Some groups throughout the NBA wish to ring within the new 12 months with continued success, whereas others are hoping to re-up resolutions for 2025.
After gradual begins, the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets wish to go away 2024 behind and hop right into a second-half surge to contend for the playoff image.
Other groups, such because the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, are hoping to proceed their dominant begins, having declared early command of their respective conferences.
But be careful — there could be good early tidings for the surging New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, who’re coming off stable December campaigns.
Here is the place all 30 groups stack up within the first energy rankings of 2025!
Note: Team rankings are primarily based on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) suppose groups belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25
Jump to a workforce:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
One of one of the best benches within the league simply received a bit deeper. Cleveland, which ranks No. 7 within the NBA in bench scoring with 38.5 factors per recreation, just lately welcomed again Max Strus to the rotation after the reserve wing missed the primary 27 video games of the season with an ankle harm. Strus’ manufacturing was meager in his first 4 video games — simply 4.8 factors on 30.4% capturing and three.8 rebounds. However, if he can begin to appear to be the man who put up career-best numbers final season in his first 12 months with the Cavs, the ceiling can go even greater for the NBA’s No. 1 workforce. — Dave McMenamin
Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell, a second-round decide on a two-way deal, is certainly one of 4 Oklahoma City gamers to play in each recreation this season. Entering Tuesday, Mitchell ranked second within the rookie class in whole plus-minus (plus-124) and was averaging 6.3 factors on .513/.467/.808 capturing splits in 16.3 minutes. Thunder famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lauded Mitchell’s efforts, saying: “Regardless of his state of affairs and the shortage of hype round him [and] his title, he impacts successful basketball at a really excessive stage.” — Tim MacMahon
-
2024-25 document: 23-10
-
Previous rating: 6
-
Next video games: vs. UTAH (Jan. 1), @ OKC (Jan. 3), @ CHI (Jan. 4), vs. ORL (Jan. 6)
The Knicks will open 2025 on an Eastern Conference-best eight-game successful streak. But the flip of the calendar figures to convey extra challenges for New York, which performed one of many best slates by its first 30 video games. Going ahead, the new-look Knicks — who, even with the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, have managed the league’s second-most environment friendly offense — have the East’s hardest remaining schedule the remainder of the common season. — Chris Herring
With Ja Morant lacking the sport due to a right AC sprain, Memphis suffered its worst lack of the season Sunday to Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies have not but introduced a timetable for Morant’s return as they wrap up a five-game street journey with three matchups in opposition to West opponents. The lineup of Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey has regarded promising (plus-57), however that group hasn’t been on the ground lengthy sufficient collectively to develop any actual cohesion. — Michael Wright
-
2024-25 document: 21-11
-
Previous rating: 5
-
Next video games: vs. DAL (Jan. 1), vs. BOS (Jan. 3), vs. LAL (Jan. 5), @ WAS (Jan. 7)
Coming off consecutive dwelling losses for the primary time this season after blowing double-digit leads within the second halves in opposition to the Wolves and Heat, Houston’s homestand continues in opposition to stiff competitors: Dallas, Boston and the Lakers. Clutch efficiency has been a problem currently, particularly on offense, the place the Rockets have struggled to attain late of their previous two losses that have been inside 5 factors over the past 5 minutes. The Rockets shall be short-handed in opposition to the Mavericks as Amen Thompson received a two-game suspension for his on-court altercation with Tyler Herro. — Wright
-
2024-25 document: 24-9
-
Previous rating: 2
-
Next video games: @ MIN (Jan. 2), @ HOU (Jan. 3), @ OKC (Jan. 5), @ DEN (Jan. 7)
After beginning the season 16-3, Boston has gone 8-6 in December behind a sequence of nagging accidents and a teamwide capturing droop. The Celtics proceed to common what can be a document 50.7 3-point makes an attempt however shot solely 34.4% on them in December, which ranked twenty third within the league for the month. Still, the Celtics ranked seventh in each offense and protection for the month, exhibiting that there is little motive to doubt this workforce’s high-level ceiling. — Tim Bontemps
-
2024-25 document: 20-13
-
Previous rating: 7
-
Next video games: @ HOU (Jan. 1), vs. CLE (Jan. 3), @ MEM (Jan. 6), vs. LAL (Jan. 7)
The Mavs intend to take heed to managing Kyrie Irving‘s workload throughout Luka Doncic‘s absence due to a left calf strain. Dallas desires to protect in opposition to sporting down the 32-year-old Irving, which factored into the choice to take a seat him in Monday’s street loss in Sacramento with proper shoulder soreness. Irving had 35.0 factors in 38.5 minutes in a four-day, three-game stretch that began on Dec. 25, when Doncic was injured within the second quarter in a loss in opposition to Minnesota. — MacMahon
-
2024-25 document: 20-14
-
Previous rating: 9
-
Next video games: @ DET (Jan. 1), @ TOR (Jan. 3), vs. UTAH (Jan. 5), @ NYK (Jan. 6)
How many accidents can the Magic stand up to? Already with out main scorers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Orlando noticed Franz’s brother, Moritz Wagner, endure a season-ending ACL tear — and noticed Jalen Suggs exit Sunday’s recreation with a wrist sprain. Yet the Magic nonetheless rallied to beat Brooklyn, snapping a two-game shedding streak. Fortunately for Orlando, Suggs’ harm will not probably trigger him to overlook extra time. Still fourth within the East standings, the short-handed Magic have seen their benefit drop to only 1.5 video games over Atlanta. — Kevin Pelton
-
2024-25 document: 18-14
-
Previous rating: 12
-
Next video games: vs. POR (Jan. 2), vs. ATL (Jan. 3), @ HOU (Jan. 5), @ DAL (Jan. 7)
It wasn’t simply the commerce — sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton — that was a boon for the Lakers. It was the timing of it. Vice president of basketball operations and normal supervisor Rob Pelinka accomplished the deal 39 days earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline. “There’s an actual worth in creating cohesion and continuity and connectedness,” coach JJ Redick mentioned of the late-December swap. “And the extra time it’s important to try this, the higher I believe your likelihood is while you get to April and May and hopefully June.” — McMenamin
10. Denver Nuggets
-
2024-25 document: 18-13
-
Previous rating: 10
-
Next video games: vs. ATL (Jan. 1), vs. SA (Jan. 3), @ SA (Jan. 4), vs. BOS (Jan. 7)
Denver’s protection is struggling, and Aaron Gordon (calf) is missed dearly in that division. But Michael Malone’s workforce has received seven of its previous 10 video games as Russell Westbrook continues to provide the Nuggets a spark and reveals improved chemistry with centerpiece Nikola Jokic. Westbrook has scored in double figures in seven of his previous eight video games. On Monday, he grew to become simply the third participant in historical past with a triple-double and no turnovers, becoming a member of Jokic and Domantas Sabonis as the one gamers to do this since turnovers have been first tracked in 1977-78. — Ohm Youngmisuk
11. LA Clippers
Could this be the week that Kawhi Leonard makes a return? He has been working his approach again in practices, and Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Hawks at dwelling could possibly be a risk. Leonard is not going to be cleared to return till the workforce sees that the irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee is gone, so the Clippers are being extremely cautious with their star. Ty Lue has the Clippers within the playoff dialog and can get his franchise star again because the workforce enters the second half. — Youngmisuk
12. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have been up-and-down since their NBA Cup championship win in Las Vegas, shedding three out of 5 video games previous to Tuesday’s win over the Pacers whereas coping with accidents and an sickness that noticed a number of gamers, together with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton miss video games. But after lacking 4 video games, Antetokounmpo is again, scoring a team-high 30 factors in opposition to Indiana, and the Bucks can give attention to getting again on monitor for the brand new 12 months. — Jamal Collier
-
2024-25 document: 17-15
-
Previous rating: 14
-
Next video games: vs. BOS (Jan. 2), @ DET (Jan. 4), vs. LAC (Jan. 6), @ NO (Jan. 7)
Donte DiVincenzo scored 20 factors in back-to-back video games in opposition to the Rockets and Spurs, his first 20-point video games since becoming a member of Minnesota this season. The Wolves received three in a row to observe a three-game shedding streak earlier than dropping Tuesday’s matchup with the Thunder. Despite a wholesome roster, the Wolves have been struggling all season to seek out their footing, and this week does not get any simpler as they return dwelling to host the Celtics. — Collier
14. Atlanta Hawks
-
2024-25 document: 18-15
-
Previous rating: 19
-
Next video games: @ DEN (Jan. 1), @ LAL (Jan. 3), @ LAC (Jan. 4), @ UTAH (Jan. 7)
It was a stable last two weeks of 2024 for the Hawks, who’re on a four-game successful streak, averaging 128.5 factors. Their most eye-popping stretch in that run: a 50-point fourth quarter — Atlanta’s highest-scoring interval of the season — in a come-from-behind victory over the Bulls on Dec. 26. In all, the Hawks went 8-4 in December. — Herring
15. Miami Heat
-
2024-25 document: 16-14
-
Previous rating: 15
-
Next video games: vs. NO (Jan. 1), vs. IND (Jan. 2), vs. UTAH (Jan. 4), @ SAC (Jan. 6), @ GS (Jan. 7)
One of the most important tales within the NBA is the ongoing drama surrounding Jimmy Butler. The five-time All-NBA choice has been out of motion since leaving within the first quarter of Miami’s loss to Oklahoma City on Dec. 20 with an sickness. But Butler is anticipated to return to the courtroom for Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to New Orleans, and his standing shall be carefully monitored all the best way as much as the Feb. 6 deadline. — Bontemps
-
2024-25 document: 16-16
-
Previous rating: 13
-
Next video games: vs. PHI (Jan. 2), vs. MEM (Jan. 4), vs. SAC (Jan. 5), vs. MIA (Jan. 7)
The Warriors’ slide continues as they’ve misplaced 13 of their previous 17 video games, highlighted by a second crushing loss to the Cavaliers on Monday. While Stephen Curry admits that the Warriors have been simply “mid” this season, there have been a few vivid spots prior to now week. Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 34 factors in consecutive video games, with the latter coming in a win over Phoenix with Curry and Draymond Green enjoying alongside him. That’s vital as a result of it reveals Kuminga could be beginning to determine how one can play his finest with the 2 superstars after his two earlier career-high video games got here with the 2 stars out. Dennis Schroder additionally made his first massive successful performs as a Warrior within the last 1:23 of the win over Phoenix with a 3-pointer, securing an important free ball and sinking late free throws. — Youngmisuk
The Spurs are beginning to notice their potential, which makes the three losses on their most up-to-date street journey sting much more. San Antonio squandered two fourth-quarter leads in opposition to the Knicks and Wolves after beginning the street journey with a heartbreaking loss in Philadelphia. Entering Tuesday, the beginning lineup San Antonio envisioned earlier than the beginning of the season (Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama) has performed solely eight video games collectively, posting a internet score of 11.9. Now that the roster is wholesome, the Spurs may tweak lineups to search for one of the best match. — Wright
18. Phoenix Suns
For the primary couple months of the season, Suns followers may level to the truth that their workforce was 13-2 with Kevin Durant within the lineup as proof that they’ve an opportunity to win massive so long as he’s wholesome. However, that solace has dissipated prior to now couple of weeks. Durant has been on the courtroom for the Suns’ previous eight video games and so they’ve gone simply 2-6, falling to No. 11 within the West. Seemingly simply as Durant returned, Devin Booker went on the mend, lacking the previous 5 video games with a groin pressure. — McMenamin
19. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers had a three-game stretch in opposition to two of one of the best groups within the NBA, shedding to the Thunder and splitting a home-and-away with the Celtics that included a classic Tyrese Haliburton efficiency the place 18 of his 31 factors got here from the paint. Indiana has rebounded from a gradual begin to at present be within the No. 8 spot within the Eastern Conference, nevertheless it wants Haliburton to maintain breaking down defenses within the paint versus counting on his outdoors shot. — Collier
-
2024-25 document: 13-17
-
Previous rating: 23
-
Next video games: @ SAC (Jan. 1), @ GS (Jan. 2), @ BKN (Jan. 4), vs. PHX (Jan. 6)
For the numerous points that Philadelphia has had over the opening two months of the season, maybe essentially the most confounding is Tyrese Maxey‘s struggles. Maxey successful final week’s Player of the Week award feels vital for the 76ers — and is a large a part of why Philadelphia is now using a season-high four-game successful streak heading right into a back-to-back in Sacramento and Golden State. — Bontemps
21. Brooklyn Nets
-
2024-25 document: 12-20
-
Previous rating: 24
-
Next video games: @ TOR (Jan. 1), @ MIL (Jan. 2), vs. PHI (Jan. 4), vs. IND (Jan. 6)
Brooklyn made its second trade in as many weeks, dealing veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers for level guard D’Angelo Russell and three second-round picks. Before that, the Nets — who have been extensively perceived to be chasing a prime decide within the upcoming draft however successful at a better clip than anticipated — opted to deal start line guard Dennis Schroder to the Warriors. Ultimately, relying on the character of the market, Brooklyn may attempt to flip Russell, whose contract is expiring, for extra picks forward of the Feb. 6 commerce deadline. — Herring
22. Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey‘s finest recreation as a Bull — a 23-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist triple-double over the weekend — additionally got here with just a few defensive stops that led to a win over the surging Bucks. It was the sort of encouraging signal the Bulls are on the lookout for from their younger, rebuilding workforce, which is placing collectively a document akin to final season’s workforce that was alleged to be aggressive. The Bulls have been an similar 14-18 by 32 video games final season. — Collier
23. Detroit Pistons
-
2024-25 document: 14-18
-
Previous rating: 22
-
Next video games: vs. ORL (Jan. 1), vs. CHA (Jan. 3), vs. MIN (Jan. 4), vs. POR (Jan. 6)
An spectacular West Coast journey noticed the Pistons win the primary three video games earlier than dropping the conclusion Saturday in Denver. Detroit survived a late Lakers surge to win final week, then rallied from a 10-point deficit within the last 4 minutes to beat Sacramento on Jaden Ivey‘s late four-point play. The Pistons head into 2025 having already matched their 2023-24 whole of 14 wins with 50 video games to spare and have raised expectations to the purpose the place a play-in look appears lifelike. The Pistons are at present tied for the tenth and last spot within the East. — Pelton
24. Sacramento Kings
-
2024-25 document: 14-19
-
Previous rating: 20
-
Next video games: vs. PHI (Jan. 1), vs. MEM (Jan. 3), @ GS (Jan. 5), vs. MIA (Jan. 6)
Five consecutive losses, capped by the Pistons rallying from a 10-point deficit within the last minutes to win in Sacramento, cost Mike Brown his job. Three of the 5 losses got here by 4 factors or fewer, a constant theme for the Kings. Despite the presence of a former Clutch Player of the Year in De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have discovered counting on late heroics a fickle formulation, having misplaced 13 video games that reached clutch time (tied for many with Charlotte). Interim coach Doug Christie received a extra snug first win Monday, beating the Mavericks with out Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving by 10. — Pelton
An encouraging three-day span after Christmas noticed the Blazers come again to beat Utah on a Scoot Henderson buzzer-beater, then defeat a Dallas workforce enjoying with out Luka Doncic at dwelling. In most likely one of the best two-game stretch of Henderson’s profession, he totaled 37 factors, 16 assists and seven steals on 14-of-27 capturing. Alas, Henderson had simply six factors Monday because the Blazers misplaced their last recreation of 2024 by 22 factors to Philadelphia. Consistency stays the most important problem for a younger Portland workforce. — Pelton
26. Utah Jazz
-
2024-25 document: 7-24
-
Previous rating: 26
-
Next video games: @ NYK (Jan. 1), @ MIA (Jan. 4), @ ORL (Jan. 5), vs. ATL (Jan. 7)
The Jazz are second from final within the Western Conference, and guard Collin Sexton could possibly be a top quality addition for a workforce trying so as to add a scoring punch earlier than the commerce deadline. He’s averaging 17.4 factors per recreation on 60.4% true capturing, together with a career-best 42.4% from 3-point vary. Sexton, 26, is because of make $19.2 million subsequent season within the last 12 months of his contract. — MacMahon
A humbling, hard-to-believe stat for Charlotte: It has misplaced twice prior to now two weeks to the Wizards, who’ve one of many worst level differentials in trendy NBA historical past and have gone 1-23 in opposition to the remainder of the league for the reason that begin of November. The struggling Hornets have not had their most popular beginning 5 collectively greater than twice all season. But the intense facet: It provides coach Charles Lee one thing to aspire to in 2025 because the workforce seeks a way of continuity. — Herring
28. Toronto Raptors
Toronto anticipated to take its fair proportion of losses because it launched into a full-scale rebuild following final season’s teardown. But the very fact the Raptors have not had a single recreation with their anticipated beginning 5 obtainable this season is one other disappointment as they’re unable to completely assess this group. However, it has additionally performed an element in Toronto at present sitting within the prime 5 in lottery odds — which could possibly be one of the best factor to occur to this group long run. — Bontemps
-
2024-25 document: 5-28
-
Previous rating: 29
-
Next video games: @ MIA (Jan. 1), vs. WAS (Jan. 3), @ WAS (Jan. 5), vs. MIN (Jan. 7)
New Orleans has misplaced 19 occasions over a 20-game span for the primary time for the reason that 2004-05 season after Monday’s setback in opposition to the Clippers, which gave the membership its tenth straight loss and ties the fifth-longest shedding streak in franchise historical past. However, the Pels obtained optimistic information over the weekend as Zion Williamson returned to observe in a restricted capability. It’s probably the workforce will not be in any hurry to get Williamson again on the ground given the place it sits within the standings. — Wright
-
2024-25 document: 5-25
-
Previous rating: 30
-
Next video games: vs. CHI (Jan. 1), @ NO (Jan. 3), vs. NO (Jan. 5), vs. HOU (Jan. 7)
After beating Charlotte for a second time in seven days final week, the Wizards took the Knicks to time beyond regulation final Saturday earlier than shedding and have been aggressive with New York for 3 quarters in a rematch on Monday. It was extra expertise for the Wizards’ younger gamers, however Washington had a scary second when rookie Bub Carrington needed to be taken off the ground in a wheelchair in Monday’s recreation. He is listed as questionable for the Wizards’ subsequent recreation. — Youngmisuk
