NBA Power Rankings: Week 25
We have a week left in the NBA season before the play-in tournament starts. A lot still to play for seeding wise, and a lot of sadness for Lakers fans.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last: #1
The Thunder have all but clinched the top spot in the West after a Spurs loss in Denver. Wins over the Knicks, Pistons and Lakers. Is theirs to lose right?
2. San Antonio Spurs
Last: #2
Wemby might be the most important player on the planet to his team, all of February and March they Spurs went 26-1 when he was on the floor. I really hope we get a WCF Spurs vs Thunder.
3. Boston Celtics
Last: #3
The Celtics are getting hot at the right time, and they might be the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference. A top 2 offense, with Jaylen Brown as an MVP candidate and a top 4 defense.
4. Detroit Pistons
Last: #4
Cade has been out for the last 10 games, but it sounds like he is nearing his return as the Pistons have locked up the number 1 seed. Can they get all the way back as the playoffs hit?
5. Denver Nuggets
Last: #7
The Nuggets have won 9 straight games and vaulted themselves to the 3 seed in the West. With injuries to other top West teams, they should hold onto this comfortably.
6. New York Knicks
Last: #5
The Knicks are in a battle with the Cavaliers for the 3 seed, which will most likely mean they play either the Raptors or 76ers in the first round. They will want that 3 seed.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last: #8
Tradon might be right, the Cavs really just don’t have the look of a contender right now. They can’t seem to put away teams they should be. It’s looking like a matchup with the red-hot Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last: #9
Wolves are limping at the end here. Instead of their usual hot finish to the season, they are still hurt. It is looking like they can hold onto the 6 seed and get a surging Denver Nuggets team in the 1st round.
9. Houston Rockets
Last: #10
The Rockets have won 6 straight and will probably catch the Lakers to host the 1st round matchup between the two. Yes, it’s been a soft schedule, but they handled business and their offense looks more lethal.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Last: #6
Sigh, the Lakers were playing their best basketball, they were truly and fully into contender mode. Then in the span of a few days, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves got hurt. Season over. Probably.
11. Atlanta Hawks
Last: #11
The Hawks are still playing really well. They have won 17 out of 19 games and firmly are the 5 seed in the East. They have been one of the biggest turnarounds after the All-Star break in NBA history.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Last: #13
Hornets, story of the NBA this year? 19 wins last year and at minimum will finish with a record above .500. They still have a shot at the top 6 seed in the East, I can’t believe I am saying that.
13. Phoenix Suns
Last: #12
Really not much else to say about Phoenix right now, they will host the 7-8 game as it felt like they would for the past few months.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Last: #14
Huge matchup with the Blazers this weekend to determine the 8-9 seed in the West. Either way you get the Thunder or Spurs if you make it out, so good luck.
15. Toronto Raptors
Last: #15
As I write this, the Raptors, 76ers, Hornets and Magic are all 43-36. But somehow this is the team I have the least amount of faith in. But, only one of these teams will be the 6 seed. This is probably the most fun bit of the final week of the regular season.