NBA Power Rankings 2024-25: Top 10 teams after Week 3 ft. Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers
With three weeks of NBA basketball already in the books, we can already get a glimpse of where teams truly stand right now. Some of them have exceeded all expectations so far, while others have yet to find their groove and haven't lived up to the hype.
Unfortunately, injuries have also been a big talking point over the past couple of weeks. Some of the most prominent names in the game, like Ja Morant, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Maxey, and Kevin Durant have been sidelined with multiple ailments. With that in mind, and given how they've fared recently, we'll share our updated list of the top 10 teams in the league right now.
NBA Power Rankings after Week 3 of the 2024-25 season
#10) LA Lakers
JJ Redick's team went 2-2 last week, but they managed to win their last two games. Notably, those wins came with LeBron James becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record triple-doubles in consecutive games. They're now sitting on a 6-4 record and the 10th spot in the Western Conference.
The LA Lakers shook off their starting lineup and demoted D'Angelo Russell to the second unit, with Redick talking about his "level of compete." That will be another story to keep an eye on as the season progresses and the trade deadline zooms in.
#9) Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves capped off their week with a tough loss to the Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat. They had won their previous three games and four of their last five, with their lone loss coming in a surprising setback to the San Antonio Spurs.
Anthony Edwards is currently leading the league in three-pointers made and continues to take his game to a whole new level. They got off to a slow start, but with those four wins in five contests, they're now a team on the rise with a 6-4 record.
#8) LA Clippers
The LA Clippers overcame some early hiccups and were one of the hottest teams in the league last week. They went a perfect 4-0 to take their record to 6-4, once again proving that Tyronn Lue is a master at doing a lot with a little.
James Harden, while not the dominant scorer he once was, is still one of the most proficient playmakers in the game, and he's almost averaging a triple-double at 21.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game.
#7) Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies continue to battle injuries. With Desmond Bane already on the sidelines, they will now have to be without Ja Morant as well, as he's currently deemed as week-to-week with hip and pelvis injuries.
Even so, the 7-4 Grizzlies closed the week with a blowout road win over the Portland Trail Blazers. They've now won three games in a row, with their only loss of the week coming at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets.
#6) Denver Nuggets
The slow start of the season is a thing of the past for the surging Denver Nuggets. Mike Malone's team just beat the Dallas Mavericks in an absolute thriller to record their fifth win in a row.
They went undefeated last week and are now 7-3 after 10 matchups. Jamal Murray has gone back to his usual ways, all while Nikola Jokic should be near the top of the MVP ladder with his averages of 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game.
#5) Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder just got a massive blow. Chet Holmgren sustained a hip injury in their loss to the Golden State Warriors, and he'll return to play in eight to 10 weeks.
Mark Daigneault's team boasts an impressive 8-2 record after 10 games, but both of those losses came against playoff-caliber teams and in the same week. They have a crucial stretch up next with dates with the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks.
#4) Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been dominant on both ends of the floor this season. Even when Stephen Curry was out, Steve Kerr's team managed to rally in numbers and get the job done.
They're now 8-2 and in third spot in the West after winning three of their last four games, including a big statement road win over the Thunder. Their only loss came against the best team in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
#3) Phoenix Suns
Like the Thunder, the Phoenix Suns paid a big price this week. Kevin Durant, who was playing at an MVP level, sustained a calf injury, and he's looking at at least two weeks on the sidelines.
Even so, the Suns still managed to go 3-1 last week. Their lone loss came in an overtime thriller against the Sacramento Kings, shortly after taking down the Dallas Mavericks by one point.
#2) Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have gotten off to slow starts, especially on defense, but they've been suffocating on that end of the floor as soon as halftime hits. As a result, they're 9-2 and in second place in the East.
The Celtics won two of their last four games, with their only loss coming against the Golden State Warriors at home. Even so, they have faced mostly non-playoff competition so far.
#1) Cleveland Cavaliers
By all accounts, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in the NBA right now. Kenny Atkinson has revamped their offense, with all five starters being confident in their shot and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley taking a big leap forward offensively.
The Cavaliers are 11-0 and had some very impressive wins this week, including back-to-back wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, a blowout against the Warriors, and a late comeback win vs. the Nets.