NBA News

NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Continue To Dominate Into New Year

January 1, 2025

Hoops Wire’s NBA power rankings as we enter the 2025 portion of the schedule …

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2024-25 record: 29-4
Cleveland remains the league’s top team, bolstered by a deep bench that now includes Max Strus, who could push their ceiling even higher if he returns to last season’s form.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder
2024-25 record: 27-5
Rookie Ajay Mitchell is quietly contributing to a Thunder squad that continues to defy expectations, led by the stellar play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

3. New York Knicks
2024-25 record: 23-10
New York enters 2025 on an eight-game winning streak, but with a challenging second half ahead, the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns could make or break their playoff aspirations.

4. Memphis Grizzlies
2024-25 record: 23-11
Memphis faces uncertainty with Ja Morant‘s injury, but the promise of their starting five is clear—if they can stay healthy and gain chemistry, a playoff run is still very much possible.

5. Houston Rockets
2024-25 record: 21-11
Houston struggles in clutch moments but remains a contender, though they will need to perform better down the stretch if they are to compete with the league’s elite teams.

6. Boston Celtics
2024-25 record: 24-9
A tough December has Boston looking a bit vulnerable, but their offense and defense still make them one of the league’s most dangerous teams when fully healthy.

7. Dallas Mavericks
2024-25 record: 20-13
With Luka Doncic out due to injury, the Mavericks will lean on Kyrie Irving, who has had to manage his own workload, making Dallas’ upcoming stretch critical to maintain momentum.

8. Orlando Magic
2024-25 record: 20-14
Despite a barrage of injuries, Orlando has managed to hold strong in the East, though their depth will continue to be tested if more players go down.

9. Los Angeles Lakers
2024-25 record: 18-14
A recent trade for Dorian Finney-Smith could provide the Lakers with more stability, especially as they integrate new faces into the rotation for a playoff push.

10. Denver Nuggets
2024-25 record: 18-13
Though dealing with defensive struggles and the absence of Aaron Gordon, Denver remains dangerous, especially with the electric Nikola Jokic leading the way.

11. LA Clippers
2024-25 record: 19-14
With Kawhi Leonard inching closer to a return, the Clippers are poised to make a second-half surge if they can stay healthy and gel with their current roster.

12. Milwaukee Bucks
2024-25 record: 17-14
Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s return should help stabilize the Bucks, who have dealt with injuries and illness but remain formidable when fully operational.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-25 record: 17-15
The Timberwolves are still looking for consistency but have shown flashes of brilliance, including Donte DiVincenzo‘s back-to-back 20-point games.

14. Atlanta Hawks
2024-25 record: 18-15
The Hawks enter 2025 on a four-game win streak, with their offense clicking into high gear, but questions still linger about whether they can sustain this level of play.

15. Miami Heat
2024-25 record: 16-14
Jimmy Butler’s return could reinvigorate the Heat, who have struggled in his absence, but Miami’s playoff hopes depend on maintaining health and consistency.

16. Golden State Warriors
2024-25 record: 16-16
Golden State’s slide continues, but Jonathan Kuminga’s breakout performances offer a glimpse of hope as the Warriors try to figure out their future with aging stars.

17. San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 record: 17-16
San Antonio’s injury-plagued start shows signs of improvement, especially with the return of key players, but they need more cohesion for sustained success.

18. Phoenix Suns
2024-25 record: 15-17
With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both battling injuries, Phoenix’s early promise has faded, and the Suns will need their stars healthy to climb back into contention.

19. Indiana Pacers
2024-25 record: 16-18
Tyrese Haliburton has been brilliant, but the Pacers will need to find more consistency to avoid slipping further down the Eastern standings.

20. Philadelphia 76ers
2024-25 record: 13-17
Tyrese Maxey’s recent hot streak has been a bright spot, and if the 76ers can build on it, they may just find a path back into playoff contention.

21. Brooklyn Nets
2024-25 record: 12-20
Brooklyn’s recent trade moves signal a rebuild in the works, but with an overperforming squad, the Nets might still surprise teams and disrupt the standings.

22. Chicago Bulls
2024-25 record: 15-18
Despite being a young, rebuilding team, Chicago has shown signs of life, especially in a win over the Bucks, and could still compete for a play-in spot.

23. Detroit Pistons
2024-25 record: 14-18
Detroit has matched last season’s win total early and looks poised for a potential play-in run if they can keep up their recent momentum.

24. Sacramento Kings
2024-25 record: 14-19
The Kings’ struggles continue, culminating in the firing of Mike Brown, as they try to find solutions to their issues in close games.

25. Portland Trail Blazers
2024-25 record: 11-21
Scoot Henderson is showing promise, but the Blazers remain a young team struggling to maintain consistency.

26. Utah Jazz
2024-25 record: 7-24
The Jazz are a few pieces away from competing, and Collin Sexton could be a valuable trade asset for a contender looking to bolster their scoring.

27. Charlotte Hornets
2024-25 record: 7-25
Charlotte’s inconsistent season continues, including two losses to the lowly Wizards, signaling they may be in for a lengthy rebuild.

28. Toronto Raptors
2024-25 record: 7-26
Toronto’s rebuilding process has been far from smooth, with injuries preventing the team from ever fielding its projected starting five. Still, the Raptors’ rough start has placed them in prime lottery position.

29. New Orleans Pelicans
2024-25 record: 5-28
New Orleans is in the midst of a dismal stretch, losing 19 of 20 games, including a 10-game skid. Despite the struggles, there’s some hope with Zion Williamson easing back into practice.

30. Washington Wizards
2024-25 record: 5-25
The Wizards showed some fight recently, even forcing overtime against the Knicks, but the reality of their youth-focused rebuild remains. Washington’s growing pains continued when rookie Bub Carrington was carted off the floor after a scary injury.