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NBA Power Rankings - Every Team From Worst to First (Week 13)
Another week into the NBA season. After the clash of the titans last week, AKA Thunder vs Cavaliers, the talk of the NBA is the Detroit Pistons. Totally predictable, right? They’ve won 11 of their last 14 games, but how many spots did they rise in our power rankings? Speaking of the clash of the titans, did the Thunder’s loss cause them to slip? Read on to find out.
30. Charlotte Hornets (8-28)
Last Week: 30
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Charlotte Hornets picked up a win last week! Their first since Thanksgiving, they took out the Suns in a 115-104 victory at home. The Suns took one from them five days later, but let’s focus on Charlotte getting a win. They needed it in a big way just to show they can still do it. Charlotte is getting a bit healthier with their roster and things may pick up for the Hornets soon, but for now they’ll stay at the bottom.
29. Washington Wizards (6-32)
Last Week: 29
They started the year with a win over Chicago and it’s been all downhill ever since. Just 1-7 to start 2025, Washington isn’t playing all that competitively. Only one of their seven losses has come by fewer than 10 points. Their -15.0 net rating is worst in the league in January. A bit unsurprising given their season, but as some of the teams at the bottom seem to have some promise, the Wizards don’t seem to have much at all.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (9-32)
Last Week: 28
A bit of an interesting time to be a Pelicans fan. As soon as the roster starts to get a bit healthier you hear Zion Williamson is getting suspended by the team for being late to team practices and meetings. But the team is still playing decently around the drama, going 3-4 headed into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Bulls. Trades are still likely to shake up this roster but the basketball should be more fun to watch until then.
27. Utah Jazz (10-28)
Last Week: 27
An overtime win against the Nets snapped a three game losing streak for the Jazz who are actually having a pretty decent January. In their seven games they’ve posted a 3-4 record with a +2.3 net rating, good enough for ninth best in the league. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 22.6 PPG and Collin Sexton is right behind him at 21.4 PPG, driving the offense. But it’s the defense getting them wins as they’ve posted a 108.8 defensive rating. New year, new Jazz? Potentially!
26. Toronto Raptors (9-31)
Last Week: 25
With a -6.2 net rating so far in January, the Raptors at least aren’t last. A terrible stretch of basketball has them 10 games out of a play-in spot. Their odds of making the play-in have dwindled as their injury-riddled season has set them back. One bright spot so far in January is that their eFG% of 57.5% ranks fourth best in the league. It’s their defense that’s holding them back in January but the games won’t be boring to watch at the very least.
25. Brooklyn Nets (14-26)
Last Week: 24
With a 1-6 record in January, the tanking process has become fully engaged. The second worst net rating in January at -13.4 and the second worst eFG% at 49.3%, it’s very evident that not having Cam Thomas or Cameron Johnson healthy is effecting them. Those two are the only two Nets averaging 20 or more PPG in January but Thomas has played just one game and Johnson’s only played in two. The next highest scoring Net in January is Keon Johnson with 13.3 PPG. If Thomas and Johnson can’t be healthy, Nets games will be a slog to watch.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (13-26)
Last Week: 26
Things aren’t exactly fantastic in Portland right now, but they’re not exactly bad. After posting a -8.2 net rating this season, that’s improved to a -2.9 net rating in January. Not what you want to see, but things are improving. Anfernee Simons has been solid offensively too, putting up 20+ points in seven of his last eight games while shooting 47.6% from three. That’s more what Portland’s used to, but they’ll need more if they want to see that translate into wins.
23. Golden State Warriors (19-20)
Last Week: 23
At 3-4 in January, Golden State’s starting to look a little better than they did to finish out 2024. Their 55.7% eFG% is certainly improved from their 52.9% season-long mark, but the -2.0 net rating isn’t an improvement. The offensive rating also looks a little better than it should as that’s inflated thanks to two big games to start January, but in the last five games they’ve failed to break 100 points in three of them and only one was above 102 points. If the offense doesn’t pick up, they’ll have to find ways to win with defense.
22. Chicago Bulls (18-22)
Last Week: 22
With a 58.0% eFG% in January, the Bulls are shooting the ball the most efficiently in the league this month. It’s turned into a 3-4 record for the Bulls who currently hold the 10th seed in the East. Zach LaVine has been on fire too, putting up 30+ points in six games so far in January. Chicago has always had the offensive firepower but if they can put forth a decent defensive effort, as we’ve mentioned multiple times in these rankings, they could become a legit threat to make some noise in the East. But the mental effort has to be there too or else they’ll continue to lose to teams like the Pelicans.
21. Phoenix Suns (19-20)
Last Week: 21
Winners of four out of their last five coming into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Hawks, maybe the Suns have started to figure some things out. Part of that may just have been moving Bradley Beal to the bench for these five games. While it may be a move to help protect his trade value, it’s certainly coincided with a better basketball product for Phoenix. Granted, the teams they’ve beaten aren’t the cream of the crop, but it’s helping build momentum for the Suns.
20. Philadelphia 76ers (15-23)
Last Week: 18
With Joel Embiid inactive since January 6th, the Sixers haven’t been able to get many wins. They’ve only been able to best the Washington Wizards as they’ve posted a 1-4 record with him out. Paul George has been able to put up 25 points in two straight games, but outside of that he hasn’t been what Philadelphia hoped he’d be. This team desperately needs its former MVP to be healthy to click on all cylinders. They’ve got time to be able to make a play-in spot, but if Embiid can’t stay healthy throughout the season it will be an uphill battle for the Sixers.
19. Miami Heat (20-18)
Last Week: 16
The Heat have won three of their last four games, but those wins came over lackluster competition. Additionally, we’ve got a few teams excelling that’s causing this drop here. They held the Warriors, Jazz and Blazers each under 100 points before the Clippers put up 109 and beat them by 11. Jimmy Butler’s seven game suspension will be over after Miami’s game against the Lakers on Wednesday, but he doesn’t seem content on staying in Miami. It will be questionable times for Miami until they’re able to find Butler a home via trade.
18. San Antonio Spurs (19-19)
Last Week: 17
A check-in on the Spurs who are, yet again, staying right at .500 on the season. The Victor Wembanyama heater seems to have cooled off and they’ve gone 1-3 in their last four as a result. The Spurs will need someone other than Wemby to step up soon. Their 51.8% eFG% in January ranks as fourth worst, tied with the Wizards. Defensively they have been solid, but an ineffective offense can only take you so far. With four games against the Grizzlies and Pacers coming up, the Spurs need to find it sooner rather than later.
17. Atlanta Hawks (20-19)
Last Week: 15
The Hawks always seem to go back and forth this season in major swings. After beating Phoenix on Tuesday night, they’re now 2-4 in January. Prior to that they had posted a -13.2 net rating in January to go along with the worst defensive rating in the league. This most recent swing has coincided with Jalen Johnson’s most recent shoulder injury. They can survive a little longer without him, but this Hawks team needs him active to reach their full potential.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (20-17)
Last Week: 14
Thanks to a 119.5 defensive rating, the Lakers have the fifth worst net rating in January. The Mavericks, Rockets and Spurs each put up at least 118 against LA in the Lakers’ last three games, all losses. Wednesday night’s matchup against the Heat give them a good chance to straighten some things out. If things don’t work out then they’ll have a game against the Nets on Friday. They’ll need to figure out their defensive issues if they don’t want to fall toward the bottom of the play-in.
15. Detroit Pistons (21-19)
Last Week: 20
Oh how quickly you can forget about how badly last season went. The Pistons have been blazing hot. Their January net rating of +7.4 ranks fifth in the league, driven by their 107.8 defensive rating (third best). All of this also is happening without their second best player, Jaden Ivey. They’re on the come up and there’s a lot to like about their chances of making the play-in and potentially the playoffs. Currently just a half game behind the Pacers for the six seed, they may skip the play-in entirely if they keep this up.
14. Sacramento Kings (20-19)
Last Week: 19
One team getting overlooked right now thanks to the Pistons’ hot streak is Sacramento. They’ve been just as good as of late, winning seven straight games before Tuesday night’s loss in Milwaukee. Three of those wins, including a 17-point victory over Boston, were without De’Aaron Fox. After the questionable firing of Mike Brown, this team has bought in to new coach Doug Christie’s approach, at least for now. At 1.5 GB of the Clippers for the sixth seed, they have more work to do to avoid the play-in.
13. Indiana Pacers (22-19)
Last Week: 13
Another team that’s been blazing hot, the Pacers had won seven of their last eight games before they lost to Cleveland on Tuesday night without Tyrese Haliburton. They may be alright with that, though, considering one of those seven wins came against the Cavs. With a +15.0 net rating in January coming into Tuesday night, they’ve got the second best net rating in the league. They’ve been great on both sides of the ball, posting the best offensive rating (121.5) and the second best defensive rating (106.5) this month. A fun matchup against the Pistons is on tap for Thursday night where both hot streaks will collide.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (21-17)
Last Week: 11
Barely hanging onto the six seed ahead of their big brother Lakers, the Clippers have been a bit of a rollercoaster this season. At any one time they can look like a dominant playoff contender while turning into pumpkins immediately after. They’ve lost four of their last six games, though they’re 2-1 when Kawhi Leonard is active. Leonard has played about 20 minutes in each of his three games active and hasn’t gotten going offensively, but is a +7 in those three games. LA has a few winnable games in a row coming up that they’ll need to capitalize on before hosting a couple tough east coast tests in Boston and Milwaukee.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-18)
Last Week: 12
Winners in four of their last five games, the Timberwolves are finding their winning formula again by playing strong defense. In their one loss to Memphis they allowed 127 points, though they were able to put up 125 in that game and keep it competitive. An inefficient offense has kept Minnesota from really taking a big jump, but if they’re able to turn that around they’ll be the team no one wants to face in the West. Their 55.9% eFG% in January is a great start, but that needs to stay consistent throughout the rest of the season.
10. Dallas Mavericks (22-18)
Last Week: 9
The Mavs’ first stint without Luka Doncic was impressive and made me a believer in the Mavs. The second stint since Christmas has been much less inspiring, going 3-6 headed into Tuesday night’s blowout loss to the Nuggets. Right now Dallas expects Doncic to return prior to the All-Star break, but that’s still going to be a long time without him in a tough Western Conference. Currently in the five seed, they’re just two games ahead of the Spurs for the 10 seed. A drop to the bottom of the play-in, or potentially out of it, is a realistic possibility without Doncic active.
9. Orlando Magic (23-18)
Last Week: 10
They survived Paolo Banchero’s absence. Now to survive the rest of their CVS receipt length injury report. Banchero’s posted up 34 and 20 points in his two games back while grabbing seven and eight rebounds. It’s a much needed boost for Orlando’s offense that desperately needs playmakers. But they’ve been able to survive so far and hold onto the four seed in the East. With their superstar back, they won’t fall far if they do fall but they still have work to do.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (21-17)
Last Week: 7
It’s been a bit strange for the Bucks to start 2025. They’re 4-3 in January and followed a 34-point crushing loss to the Knicks with a 15-point win over the upstart Kings. They don’t quite feel like the dominant team we’d expect them to be and their controlling NBA Cup win over the Thunder y feels like ages ago. Maybe they are taking things slow on purpose and are comfortable in the five seed knowing what they can do in the playoffs. But questionable losses to the Nets and Blazers provide a layer of doubt to this Bucks team. A soft ending to January will give them lots of time to turn things back on.
7. Denver Nuggets (24-15)
Last Week: 8
At a +9.9 net rating prior to crushing the Dallas Mavericks, the Nuggets are cooking. An offensive machine behind Nikola Jokic, they’ve got the sixth best offensive rating in January. Their 108.6 defensive rating also shows they’re getting things done on the defensive side of things too instead of being an shooter’s haven like they were in December. The “Russell Westbrook as a starter” project is going swimmingly as well as he’s filled in for Aaron Gordon while Gordon dealt with a calf injury. The Nuggets are hitting their stride and you don’t want to be in the way.
6. New York Knicks (26-15)
Last Week: 4
A bit of a tough run here for Knicks fans, New York is just 2-5 in their last seven games. If there’s a silver lining to a slump like this it’s that the losses have come to strong competition, including the Thunder twice, but it doesn’t make it sting much less. New York has been sitting pretty steady in the three seed in the East with a three game lead over Orlando. They can absorb some blows but can’t take them for too long. An interesting January schedule will continue to put them to the test.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (25-15)
Last Week: 6
With just a 3-5 record in their last eight games, Memphis has started to see cracks in their defense. They’ve given up 120 or more in four of their last six games with one of those games being a 119 point effort from the Rockets. The one spot move-up here is more due to the Knicks’ deficiencies than anything. Memphis’ 118.0 defensive rating in January is well above their 109.8 season long defensive rating, so positive regression is coming. After three tough games vs the Spurs (twice) and the Timberwolves the schedule eases up, giving them time to fix things.
4. Houston Rockets (26-12)
Last Week: 5
The Rockets continue to be one of the NBA’s more surprising teams. Not just because they’re winning games, as most expected a jump, but the rate at which they’re winning. Their defensive effort continues to be extraordinary, posting a 107.3 defensive rating in January, third best in the league. The one main worry is still their offense, which is shooting at a 52.9% eFG% in January. That’s better than their season average but still ranks as a bottom 10 eFG%. It hasn’t been a cause for concern yet, but the offense will be a worry if the defense starts to slip.
3. Boston Celtics (28-11)
Last Week: 3
Boston has started to get things corrected after going through a bit of a slump. They’ve won five of their last seven games, though a 17-point loss at home to the Kings (without De’Aaron Fox) may show a continuing trend for the Celtics in which they play down to their level of competition. This continued in their most recent win against the Pelicans. That win was expected, but it being just a one-point win is not what should be expected. Boston has all the pieces to repeat, it’s just all mental with the Celtics.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6)
Last Week: 2
Had they won in Cleveland last week we’d be looking at a new number one team. But Cleveland held on both in the game and onto the top spot in our rankings. Lucky for OKC, they’ll have another shot on Thursday to best the Cavs and potentially take the top spot in our rankings. It will be another big spot for the Thunder who have now fallen twice in games where a major spotlight is on them (NBA Cup against Bucks, last Wednesday against Cleveland). Their youth may be a factor, but these big time games are providing them good opportunities to grow. A win on Thursday would go a long way for this roster.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5)
Last Week: 1
Back in the top spot again, the Cavs continue to be our number one team. In their matchup against Oklahoma City they were able to overmatch the Thunder’s top-notch defense and do enough to outpace them in the end. Lucky for us NBA fans we’ll get a rematch in OKC on Thursday. It will be telling to see how both the Cavs and Thunder adjust to each other and if both will put up 120+ again. For Cleveland it’s an opportunity to show they can continue to win big games on a big stage. If they can win again, they’ll unequivocally be the top team in the NBA. If they lose, the debate between the Cavs and Thunder for the top spot will continue.
