NBA Power Rankings: A holiday gift for all 30 teams
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
In this edition, forget who's been naughty and who's been nice. We're handing out presents to all 30 teams in the Association in accordance with the holiday season.
Jump to:
ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5)
Previous: 3
Good-luck charms: Even with their NBA Cup defeat to the Bucks, the Thunder need to avoid any bad luck in order to extend their impressive showing into the playoffs come springtime.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4)
Previous: 1
An infinite supply of quarter-zips: Kenny Atkinson's work transforming the Cavs despite a mostly unchanged roster can't go unnoticed, so what better way for the team to thank him than by gifting the coach plenty of his favorite sideline apparel?
3. Boston Celtics (21-5)
Previous: 2
VR simulator: The Celtics remain the team to beat even though they aren't atop the standings. Boston doesn't have many weaknesses and is just hoping to enter the playoffs healthy.
4. Dallas Mavericks (17-9)
Previous: 11
All the boards: Whiteboards, blackboards, bristol boards, motherboards ... the type doesn't matter, as long as they serve to remind Dallas it's allowing the third-most offensive boards in the league, a mark that needs improving.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)
Previous: 6
Maple syrup: Brandon Clarke has been solid since entering the starting lineup. The Canadian is averaging 8.8 points on 65.5% shooting to go along with 6.2 boards as a member of the first five, with the Grizzlies going 13-4 during that span.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (14-11)
Previous: 12
Chemistry set: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton have played only 47 minutes together this season. The Bucks won't go deep in the playoffs if their star trio doesn't develop any continuity.
7. Houston Rockets (17-9)
Previous: 4
A bucket: The Rockets are one of only four teams without a 20-point scorer. But Houston has a winning record, unlike those other clubs. A big-time scorer would give the team a chance at the No. 1 seed in the West.
8. New York Knicks (16-10)
Previous: 9
Receipt for Bridges: The Knicks gave up four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Nets. He's averaging just 17 points and has been a turnstile on defense - not exactly worth the sticker price.
9. Orlando Magic (17-11)
Previous: 5
1970s glam workout video: The Magic should be willing to try anything to strengthen their oblique muscles. Both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are out with torn obliques; maybe some '70s workouts could rejuvenate them.
10. Miami Heat (13-11)
Previous: 18
Suitcases: The Jimmy Butler era seems to be ending sooner rather than later. The Heat would love some new luggage to help Butler pack his bags and make his exit as smooth as possible.
11. Denver Nuggets (14-10)
Previous: 10
Bubble bath: Jamal Murray averaged 24.4 points on 50.2% shooting in the 2020 bubble but has never replicated those numbers. Denver would be in a much better situation if it had bubble Murray to pair with Nikola Jokic.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11)
Previous: 16
Group package to an escape room: Minnesota's won six of seven since Anthony Edwards called out the roster for not being able to talk to each other. They should keep that camaraderie going by locking themselves in the same environment for an hour.
13. Atlanta Hawks (14-13)
Previous: 17
I ❤️ N.Y. shirt: The Garden always seems to bring the best out of Trae Young. The Hawks guard had another strong showing in front of the Knicks faithful, posting 22 points and 11 assists in last week's NBA Cup quarterfinal win.
14. Phoenix Suns (14-11)
Previous: 8
Protective wrapping: The Suns are 13-2 when Kevin Durant plays but 1-9 when he isn't available. Phoenix needs bubble wrap to protect Durant's legs and avoid any further injuries for the 36-year-old.
15. Golden State Warriors (14-11)
Previous: 7
Wall-mounted mini hoops: Somehow, the 3-pointer-loving Warriors are also the league's worst team from the charity stripe at 70.2% - and 69.7% at home. Some daily bedtime shooting practice should help rectify that.
16. Los Angeles Clippers (15-12)
Previous: 14
Baby Yoda toy: The aforementioned "Star Wars" toy was all the rage in December 2019, and Kawhi Leonard was arguably the best player in the world at the time after winning a title. Imagine if that version of Leonard was on this scrappy Clippers squad.
17. Los Angeles Lakers (14-12)
Previous: 13
Foot massager: LeBron James is already experiencing soreness in his lower extremities, missing eight days during a recent spell. A high-quality machine will keep James' feet relaxed and the Lakers' playoff chances afloat.
18. San Antonio Spurs (13-13)
Previous: 15
Weightlifting classes: Victor Wembanyama is 7-foot-3 but attempts 51.4% of his shots from beyond 20 feet and just 28.5% from within five feet. Some extra size would make Wemby a terror in the paint.
19. Sacramento Kings (13-14)
Previous rank: 20
Batteries: The Kings love to light the beam, but with a 6-8 home record, it doesn't happen much. They haven't won back-to-back games in Sacramento this season, canceling out any home-court advantage the team could have had.
20. Indiana Pacers (12-15)
Previous: 19
2023 scrapbook: The Pacers are a shell of their previous selves. Last season, Indiana went to the NBA Cup final, the Eastern Conference finals, and had an offensive rating eight points better than this year's 112.2.
21. Chicago Bulls (12-15)
Previous: 24
A red light: It's been a parade to the basket in Chicago. The Bulls give up a league-worst 23.2 made field goals within five feet and are allowing opponents to shoot 65.5% at the rim.
22. Detroit Pistons (11-16)
Previous: 21
Gorilla Glue: The Pistons would be catapulted up the standings if they had a little more ball security. Cade Cunningham is tied with Trae Young for the most turnovers per game at 4.6.
23. Brooklyn Nets (10-16)
Previous: 22
White flag: Brooklyn appears to have given up on the playoffs after dealing Dennis Schroder to the Warriors. The Nets can offload more veterans ahead of the trade deadline to bolster their draft lottery hopes.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (8-18)
Previous: 23
Jordan's secret stuff from 'Space Jam': Scoot Henderson is in desperate need of a boost. The second-year guard is averaging fewer points, rebounds, and assists this season compared to his rookie campaign, largely off the bench.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (8-16)
Previous: 27
Time machine: The 76ers would've likely held Joel Embiid out of the Olympics if they knew he'd be limited to six appearances this season. It may be a moot point with Embiid's injury history, but at minimum, he would've had additional rest.
26. Charlotte Hornets (7-19)
Previous: 26
Laser tag gift certificate: The Hornets hold the worst field-goal percentage in the NBA at 42.9%. A team outing to laser tag would give them a chance to practice their shooting.
27. Toronto Raptors (7-20)
Previous: 25
A new barbecue: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley have yet to play together this season. Quickley has missed 24 games, while Barnes has sat out 13. Injuries have killed the flame on Toronto's grill.
28. Utah Jazz (5-20)
Previous: 28
Air Miles: John Collins is averaging 18 points on 53.4% field-goal shooting, with 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and two stocks. The Jazz need to put the tank in drive and fly him to a winning franchise.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)
Previous: 29
Good health insurance: The Pelicans have been leveled by injuries this year. New Orleans is only a couple of months into the season, and the team has already lost 14 players to injury for a total of 127 games missed.
30. Washington Wizards (3-21)
Previous: 30
Lottery luck: The Wizards have been awful this year, sitting at 3-21 and recent losers of 16 straight. But the best odds at the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg mean nothing without a little fortune on their side.