NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers, Warriors lead pack; something nice about all 30 teams

This week is the start of the NBA Cup! And it comes at a momentous time of the NBA season, when many are in some way wrestling over primary points like really being eager about watching basketball.

Certain, there are widespread accidents which have individuals wanting to vary the NBA schedule to account for Ja Morant or Chet Holmgren falling out of midair and touchdown on their hips. Or how gamers have change into too good at capturing 3s (or not adequate, relying on how the wind is blowing). Or simply the straightforward reality there may be a sport the place some two-way contract gamers want to start out, as a result of in a league of 500 gamers, you solely care about 10 % of them.

Maybe all of this stuff are issues as we open the NBA Cup schedule, a tool that’s right here within the first place as a result of the league wanted to assist some franchises increase extra banners earlier than the All-Star break. We’re going to strive one thing novel this week at The Athletic NBA Energy Rankings, although. It’s referred to as the “Say One thing Good Problem.” That’s an actual battle typically, however this may be the suitable time to implement it as we watch these vibrantly coloured courts on Tuesdays and Fridays,

As we go concerning the order, I’ll try and genuinely promote the sport of basketball by 30 groups. It’s a problem, so I’m positive it’ll go as easily because the rankings.

A reminder: These Energy Rankings received’t simply rank each workforce. We’ll retain the tiers that groups will likely be promoted into and relegated out of. There will likely be 5 tiers each week:

High Contenders – Locked at 5, these are the category of the league
In a Good Place – Could possibly be one workforce, could possibly be seven groups.
The Bubble – To not be confused with Walt Disney World. The center of the pack.
Not the Tier to Worry – Not taking part in the worst ball within the league, however with lots of work to do.
Basement Flooring – Mentioning the rear.

Let’s dive into Week 3 of the Energy Rankings. Win/loss data are by Monday’s video games; statistics are by Sunday.

Tier 1: High Contenders

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-0)

Final rating: 2In the final week: W at Pelicans, W vs. Warriors, W vs. Nets, W at BullsOffensive score: 121.3 (first place)Defensive score: 109.9 (ninth place)

Say One thing Good: They haven’t misplaced but!

What an unbelievable begin to coach Kenny Atkinson’s tenure in Ohio. Solely seven groups have ever begun a season 12-0 earlier than the Cavaliers, and of these, solely the 1983 Seattle SuperSonics and 2003 Dallas Mavericks failed to achieve the NBA Finals. There’s a lot to look ahead to, like seeing how lengthy the Cavaliers can preserve this up whereas capturing higher than 50 % from the sphere and 40 % from 3 as a workforce.

2. Golden State Warriors (8-2)

Final rating: 4In the final week: W at Celtics, L at Cavaliers, W at ThunderOffensive score: 119.2 (fourth)Defensive score: 107.6 (fourth)

Say One thing Good: They’re deep.

Ten video games into the season, the Warriors are taking part in 13 gamers between 28.3 (Stephen Curry) and 12.4 (Gary Payton II) minutes per sport, with all of these gamers showing in at the very least half of the video games. All however two of the gamers (Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney) have began at the very least one sport. This may be probably the most Power in Numbers Warriors workforce of all.

3. Boston Celtics (9-2)

Final rating: 3In the final week: L vs. Warriors, W vs. Nets, W at BucksOffensive score: 119.4 (third)Defensive score: 108.7 (sixth)

Say One thing Good: This may be the most effective model of Jayson Tatum.

I’m not simply saying that as a result of Tatum topped some checklist final month. By means of 11 video games, Tatum is averaging what can be profession bests in factors (30.5), assists (5.0), steals (1.6), free-throw makes an attempt (9.0) and 3s (4.3). He’s questionable for Tuesday’s sport with an ankle sprain, but it surely has been a improbable begin for Tatum whereas teammates Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis have missed time to start the season.

4. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (9-2)

Final rating: 1In the final week: L at Nuggets, W vs. Rockets, L vs. Warriors, W vs. ClippersOffensive score: 114.5 (ninth)Defensive score: 102.6 (first)

Say One thing Good: They’re dedicated to their chaotic type.

Chet Holmgren’s hip harm is devastating; hopefully his restoration goes easily and he can get again onto the court docket with no problems. But when there’s one workforce that may deal with not having tall individuals on the ground and discover a technique to excel, it’s the Thunder. Their stress is suffocating, as they common greater than two extra steals per sport than another workforce within the league. Oklahoma Metropolis then combines that with a top-five tempo and a bunch of expert gamers who drive greater than another workforce within the league. And when all else fails, they’ll simply make the most of the human Do-It-Your self package that’s MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Who wants rebounds, anyway?

5. Phoenix Suns (8-2)

Final rating: 5In the final week: W vs. Warmth, W at Mavericks, L vs. KingsOffensive score: 113.0 (thirteenth)Defensive score: 111.0 (twelfth)

Say One thing Good: They’re getting the dangle of profitable shut video games.

The Suns misplaced in time beyond regulation Sunday in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, their first sport with out Kevin Durant (calf). However of Phoenix’s eight wins, 4 have come by three factors or fewer. In clutch time video games (margin of 5 factors or fewer within the final 5 minutes of regulation or time beyond regulation), the Suns are 7-1, with at the very least two extra wins than another workforce within the league.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Denver Nuggets (7-3)

Final rating: 8In the final week: W vs. Thunder, W vs. Warmth, W vs. MavericksOffensive score: 116.9 (sixth)Defensive score: 114.2 (18th)

Say One thing Good: Nikola Jokić is admittedly good.

There are MVP candidates, and there’s Jokić, a three-time MVP winner. The playing cards are stacked in opposition to The Joker much more than normal, and he doesn’t have his favourite lob menace in Aaron Gordon for the remainder of the month due to a calf harm. Irrespective of. Jokic is scoring greater than ever, dropping double-digit assists for the primary time and main the league in rebounds and assists. He even has 10 blocks in 10 video games; Jokic has by no means averaged 1.0 blocks in a season. He’s nice, and the Nuggets want each little bit of it.

7. Houston Rockets (7-4)

Final rating: 10In the final week: W vs. Spurs, L at Thunder, W at Pistons, W vs. WizardsOffensive score: 112.6 (sixteenth)Defensive score: 107.2 (third)

Say One thing Good: The protection is stifling.

The Rockets couldn’t do a lot with Gilgeous-Alexander Friday night time, however aside from that, coach Ime Udoka has the fourth-youngest workforce within the league taking part in stellar protection. Houston is unapologetically bodily, it prioritizes taking away the 3-point line, and Alperen Şengün’s rim safety has improved to start the season.

8. Memphis Grizzlies (7-4)

Final rating: 15In the final week: W vs. Lakers, W vs. Wizards, W at Path BlazersOffensive score: 116.8 (seventh)Defensive score: 108.4 (fifth)

Say One thing Good: The angle is again.

I hate that Ja Morant might miss the remainder of November with a hip harm, however earlier than he obtained injured, he made it clear he doesn’t just like the Lakers. Then Memphis turns round, and Zach Edey is mean-mugging former Grizzlies heart Jonas Valančiūnas. And as short-handed because the Grizzlies are, they go into Portland and fully embarrass the Path Blazers. The Grizzlies had been terrible to look at final season as they cycled by 33 gamers, however this season, they’re bringing a vengeance mentality to the health club.

Tier 3: The Bubble

9. Los Angeles Lakers (6-4)

Final rating: 11In the final week: L at Grizzlies, W vs. Sixers, W vs. RaptorsOffensive score: 117.0 (fifth)Defensive score: 117.5 (twenty sixth)

Say One thing Good: Anthony Davis appears to be like unstoppable.

It’s wild to assume this is identical Davis who averaged solely 21.8 factors per sport in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers 4 years in the past. By means of 9 video games, Davis is averaging a career-best 31.2 factors per sport whereas averaging solely 2.2 turnovers per sport. For a participant who goes to the free-throw line as typically as he does, the shortage of giveaways is outstanding, and Davis is capturing a career-best 57.7 % from the sphere and 35.3 % from 3 as properly. It’s one of many highest flooring seen from a 30-point scorer.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (6-4)

Final rating: 7In the final week: W at Bulls, W vs. Path Blazers, L vs. HeatOffensive score: 115.3 (eighth)Defensive score: 109.7 (seventh)

Say One thing Good: Anthony Edwards can shoot 3s.

Look, I really like watching Anthony Edwards dunk. He shakes issues up as soon as a season. However how are you going to be mad about his selection of bounce shot coming from 3 and coming at such a formidable clip of accuracy? Edwards is making 45.8 % of his 11.8 3-point makes an attempt to start the season. For context, Stephen Curry tried 11.8 3s per sport final season and made “solely” 40.8 %. I, for one, don’t want a rule change that daunts Edwards from actually capturing like Curry.

11. LA Clippers (6-5)

Final rating: 17In the final week: W vs. Sixers, W at Kings, W vs. Raptors, L at ThunderOffensive score: 111.9 (seventeenth)Defensive score: 109.9 (tenth)

Say One thing Good: Norman Powell is a bucket.

I can’t actually say something good a few Clippers protection that went from fourth to tenth in a single night time due to the assault in Oklahoma Metropolis led by Gilgeous-Alexander. However Powell had zero discipline objectives at halftime of Monday night time’s sport. He nonetheless wound up with 31 factors, persevering with a torrid begin to his tenth NBA season. Powell is scoring like one other No. 24 who performed in Inglewood, as he’s as much as 26.0 factors on 52.7 % capturing from the sphere and he’s getting higher each week.

12. Sacramento Kings (6-5)

Final rating: 9In the final week: W vs. Raptors, L vs. Clippers, W at Suns, L at SpursOffensive score: 113.9 (eleventh)Defensive score: 111.4 (thirteenth)

Say One thing Good: The protection is best than anticipated.

The Kings should be sturdy offensively, they usually’re asking lots of their three-dimensional offense led by Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan. However by 11 video games, they’ve been above common defensively regardless of rim safety issues and a scarcity of depth. DeRozan particularly has picked his spots on steals (1.7 per sport) whereas staying out of foul bother (only one.3 per sport regardless of taking part in 38.2 minutes per sport).

13. Indiana Pacers (5-5)

Final rating: 16In the final week: W vs. Magic, L at Hornets, W vs. KnicksOffensive score: 113.7 (twelfth)Defensive score: 117.2 (twenty fifth)

Say One thing Good: Their wins are loud.

The Pacers have had an uneven begin to the season, however they already had wins over the Celtics and Mavericks, after which they grew to become the newest workforce to demolish the Knicks protection. The loss at Charlotte appeared like all-time low, because the Pacers had been held to solely 83 factors. However the Tyrese Haliburton who confirmed up in opposition to the Knicks (35 factors, 14 assists) is the All-NBA performer the Pacers must see at the very least as soon as per week, each week.

14. Dallas Mavericks (5-5)

Final rating: 6In the final week: W vs. Bulls, L vs. Suns, L at NuggetsOffensive score: 114.2 (tenth)Defensive score: 110.3 (eleventh)

Say One thing Good: Kyrie Irving’s capturing is unbelievable.

Jason Kidd is looking for lineups that work, particularly with Dallas going by a bunch of frontcourt accidents. However whereas Luka Dončić is off to a messy begin (41.2 % discipline objectives, 33.3 % 3s), Irving has refused to overlook pictures. By means of 10 video games, Irving has made 55.2 % from 3 whereas sustaining his scoring common from final season (25.6 factors).

15. New York Knicks (4-5)

Final rating: 12In the final week: L at Hawks, W vs. Bucks, L at PacersOffensive score: 119.5 (second)Defensive score: 115.5 (twenty first)

Say One thing Good: This offense is highly effective.

We don’t want to debate the protection that has stored the Knicks below .500. Let’s deal with how New York is the slowest workforce within the league, which makes its means to search out scoring success on the finish of possessions so troublesome to cope with. Going from Julius Randle to Karl-Anthony Cities has helped New York get among the finest pictures in basketball, as solely three groups have a greater discipline objective share. Cities is capturing 53.7 % from 3 as properly.

16. Orlando Magic (5-6)

Final rating: 21In the final week: L at Pacers, W vs. Pelicans, W vs. WizardsOffensive score: 109.0 (twenty sixth)Defensive score: 106.8 (second)

Say One thing Good: Orlando is Oklahoma Metropolis East defensively.

The lack of Paolo Banchero (indirect) ensures the Magic could have among the nastiest video games within the league for the remainder of November. However coach Jamahl Mosley continues to get his younger workforce to defend on the highest of ranges. The Magic are the one Jap Convention workforce that’s within the prime 5 within the NBA defensively because the NBA Cup begins. The Magic permit at the very least 3.1 fewer second-chance factors per sport than another workforce within the league.

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Worry

17. San Antonio Spurs (5-6)

Final rating: 18In the final week: L at Rockets, W vs. Path Blazers, L vs. Jazz, W vs. KingsOffensive score: 109.2 (twenty fourth)Defensive score: 109.8 (eighth)

Say One thing Good: Victor Wembanyama’s protection is even higher.

Wembanyama is as much as 3.9 blocks per sport, main the NBA as soon as once more. The Spurs are dangerous offensively, however the addition of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes has been credited by San Antonio’s employees for elevating the extent of consciousness defensively. All of it ends with Wembanyama, although, who permits solely 32.9 % on the rim in his protection. Nobody else who defends at the very least 3.5 discipline objective makes an attempt on the rim permits worse than 42 %.

18. Miami Warmth (4-5)

Final rating: 13In the final week: L at Suns, L at Nuggets, W at TimberwolvesOffensive score: 111.1 (nineteenth)Defensive score: 112.4 (fifteenth)

Say One thing Good: Kevin Love is again.

Jimmy Butler was unable to play in Minnesota due to an ankle harm, however one other former Timberwolves participant was in a position to begin as an alternative, as Love made his 2024-25 season debut after lacking the primary eight video games. The 2008 lottery decide didn’t play a lot, however he made a constructive contribution and was on the ground for fellow energy ahead Nikola Jovic’s game-winning and-1.

19. Brooklyn Nets (5-6)

Final rating: 14In the final week: L at Celtics, L at Cavaliers, W at PelicansOffensive score: 112.7 (fifteenth)Defensive score: 113.2 (seventeenth)

Say One thing Good: Cam Thomas is excelling in handoffs.

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was with the Sacramento Kings below Mike Brown, and he introduced the direct handoff-heavy offense with him. It has allowed Thomas to thrive, as he’s as much as 24.5 factors per sport. In line with Synergy, no participant averages extra discipline objectives made per sport on handoff actions (1.8) than Thomas.

20. Charlotte Hornets (4-6)

Final rating: 28In the final week: W vs. Pistons, W vs. Pacers, L at SixersOffensive score: 110.1 (twenty first)Defensive score: 112.8 (sixteenth)

Say One thing Good: LaMelo Ball is making up for misplaced time.

Ball is already greater than midway previous the scoring complete he put up final season, as he’s averaging 29.4 factors per sport. Final season, Ball solely made it by 22 video games, and he didn’t play after January. This yr, Hornets coach Charles Lee has Ball taking part in the Jayson Tatum function. It has been outrageously inefficient at instances, however not everybody can deal with the form of quantity Ball has proven he can to start this season.

21. Detroit Pistons (4-7)

Final rating: 19In the final week: L at Hornets, W vs. Hawks, L vs HOUOffensive score: 109.3 (twenty third)Defensive score: 111.7 (14th)

Say One thing Good: The Pistons aren’t horrible on protection anymore.

New coach JB Bickerstaff has the Pistons taking part in collectively defensively, and it’s protecting them in video games and even profitable some. Even in a sport by which the Pistons allowed 121 factors, Cade Cunningham got here up with the game-saving blocked shot Friday night time on Atlanta heart Onyeka Okongwu. Detroit didn’t win its fourth sport of the season final yr till MLK Day.

22. Chicago Bulls (4-7)

Final rating: 20In the final week: L at Mavericks, L vs. Timberwolves, W at Hawks, L vs. CavaliersOffensive score: 109.1 (twenty fifth)Defensive score: 114.5 (nineteenth)

Say One thing Good: Nikola Vučević has discovered his contact.

Vučević has been probably the most expert facilities within the league over the previous decade, however he actually struggled together with his effectivity final season, making solely 48.4 % from the sphere and 29.4 % from 3. This season, Vučević is averaging 20.8 factors whereas capturing a career-best 58.6 % from the sphere general and 46.8 % from 3.

23. Atlanta Hawks (4-7)

Final rating: 24In the final week: W vs. Knicks, L at Pistons, L vs. BullsOffensive score: 111.7 (18th)Defensive score: 117.6 (twenty seventh)

Say One thing Good: Zaccharie Risacher confirmed his ceiling.

In Risacher’s first eight video games, the highest decide of the 2024 NBA Draft solely averaged 9.4 factors on 32.9 % from the sphere. Then Risacher broke out in opposition to the Knicks, torching them for 33 factors and 6 3s. {The teenager} additionally added seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks within the win in opposition to the Knicks. Risacher was even youthful than Wembanyama was when he obtained his first 30-point sport.

24. Philadelphia 76ers (2-7)

Final rating: 27In the final week: L at Clippers, L at Lakers, W vs. HornetsOffensive score: 107.4 (twenty seventh)Defensive score: 114.7 (twentieth)

Say One thing Good: Joel Embiid is coming again this week.

The truth is, the 2023 MVP is meant to be again Tuesday night time!

25. New Orleans Pelicans (3-8)

Final rating: 25In the final week: L vs. Cavaliers, L at Magic, L vs. NetsOffensive score: 109.4 (twenty second)Defensive score: 119.3 (twenty ninth)

Say One thing Good: Brandon Boston Jr. is getting a possibility.

The LA Clippers moved on from Boston after three seasons, and the San Antonio Spurs elected to not preserve him after coaching camp final month. However Boston landed on his ft with the Pelicans on a two-way contract, and he has began 4 video games amidst the biblical wave of accidents to gamers on the guard and wing spots (Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins). The ball is discovering the underside of the web extra typically with the Pelicans, and Boston has proven playmaking and decision-making (3.9 assists, 0.8 turnovers) that was not obvious in any of his earlier stops in LA or Kentucky.

Tier 5: Basement Flooring

26. Milwaukee Bucks (2-8)

Final rating: 26In the final week: W vs. Jazz, L at Knicks, L vs. CelticsOffensive score: 110.6 (twentieth)Defensive score: 115.7 (twenty second)

Say One thing Good: Damian Lillard can nonetheless take over a sport.

It has been a rotten begin for the Jap Convention’s oldest workforce, and Khris Middleton nonetheless isn’t again but. However Lillard’s offense has nonetheless been as marketed, and half of his video games have resulted in performances of at the very least 30 factors, together with a much-needed win in opposition to the Utah Jazz.

27. Portland Path Blazers (3-8)

Final rating: 22In the final week: L at Spurs, L at Timberwolves, L vs. GrizzliesOffensive score: 105.4 (twenty eighth)Defensive score: 116.1 (twenty third)

Say One thing Good: They’re getting more healthy.

Shaedon Sharpe made his regular-season debut after his 2023-24 season was reduce quick in January and after coping with a shoulder harm that delayed the beginning of this yr. Backup heart Robert Williams III can be again after a full yr missed with knee and hamstring accidents. Portland simply misplaced a house sport by 45 factors, so there’s nowhere to go however up.

28. Utah Jazz (2-7)

Final rating: 30In the final week: L at Bucks, W at SpursOffensive score: 103.1 (thirtieth)Defensive score: 116.7 (twenty fourth)

Say One thing Good: Isaiah Collier made his debut.

Collier, the twenty ninth decide of the 2024 NBA Draft, had his NBA debut postponed till this previous week due to a hamstring harm. He began instead of the injured Keyonte George on Saturday and posted 4 assists and not using a turnover; George solely had one begin final season with zero turnovers. Utah’s offense is the worst within the league, however it’s getting all three rookies, together with lottery decide Cody Williams and early second-round decide Kyle Filipowski, helpful minutes.

29. Washington Wizards (2-7)

Final rating: 23In the final week: L at Grizzlies, L at Magic, L at RocketsOffensive score: 105.1 (twenty ninth)Defensive score: 117.7 (twenty eighth)

Say One thing Good: Bilal Coulibaly is making progress.

Wembanyama mentioned earlier than the 2023 Draft that fellow French prospect Coulibaly shouldn’t simply be a top-10 decide, however a top-five decide. Coulibaly wasn’t an All-Rookie choice after being the seventh decide within the draft, however this yr, he has been remarkably environment friendly whereas making performs all around the ground. Of the 117 gamers averaging at the very least 10 discipline objective makes an attempt per sport, solely 5 are capturing higher than the 57.3 % Coulibaly is making, they usually’re all large males: Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Vučević, Ivica Zubac and Davis.

30. Toronto Raptors (2-9)

Final rating: 29In the final week: L at Kings, L at Clippers, L at LakersOffensive score: 112.7 (14th)Defensive score: 120.0 (thirtieth)

Say One thing Good: Their offense is good to have a look at.

No workforce has extra losses than the Raptors proper now, they usually’re the one workforce within the league and not using a highway win. No workforce is worse defensively. However solely three groups common extra assists per sport than Darko Rajaković’s Raptors, solely two groups go the ball extra, and no workforce is extra reliant on paint factors. That additionally signifies that no workforce makes an attempt a decrease share of their pictures from 3 than Toronto. If nothing else, the Raptors have a model that simply requires the suitable expertise getting wholesome.

(High photograph of Stephen Curry: Joshua Gateley / Getty Photos)