NBA Power Rankings 2024-25: Top 10 teams after Week 2 ft. LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA teams have started to find their rhythm following the second week of the 2024-25 season. A few teams have struggled after a strong first week, while others remained at the top.
After the second week, only two NBA teams have maintained a perfect record, one for each conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers take over the Eastern Conference with an undefeated record while the OKC Thunder remains at the top for the Western Conference.
Let's quickly examine the NBA's power rankings following the second week.
NBA power rankings after Week 2 of the 2024-25 season:
10) Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are back in their winning form now that Ja Morant is healthy. The team is currently 4-3 and sixth in the Western Conference standings. The Grizzlies have handled their matchups against playoff teams well, winning against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks, their previous two opponents.
They have, however, had difficulty playing the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, two teams that aren't thought of as postseason contenders. It's also worth noting that Memphis missed Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane in the last two games due to injuries.
9) Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have picked up the pace and went 2-1 last week. The Heat have shown a collective team effort since the start of the NBA season, with Tyler Herro being the only player averaging 20 points.
Point guard Terry Rozier has also adjusted well to Miami's system. Rozier is averaging 17.2 points (second in the team), 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. This is an encouraging sight for the organization after struggling to contribute since being traded last season.
The Heat look to have a winning record this week as they play against the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.
8) LA Lakers
After a strong start to the NBA campaign, the LA Lakers had a bumpy second week. They suffered their first loss at the hands of the Suns and struggled to get back to the win column against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors to cap the week on a high.
7) Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are fourth in the Western Conference standings with a 4-2 record. During the week, they played against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their first matchup since their conference finals series in the 2024 Playoffs.
The Mavs, who signed Klay Thompson during the summer, defeated their rival in an entertaining game. Even though Thompson only scored seven points during the game, the team won because of Kyrie Irving's 35-point effort.
They'll have round two on Christmas Day, where the Mavs hope to have a 2-0 advantage over them this season.
6) New York Knicks
The New York Knicks made one of their better preseason trades when they acquired Karl-Anthony Towns. In his first week with the team, Towns had difficulty adjusting to the offensive system.
However, he found his stroke in his second week. On Wednesday, October 30, KAT scored 44 points in an encouraging performance against the Heat. The big man also shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
The Knicks are one of the top teams in the East with a 3-2 record to start their campaign.
5) Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have started the season exceptionally well. Despite losing Thompson to the Mavs over the summer, the Warriors have excelled and have a 5-1 record. Additionally, Steph Curry has struggled, averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Buddy Hield, who averages a career-high 22.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 rebounds, is helping the Warriors. The veteran shooter is making 51.7% of his shots from deep.
Golden State is currently on a three-game win streak.
4) Phoenix Suns
The Suns seemingly made the correct decision in hiring head coach Mike Budenholzer. They are 5-1 to start the season, including a four-game winning streak. Under Bud, Phoenix has an offensive rating of 111.6 (16th in the league) and a defensive rating of 107.9 (sixth in the league).
Phoenix defeated the Mavs, Lakers, and LA Clippers during their recent run. Two of the three teams are thought to be the top playoff teams this NBA season. The team's health has also played a significant role, as no player has missed many games.
Bradley Beal is the only player in their Big 3 who has missed a few games this season.
3) Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are still at the top of their game following their tough road to the Larry O'Brien trophy last season. The Celtics are second in the East with a 6-1 record. Last week, they took advantage of the easy schedule and beat the Charlotte Hornets twice and the struggling Milwaukee Bucks.
With an average of 123.7 points, the NBA champion is currently the team with the highest-scoring total. Payton Pritchard, who is scoring 15.7 points, grabbing 3.0 rebounds, and dishing out 2.6 assists off the bench, is one of five players on the club who have double-digit averages this season.
2) OKC Thunder
The Thunder remain undefeated this season, with a record of 6-0. While their offensive brilliance has been key to their success, their defense takes most of the credit for their start to the year. The team currently ranks at the top of the NBA with a defensive net rating of 95.1.
OKC also averages the most blocks as a team with 8.0. Their starting center, Chet Holmgren, anchors the team's defense with 3.3 (most in the NBA). They're also third in defensive rebounds with 40.5 to start the year.
1) Cleveland Cavaliers
This NBA season, the Cavaliers have a perfect 7-0 record. Donovan Mitchell, who has averaged 24.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, is largely responsible for their scorching start.
As a team, Cleveland is in the top five in both the offensive (No. 2 with 121.9) and defensive (No. 5 with 107.7) net ratings. In five of the seven games they've played during their run, they've had a double-digit advantage in their final score. The only two games they had less than a ten-point advantage were against the Knicks and the Bucks.