This week’s NBA Power Rankings edition features a lot of movement in the team rankings, with teams like the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers making huge leaps. Meanwhile, teams that had strong starts to the season, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs, have fallen further and further behind.
Which teams are going to make you squint and scratch your head? Continue reading to see how each team fared over the last week.
Week 6 NBA Power Rankings: Kings rule as Cavaliers fall further
Also read: How long is Paul George out? Updates on Clipper’s star, hamstring injury timeline and return date
SUMMARY
1. Boston Celtics (+1)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (-1)
3. Utah Jazz (+2)
4. Sacramento Kings (+11)
5. Phoenix Suns (+1)
6. Indiana Pacers (+8)
7. Washington Wizards (+4)
8. Atlanta Hawks (no change)
9. Los Angeles Clippers (+3)
10. Dallas Mavericks (no change)
11. Denver Nuggets (-8)
12. New Orleans Pelicans (+1)
13. Memphis Grizzlies (-6)
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (-5)
15. Portland Trail Blazers (-11)
16. Brooklyn Nets (+6)
17. Philadelphia 76ers (-1)
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (+6)
19. Golden State Warriors (+6)
20. Toronto Raptors (-3)
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (-1)
22. New York Knicks (-3)
23. Miami Heat (-5)
24. Los Angeles Lakers (+3)
25. Orlando Magic (+1)
26. Chicago Bulls (-3)
27. Houston Rockets (+3)
28. San Antonio Spurs (-7)
29. Charlotte Hornets (no change)
30. Detroit Pistons (-2)
Let’s start it.
1. Boston Celtics (+1)
So far this season, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been arguably the most consistent team. They’ve also won their last nine games and have the league’s best overall record.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (-1)
Of course, the Bucks are still a contender, but they have been extremely inconsistent in recent weeks. That is why they have dropped to second place. They’ve also dropped four of their last six games, including a few to East teams they may face in the playoffs.
3. Utah Jazz (+2)
The Jazz are continuing to perform far better than anyone expected. Having said that, they did go through a rough patch, losing three of their last five games.
4. Sacramento Kings (+11)
These are the Sacramento Kings — the same ones that started off the gates losing their first four games. They’ve been nearly unbeatable in the last two weeks, winning their last six games.
5. Phoenix Suns (+1)
Wins over the Warriors and Knicks this week cannot compensate for losses to the Heat and Jazz. They have also lost five of their last nine games, which has allowed Utah to dethrone them as the best team in the Western Conference thus far.
6. Indiana Pacers (+8)
The Pacers are the Kings’ Eastern counterpart. These teams were not expected to do much, but they have been pulling off upsets left and right.
7. Washington Wizards (+4)
The Wizards deserve a lot of credit for winning two of their three games this week. Their only defeat came by one point to the Thunder.
8. Atlanta Hawks (no change)
ATL has had a wild ride this season, but they remain atop the Southeast and are tied for the fourth-best record in the league. They’ve also been strong this month, winning six of their nine games.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (+3)
With a strong November, the Clippers have quietly climbed the standings. Yes, they didn’t have the most difficult schedule this week, but they still won 3-1.
10. Dallas Mavericks (no change)
The Mavericks had a split with the Nuggets this week, so there was no jump either way. Overall, this is a team that has won the majority of its games and has not experienced a major slump.
Furthermore, Luka Doncic has been the best player in the NBA so far this season.
11. Denver Nuggets (-8)
The Nuggets should be pleased to leave Dallas with a split, but that won’t keep them from falling significantly in our Week 6 NBA Power Rankings.
They went 1-2 this week, with one of those losses coming to the Knicks — yes, the Knicks.
12. New Orleans Pelicans (+1)
With the big three of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, New Orleans has been entertaining to watch this season.
A close loss to Boston last weekend shouldn’t hurt their stock too much, but it’ll be interesting to see how they fare this week against the Dubs, Spurs, and Grizzlies.
Read more: Is LeBron James, Chris Paul PERFORMING on Tuesday? Injury Report for Suns – Lakers
13. Memphis Grizzlies (-6)
After losing three of their last four games, the Grizzlies have dropped out of the top ten. Surprisingly, all three of those losses have come on the road, where Memphis has been noticeably less effective.
This team is beset by injuries, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. all out.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (-5)
We had the Cavs falling even further if it hadn’t been for their convincing win over the Heat. They’ve now won back-to-back games after losing five in a row.
This should boost the Cavs’ confidence, though games against the Hawks, Blazers, and Bucks this week will put them to the test once more.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (-11)
The Trail Blazers have fallen hard and fast, with Daman Lillard suffering yet another injury setback.
They’ve also just suffered back-to-back losses to the Nets and Jazz. Keep in mind that the Blazers must improve significantly at home, where they have won as many games as they have lost.
16. Brooklyn Nets (+6)
They advanced five positions last week and now advance six more. The Nets have looked good under Jacque Vaughn, who has led them to seven wins in 11 games since taking over.
The return of Kyrie Irving was also beneficial to both the team and the fans. He scored 14 points against the Grizzlies, and Ben Simmons is finally coming around.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (-1)
The Sixers were actually okay this week, going 1-1 with a big win over the Bucks. They still have a long way to go to regain relevance in the Eastern Conference, where they currently sit in eighth place.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (+6)
After winning their last three games, the Wolves are on a roll this week. D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards have been scoring well, but they would like to see Rudy Gobert provide better rim protection. On paper, they should be favorites this week against the Heat, Pacers, and Hornets.
19. Golden State Warriors (+6)
In our Week 6 NBA Power Rankings, the defending champions are moving up. They are currently fourth in their division, despite winning three of their last four games.
20. Toronto Raptors (-3)
Although the Raptors are second in their division, they have lost three of their last five games.
Scottie Barnes has yet to deliver on his potential as a borderline All-Star, and a slew of injuries has limited the team’s potency and depth. This week’s opponents will be the Nets and the Mavericks.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (-1)
The Thunder went 1-2 this week and are currently last in the Northwest Division. Nonetheless, they earned an impressive road win in Washington, highlighting this team’s potential.
22. New York Knicks (-3)
NYK began the season with a big win in Denver, but then lost back-to-back games to the Warriors and Suns.
They are still a top-10 team in the Eastern Conference, but the trio of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett doesn’t appear to have a lot of upside in the future.
23. Miami Heat (-5)
The Heat should be one of our title contenders, but they have been one of our most disappointing. They have lost three of their last four games and are currently ranked outside of the top ten in the Eastern Conference.
24. Los Angeles Lakers (+3)
The Los Angeles Lakers have won three straight games! What do you think about that? That is the primary reason they are among our Week 6 NBA Power Rankings risers.
Interestingly, LeBron James did not play in any of those victories. On the other hand, welcome back to Anthony Davis as a superstar.
25. Orlando Magic (+1)
With a win over the Bulls, the Magic avoided going 0-4 this week. They could also have defeated the Pacers. Is this team showing signs of promise? Sure. Can they play more consistently on the court? They ought to.
26. Chicago Bulls (-3)
The Bulls are currently more disappointing than the Heat. They appear to be grieving the loss of Lonzo Ball, who could have provided them with so much in terms of shooting, playmaking, and defense.
After Zach LaVine was benched late in the loss to Orlando, there was some tension between him and Billy Donovan.
27. Houston Rockets (+3)
For the first time in weeks, the Rockets have risen above the abyss. A win over the Mavericks without Luka Doncic and competitive losses to the Pacers and Warriors can do that.
Still, Houston is one of the NBA’s doormats this season, and they may as well be tanking for Wemby in 2023.
28. San Antonio Spurs (-7)
Whatever promise and fight the Spurs showed in October has all but vanished in November. The Spurs have only won one game this month and have lost their last five.
This week, they face a talented Pelicans team and a resurgent Lakers team (twice).
29. Charlotte Hornets (no change)
After starting the week with a win in Orlando, the Hornets appeared poised to make a statement, but losses to the Pacers, Cavs, and Wizards put a damper on their enthusiasm.
They are last in their division and second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, and LaMelo Ball is injured yet again.
30. Detroit Pistons (-2)
The Pistons have won just one game since November began and have dropped to the bottom of not only the division or the East, but the entire league.
