NBA Power Rankings: Nuggets, Magic Rise to Top Five While Pacers Are Not Far Behind

Denver and Orlando both make big leaps this week, while Indiana’s years of searching for meaningful success may finally be paying off in the in-season tournament.

The in-season tournament, which will make its way to Las Vegas on Thursday, was made for a team like the Pacers—a franchise desperate for any success after nine straight seasons ending without a playoff appearance or an exit in the first round. Think the IST isn’t meaningful? Watch the second half of the Pacers’ quarterfinals win over the Celtics on Monday, when an energized Indiana team erased a seven-point halftime deficit to score a double-digit win, 122–112, over a team that, weeks earlier, beat them by 51 points.

The IST, which will get a Finals-like rollout from the NBA this week, was made for players like Tyrese Haliburton, budding stars—nay, superstars—deserving of national attention. Haliburton is averaging 28 points and 13.4 assists in in-season tournament games, shooting 50.5% from the floor and 46.4% from three. Indiana’s roster, populated by just three players making north of $10 million, seems pretty motivated by the $500,000 per player prize that awaits the tourney winner.

I’ll have more to say on the IST later this week, but the Pacers, and Haliburton, are exactly what this tournament was designed for.

Let’s jump into Sports Illustrated’s latest NBA power rankings … 

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Gobert is fitting well in the Minnesota offense this season :: Petre Thomas/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 1

Tell the truth. How many of you have disappeared those Rudy Gobert hot takes from last season? Gobert’s numbers the last five games: 16.6 points (on 67% shooting), 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. Meanwhile Minnesota is also leading the NBA in most important defensive categories. 

2. Boston Celtics

Last week: 2

Among the improvements in Jayson Tatum’s game this season: Entering Monday night’s matchup against Indiana, Tatum was connecting on 62% of his shots on drives and 74% at the rim, with a midrange game hovering around 50%. Third quarters continue to vex Boston, though, with the Celtics ranking 29th in offensive efficiency in the third quarter; they were steamrolled by the Pacers in the period Monday. 

3. Denver Nuggets

Last week: 5

Nikola Jokić continues to put up some staggering stat lines, including a 36-point, 13-rebound, 14-assist effort in a loss to the Kings last week. Where Denver gets in trouble is when Jokić is off the floor. The Nuggets have been getting drilled in those non-Jokić minutes, which they hope will improve when Jamal Murray (finally) gets healthy.

4. Orlando Magic

Last week: 7

O.K., I kind of love that a comment from Eddie House—the former Celtic guard called the Magic “garbage” last season—has been used as motivational rocket fuel in the Orlando locker room. The team’s offense is starting to catch up to its sturdy defense, most notably thanks to Franz Wagner, who has scored 30-plus in three of the last four games for the Magic. 

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week: 4

It really is incredible what the Thunder are doing with the NBA’s third-youngest roster. Oklahoma City is top six in offensive and defensive efficiency and ranks in the top two in the league in field goal percentage (second, 49.5), free throw percentage (second, 85.4) and three-point percentage (first, 39.8). No other team ranks in the top five in all three categories. 

6. Philadelphia 76ers

Melton put up 21 points against the Celtics on Friday night :: Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 3

Philadelphia has lost six of its last 10, with the injury/illness bug sweeping through the Sixers’ locker room. A soft upcoming schedule should right the ship, as will continued production from De’Anthony Melton, who made four threes in back-to-back games last week and is connecting on 40% from deep. 

7. Milwaukee Bucks

Last week: 6

Has Milwaukee found some mojo? The Bucks have won nine of 11 after a 5–4 start, averaging nearly 10 points more per game during that stretch. Sustained effort is still an issue, at least according to Adrian Griffin, who criticized his team’s energy after a loss to the Bulls. 

8. New York Knicks

Last week: 15

The Knicks are a Devin Booker–buzzer-beater away from being on a five-game winning streak. Julius Randle has been excellent in that stretch, averaging 23 points, 10.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists while connecting on 51.2% of his shots. In New York wins, Randle is shooting 47%; in losses, that number drops to 31.3%. 

9. New Orleans Pelicans

Last week: 14

Watch out for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram dropped 30 in the Pelicans’ in-season tournament quarterfinals win over the Kings, and CJ McCollum returned to lead the team in assists in two of the three games he’s played since recovering from a lung issue. The injury bug bit the Pelicans in the first month of the season. Fully healthy, they look like a force. 

10. Sacramento Kings

Last week: 9

The Kings have a bottom-third point-defensive rating over the last five games and are one of two of the Western Conference’s top 11 teams to have a negative point differential. Not great. On the plus side, Domantas Sabonis continues to rack up efficient double-doubles and is shooting above 40% from three. 

11. Indiana Pacers

Haliburton has shined on the IST stage :: Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 16

How is it possible Haliburton had not recorded a triple double before Monday night’s win over Boston? Haliburton’s brilliance was highlighted in Indiana’s quarterfinals win, but the Pacers’ depth has been a strength, too. Seven players scored in double figures Monday with Indiana’s No. 1 rated bench collecting 33 points. 

12. Phoenix Suns

Last week: 8

Remember when Bol Bol was hailed as a solid scrap-heap signing? Well Bol, who averaged nine points in 21 minutes per game with the Magic last season, has been stapled to the bench in this one. It’s likely Bol won’t play as long as Frank Vogel is committed to shoring up what’s been a mediocre defense all season. 

13. Los Angeles Lakers

Last week: 17

LeBron James’s field goal percentage this year is his best since the 2013–14 season. His three-point percentage, best since the ’12–13 season. James’s effective field goal percentage, best ever. What James is doing weeks before his 39th birthday—including a nifty 360-degree layup against the Rockets—is beyond unprecedented. It’s unimaginable, particularly for a player who continues to log heavy minutes. 

14. Dallas Mavericks

Last week: 11

Luka Dončić is attempting a career-high 10 three-pointers per game and connecting on a career-best 39% of them. Unfortunately Kyrie Irving’s efficiency is going in the other direction: Irving’s 45.5% from the floor is the lowest since the 2015–16 season. 

15. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week: 17

Finally healthy, the Cavs have strung together some solid defensive efforts during this recent 3–1 stretch. The Evan Mobley–Jarrett Allen combination is back to tormenting opponents in the paint, and, with Mobley and Allen behind him, Donovan Mitchell (2.1 steals per game) is having a career year jumping the passing lanes. 

16. Los Angeles Clippers

Last week: 20

The Clippers looked terrific in a blowout win over the Kings last week, then less so in a loss to the Warriors before showing heart in a come-from-behind win in a second game against Golden State. Safe to say Los Angeles is still looking for consistency. The starting lineup, though, has looked sharp since Russell Westbrook’s move to the bench, with Terance Mann starting to find a rhythm offensively. 

17. Miami Heat

Last week: 12

Let Jimmy Butler describe the state of the Heat, which has dropped four of its last five: “We stand right where we don’t want to be, which is very mediocre,” Butler told reporters last week. “Not good, not bad, just mediocre. You talk about our offense; it’s been mediocre. You talk about our defense; it’s been mediocre.”

18. Golden State Warriors

Green was suspended for five games in November :: Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 18

How is it the two Warriors players with the worst net ratings are Andrew Wiggins (-16.4) and Draymond Green (-8.6)? And how is it that Golden State has a better—significantly better—defensive rating with Green off the floor (110.5) than with him on it (118.4). A weird season in the Bay Area continues. 

19. Brooklyn Nets

Last week: 22

Gotta love Cam Thomas, who jacked up 44 shots in his first two games back from injury. Thomas will energize Brooklyn’s offense, but a defensive boost just isn’t on the horizon—especially not with Ben Simmons continuing to battle a back injury that sounds more ominous by the week. The Nets are 19th in defensive efficiency this season. 

20. Houston Rockets

Last week: 9

Rockets at home: 8–1 with a 115.3 offensive rating and a stingy 102.1 defensive rating. Rockets on the road: 0–8, with a 109.8 offensive rating and a ghastly 118.8 defensive rating. The good news for Houston: three of its next four games will be played in the Toyota Center. 

21. Atlanta Hawks

Last week: 19

Jalen Johnson’s injury is a blow to the Hawks, particularly defensively, where the forward’s versatility was an asset. Atlanta has been stuck in neutral since early November and is among the early favorites to shake up a roster that doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. 

22. Utah Jazz

Last week: 23

Injuries are starting to catch up to Utah, with Lauri Markkanen among the wounded Jazz players in 2023. It has created some opportunity, including for Ömer Yurtseven, who has emerged as a solid defender-rebounder in the Jazz rotation. Utah has a tough stretch coming up with four straight against playoff-caliber teams. 

23. Chicago Bulls

Williams put up 14 points in Chicago’s win over the Pelicans :: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 24

Patrick Williams has scored in double figures for six straight games; Coby White is turning his game up; and Alex Caruso continues to give the Bulls steady, two-way minutes. Back-to-back wins over the Bucks and Pelicans were among the first real signs of life Chicago has shown all season. Can the Bulls build on it? Games against the Hornets and Spurs this week will give them the opportunity. 

24. Toronto Raptors

Last week: 21

Way too early to make any judgments on Gradey Dick, the recently-turned-20-year-old lottery pick, but Dick’s struggles with his shot have been notable. After shooting 40% from three at Kansas, Dick is connecting on just 24.4% of his threes in Toronto. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies

Last week: 27

The Grizzlies have won two of the last three, and Ja Morant’s return is just around the corner. 

26. Portland Trail Blazers

Last week: 26

Just … keep an eye on Portland. The Blazers’ defense has sharpened lately—Indiana managed just 110 points against it last week—and Portland will play nine of its next 11 games at home. If there’s an opportunity for the Blazers to start stringing together some wins, it’s now. 

27. Charlotte Hornets

Last week: 25

Miles Bridges has picked up right where he left off in 2021–22 after being suspended following a domestic violence incident. He is averaging nearly identical scoring (20.5 points) and rebounding (seven) numbers while connecting on a career-best 44.4% of his threes. Still, the Hornets aren’t winning anything with the NBA’s 30th-ranked defense. 

28. Washington Wizards

Last week: 29

Bilal Coulibaly, Washington’s 19-year-old rookie, is leading all first-year players in three-point percentage (43.5%). Yep … that’s all I’ve got. 

29. San Antonio Spurs

Last week: 28

It’s 14 straight losses and counting for San Antonio. A home game against the Bulls on Friday might be the Spurs’ best chance to snap the streak for a while. 

30. Detroit Pistons

Last week: 30

We covered Detroit’s staggering futility last week. Wednesday’s home date against the Grizzlies could be all that stands between the Pistons and a 20-plus game losing streak. Bojan Bogdanović scored 22 points in 27 minutes in his season debut last week, so his return should give a jolt to one of the NBA’s most inconsistent offenses.