Prolonged win streaks highlighted this previous week’s price of NBA motion. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder bested the New York Knicks’ nine-game win streak. OKC then beat the Boston Celtics in a press release win. OKC has gained 15 in a row.
Out East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gained 10 in a row. It is solely becoming that the league’s greatest two groups are red-hot as they put together to sq. off on nationwide tv this upcoming week.
Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama additionally break up a pair of video games. The Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs performed one another two occasions in a row. It was a conflict between one of the best participant proper now and the long run greatest participant. It lived as much as the hype.
Kawhi Leonard additionally made his return this previous week. He is missed this complete season coping with a knee harm. The LA Clippers stayed afloat in his absence and may very well be a playoff risk if he can keep wholesome.
All through the 2024-25 season, Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings. Right here is the most recent version for the Dec. 30-Jan. 5 week:
30. New Orleans Pelicans (7-29)
Earlier Rating: 30
The Pelicans have been the league’s worst group. Accidents have ruined their season. However CJ McCollum gave New Orleans a pleasant escape from actuality when he exploded for 50 factors in a win over the Wizards to snap an 11-game dropping streak.
29. Washington Wizards (6-27)
Earlier Rating: 29
The Wizards have additionally been a basement dweller all season. They proceed to rack up losses. Washington is in full-blown rebuild mode and which means it will be sellers. Possibly Jordan Poole can get moved. He scored 30 factors in a uncommon win over the Bulls this previous week.
28. Charlotte Hornets (7-27)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Hornets have misplaced 10 in a row. They’ve fallen aside attributable to accidents. At the least Tidjane Salaun has proven flashes. That is probably the most Charlotte can hope for this season. He is acquired a tank body and isn’t afraid to shoot the ball from outdoors.
27. Toronto Raptors (8-27)
Earlier Rating: 28
The Raptors are one other basement dweller. They’ve misplaced 9 of their final 10 video games. They loved a uncommon win over the Nets the place Scottie Barnes scored 33 factors. He is Toronto’s greatest participant. The Raptors hope so as to add one other franchise cornerstone within the upcoming draft.
26. Utah Jazz (9-25)
Earlier Rating: 26
The Jazz snapped a five-game dropping streak in a win over the Warmth. Brice Sensabaugh scored a career-high 34 factors. He is considered one of Utah’s younger prospects. They don’t seem to be messing round this yr with their lottery odds as they have been a bottom-five group all season.
25. Portland Path Blazers (12-22)
Earlier Rating: 24
Give the Path Blazers credit score, they’ve performed higher basketball over the past month. They’re nonetheless one of many league’s worst groups however not are a laughingstock. They loved an upset win over the Bucks powered by Anfernee Simons’ 28 factors. He is considered one of their dynamic scoring guards.
24. Brooklyn Nets (13-22)
Earlier Rating: 23
The Nets have racked up the losses lately. They’ve embraced a full-on rebuild. Brooklyn has already dealt Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith in offers. The subsequent participant on the transfer may very well be Cam Johnson. He may very well be the highest out there participant on the commerce deadline.
23. Sacramento Kings (17-19)
Earlier Rating: 25
Do not let a four-game win streak idiot anyone, the Kings are nonetheless a large number. They’re simply experiencing the traditional short-term bounce groups get after they boot their head coach. That stated, Sacramento is in the midst of a misplaced season. It is solely a matter of time earlier than De’Aaron Fox requests a commerce. At the least Devin Carter made his NBA debut.
22. Phoenix Suns (15-18)
Earlier Rating: 17
The Suns have fallen aside. Being close to the highest of the West was a distant reminiscence. They’ve misplaced 4 in a row and 7 of their final eight video games. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker aren’t sufficient to hold Phoenix in the course of the season. Its lack of depth has additionally been uncovered this yr. They’re going to attempt to change issues up by shifting Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic to the bench.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (14-19)
Earlier Rating: 20
Do not look now, however the Sixers are again within the postseason image. The East’s lack of playoff contenders has given Philly loads of wiggle room to get its stuff collectively. They’ve gained seven of their final 10 video games. Joel Embiid and Paul George have stayed wholesome. They may very well be a scary matchup within the playoffs.
20. Chicago Bulls (16-19)
Earlier Rating: 21
The Bulls proceed to tread on mediocrity. Off the courtroom, they introduced that they will retire Derrick Rose’s jersey. The previous MVP lately retired after seeing his profession reduce quick attributable to accidents. Chicago hopes to return to its glory days however can solely do that after it pulls the plug on this core.
19. Detroit Pistons (17-18)
Earlier Rating: 22
The Pistons could also be again. They’ve gained three in a row and are near being .500. Detroit survived Anthony Edwards’ profession evening because of Cade Cunningham going off for a season-high 40 factors. It has been a profession season for him has aligned with the Pistons’ greatest season in years. They did lose Jaden Ivey to a leg fracture in order that’ll be a troublesome absence to beat.
18. Miami Warmth (17-16)
Earlier Rating: 18
It is robust to concentrate on what the Warmth is doing on the courtroom due to the Jimmy Butler saga. It is formally gone off the rails because the multi-time All-Star has made it his purpose to be traded by making it a clumsy state of affairs. Miami wants to tear the bandaid off and transfer on.
17. Indiana Pacers (18-18)
Earlier Rating: 19
The Pacers have gained three of their final 4 to lastly attain .500. It has been a season-long journey to succeed in that mark. Tyrese Haliburton had 27 factors in a win over the Suns. Indiana will want him to place up comparable scoring numbers the remainder of the best way. It might’t afford him to show right into a pass-first guard.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Earlier Rating: 13
It was a troublesome week for Timberwolves followers who deluded themselves over their offseason strikes. Losses to the Thunder and Pistons confirmed the constraints of an offense solely counting on Edwards. He is had a profession season and a career-high 53 factors but it surely’s clear the 23-year-old is just not able to take that celebrity leap but.
15. Atlanta Hawks (18-18)
Earlier Rating: 14
The Hawks have had a enjoyable season however simply went by way of a tough week. They’ve misplaced three in a row and misplaced Larry Nance Jr. handy surgical procedure. He is been a dependable bench participant for them. Nonetheless, Atlanta has loads of items to be enthusiastic about as Trae Younger has one other dominant marketing campaign.
14. San Antonio Spurs (18-17)
Earlier Rating: 15
The Spurs and Nuggets confronted off in two straight video games. Clashes between Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic headlined each video games. The three-time MVP winner might quickly see his crown for greatest participant within the league challenged by final yr’s Rookie of the 12 months. They break up the 2 video games. San Antonio’s win featured Wembanyama going off for 35 factors and 18 rebounds.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (17-16)
Earlier Rating: 12
The NBA Cup hangover may simply be an actual factor. The Bucks have struggled lately with losses in 4 of their final 5 video games. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been superior and a distant third within the MVP race however Milwaukee’s up-and-down season has damage his case to win the award.
12. Golden State Warriors (18-17)
Earlier Rating: 16
The Warriors have collected some much-needed wins over the Grizzlies and Sixers. Draymond Inexperienced acquired into it towards Zach Edey in its Memphis win. Golden State doubtless needs to ship a message to the younger squad to indicate it needs to be taken critically as a risk. It might enhance its odds with that by including Butler.
11. Dallas Mavericks (20-15)
Earlier Rating: 9
The Mavericks have felt Luka Doncic’s absence. They’ve misplaced 4 in a row. As soon as threatening for a top-three seed, Dallas must get it collectively earlier than additional sliding down the standings. It additionally does not assist that Kyrie Irving has missed time. They want their two stars again as quickly as doable.
10. Orlando Magic (21-16)
Earlier Rating: 11
Jamahl Mosley ought to get some Coach of the 12 months noise for the job he is performed this season. The Magic have been with out their high three gamers for notable lengths and Orlando has saved its head above water. As soon as Paolo Banchero returns, the Magic ought to nonetheless be within the playoff homecourt image.
9. LA Clippers (20-15)
Earlier Rating: 8
The Clippers let go of the rope a bit with losses to the Spurs and Thunder. However Kawhi Leonard’s return rejuvenated LA. They survived his absence from the primary two months of the season and hope the multi-time All-Star can keep wholesome the remainder of the best way.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (20-15)
Earlier Rating: 7
The Lakers have discovered a groove with seven wins of their final 10 video games. LeBron James’ longevity continues to interrupt a number of all-time data. The newest is probably the most 30-plus level video games in league historical past as he handed Michael Jordan. The 40-year-old nonetheless has some gasoline left within the tank as Los Angeles hopes to make noise within the playoffs.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13)
Earlier Rating: 5
The harm bug has hit the Grizzlies once more. To not the degrees of final season however shut. Ja Morant stays out with a shoulder harm. A number of different Memphis position gamers have additionally missed time. Jaren Jackson Jr. can solely accomplish that a lot by himself. They should keep away from final yr’s nightmare.
6. Denver Nuggets (20-14)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Nuggets’ success begins and stops with Jokic. The three-time MVP winner hopes so as to add a fourth trophy to his {hardware}. He places up monster numbers on a gamely foundation. Of their two matchups towards the Spurs, Jokic had 41 factors and 18 rebounds in a single sport and a close to 46-point triple-double within the different.
5. Houston Rockets (23-12)
Earlier Rating: 6
The Rockets have missed Amen Thompson in his absence throughout his suspension. To make issues worse, they misplaced Jabari Smith Jr. for not less than a month attributable to a hand fracture. They suffered a blowout loss to the Celtics. It exhibits whereas they’ve had a pleasant season, they’re nonetheless behind the league’s elite.
4. New York Knicks (24-12)
Earlier Rating: 4
The Knicks had their nine-game win streak snapped towards the Thunder. They then misplaced to the Bulls in a high-scoring affair the subsequent evening. New York has gotten over a sluggish begin to its season. They’ve one of many league’s greatest starters with an ideal mixture of scorers and defenders behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities.
3. Boston Celtics (26-10)
Earlier Rating: 3
The Celtics had a three-game win streak snapped by the Thunder. In a doable NBA Finals matchup, Boston skilled firsthand how dominating OKC’s protection might be. Jayson Tatum had 26 factors and Jaylen Brown scored 21 factors. Nonetheless, the Celtics are one of many league’s three greatest groups. The reigning NBA champions will all the time get different groups’ greatest punch.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-4)
Earlier Rating: 1
The Cavaliers have gained 10 in a row. They’ve blown groups out left and proper with their league-best offense. Cleveland has a balanced scoring assault the place anyone might go off on any evening. Donovan Mitchell is their main scorer however Evan Mobley scored 34 factors in a win over the Mavericks. Darius Garland had 25 factors in a win over the Hornets. That is what makes their offense so harmful.
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (30-5)
Earlier Rating: 2
The Thunder have gained 15 in a row. It is a franchise-best and the longest energetic win streak within the NBA. They beat the Knicks in a matchup of prolonged win streaks. They then suffocated the Celtics for a resume-building win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has gained momentum within the MVP talks. Of their subsequent sport, they will face off towards the red-hot Cavaliers who’ve gained 10 straight.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: Thunder, Cavs win streaks; Jokic, Wemby battle
