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets are healthy heading into the playoffs. They are still the team to beat in the entire league. As it stands now, they are still the favorites to win it all this season due to the fact that they have Nikola Jokic in the lineup. If they win another title, Jokic will be included in a rarified air as one of the best centers the league has ever seen.
1. Boston Celtics (Last Week’s Rank: 1)
The Celtics cruised the entire regular season and ended up as the only team to win at least 60 games this year(64-18). Can the duo of Tatum and Brown finally get this team off the hump? The East is incredibly open in this year’s playoffs and anything less than a Finals berth should be a disappointment for this proud franchise.
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