The 2024-25 common season has lower than a month left. All people in addition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers is jockeying for higher seeding. It will be an thrilling end for the non-first-place squads.
The Cavaliers had received a franchise-best 16 video games in a row earlier than they misplaced to the Orlando Magic. This season has seen two traditionally dominating regular-season squads that hope their success interprets to the NBA playoffs.
In the meantime, the MVP race continues to warmth up. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 48 factors towards the Pistons and beat the Boston Celtics, however Nikola Jokic had a close to 40-point triple-double in an upset loss to the Washington Wizards. Gilgeous-Alexander seems forward proper now, however lots can change in these remaining three weeks.
All through the 2024-25 season, Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings. Right here is the newest version for the Mar. 10-16 week:
30. Utah Jazz (15-53)
Earlier Rating: 30
The Jazz have usurped the Wizards for the NBA’s worst file. A nine-game shedding streak has helped with that. A powerful feat for Utah. Loads of groups have tanked, however they’ve taken it a step additional. In truth, the NBA fined them $100K for it. It is an inexpensive worth to pay to get a blue-chip prospect.
29. Washington Wizards (15-51)
Earlier Rating: 29
Regardless of jeopardizing their worst file title, the Wizards loved an upset win over the Nuggets. That is the second time this season. Jordan Poole scored on a game-winning 3-pointer and Alex Sarr had 34 factors. If Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP, Washington might be invited to his speech as a shock donor to his marketing campaign.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (18-50)
Earlier Rating: 27
Despite the fact that the Pelicans have been eradicated from the playoffs, Zion Williamson has quietly had a superb season. He is lastly been wholesome and has been New Orleans’ high scorer. It is a disgrace his yr has gone underneath the radar as a result of accidents to the remainder of their roster ruined it.
27. Charlotte Hornets (17-50)
Earlier Rating: 28
The Hornets have received three of their final 4 video games. They set a franchise-record 26 3-pointers in a win over the Spurs. It is a bittersweet stretch as Charlotte hopes to get top-three lottery odds. A win streak this late within the season may break these hopes.
Earlier Rating: 26
The Nets have misplaced eight of their final 10 video games. They’ve pulled all of the stops to nosedive within the standings. They shut down Cam Thomas for the remainder of the season with a hamstring damage. Brooklyn has achieved every little thing it may well to rack up on losses.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (23-44)
Earlier Rating: 24
The Sixers have misplaced six of their final eight video games. Paul George could possibly be the following participant they shut down. He is handled accidents all season. There isn’t any level in taking part in him in meaningless video games as Philadelphia has pivoted to hoping to maintain its top-six protected decide. Quentin Grimes would possibly break that, although.
24. Toronto Raptors (24-44)
Earlier Rating: 25
The Raptors are one other basement dweller that has sabotaged their lottery odds. They’ve received six of their final 10 video games. Immanuel Quickley has gotten sizzling as a scorer. Whereas it is enjoyable to see the position gamers step up, Toronto wants a excessive lottery decide to really get again on monitor.
23. Miami Warmth (29-38)
Earlier Rating: 20
The Warmth have misplaced seven in a row. It has been a bizarre season, however they’re going to nonetheless make the postseason image due to how dangerous the East is. Andrew Wiggins has been compelled to be Miami’s high scorer, however he merely is not a one-for-one substitute for his or her former franchise participant.
Earlier Rating: 23
The Spurs have pulled the plug on their season. De’Aaron Fox had finger surgical procedure to knock him out for the remainder of the yr. San Antonio will spend the ultimate month hoping to get a worse file. That is been their aim because the All-Star break after flirting with a doable postseason berth.
21. Portland Path Blazers (29-39)
Earlier Rating: 22
The Path Blazers had misplaced 5 in a row earlier than an in depth win over the Raptors. Any faint probabilities of a postseason push are over. No less than most of their current losses have been by skinny margins. Portland has a bevy of younger guards who’ve proven flashes from Anfernee Simons to Scoot Henderson.
20. Chicago Bulls (28-39)
Earlier Rating: 21
After being in a rut, the Bulls rattled off 4 straight wins. There was no actual hazard of falling out of the postseason image due to how dangerous the East is, however Chicago has loved being on a sizzling streak. Josh Giddey has performed like an All-Star because the All-Star break and has graduated as their greatest participant.
19. Orlando Magic (32-37)
Earlier Rating: 19
The Magic have but to discover a rhythm. For each step they take ahead, they take two again. Maybe a press release win over the Cavaliers can enhance them to a run. Paolo Banchero had 24 factors within the signature victory. Orlando has been caught on this place for a lot of the season.
18. Dallas Mavericks (33-36)
Earlier Rating: 18
It has been a depressing season for the Mavericks. They misplaced Dante Exum for the remainder of the season with a hand fracture. At this level, it is simply hilarious how badly Dallas has torpedoed its season, each voluntarily and involuntarily. They nonetheless maintain onto the tenth spot, however their lead continues to dwindle with an actual likelihood of lacking out on the postseason altogether.
17. Phoenix Suns (31-37)
Earlier Rating: 17
Despite the fact that the Suns will divorce Kevin Durant within the offseason, they nonetheless have a slight hope to increase their marriage. The Mavericks’ downfall has given Phoenix an opportunity to sneak into the postseason image. After that, it’s going to be on Durant and Devin Booker to hold their roster so far as they will take them.
Earlier Rating: 14
Completely mediocre. Just like the Kings hope to be. A four-game shedding streak has knocked them again all the way down to an actual .500 file. Three losses being lopsided does not paint a reasonably image. What makes it worse is that Domantas Sabonis would possibly’ve aggravated his hamstring pressure. These are at all times difficult to return from.
Earlier Rating: 16
The Hawks had a four-game win streak snapped by the Clippers. They beat up on basement dwellers throughout the streak. Trae Younger had 35 factors in a blowout win over the Hornets. Atlanta is again in a well-recognized spot as a play-in match group. It is caught there till the postseason begins.
14. Indiana Pacers (37-29)
Earlier Rating: 12
The Pacers made headlines this previous week. In a determined state of affairs, Tyrese Haliburton compelled a four-point play when he was fouled on his outdoors try. He shocked the Bucks with the unlikely win. It was an exhilarating end in a doable playoff matchup.
Earlier Rating: 13
With an opportunity to gather a press release win, the Pistons let their anger get the most effective of them towards the Thunder. 5 technical fouls have been handed out and Cade Cunningham was ultimately ejected. Detroit misplaced, however JB Bickerstaff made headlines together with his epic postgame rant concerning the referees. The Pistons might be a troublesome playoff matchup.
Earlier Rating: 15
It was a straightforward week for the Clippers. They confronted off towards a number of East basement dwellers. They padded their file. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard every scored 25 factors in a blowout win over the Hawks. LA’s playoff hopes will journey on that duo. They might have a aggressive first-round collection.
Earlier Rating: 9
The Bucks had two thrilling video games towards the Pacers this previous week. They suffered a heartbreaker within the first recreation as Haliburton scored an inconceivable game-winner. They barely escaped with a win within the second recreation because the Pacers made a late run. This could possibly be an thrilling first-round collection between the 2 groups.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-29)
Earlier Rating: 11
The Timberwolves have gotten sizzling on the proper time. They’ve received eight in a row. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle have been a lethal scoring duo. The most effective win of their streak was a blowout over the Nuggets. They’ve had their quantity relationship again to final yr’s playoffs. Minnesota is well-positioned to keep away from the play-in match.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (41-25)
Earlier Rating: 4
No person else has had as drastic of a fall because the Lakers. That’s what occurs after they misplaced 4 in a row. They snapped the streak with a win over the Suns. It is not a coincidence that Los Angeles has struggled with out LeBron James. He is missed time with a groin damage. Whereas Luka Doncic is usually a one-man present, the Lakers want each to threaten to seize the second seed.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (43-25)
Earlier Rating: 6
With the prospect to gather a press release win, the Grizzlies faltered to the red-hot Cavaliers. Such is Memphis this season. Its overwhelmed up on the underside of the league however has struggled to point out out towards different contenders. No less than Jaren Jackson Jr. returned this previous week. Nevertheless it’s tough to examine the Grizzlies previous the second spherical.
7. New York Knicks (42-24)
Earlier Rating: 7
The Knicks survived the Path Blazers after Mikal Bridges scored a game-winner. That is the kind of luck they should have with Jalen Brunson nonetheless out with an ankle sprain. His absence has been loudly felt. New York struggled to attain with out their greatest participant in a loss to the Warriors.
6. Golden State Warriors (39-28)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Warriors have continued to be a successful machine because the commerce deadline. They’ve received seven in a row. Stephen Curry made historical past when he reached 4,000 profession 3-pointers in a win over the Kings. He is the only participant in NBA historical past to be in that membership. Golden State seems to be scary because it performs its greatest basketball with the playoff close to.
5. Houston Rockets (43-25)
Earlier Rating: 8
The Rockets have received six straight video games. They’ve taken benefit of a tender spot of their schedule. Like all season, it has been a bunch effort the place anyone can go off any evening. Jalen Inexperienced and Alperen Sengun mixed for 52 factors in a win over the Bulls. Earlier than that, Tari Eason had 30 factors in a win over the Mavericks.
Earlier Rating: 5
The Nuggets began their week with a powerful win over the Thunder. They scored 140 factors in regulation towards them. They then ended it with a second upset loss to the Wizards. Nikola Jokic had a close to 40-point triple-double within the defeat. That sums up Denver’s season fairly nicely. It has been an up-and-down yr masked by the reigning MVP’s historic dominance.
3. Boston Celtics (49-19)
Earlier Rating: 3
In a doable NBA Finals preview, the Celtics misplaced to the Thunder for the second time this season. Jayson Tatum went off, however Jaylen Brown was a no-show. It seems to be like OKC is a nightmare matchup for Boston. However these are issues the Celtics will gladly cope with in the event that they get there. Moreover that, they proceed to be a successful machine. They’ve the second seed mainly locked up.
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (56-12)
Earlier Rating: 2
This was a improbable week to push for Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP case. A signature win over the Celtics with out Jalen Williams was proven on nationwide tv. Subsequent recreation, he scored 48 factors in an unlikely win over the Pistons. Then, they went to blowout the Bucks on nationwide tv. Lower than a month stays and he seems to be to be within the lead for the MVP race proper now.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-11)
Earlier Rating: 1
The Cavaliers set a brand new franchise file with 16 straight wins. It was their third 12-plus win streak of the season. The Magic snapped it, however it should not discredit Cleveland’s utter dominance. They’ve run away with the primary seed and will find yourself with the NBA’s greatest file. The Thunder and Cavaliers have performed sizzling potato with the highest two spots in these rankings all season and anticipate that to proceed.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: SGA lead MVP race over Jokic; Cavs win 16 straight
