Within the last weeks of the 2024-25 NBA common season, we’re coming all the way down to the wire with the race for the postseason turning into tighter within the East and West.
Within the West, the Phoenix Suns and the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks are in a battle for the tenth seed — the final play-in spot. The Mavs hope the return of Anthony Davis following his prolonged absence with an adductor harm will give them a lift over the Suns within the standings.
Within the East, the No. 6 Detroit Pistons — one of many shock groups of the season — nonetheless have their sights on a better playoff seed whereas the play-in race between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic for the No. 7 spot might be one to observe.
Here is the place all 30 groups stack up on this week’s energy rankings.
Observe: Workforce 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 and Chris Herring) suppose groups belong this season.
Earlier rankings: Preseason| Oct. 30| Nov. 5| Nov. 13| Nov. 20| Nov. 27| Dec. 4| Dec. 11| Dec. 18| Dec. 25| Jan. 1| Jan. 8| Jan. 15| Jan. 22| Jan. 29| Feb. 5| Feb. 12| Feb. 26| Mar. 5| Mar. 12| Mar. 19
Soar to a workforce:br/>ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLEbr/>DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | INDbr/>LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MINbr/>NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHXbr/>POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA| WAS
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Third-string heart Jaylin Williams has been a big contributor to the Thunder’s spectacular March (12-1). Williams has averaged 7.9 factors, 6.0 rebounds and a pair of.9 assists this month, primarily as a reserve. He had the primary two triple-doubles of his profession within the pair of video games that he began, wins over the Path Blazers and 76ers when a lot of the Thunder’s common starters sat. Williams joined Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Josh Giddey as the one gamers in Thunder historical past to have a number of triple-doubles in a season. — Tim MacMahon
Cleveland’s received this season with an egalitarian method and a deep rotation, however make no mistake, Donovan Mitchell is the straw that stirs the drink. He reminded everybody of that in a 123-112 loss to the Suns final week — the Cavs’ fourth straight defeat — scoring solely a season-low seven factors on 2-for-18 taking pictures. For as a lot expertise because the Cavaliers have, Mitchell would be the man to guide them within the playoffs, and if he is off, they’re off. — Dave McMenamin
Boston seems to have ducked a severe harm to star Jayson Tatumdespitethe All-NBA ahead being listed as uncertain for Wednesday’s recreation following an ankle sprain in Monday’s win in Sacramento. Tatum went down after turning his ankle on a 3-point try when Domantas Sabonis contested the shot, although he was in a position to stroll off on his personal. With the Celtics wanting towards the postseason, they’re going to want all their gamers wholesome to make one other run to the Finals.— Tim Bontemps
The Rockets often do not squander prime alternatives for victories however that wasn’t the case Sunday towards the Nuggets regardless of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic sitting out as a result of an ankle harm. Nonetheless,Jamal Murray ran roughshod by the Rockets’ protection, dropping 39 factors to finish Houston’s nine-game successful streak. Houston coach Ime Udoka referred to as the efficiency “sloppy” at a time when the Rockets want to tighten key areas for the postseason. Houston has established a bodily, defense-first identification that Udoka wants his workforce to totally embrace in closing out the common season. — Michael Wright
The Nuggets opened a five-game homestand with a 10-point loss to the Bulls. However crucial difficulty is getting Nikola Jokic wholesome for the playoffs. Jokic has missed 5 straight video games and was uncertain to play Wednesday towards the Bucks, however Michael Malone stated his star could possibly be again sooner or later throughout the homestand. Jamal Murray has scored 39 and 28 factors up to now two video games with out Jokic. — Ohm Youngmisuk
After logging the league’s second-worst protection throughout February, New York has gotten its act collectively in March, surrendering simply 109.1 factors per 100 possessions — second finest within the league over that span. Certain, the Knicks have confronted light-weight competitors these days, however that has given them an opportunity to work by essential areas with Jalen Brunson (ankle) out and Mitchell Robinson working himself again into kind.— Chris Herring
The Lakers are 3-7 of their previous 10 video games and the return of LeBron James from a left groin harm and Rui Hachimura from a left knee harm have not offered a lift but as they each spherical into kind. The seven losses have come by a median of 15.7 factors, and issues do not get any simpler for L.A. because it finishes off its street journey with a back-to-back in Indiana and Chicago earlier than a date with the Grizzlies. — McMenamin
Currently, the street has been unfriendly to the Grizzlies, who’ve dropped three in a row on their five-game street journey. Star guard Ja Morant missed his third consecutive contest as a result of a hamstring harm, and the membership introduced Saturday that large man Brandon Clarke will miss the remainder of the season as a result of a high-grade PCL sprain in his proper knee. Morant has performed in simply 43 of Memphis’ 70 video games as a result of a number of accidents, however the guard wants to search out some rhythm along with his teammates in Memphis’ new offense forward of the fast-approaching playoffs. — Wright
Stephen Curry rejoined the Warriors in South Seaside and went by a person exercise on the finish of Monday’s follow. However head coach Steve Kerr stated the franchise star felt one thing on a sure transfer late within the exercise, wasn’t fairly able to return and wished to provide Curry a pair extra days to relaxation. The Warriors had been routed in Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami, however have an opportunity to bounce again as they face the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday. Kerr stated if all goes properly, the expectation is Curry could make his return then, which might give the 37-year-old per week off since he suffered a pelvic contusion Thursday towards Toronto. They want a wholesome and rested Curry to remain out of the play-in.— Youngmisuk
Following an eight-game successful streak, the Wolves have dropped three of their previous 4 video games to fall to No. 8 within the packed Western Convention. Nonetheless, heart Naz Reid continues to make a case to be a repeat winner of the Sixth Man of the Yr award, scoring 20 factors off the bench for the twenty fourth time this season Monday, setting a franchise document. Minnesota will want Reid to maintain up that degree of manufacturing throughout a pair of video games at residence towards Phoenix and Detroit earlier than the Wolves head to Denver subsequent week for an essential contest towards the Nuggets. — Jamal Collier
11. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have received 5 straight video games and 7 of their previous eight to take a two-game lead over the Bucks for the No.4 seed within the East. Tyrese Haliburtoncontinued a robust second half of the season with 11 consecutive double-doubles, the longest energetic streak within the league. Haliburton is on tempo for the most effective assist-to-turnover ratio (5.46) in a season since Muggsy Bogues in 1990-91. — Collier
12. LA Clippers
The Clippers have received eight of their previous 10 video games with the final loss coming by two factors to the Thunder on Sunday. They’ve managed to play a few of their finest basketball, and Tyronn Lue returned from a again difficulty for the Thunder loss. The Clippers, who are also nonetheless with out prime assistant Jeff Van Gundy (private), begin a late-season street journey to the East Coast that begins in New York towards the Knicks. In addition they face the Nets, Cavs and Magic earlier than returning residence. — Youngmisuk
13. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have dropped three of their previous 5 video games and are 4-6 of their previous 10 contests, a tough patch that has coincided with main harm information relating to Damian Lillard, who’s out indefinitely with a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his proper calf. The Bucks are 8-5 and averaging 108.5 factors with out Lillard this season in comparison with the 115.7 factors when he is on the ground.— Collier
14. Detroit Pistons
With 9 video games left, the Pistons have slipped three video games behind the Pacers and Bucks within the loss column for the No. 4 seed within the East and home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs. Detroit can nonetheless realistically catch the Bucks for fifth, making certain a extra favorable matchup towards Indiana reasonably than going through New York because the No. 6 seed. The Pistons showcased their depth Sunday, beating the Pelicans with All-Star Cade Cunningham and fellow starter Tim Hardaway Jr. sitting out as a result of minor accidents. — Kevin Pelton
15. Sacramento Kings
Seemingly locked into the ninth spot for the play-in per week in the past, after they had been three video games up on the reeling Mavericks and iffy Suns, the Kings all of a sudden discover themselves in a battle to take care of that spot after dropping 4 straight at residence. Sacramento is only a half-game forward of Dallas and tied with Phoenix, with one of many three groups headed to the lottery whereas the opposite two will sq. off within the 9-10 play-in recreation. Domantas Sabonis‘ return Monday ought to assist the Kings, who went 3-6 within the 9 video games he missed with accidents. — Pelton
16. Atlanta Hawks
It might take substantial motion on the end line, however there’s nonetheless an out of doors likelihood — a 1.5% likelihood, per ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index— for Atlanta to land within the prime six of the East. The seventh-place Hawks — 5 video games again of the sixth-place Pistons — picked up two video games on Detroit over their previous 10 outings. The Pistons have the NBA’s second hardest remaining slate for the remainder of the season, whereas Atlanta’s has the seventh best. — Herring
17. Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ four-game successful streak is their longest since they received seven straight in late October by early November.Kevin Durantaveraged 40 factors up to now two video games of this streak towards two East powers in Cleveland and Milwaukee. Earlier than getting too enthusiastic about Phoenix’s rise, take into account the following eight video games on the schedule: two towards Boston, plus Oklahoma Metropolis, Houston, Minnesota, New York, Golden State and Milwaukee once more. — McMenamin
18. Orlando Magic
The Magic could possibly be discovering their footing on the proper time. Again-to-back wins over the Lakers and Hornets gave Orlando its first three-game successful streak since Dec. 1. Add within the Magic’s win in Cleveland, earlier than dropping at residence to Houston, and there are indicators of Orlando discovering sufficient offense to enrich the workforce’s rock-solid protection. That begins with star Paolo Banchero, averaging 30 factors in March whereas taking pictures 41.2% from 3 — wanting extra like his sturdy begin to the season earlier than a extreme indirect pressure.— Pelton
19. Dallas Mavericks
Spencer Dinwiddie, who’s taking part in on a veteran’s minimal contract throughout his second stint in Dallas, has performed a serious position in conserving the injury-ravaged Mavs postseason hopes alive. Dinwiddie averaged 23.5 factors and 9.5 assists whereas taking pictures 72.7% from the ground within the Mavs’ previous two wins over the Pistons and Nets. He had 28 factors and 6 assists in a March 10 win over the Spurs, the Mavs’ solely different victory since Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending knee harm. — MacMahon
With 9 video games to go, the Blazers are operating out of time to surpass the Mavericks and Suns for the tenth and last play-in spot within the West, however they managed to remain within the race with spectacular wins at residence final week over the Grizzlies and Jokic-less Nuggets. Portland’s defensive uptick, led by All-Defensive contender Toumani Camara, has proved greater than a product of opponent taking pictures. After groups made simply 31% of 3s towards the Blazers in February, they’re at 38% in March — but Portland remains to be defending at a league-average degree. — Pelton
21. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are 8-2 of their previous 10 video games and are averaging an NBA-best 122.5 factors throughout that span relationship to March 6. Their backcourt has been main, with Coby White placing up three consecutive 35-point video games, the longest streak of his profession, andJosh Giddeyaveraging 22.6 factors, 9.1 assists and 10.3 rebounds whereas taking pictures 54% (53% from 3) for the reason that All-Star break. Chicago is 2 video games behind Orlando for the No. 8 seed within the East. — Collier
San Antonio faces a steep climb towards legit competition for a berth within the play-in event. However the Spurs will proceed to combat. San Antonio held Toronto to only 40 first-half factors in a 123-89 drubbing Sunday to seize its second three-game successful streak of the season with yet one more street recreation out East towards the Cavaliers. Veteran Chris Paul performed in his seventieth recreation of the marketing campaign, turning into the primary participant in his twentieth season or later to play in every of his workforce’s first 70 outings in league historical past. — Wright
23. Miami Warmth
Miami lastly snapped its 10-game dropping streak Sunday behind a 42-point explosion from Andrew Wiggins, backing up what had been his finest recreation in Miami when he scored 30 within the final lack of the streak towards the Rockets on Friday. Extra exceptional than Miami dropping these 10 video games in a row, nevertheless, was the truth that even after doing so it stays firmly ensconced in a spot for the play-in event within the East.— Bontemps
24. Brooklyn Nets
For a lot of the season, Brooklyn’s candle would not burn out, irrespective of what number of instances somebody tried to extinguish the flame. Nonetheless, these makes an attempt — buying and selling Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, waiving Ben Simmons and dropping main scorer Cam Thomas to a season-ending harm — appear to have lastly caught up with the lottery-bound Nets, who’ve gone 2-11 in March after a greater than anticipated 21-38 begin. — Herring
25. Toronto Raptors
Toronto has saved tempo with the 76ers and Nets within the race within the lottery standings. However taking part in towards one of many best schedules within the league has prompted the Raptors to enter Wednesday’s recreation towards Brooklyn with a 5-5 document of their previous 10 video games — and, if the Raptors lose that towards the Nets, they are going to have little likelihood of falling behind both of these groups over the following couple of weeks.— Bontemps
In a season filled with disappointments, rookie Justin Edwards has been a brilliant spot taking part in for his hometown workforce. Edwards is averaging 14 factors and taking pictures 37.5% from 3 within the month of March. Most significantly, he has taken benefit of the additional alternatives of taking part in time and touches with the entire accidents the 76ers are coping with.— Bontemps
The Pelicans obtained extra robust information on the harm entrance when Zion Williamson suffered a low again contusion that pressured him out of the previous two video games of a three-game street journey. Shock rookie Yves Missi can be coping with hip soreness that saved him out of Sunday’s loss at Detroit. That marked the third time in franchise historical past New Orleans suffered a defeat in a recreation by which it hit 55% from the sphere and 50% from 3. It is time for New Orleans to begin looking forward to the long run and roster-building choices.— Wright
It has been a extremely difficult second half of the season– and on some degree, a extremely difficult season total — for Charlotte level guard LaMelo Ball. After taking pictures a hair below 42% from the sphere earlier than the All-Star break, the 23-year-old has shot simply 35.3% since. His 40.1% discipline aim proportion and 33.6% 3-point proportion for the season are profession lows, at the same time as his league-high 36% utilization price is the best it is ever been. — Herring
29. Utah Jazz
Utah has dedicated not less than 20 turnovers in 22 video games this season. That’s the most such video games by any workforce in a season for the reason that 2018-19 Hawks, based on ESPN Analysis. The Jazz lead the league with 17.6 turnovers per recreation (1.5 greater than another workforce) and 22.1 factors allowed off of turnovers (1.8 greater than any workforce). — MacMahon
Washington has misplaced 5 straight coming into Wednesday’s recreation at Philadelphia. Nonetheless, for the Wizards, what issues is getting younger gamers like Alex Sarr expertise down the stretch. Sarr is averaging 19.7 factors in seven video games, together with a career-high 34-point outing in a win over Denver. It is going to be encouraging to see Sarr end his rookie season sturdy with momentum heading into his first offseason. — Youngmisuk
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