NBA power rankings: No change at top, Lakers move up, Nuggets slump

One more week left in the 2024-25 regular season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and defending NBA champion Boston Celtics remain a level above everyone else, but where do they stack up the Arizona Republic’s NBA power rankings?

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14)

Last week: No. 1 in rankings.

The Thunder will fall short of becoming only the third team in NBA history to reach at least 70 wins and have hit a little snag in losing their last two games to the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.

2. Boston Celtics (58-20)

Last week: No. 2 in rankings.

The Celtics are 11-1 in their last 12 games with the loss coming against the Miami Heat after a 6-0 road trip mostly out West. Boston followed that loss with a 20-point win over Phoenix and a 34-point blasting of Washington.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (62-16).

Last week: No. 3 in rankings.

The Cavs followed up a one-point win at San Antonio with a 120-113 loss to Sacramento at home. They’re still a win or Boston loss away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the East, but they should’ve taken care of that Sunday, April 6.

4. Houston Rockets (52-27)

Last week: No. 4 in rankings.

The Rockets are looking like the real deal here as they took down Oklahoma City and won at Golden State. Jalen Green went for 34 points against the Thunder and Dillon Brook posted 24 versus the Warriors.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (48-30)

Last week: Teams 6-10.

The Lakers responded to a loss at Golden State to top New Orleans and blitz the Thunder by 27 points in OKC. Luka Doncic posted a combined 65 points in those wins. Curious to see if the Lakers can beat OKC again Tuesday, but that Wednesday matchup at Dallas in Doncic’s return? That can’t get here soon enough.

Teams 6-10

New York Knicks (50-28): Jalen Brunson is back after missing 15 games with a right ankle sprain and just in time. Boston coming to town Tuesday, April 8.

Denver Nuggets (47-32): The Nuggets have lost their last four games starting with a double-overtime loss to Minnesota that witnessed Nikola Jokic post a historic 61-point triple-double. Absolutely insane.

Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32): The T-Wolves have won their last five games in trying to avoid the play-in tournament. They cap a five-game road trip against Milwaukee and Memphis.

Golden State Warriors (46-32): Houston snapped Golden State’s six-game win streak. Up next? Tuesday, April 8, at Phoenix, a team that wanted what the Warriors got before the trade deadline – Jimmy Butler.

Los Angeles Clippers (46-32): Ty Lue and the Clippers are at it again. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games, winning their last four.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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