Power Rankings: Celtics return to No. 1 spot

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The season is more than 20% complete, with 250 of 1,230 games having been played. At this point, there are only a few conclusions to be drawn about the 30 teams listed below.
Only two teams in each conference have been comfortably good, to the point that (barring serious health issues) they don’t have a lot to worry about. Two teams in the East — the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic — have separated themselves, mostly because of how weak the rest of the conference has been.
After that? If you’re the fifth-place team in the East, you’re only .500. If you’re the third-place team in the West, you have seven other teams with winning records (along with a team that reached the conference finals last season) on your tail.
The next couple of weeks could tell us which of these better-than-expected teams are for real, and which are not.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Teams of the Week
* * *
East vs. West
Schedule strength through Week 5
* * *
Movement in the Rankings
* * *
Week 6 Team to Watch
* * *
Previously…
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 112.6 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
* = Emirates NBA Cup game
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.
Record: 14-3
OffRtg: 120.5 (3) DefRtg: 111.1 (10) NetRtg: +9.5 (3) Pace: 97.7 (25)
The Celtics won the first meeting of the two best teams in the Eastern Conference and handed the Cavs their first loss. They also picked up another quality win by holding off the Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Three takeaways
The Celtics have still played just three games (the fewest in the league) against the 14 teams that currently have winning records, though they’re responsible for the Wolves (9-8 prior to Sunday) losing their spot in that group. They’ll face the 11-7 Clippers and 17-1 Cavs this week, with those also being just their third and fourth games against teams that currently rank in the top 10 defensively.
Week 6: vs. LAC, @ CHI*, @ CLE
Record: 17-1
OffRtg: 122.8 (1) DefRtg: 110.9 (9) NetRtg: +11.8 (1) Pace: 100.3 (12)
Not too surprisingly, the Cavs’ winning streak ended in Boston on Tuesday. They were somewhat shorthanded, but they showed some fight in cutting a 21-point deficit down to two in the second half.
Three takeaways
The Cavs will get another shot at the Celtics on Sunday, and this time they’ll be at home, where they’ve outscored their opponents by an amazing 40.5 points per 100 possessions in the first quarter and led all 10 of their games by at least 15 points.
Week 6: vs. ATL, @ ATL*, vs. BOS
Record: 12-4
OffRtg: 115.0 (7) DefRtg: 106.2 (4) NetRtg: +8.7 (5) Pace: 101.7 (5)
The Warriors remain at the top of the Western Conference, though they doubled their loss total last week.
Three takeaways
The Warriors are the only team to have clinched a spot in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals and won’t have any Cup games this week. Instead, they’ll have two regular Western Conference tests, hosting the Thunder on Wednesday and visiting the Suns three nights later. Melton scored a season-high 19 points when they won in Oklahoma City earlier this month.
Week 6: vs. BKN, vs OKC, @ PHX
Record: 12-4
OffRtg: 113.1 (12) DefRtg: 102.7 (1) NetRtg: +10.4 (2) Pace: 100.9 (7)
The Thunder had some success with small ball, but after losing two straight games, were happy to have Isaiah Hartenstein make his season debut on Wednesday.
Three takeaways
Having had four days off, the Thunder will now embark on a pretty tough, four-game trip. Depending on the Emirates Cup schedule, they’ll play 10, 11 or 12 of their next 14 games on the road.
Week 6: @ SAC, @ GSW, @ LAL*, @ HOU
Record: 12-6
OffRtg: 112.5 (15) DefRtg: 103.7 (2) NetRtg: +8.8 (4) Pace: 100.6 (9)
The Rockets suffered a couple of tough, late-game losses last week and their loss Saturday to the Blazers ended their seven-game home winning streak.
Three takeaways
The next two weeks should be one of the Rockets’ toughest stretches of the season. Five of the six games are on the road, with the one home game (Sunday) coming against the Thunder. The previous meeting (in Oklahoma City earlier this month) was the Rockets’ only double-digit loss of the season and the only other time they’ve been outscored on the break.
Week 6: @ MIN*, @ PHI, vs. OKC
Record: 9-8
OffRtg: 115.5 (6) DefRtg: 110.1 (7) NetRtg: +5.4 (7) Pace: 100.0 (13)
Luka Dončić has missed three of the last four games with knee and wrist injuries, but the Mavs have won in Oklahoma City and Denver without him. They came one stop short of winning in Miami on Sunday.
Three takeaways
The Mavs have already had three rest-disadvantage games, and they’ll have two more this week. The first (Monday) is in Atlanta, and the second (Sunday) is more than 2,000 miles away in Portland.
Week 6: @ ATL, vs. NYK, @ UTA, @ POR
Record: 9-6
OffRtg: 114.5 (8) DefRtg: 112.0 (12) NetRtg: +2.5 (11) Pace: 101.1 (6)
The Nuggets got a win without Nikola Jokić, and then got the Kia VP back in time to dominate the Lakers once again.
Three takeaways
Their win in L.A. this past weekend was the Nuggets’ third rest-disadvantage game of the season. After Monday, they’ll be one of two teams that haven’t played with a rest advantage, with their first advantage game coming Wednesday in Utah. Their first game against the Jazz (at home earlier this month) was both their biggest win and best defensive game (statistically) of the season.
Week 6: vs. NYK, @ UTA, @ LAC
Record: 11-7
OffRtg: 110.9 (20) DefRtg: 107.3 (5) NetRtg: +3.6 (10) Pace: 98.4 (20)
The Clippers remain more than competitive, and they’ve won five straight games to climb into the top five in the West.
Three takeaways
The Clippers’ win in Philadelphia on Sunday came with their largest margin of victory (26 points) this season and was the start of a four-game trip. Both teams will be playing the second game of a back-to-back in Boston on Monday night.
Week 6: @ BOS, @ WAS, @ MIN*, vs. DEN
Record: 11-7
OffRtg: 109.8 (25) DefRtg: 105.4 (3) NetRtg: +4.4 (9) Pace: 97.6 (26)
The Magic have won eight of their last nine games, a stretch highlighted by Franz Wagner’s game-winning 3-pointer in L.A. on Thursday.
Three takeaways
Jalen Suggs missed the second half of the Magic’s win over the Pistons with a hamstring issue but isn’t on the injury report for their game in Charlotte on Monday. Carter Jr. is listed as questionable to make his return from an 11-game absence. Orlando is 2-0 in the NBA Cup with East Group A games remaining in Brooklyn (Friday) and New York.
Week 6: @ CHA, vs. CHI, @ BKN*, @ BKN
Record: 10-7
OffRtg: 115.7 (5) DefRtg: 109.8 (6) NetRtg: +6.0 (6) Pace: 103.7 (3)
Ja Morant has now missed the last eight games, but the Grizzlies have won five of the eight to remain in the top seven in the West.
Three takeaways
They don’t have any back-to-backs this week, but they do have a four-game homestand with all four opponents at least three games below .500. The Grizzlies already have a 45-point win over the Blazers, who will be in Memphis on Monday, with Morant listed as questionable to make his return.
Week 6: vs. POR, vs. DET, vs NOP*, vs. IND
Record: 9-7
OffRtg: 120.9 (2) DefRtg: 115.7 (21) NetRtg: +5.2 (8) Pace: 97.2 (28)
The Knicks won four straight games to give the Eastern Conference a fourth team with a winning record, but they stumbled in Utah on Saturday afternoon.
Three takeaways
Having split the first two games of their five-game trip, the Knicks are 1-2 against the Western Conference, with all three games having come on the road. The trip continues through Denver and Dallas, with the Knicks 0-4 against the Mavs since Jalen Brunson left Dallas for New York (0-2 with Brunson in uniform, 0-2 without him).
Week 6: @ DEN, @ DAL, @ CHA*, vs. NOP
Record: 10-6
OffRtg: 117.1 (4) DefRtg: 117.9 (27) NetRtg: -0.8 (17) Pace: 99.3 (16)
After winning six straight games, the Lakers suffered their first two home losses of the season.
Three takeaways
The Lakers remain undefeated (9-0) in NBA Cup play all-time, but have a pair of tough Cup games this week. Their visit to Phoenix on Tuesday is also the start of their first stretch of five games in seven days.
Week 6: @ PHX*, @ SAS, vs. OKC*, @ UTA
Record: 9-8
OffRtg: 110.8 (21) DefRtg: 110.6 (8) NetRtg: +0.2 (15) Pace: 98.9 (17)
The Spurs have won three straight games, with wins over the two best teams in the Western Conference, to climb over .500 for the first time.
Three takeaways
The top two teams in free throw rate (on offense) are the Lakers and Jazz, who the Spurs will face this week. Two of the three times they’ve been outscored at the line are losses to Utah (by one point, minus-8 at the line) and L.A. (by five points, minus-6 at the line) in the last 16 days.
Week 6: @ UTA*, vs. LAL, @ SAC
Record: 8-8
OffRtg: 114.2 (9) DefRtg: 112.2 (14) NetRtg: +2.0 (12) Pace: 98.1 (23)
A two-point loss in Boston on Sunday isn’t one to worry too much about. But it dropped the Wolves back to .500 because they had a more troublesome loss (the franchise’s 20th straight defeat in Toronto) three nights earlier.
Three takeaways
The Wolves are in fourth place in West Group A, but can still win their group with wins over the Rockets and Clippers this week. Even without the NBA Cup designation, those are two big games in the Western Conference.
Week 6: vs. HOU*, vs. SAC, vs. LAC*
Record: 8-9
OffRtg: 112.6 (14) DefRtg: 112.6 (17) NetRtg: +0.0 (16) Pace: 99.8 (15)
The Bucks have won four straight games and their only loss in the last seven came via a call that was deemed incorrect in the Last Two Minute Report. They avenged that loss (to the Hornets) on Saturday, even though they almost blew a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead.
Three takeaways
Not including their two unscheduled games for Week 8, the Bucks are playing eight of their next 12 on the road. They can end their six-game road losing streak and improve to 3-0 in the NBA Cup with a win in Miami (where Antetokounmpo is 9-13 all-time) on Tuesday.
Week 6: @ MIA*, vs. WAS
Record: 9-7
OffRtg: 112.6 (13) DefRtg: 115.3 (20) NetRtg: -2.7 (19) Pace: 98.1 (22)
The Suns have been without both Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant for the last five games, and they’ve lost them all.
Three takeaways
The Suns will have had five days off when they host the Lakers on Tuesday, their third NBA Cup game, their third game against the Lakers, and the third game of their six-game homestand. The hope is that both Beal and Durant (who scored 30 points in each of the previous two meetings) will be back in the lineup.
Week 6: vs. LAL*, vs. BKN, vs. GSW
Record: 7-7
OffRtg: 112.0 (18) DefRtg: 111.1 (11) NetRtg: +0.9 (14) Pace: 98.2 (21)
After a 2-4 road trip, the Heat got Jimmy Butler back and got two wins at home to climb back to .500.
Three takeaways
The Heat had five days off before their win over the Mavs on Sunday, but the end of their three-game homestand (Tuesday vs. the streaking Bucks) is the start of their first stretch of five games in seven days.
Week 6: vs. MIL*, @ CHA, vs. TOR*, @ TOR
Record: 8-9
OffRtg: 113.9 (11) DefRtg: 112.2 (15) NetRtg: +1.7 (13) Pace: 98.7 (18)
The Kings just can’t seem to put it all together, and they’ve lost three straight games to drop below .500 (for the first time since they were 1-2) and into 12th place in the West.
Three takeaways
The Kings will now play five of their next seven games against teams that rank in the top eight defensively. That stretch starts with a rest-disadvantage game against the top-ranked Thunder on Monday.
Week 6: vs. OKC, @ MIN, @ POR*, vs. SAS
Record: 7-10
OffRtg: 112.1 (16) DefRtg: 116.1 (23) NetRtg: -4.0 (21) Pace: 100.7 (8)
The Pacers have lost their last five road games, including three last week that they trailed by more than 20 points. But they returned home to get a win over the last-place Wizards on Sunday.
Three takeaways
The win over the Wizards began a stretch where the Pacers are playing eight of nine games against teams that are currently (like themselves) at least three games below .500. But they are one of the four teams that the Pelicans (who are in Indiana on Monday) have beat, having been on the other side of New Orleans’ best offensive performance of the season.
Week 6: vs. NOP, vs. POR, vs. DET*, @ MEM
Record: 7-10
OffRtg: 105.0 (30) DefRtg: 112.3 (16) NetRtg: -7.3 (26) Pace: 100.6 (11)
After losing the first two games of a five-game trip, the Blazers got a clutch win in Houston on Saturday.
Three takeaways
Two of the teams with the biggest discrepancies in the other direction (fewer wins than expected from their point differential) are the Grizzlies and Mavs. The Blazers will face both of them this week, also completing a five-game trip with just their second game against the Eastern Conference. Clingan (knee sprain) is out for their game in Memphis on Monday.
Week 6: @ MEM, @ IND, vs. SAC*, vs. DAL
Record: 7-10
OffRtg: 114.1 (10) DefRtg: 117.0 (25) NetRtg: -2.9 (20) Pace: 95.9 (30)
The Nets helped the Sixers end a five-game losing streak, but they picked up wins against the Hornets and Kings and are one of six Eastern Conference teams with seven wins.
Three takeaways
The second half of the Nets’ four-game trip will be tougher than the first half, especially if Kevin Durant is available for the Suns on Wednesday. That’s the second half of a back-to-back for Phoenix (and a rest-advantage game for the Nets), so maybe not. Brooklyn will be at a disadvantage in San Francisco on Monday night.
Week 6: @ GSW, @ PHX, vs. ORL*, vs. ORL
Record: 7-11
OffRtg: 112.0 (17) DefRtg: 118.2 (28) NetRtg: -6.2 (25) Pace: 104.8 (1)
The Bulls are 1-7 against the Western Conference, but have the best record (3-1) in games played between the nine East teams that are at least three games below .500.
Three takeaways
Tuesday will bring the first of four meetings with the Wizards, but the Bulls will play two of the three best teams in the East after that, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage in Orlando on Wednesday night.
Week 6: @ WAS*, @ ORL, vs. BOS*
Record: 7-10
OffRtg: 110.4 (24) DefRtg: 115.7 (22) NetRtg: -5.3 (23) Pace: 104.4 (2)
The Hawks got healthier last week, with Bogdan Bogdanović playing for the first time since opening night. They beat his former team (the shorthanded Kings) in his return, but that was their only victory on a four-game trip.
Three takeaways
At 2-1 in the NBA Cup with a win over the Celtics, the Hawks are in first place in East Group C, though they’ll need to beat the Cavs (in their second of two meetings this week) to ensure a trip to the quarterfinals.
Week 6: vs. DAL, @ CLE, vs. CLE*, @ CHA
Record: 6-10
OffRtg: 110.8 (22) DefRtg: 115.1 (19) NetRtg: -4.4 (22) Pace: 98.7 (19)
With an overtime victory over the Pistons on Thursday, the Hornets have won four straight games at home. But they’ve lost seven straight on the road, and they’ve also lost another big man to injury.
Three takeaways
The good news is that the Hornets now begin a five-game homestand. One of their three home losses this season was to the Heat, but they’ll have a rest advantage against Miami on Wednesday.
Week 6: vs. ORL, vs. MIA, vs. NYK*, vs. ATL
Record: 7-11
OffRtg: 110.7 (23) DefRtg: 112.1 (13) NetRtg: -1.4 (18) Pace: 97.7 (24)
At 7-8 with games against the Bulls and Hornets early last week, the Pistons had a great opportunity to climb over .500. But they’ve lost three straight to fall from fifth to 11th in the East.
Three takeaways
The Pistons are one of four teams that haven’t had a rest-advantage game, with their first on Monday (with Cunningham listed as doubtful) against the Raptors. They’re still undefeated in the NBA Cup, set to visit the 0-2 Pacers (to whom they lost on opening night) on Friday.
Week 6: vs. TOR, @ MEM, @ IND*, vs. PHI
Record: 4-13
OffRtg: 111.2 (19) DefRtg: 116.8 (24) NetRtg: -5.6 (24) Pace: 99.8 (14)
The Raptors doubled their win total last week, beating the Pacers and Wolves at home behind 70 total points from RJ Barrett.
Three takeaways
The Raptors’ loss in Cleveland on Sunday was the start of a four-game trip, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage in Detroit on Monday night. They lost their first meeting with the Pistons when Gradey Dick missed two 3-pointers in the final 24 seconds.
Week 6: @ DET, @ NOP, @ MIA*, vs. MIA
Record: 3-13
OffRtg: 105.6 (28) DefRtg: 114.1 (18) NetRtg: -8.6 (27) Pace: 97.3 (27)
The Sixers got a win over Ben Simmons and the Nets on Friday, but still can’t get all three of their stars on the floor together and still have the second worst record in the league.
Three takeaways
The good news is that the Sixers have just two games over the next eight days, and they’re both rest-advantage games, though they went 0-2 with rest advantages (and Embiid in the lineup) last week.
Week 6: vs. HOU, @ DET
Record: 4-12
OffRtg: 108.9 (26) DefRtg: 117.8 (26) NetRtg: -8.9 (28) Pace: 100.6 (10)
After an 0-4 road trip, the Jazz returned home and ended the Knicks’ four-game winning streak on Saturday afternoon.
Three takeaways
Jazz players not named Sexton or Markkanen were a combined 5-for-27 from 3-point range when they lost their lone rest-disadvantage game of the season (eight days ago against the Clippers). They’ll have rest disadvantages against the Nuggets and Lakers as they finish up a five-game homestand this week.
Week 6: vs. SAS*, vs. DEN, vs. DAL, vs. LAL
Record: 4-13
OffRtg: 106.8 (27) DefRtg: 118.8 (29) NetRtg: -12.0 (29) Pace: 97.0 (29)
The Pelicans remain depleted, starting Elfrid Payton at point guard just hours after he was signed on Wednesday (when Brandon Ingram missed a game for the first time).
Three takeaways
The Pels have a league-low four rest-advantage games this season, with the first coming on Monday in Indiana, where the Pacers beat the Wizards on Sunday night. CJ McCollum (out the last 13 games) and Dejounte Murray (out since opening night) are listed as questionable and doubtful, respectively, so even if they don’t play, they’re getting close to a return.
Week 6: @ IND, vs. TOR, @ MEM*, @ NYK
Record: 2-13
OffRtg: 105.5 (29) DefRtg: 118.8 (30) NetRtg: -13.3 (30) Pace: 103.2 (4
The Wizards were competitive with the Celtics for about 45 minutes on Friday, but their losing streak is at 11 games.
Three takeaways
The Wizards are the only team that hasn’t played a rest-disadvantage game, and their first is Wednesday, when they complete a home back-to-back with a visit from the Clippers. They have a 20-game losing streak in the second games of back-to-backs, with the last win having come (behind a big game from Kristaps Porzingis) in February of 2023.
Week 6: vs. CHI*, vs. LAC, @ MIL