Week 5 of NBA basketball is done and there are some teams that continued their ascent to the top of the standings. Quite a number of rebuilding teams are slowly stumbling as of late and seemingly couldn’t win any game no matter how hard they play.
The top 15 in this week’s ranking is slowly getting crowded as possible playoff contenders are starting to play well and display their potential as a team.
Today, we will take a look at the ranking of all 30 NBA teams after week 4. There are some great surprises at the top 10 of this list so let’s get into it.
30. Detroit Pistons (Last Week’s Rank: 30)
Coach Monty Williams’ rotations have started to include Ivey and Wiseman but both of them are still figuring out their roles within the team. The season looks lost already and even Cade Cunningham can’t save it.
29. Washington Wizards (Last Week’s Rank: 29)
There are rumors that Jordan Poole isn’t viewed as a long-term piece for the Wizards. It’s easy to understand why because he hasn’t shot the ball well since the start of this season.
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28. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week’s Rank: 28)
It’s quite an understatement to say that the Spurs are struggling right now. They haven’t won a game in nearly a month and it might prolong for a little longer with a tough schedule ahead.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week’s Rank: 24)
This is already looking like a lost season for Memphis. Ja Morant’s suspension won’t end until mid-December. Desmond Bane is currently in a slump and is having a really hard time as the team’s first option on offense.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week’s Rank: 27)
Rookie Scoot Henderson hasn’t found his stride yet after returning from an injury. They need to trade their veteran guys in order to enter a full rebuild. Deandre Ayton has not flourished in a prime role for them this season.
25. Chicago Bulls (Last Week’s Rank: 23)
There isn’t much to say about the Bulls. They are healthy but are still losing a ton of games. You know that their roster is flawed when teams are calling for the availability of Alex Caruso instead of their so-called ‘Big Three.’
24. Utah Jazz (Last Week’s Rank: 25)
It looks like Utah is having a hard time replicating their success last season. Markkanen has already played the 3, 4 and 5 spots this season but with little success in terms of wins.
23. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week’s Rank: 26)
The Hornets won against the mighty Celtics and that was a huge confidence booster for the team. Bad news is lurking though as LaMelo Ball is currently down due to an ankle injury.
22. Toronto Raptors (Last Week’s Rank: 21)
The Raptors had an up-and-down week but one positive thing they could build upon is Pascal Siakam’s reemergence. He’s starting to play like an all-star again and that’s great news for the franchise.
21. Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week’s Rank: 22)
The Clippers definitely made some strides but it’s really hard to put your faith in them. Harden has played extremely badly on the floor and Westbrook’s prime years are now in the rearview mirror.
20. Brooklyn Nets (Last Week’s Rank: 20)
Mikal Bridges is a hooper and a delight to watch. While we don’t expect this team to win a title anytime soon, they sure can cause problems for any team that takes them lightly.
19. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week’s Rank: 16)
Now that Trae Young is starting to heat up, his backcourt teammate, Dejounte Murray is inexplicably going cold on the floor. If they want to be considered as a legitimate team in the East, they need both players to play well on a nightly basis.
18. Golden State Warriors (Last Week’s Rank: 18)
While the Dubs did end their ugly slide, they are still nowhere near their championship status a couple of years ago. Klay Thompson’s game is slowly fading and so is Andrew Wiggins.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (Last Week’s Rank: 17)
Despite the injuries afflicting their roster, the Pelicans are making each game a competitive one. Brandon Ingram has shot the ball well as of late. Zion Williamson is also healthy and asserting his dominance inside the paint.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week’s Rank: 15)
At nearly 39 years old, LeBron has to do almost everything for the Lakers as it’s getting clearer that Anthony Davis does not have what it takes to be the number one option on a contender.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week’s Rank: 12)
Donovan Mitchell is struggling with his shot in week 5 of NBA basketball. The Cavs need him to be consistent in order to improve on their standings in the East.
14. Indiana Pacers (Last Week’s Rank: 8)
The Pacers are a fun team to watch but there’s still a lot to do to elevate their status to the next level. Haliburton is a bona fide star and his ascent will only grow higher in the future.
13. Phoenix Suns (Last Week’s Rank: 19)
After being stuck outside of the top 15 for the first month of the season, Phoenix has finally shown its true colors as of late. They are legitimate contenders this season and are primed to make a deep playoff run in April.
12. Houston Rockets (Last Week’s Rank: 10)
The Rockets went 2-2 this past week and the hype has gone down a bit. One positive about them though is the emergence of Alperen Sengun. He has the potential to be a top-10 player in the league for years to come.
11. New York Knicks (Last Week’s Rank: 11)
Even though the Knicks only went 1-2 this past week, they have shown that they could play side by side against the best teams in the league. Jalen Brunson should make the all-star team in the mid-season showcase.
10. Sacramento Kings (Last Week’s Rank: 13)
Sacramento went 3-1 this past week with wins against the Mavs, Pelicans and the surging Timberwolves. De’Aaron Fox is a superstar and when he’s healthy, this team is hard to play against.
9. Miami Heat (Last Week’s Rank: 7)
Miami quite underperformed to their usual standard in week 5. Still, this is a far greater start than what they had last year. They have proven that they could shift gears to another level whenever they are up against top-tier teams.
8. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week’s Rank: 6)
This past week was not kind to Luka Doncic and the Mavs. They needed a Kyrie Irving three to win against the Lakers but got blown out by the Kings and the Clippers. Their defense has been non-existent from the start.
7. Denver Nuggets (Last Week’s Rank: 4)
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets only went 2-5 this past week. His teammates have been cold on offense and the Serbian big man had to carry a huge offensive load for them in the absence of Jamal Murray.
6. Orlando Magic (Last Week’s Rank: 8)
We had an inkling that this young Magic squad would be good but nobody on earth predicted that they’ll be gunning for a top spot in the East this season. Even with a couple of starters out, this team hasn’t missed a beat on both ends of the floor.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (Last Week’s Rank: 3)
After a hot start, Tyrese Maxey has cooled down a bit as of late. He’s still putting up points but with a bit less efficiency. Joel Embiid is still the league’s leading scorer and has imposed his might against all of his opponents.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week’s Rank: 5)
A huge part of Milwaukee’s resurgence is Brook Lopez’s play. His defense is back and his scoring is up too. Damian Lillard has settled down on his role within the team and those changes resulted in wins.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week’s Rank: 9)
The Rookie of the Year award is not a lock for the Spurs’ Wembanyama. OKC’s Chet Holmgrem is not just a baller but a rising star in his own right. Now that he’s comfortable with his role, the Thunder immediately racked up some wins.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week’s Rank: 2)
It’s safe to say that the Wolves’ surprising start is not a fluke. They currently sit at the top of the Western Conference due to their outstanding brand of basketball. They share the ball and play great defense each game. This is truly an exciting time to be a Wolves fan.
1. Boston Celtics (Last Week’s Rank: 1)
The Celtics just went 3-2 this past week but there’s no denying that they are still the team to beat this season, regardless of conference. They are hungry to prove that they have what it takes to take the trophy back home. Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the league right now. If Jaylen Brown somehow replicates his success last season, watch out.
