The second week of the 2024-25 NBA season has wrapped up, making it the perfect moment to assess the current standings in our latest NBA power rankings. Some teams have exceeded expectations, while others have fallen short for positive and negative reasons. So, without further delay, let’s dive into the rankings to highlight the 10 best teams in the league as of now.
Los Angeles Lakers
The expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this season were relatively low, largely due to a combination of factors such as uncertainty about their roster and questions surrounding the team’s overall cohesion. Despite these initial doubts, the Lakers’ strong start to the year has been a welcome surprise for fans and analysts alike, bringing a renewed sense of optimism and hope for the team’s potential this season.
Much of the early success can be attributed to standout performances from Anthony Davis, who has continued to show his dominant presence on both ends of the floor. Davis’s defense and scoring have been crucial to the team’s success, keeping them competitive in a stacked Western Conference.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the top teams in the NBA last season, with Anthony Edwards playing a pivotal role in their success. What truly distinguished them, however, was their suffocating defense. Following the trade of Karl-Anthony Towns in October, some expected their defense to improve in his absence.
Unfortunately, the result has been the opposite. This season, the Timberwolves are surrendering an average of six more points per game than they did last year, when they led the league by allowing just 106.5 points per game.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks front office boldly moved this summer to strengthen their roster for a serious championship push. Star guard Jalen Brunson is now joined in the backcourt by two-way standout Mikal Bridges, and the team also added four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns as a scoring partner.
While they suffered losses to the Cavs and Celtics, New York has looked strong in their three wins and is still in the early stages of building chemistry within a very talented lineup.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies were expected to be much improved this season with superstar Ja Morant returning, and so far, the results have been positive. What makes their strong start to the season even more promising is the development of Jaren Jackson Jr., who many talent evaluators predicted would take another step forward.
The defensive ace has lived up to the hype, proving to be a legitimate No. 2 option alongside Morant, strengthening the team’s overall prospects.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks silenced many doubters last season after a disappointing finish to the 2022-23 campaign. In the offseason, they strengthened their roster by adding future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson and bringing key players PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford on board from the start of the season.
Although they split their first two games, the solid defense they showcased late last season has carried over into the new campaign, providing a promising foundation for the rest of the year.
Phoenix Suns
There is immense pressure and heightened expectations surrounding the Phoenix Suns roster this season, especially after the franchise made significant moves to assemble a star-studded team.
The Suns invested heavily in acquiring three high-profile players—Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker—all of whom bring their own elite skill sets to the table. However, the big question looming over the team is whether these three players, despite their individual talents, can seamlessly work together on the court.
Last season, under head coach Frank Vogel, the team failed to live up to the lofty expectations set for them. Vogel, who has a reputation for his defensive acumen, was unable to fully integrate his system with the roster in a way that would elevate the Suns into title contention. This left many questioning whether the roster construction and coaching philosophy could coexist in the pursuit of an NBA championship.
Golden State Warriors
A new era is beginning for the Golden State Warriors as the Big Three era ends. With Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski emerging as core players, the team is shifting its focus. However, Stephen Curry and a new addition have been the driving forces behind an impressive 6-1 start to start the season.
Surprisingly, Curry hasn’t played the role of scoring powerhouse as expected. Instead, summer acquisition Buddy Hield (22.2 PPG) has seamlessly integrated into Golden State’s system, contributing significantly to their success. The Warriors are playing exceptional team basketball and quickly evolving into one of the top teams in the league early in the season.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were one of the top teams in our NBA power rankings throughout last season and are poised to remain near the top all season long, barring a major injury. In their quest to defend the title, the Celtics have accumulated multiple blowout wins and are only an overtime loss to the Pacers away from an undefeated 8-0 record.
What makes their start even more daunting is that star big man Kristaps Porzingis has yet to play this season, further enhancing an already dominant roster.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ start to the new season has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. While some were puzzled by JB Bickerstaff’s firing after leading a strong team last season, Kenny Atkinson has proven to be the right choice, taking Cleveland’s play to new heights.
With the best record in the league entering November, the Cavaliers are currently a top-five offensively and defensively team. They look poised to be a serious contender and a major problem in the East this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder made significant moves in the offseason by adding underrated center Isaiah Hartenstein and defensive standout Alex Caruso, bolstering their lineup and positioning themselves as the team to beat in the West.
So far, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have been dominant, boasting the best defense in the league, allowing just 97.5 points per game, even with Hartenstein sidelined due to injury. They hold the best record in the West and the top in FanDuel NBA odds. This level of play is likely to continue in the months ahead.
Final Words
As the second week of the 2024-25 NBA season concludes, it’s clear that some teams have quickly established themselves as serious contenders while others are grappling with growing pains or unexpected challenges. The top teams, like the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, are off to strong starts, showing impressive balance and depth on both sides of the ball.
