The NBA had a profitable Christmas slate. All 5 video games had been must-watch tv. Now that the largest day of the common season is over, all 30 groups returned to the day-to-day grind of the schedule.
It was additionally an eventful week off the courtroom. The Sacramento Kings fired head coach Mike Brown after a disastrous begin. They might push De’Aaron Fox into making a commerce request. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Dorian Finney-Smith to assist their depth.
The Dallas Mavericks additionally misplaced Luka Doncic for a minimum of a month. The MVP candidate’s absence can have a seismic impact with how the Western Convention standings shake out.
All through the 2024-25 season, Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings. Right here is the newest version for the Dec. 23-29 week:
30. New Orleans Pelicans (5-27)
Earlier Rating: 29
A brand new crew has taken the underside of the ladder. The Pelicans have been depressing this season. They’ve misplaced 9 in a row. They’re open for enterprise with trades. Whispers of Zion Williamson being obtainable have even made the spherical. Whether or not or not they really try this, it is clear New Orleans has waved the white flag on its injury-riddled season.
29. Washington Wizards (5-24)
Earlier Rating: 30
The Wizards have collected two uncommon wins over the Hornets. Each groups are a few of the league’s worst however one has to win once they match up. Washington is all about improvement with a few of its younger core however Jordan Poole has been a hilarious watch. He hit a game-winner in opposition to the Hornets and continues to stuff the stat sheet.
28. Toronto Raptors (7-25)
Earlier Rating: 28
Loads of basement dwellers are on in depth shedding streaks. The Raptors have misplaced 10 in a row. They’re one other crew that began over. Toronto had an honest begin to its season however has spiraled uncontrolled during the last month. They gave up 155 factors in regulation of their loss to the Grizzlies.
27. Charlotte Hornets (7-24)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Hornets have misplaced seven straight. However most of them have been inside single-digit margins, so Charlotte has been enjoying laborious. LaMelo Ball continues to wiggle between being wholesome and staying injured. He is had a ridiculous high-usage season the place taking 30-plus shot makes an attempt in a recreation is one other day within the workplace.
26. Utah Jazz (7-23)
Earlier Rating: 26
The excellent news for the Jazz is that they’re totally dedicated to the tank. No humorous enterprise this time round the place they should drop video games within the second half of the season. They’ve misplaced three in a row. The unhealthy information is Lauri Markkanen seems to be mortal, not the All-Star participant he is been. Maybe Utah ought to’ve traded him when his worth peaked.
25. Sacramento Kings (13-19)
Earlier Rating: 21
After being respectable for 2 seasons, the Kings return to being a dumpster hearth. Head coach Mike Brown was surprisingly fired. Doug Christie was named because the interim coach. Head coaches are all the time the primary to go however Sacramento’s historical past suggests that is an possession drawback. The subsequent step is to see what they do with De’Aaron Fox, who more and more seems to be prone to request a commerce.
24. Portland Path Blazers (11-20)
Earlier Rating: 25
The Path Blazers transfer up however solely by default. They’re nonetheless one of many worst groups. However they’ve loved two straight wins. Shaedon Sharpe has seemed higher as a scorer. He led Portland to an upset over the Luka-less Mavericks. The purpose is to get a excessive lottery decide however Portland must be enthusiastic about Sharpe’s improvement this 12 months.
23. Brooklyn Nets (12-20)
Earlier Rating: 24
The Nets have crushed different sellers to the punch. As an alternative of ready for the commerce deadline, they’ve already made two massive offers. Brooklyn shipped Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and a package deal of second-round picks. Brooklyn is in firesale mode and will depart with different veteran items. It is the proper transfer to make.
22. Detroit Pistons (14-18)
Earlier Rating: 23
Do not look now, however the Pistons out of the blue appear like a viable squad. They’re recent off a profitable four-game West Coast highway journey. A loss to the Nuggets snapped a three-game win streak was snapped. Earlier than that, Jaden Ivey hit a game-winning four-point play to beat the Kings.
21. Chicago Bulls (14-18)
Earlier Rating: 20
The Bulls suffered a meltdown in opposition to the Hawks the place they blew a 21-point lead in a irritating loss. They then bounced again with a formidable win over the Bucks. Josh Giddey had a triple-double in that victory. That about sums up Chicago this season the place it has been one other up-and-down marketing campaign.
20. Philadelphia 76ers (12-17)
Earlier Rating: 22
It is not a coincidence to see the Sixers achieve momentum. That is the healthiest they have been all season. Joel Embiid and Paul George have remained principally wholesome in current weeks. This has resulted in a 7-3 document of their final 10 video games and a three-game win streak. Their Christmas win over the Celtics was the very best they seemed all 12 months. Be careful for Philly.
19. Indiana Pacers (16-17)
Earlier Rating: 17
No person else has had a big downfall than Tyrese Haliburton. He went from an All-Star starter final season to an off-ball playmaker this 12 months. It is nearly as if the 24-year-old has misplaced all his confidence. The Pacers have been a very good squad this season however they will not be a playoff risk with out Haliburton snapping out of his present funk.
18. Miami Warmth (16-14)
Earlier Rating: 19
The Warmth could be within the awkwardest spot within the league. It is an open secret that Jimmy Butler will probably be traded by the deadline. He is missed the final handful of video games for possible causes past accidents. Regardless of that, Miami continues to hover round mediocrity. All eyes can be on what they do with Butler over the following two months.
17. Phoenix Suns (15-16)
Earlier Rating: 16
The Suns have collapsed from close to the highest of the standings to now. A Christmas win over the Nuggets was shortly spoiled. They’ve misplaced two in a row since then. Phoenix can be with out Jusuf Nurkic for 3 video games because of a suspension when he and Naji Marshall fought on the courtroom. The Suns are top-heavy and may’t afford absences.
16. Golden State Warriors (16-15)
Earlier Rating: 14
The Warriors have additionally fallen off within the standings. They snapped a three-game shedding streak in opposition to the Suns due to Jonathan Kuminga’s career-high 34 factors. If Butler is moved, Golden State is without doubt one of the apparent suits for him. The 35-year-old may very well be the right co-star subsequent to Stephen Curry.
15. San Antonio Spurs (16-16)
Earlier Rating: 15
Victor Wembanyama confirmed out in his Christmas debut in opposition to the Knicks. It will be the primary of a number of for the seven-foot phenom. He scored an eye-popping 42 factors. The second-year participant has already obtained MVP whispers. The Spurs will quickly be a title contender solely due to him. For now, they appear like a postseason risk.
14. Atlanta Hawks (18-15)
Earlier Rating: 18
The Hawks have gained 4 in a row. They have been a pleasing shock this season. It was a wild week for Atlanta because it scored 50 factors within the fourth quarter for its comeback win over the Bulls. Jalen Johnson then scored 28 factors in a win over the Warmth. He is a Most Improved Participant candidate alongside along with his teammate Dyson Daniels.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-14)
Earlier Rating: 13
The Timberwolves caught a break in opposition to the Mavericks when Luka Doncic suffered a calf pressure. His absence allowed Minnesota to run away in opposition to them of their Christmas recreation. Anthony Edwards has had a profession season and carried the Timberwolves’ offense. He scored a game-winner in opposition to the Rockets of their comeback win.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (16-14)
Earlier Rating: 8
The Bucks have had a little bit little bit of an NBA Cup hangover. They’ve misplaced three of their 5 video games since they captured the in-season championship. Damian Lillard missed 4 video games within the aftermath with a calf pressure and sickness however returned of their loss to the Bulls.
11. Orlando Magic (20-14)
Earlier Rating: 11
The Magic have performed higher than most contemplating their scenario. Being with out Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner for prolonged occasions are season-killers. They’ve survived since then however offensive struggles present how tough it’s for Orlando to supply factors with out its finest two scorers. Banchero’s return will repair a number of that.
10. Denver Nuggets (17-13)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Nuggets have struggled with consistency this season. The simple resolution is for Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to return to type. Jokic has performed his half. The three-time MVP has performed just like the league’s finest participant. Murray has struggled however scored 34 factors in a win over the Pistons. Denver will want that model of him extra usually.
9. Dallas Mavericks (20-12)
Earlier Rating: 6
The Mavericks had their Christmas ruined. A loss to the Timberwolves is no matter. However Doncic will miss a minimum of a month with a calf pressure. That is a brutal loss that can reshape the Western Convention standings. Dallas will concentrate on maintaining a top-four seed because it hopes its MVP candidate would not miss extra time than wanted.
8. LA Clippers (18-13)
Earlier Rating: 12
The Clippers are on the verge of reverse harm luck. Kawhi Leonard is ready to make his season debut in early January. The multi-time All-Star has been LA’s finest participant since his arrival. The Clippers have survived his absence and will look a lot completely different with him returning quickly relying on how shortly he knocks off rust.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13)
Earlier Rating: 9
Not content material with what that they had, the Lakers added Finney-Smith from the Nets in a commerce. They hope he can present some depth. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have had superior seasons and it would be a waste to not go all in with that getting older star duo. Los Angeles made the proper transfer to go in.
6. Houston Rockets (21-11)
Earlier Rating: 7
It has been a broadly profitable season for the Rockets. After lacking out on the playoffs the final 5 years, they’ve performed like one of many league’s finest groups. That stated although, this was a foul week. They blew a large lead in opposition to the Timberwolves after which misplaced to the Warmth. Of their loss to Miami, Amen Thompson received in a combat with Tyler Herro that can certainly end in suspensions.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (22-11)
Earlier Rating: 4
The Grizzlies have been one of many league’s finest groups. They’ve bounced again from a misplaced season final 12 months. The whole lot has been easy for Memphis till Ja Morant suffered a sprained AC joint that’ll hold him out for an unknown period of time. The Thunder blew them out of their first recreation with out him. They want him again.
4. New York Knicks (22-10)
Earlier Rating: 5
The Knicks have gained seven in a row. They’re one of many league’s hottest groups. Jalen Brunson had his finest recreation of the season with 55 factors in an additional time win over the Wizards. New York will want him to return to his type from final 12 months to have a deep playoff run.
Earlier Rating: 3
The Celtics have hit a little bit of a highway bump. They’ve misplaced three of their final 4 video games. Nonetheless, it is nothing of significant concern. Simply the ebbs and flows of the common season. Jaylen Brown went off for 44 factors and scored 142 factors in a blowout win over the Pacers.
Earlier Rating: 2
The Thunder have gained 11 in a row. They’ve gone practically a month and not using a actual loss. Their loss to the Bucks within the NBA Cup finals is only a blip on the radar. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has performed like an MVP candidate with back-to-back 40-plus level performances.
Earlier Rating: 1
The Cavaliers have gained six in a row. They’ve hummed together with the league’s finest offense. They scored 149 factors in a win over the Nuggets. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 factors and Evan Mobley had 26 factors. Each will probably be All-Stars for Cleveland and have owned the very best document for many of the season.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: Mavs lose Luka on Christmas; Kings hearth Mike Brown
