By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-04-02 19:00:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
NBA常规赛还剩下不到两周的时间，但仍有很多值得争夺的东西。各支球队都在争夺季后赛席位，但避免参加附加赛的竞争也每天都在变化。西部联盟的情况仍然特别艰难，第三名到第八名之间的球队至少相差两个胜场。
在积分榜的末端，一些球队正在强大的收官和提高他们在以杜克大学新生天才库珀·弗拉格为首的众多新秀中获得状元签的机会之间徘徊。
只剩下几场比赛了，球员们正在努力达到季后赛荣誉的标准，同时也为MVP、年度最佳新秀和年度最佳防守球员等顶级奖项争取机会。
我们的NBA内部人士对最新的实力榜形势以及本赛季最后几周值得关注的内容发表了看法。
注：球队排名基于我们的专家组（ESPN的蒂姆·邦坦普斯(Tim Bontemps),贾马尔·科利尔(Jamal Collier),迈克尔·莱特(Michael Wright),蒂姆·麦克马洪(Tim MacMahon),戴夫·麦克梅纳明(Dave McMenamin),奥姆·杨米苏克(Ohm Youngmisuk)和克里斯·赫林(Chris Herring)）认为球队本赛季应处的位置。
之前的排名： 季前赛 | 10月30日 | 11月5日 | 11月13日 | 11月20日 | 11月27日 | 12月4日 | 12月11日 | 12月18日 | 12月25日 | 1月1日 | 1月8日 | 1月15日 | 1月22日 | 1月29日 | 2月5日 | 2月12日 | 2月26日 | 3月5日 | 3月12日 | 3月19日 | 3月26日
跳转到球队： \
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
- 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 63胜12负
- 之前的排名： 1
- 接下来比赛： 对阵活塞（4月2日），客场对阵火箭（4月4日），对阵湖人（4月6日），对阵湖人（4月8日）
雷霆周一狂胜公牛，这意味着俄克拉荷马城已经锁定了NBA历史上最佳的跨联盟战绩。雷霆本赛季对阵东部联盟球队的战绩为28胜1负，唯一的污点是他们客场挑战骑士队的比赛。此前最佳的跨联盟战绩是27胜3负，由2015-16赛季的勇士队、2006-07赛季的小牛队和1999-2000赛季的湖人队取得。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪
- 克利夫兰骑士
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 60胜15负
- 之前的排名： 2
- 接下来比赛： 对阵尼克斯（4月2日），客场对阵马刺（4月4日），对阵国王（4月6日），对阵公牛（4月8日）
骑士已经锁定了队史第三个60胜赛季，并且可以通过在赛季末取得6胜1负的战绩来追平球队的胜场纪录。当然，这比确保他们保住东部第一的种子更为次要，他们领先凯尔特人四个胜场，而凯尔特人已经赢得了过去15场比赛中的14场。克利夫兰最后七场比赛中只有一场是对阵季后赛之外的球队（圣安东尼奥）。– 戴夫·麦克梅纳明
- 波士顿凯尔特人
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 56胜19负
- 之前的排名： 3
- 接下来比赛： 对阵热火（4月2日），对阵太阳（4月4日），对阵奇才（4月6日），客场对阵尼克斯（4月8日）
如果凯尔特人全胜，他们有很小的机会赶上骑士队，争夺东部第一的位置。但对于凯尔特人来说，未来几周最重要的事情是他们能否健康地进入季后赛。如果波士顿拥有全部天赋，他们对与任何球队正面交锋都充满信心。– 蒂姆·邦坦普斯
- 休斯顿火箭
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 49胜27负
- 之前的排名： 4
- 接下来比赛： 对阵爵士（4月2日），对阵雷霆（4月4日），客场对阵勇士（4月6日）
尽管休斯顿错失了成为西部第二支锁定季后赛席位的球队的机会，但教练伊梅·乌度卡(Ime Udoka)更关心的是火箭保持健康和稳定，并依靠他们的身体对抗将防守转化为进攻。休斯顿也在寻找在季后赛前提高半场进攻的方法，并且可以依靠他们联盟领先的进攻篮板。即将到来的赛程应该为季后赛提供强大的准备，休斯顿将与五支预计参加西部季后赛的球队进行比赛。– 迈克尔·莱特
- 丹佛掘金
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 47胜29负
- 之前的排名： 5
- 接下来比赛： 对阵马刺（4月2日），客场对阵勇士（4月4日），对阵步行者（4月6日）
掘金队在最后六场比赛中有很多事情要做，他们的目标是进入西部前四名。尼古拉·约基奇(Nikola Jokic)仍然与谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)争夺MVP，并且可能需要一个强大的收官来克服他最近因伤缺席的五场比赛。但对于掘金队来说，也许最重要的是他们的健康，并确保约基奇、贾马尔·穆雷(Jamal Murray)和阿隆·戈登(Aaron Gordon)为季后赛做好准备。无论种子排名如何，只要这三个人保持健康，丹佛就有机会冲出西部。值得注意的是，击败西部领先的雷霆队（目前正处于10连胜）的最后一支球队是掘金队。– 奥姆·杨米苏克
- 洛杉矶湖人
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 46胜29负
- 之前的排名： 7
- 接下来比赛： 对阵勇士（4月3日），对阵鹈鹕（4月4日），客场对阵雷霆（4月6日），客场对阵雷霆（4月8日）
湖人队在过去四个赛季中有三次通过附加赛晋级季后赛。在西部排名第四，常规赛还剩下七场比赛的情况下，勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)和湖人队铁了心要保持他们的位置并直接晋级季后赛。“我们的任务是锁定一个季后赛席位，”詹姆斯说。“我们不想参加附加赛，所以我们明白其中的利害关系。”– 麦克梅纳明
- 金州勇士
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 44胜31负
- 之前的排名： 9
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵湖人（4月3日），对阵掘金（4月4日），对阵火箭（4月6日），客场对阵太阳（4月8日）
自从在交易截止日前获得吉米·巴特勒三世(Jimmy Butler III)以来，勇士队的目标一直很明确——获得第六名或更高的种子，并远离附加赛。勇士队不想在一场潜在的单场淘汰赛中冒险投入改进的下半赛季，而是宁愿在首轮七场系列赛之前获得宝贵的一周休息时间。斯蒂芬·库里(Stephen Curry)本赛季早些时候告诉ESPN，他认为勇士队可以击败任何系列赛中的对手，因为他们拥有总冠军经验。再加上巴特勒，他们有信心可以取得一番成就。– 杨米苏克
- 印第安纳步行者
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 44胜31负
- 之前的排名： 11
- 接下来比赛： 对阵黄蜂（4月2日），对阵爵士（4月4日），客场对阵掘金（4月6日），对阵奇才（4月8日）
步行者队能否保住第四号种子？在伤病缠身的雄鹿队从第四名跌至第六名之后，步行者队一直保持着火热的状态，这使得印第安纳有可能在他们的首轮系列赛中获得主场优势。步行者队也领先第五名的活塞队两个胜场，并且在进入季后赛之前，他们最后的七场比赛中有五场将在主场进行，这给了他们作为前四号种子的优势。– 贾马尔·科利尔
- 孟菲斯灰熊
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 44胜32负
- 之前的排名： 8
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵热火（4月3日），客场对阵活塞（4月5日），客场对阵黄蜂（4月8日）
灰熊队在常规赛即将结束时解雇主教练泰勒·詹金斯(Taylor Jenkins)，震惊了整个NBA。现在，让我们看看孟菲斯在临时教练图奥马斯·伊萨洛(Tuomas Iisalo)的带领下表现如何，他曾是芬兰职业球员，并在2023-24赛季执教巴黎篮球俱乐部，在那里他赢得了欧洲杯，并被评为年度最佳教练。在主要使用最近被解雇的助理教练诺亚·拉罗什(Noah LaRoche)建立的进攻体系之后，孟菲斯将尝试纳入更多伊萨洛的挡拆战术，以优化后卫贾·莫兰特(Ja Morant)。灰熊队总经理扎克·克莱曼(Zach Kleiman)表示，他希望在赛季末看到“明确的方向”，但自从詹金斯被解雇以来，球队的战绩为0胜3负。– 迈克尔·莱特
- 明尼苏达森林狼
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 44胜32负
- 之前的排名： 10
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵篮网（4月3日），客场对阵76人（4月5日），客场对阵雄鹿（4月8日）
森林狼队能否摆脱附加赛？与积分榜上围绕着他们的每支球队一样，明尼苏达也希望避免参加附加赛并获得前六名的种子。森林狼队目前正处于三连胜，在积分榜上排名第七，但与第六名的灰熊队并列19.5个胜场。然而，他们仅领先第八名的快船队半个胜场。在周二晚上与掘金队进行的一场双加时赛中获胜后，明尼苏达的赛程变得更加轻松，本周将客场对阵篮网队和76人队。– 贾马尔·科利尔
- 纽约尼克斯
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 48胜27负
- 之前的排名： 6
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵骑士（4月2日），客场对阵老鹰（4月5日），对阵太阳（4月6日），对阵凯尔特人（4月8日）
尼克斯队在最后两周最关注的事情是明星后卫杰伦·布伦森(Jalen Brunson)的健康，他正在从上个月脚踝扭伤中恢复。球队也希望替补球员迪尤斯·麦克布赖德(Deuce McBride)和卡梅隆·佩恩(Cam Payne)在缺席一段时间后能够尽快回归，并希望米切尔·罗宾逊(Mitchell Robinson)在长期缺席后恢复状态。但布伦森及时回归参加几场常规赛，以便在进入季后赛前感到舒适——他说他希望这样做——这将是理想的。– 克里斯·赫林
- 洛杉矶快船
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 43胜32负
- 之前的排名： 12
- 接下来比赛： 对阵鹈鹕（4月2日），对阵小牛（4月4日），对阵小牛（4月5日），对阵马刺（4月8日）
快船队正在为获得第六号种子并避免参加附加赛而战。但对于快船队来说，最重要的事情是再次确保科怀·伦纳德(Kawhi Leonard)在进入季后赛时保持健康。当伦纳德错过本赛季的第一部分时，他和快船队表示，他们希望尽一切努力确保这位超级巨星不会像过去两次那样在季后赛中受伤。他们一直没有让伦纳德参加背靠背的比赛，但幸运的是，他们只剩下一次背靠背的比赛，即连续主场对阵达拉斯的比赛。– 杨米苏克
- 底特律活塞
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 42胜33负
- 之前的排名： 14
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵雷霆（4月2日），客场对阵猛龙（4月4日），对阵灰熊（4月5日），对阵国王（4月7日）
在几乎锁定东部前六名并自2019年以来首次直接重返季后赛之后，活塞队专注于在常规赛剩余时间里的种子排名。赶上步行者队以获得首轮主场优势可能很困难，因为印第安纳在积分榜上领先两个胜场并握有相互交锋的优势，但底特律希望保持在状态不佳的雄鹿队之前，排名第五。直到本赛季的最后一个周末，当两队进行主客场比赛时，才会决定这个加赛权。– 凯文·佩尔顿
- 密尔沃基雄鹿
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 41胜34负
- 之前的排名： 13
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵76人（4月3日），客场对阵热火（4月5日），客场对阵鹈鹕（4月6日），对阵森林狼（4月8日）
达米安·利拉德(Damian Lillard)的健康是密尔沃基最值得关注的事情，在周二晚上战胜太阳队之前，雄鹿队遭遇了四连败，并且自从这位超级巨星缺席以来，已经跌至积分榜第六位。雄鹿队在季后赛中取得成功的任何机会都取决于利拉德本赛季是否能够回归。利拉德和扬尼斯·安特托昆博(Giannis Antetokounmpo)之间新兴的化学反应是联盟中得分最高的二人组，这是雄鹿队在季后赛中非常需要的。– 贾马尔·科利尔
- 亚特兰大老鹰
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 36胜39负
- 之前的排名： 16
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵小牛（4月2日），对阵尼克斯（4月5日），对阵爵士（4月6日），客场对阵魔术（4月8日）
亚特兰大希望优先考虑不要过度使用特雷·杨(Trae Young)，他最近因右脚跟腱炎而每天都在观察。除此之外，老鹰队还专注于让替补中锋克林特·卡佩拉(Clint Capela)（左手受伤）尽快回归，如果他们能够进入季后赛。老鹰队将重点关注他们与魔术队剩下的两场比赛，亚特兰大非常有可能在争夺第七号种子的附加赛中面对魔术队。这两个本赛季一直在积分榜上互换位置的球队，在胜场差方面不相上下。– 克里斯·赫林
- 达拉斯小牛
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 37胜39负
- 之前的排名： 19
- 接下来比赛： 对阵老鹰（4月2日），客场对阵快船（4月4日），客场对阵快船（4月5日）
小牛队至少将在赛季末一睹总经理尼科·哈里森(Nico Harrison)对NBA最大和最具活力的前场的设想。安东尼·戴维斯(Anthony Davis)（内收肌拉伤）和丹尼尔·加福德(Daniel Gafford)（膝盖扭伤）最近从长期伤病缺席中回归，而德里克·莱夫利二世(Dereck Lively II)（脚踝应力性骨折）也即将回归。戴维斯在复出后的四场比赛中平均得到14.3分和6.8个篮板，在处理出场时间限制的同时消除锈迹。加福德在周一输给篮网队的比赛中出场19分钟，得到17分和7个篮板，这是他复出后的第一场比赛。– 蒂姆·麦克马洪
- 萨克拉门托国王
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 36胜39负
- 之前的排名： 15
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵奇才（4月2日），客场对阵黄蜂（4月4日），客场对阵骑士（4月6日），客场对阵活塞（4月7日）
尽管国王队在过去的七场比赛中输掉了六场，但他们仍然紧紧抓住西部第10名和最后一个附加赛席位。凯文·杜兰特(Kevin Durant)的受伤提高了萨克拉门托进入季后赛的机会，因为他们领先太阳队1.5个胜场。但在常规赛的最后一天，当他们在萨克拉门托对决时，加赛权仍然悬而未决。从现在到那时，国王队更有利的赛程使得他们在BPI的模拟中更有可能以85%的概率进入附加赛。– 凯文·佩尔顿
- 奥兰多魔术
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 37胜40负
- 之前的排名： 18
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵奇才（4月3日），对阵老鹰（4月8日）
魔术队陷入了附加赛种子排名的争夺战，因为他们已经落后于老鹰队排名第七。如果他们跌得更低，那么凭借单场附加赛的胜利晋级将是不可能的。奥兰多和亚特兰大将在本赛季的最后五场比赛中交手两次，周二在安利中心开始。魔术队在过去的七场比赛中取得了5胜2负的战绩，但并没有弥补与老鹰队的任何差距。– 凯文·佩尔顿
- 芝加哥公牛
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 34胜42负
- 之前的排名： 21
- 接下来比赛： 对阵开拓者（4月4日），客场对阵黄蜂（4月6日），客场对阵骑士（4月8日）
关注一下进入自由球员市场的约什·基迪(Josh Giddey)。公牛队最近的崛起使他们得以短暂地将目光投向在东部附加赛中晋级，然后在本周回落至第10位，但赛季末最值得关注的事情将是基迪如何结束本赛季。自从全明星赛以来，他的数据令人印象深刻，并且与科比·怀特(Coby White)一起，他为公牛队提供了一个可以围绕其建立的后场。然而，基迪的结束，包括在任何季后赛期间的表现，对于证明他与上赛季在俄克拉荷马城季后赛中被下放的球员不同至关重要。– 贾马尔·科利尔
- 菲尼克斯太阳
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 35胜41负
- 之前的排名： 17
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵凯尔特人（4月4日），客场对阵尼克斯（4月6日），对阵勇士（4月8日）
凯文·杜兰特的脚踝扭伤会否粉碎太阳队至少进入附加赛的任何希望？在杜兰特在惨败给火箭队的比赛中受伤之前，太阳队已经赢得了六场比赛中的五场。他们仅落后第10名的国王队1.5个胜场，他们将在本赛季的最后一天交手。但是，由于杜兰特至少缺席一周，并且即将与凯尔特人队、尼克斯队、勇士队和雷霆队进行比赛，似乎太阳队的赛季即将结束。– 麦克梅纳明
- 迈阿密热火
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 34胜41负
- 之前的排名： 23
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵凯尔特人（4月2日），对阵灰熊（4月3日），对阵雄鹿（4月5日），对阵76人（4月7日）
在经历了一波10连败之后，迈阿密又迎来了一波五连胜，这让他们有机会重返7-8附加赛。对于迈阿密来说，进入季后赛意味着避免在未来失去两个无保护的选秀权。– 邦坦普斯
- 波特兰开拓者
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 33胜43负
- 之前的排名： 20
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵猛龙（4月3日），客场对阵公牛（4月4日），对阵马刺（4月6日）
一波四连败可能已经将开拓者队进入附加赛的可能性排除在外。他们落后国王队3.5个胜场，并且还必须超过太阳队才能进入积分榜第10位。在不久的将来，波特兰的重点可能会转移到尽可能地提高彩票中的排名。开拓者队和马刺队很可能会进入彩票抽签的第八和第九位，这个顺序将由他们决定。两队将于周日在波特兰进行比赛。– 凯文·佩尔顿
- 新奥尔良鹈鹕
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 21胜54负
- 之前的排名： 27
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵快船（4月2日），客场对阵湖人（4月4日），对阵雄鹿（4月6日），客场对阵篮网（4月8日）
对于新奥尔良来说，坏消息是伤病方面继续传来，周一宣布，明星前锋锡安·威廉姆森(Zion Williamson)（脊椎骨挫伤）和后卫CJ·麦科勒姆(CJ McCollum)（右脚骨挫伤）将缺席本赛季剩余的比赛。还有可能其他三名球员——德章泰·默里(Dejounte Murray)、特雷·墨菲三世(Trey Murphy III)和赫伯特·琼斯(Herbert Jones)——可能会因伤缺席下个赛季的至少一部分时间，这些伤病结束了他们的2024-25赛季。由于伤病在赛季初就破坏了这支球队的赛季，鹈鹕队需要以关注选秀和阵容构建来结束2024-25赛季，以填补他们下个赛季不得不开始的预期空白。– 迈克尔·莱特
- 圣安东尼奥马刺
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 31胜44负
- 之前的排名： 22
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵掘金（4月2日），对阵骑士（4月6日），客场对阵开拓者（4月6日），客场对阵快船（4月8日）
圣安东尼奥需要一个奇迹才能进入附加赛，但这并不意味着马刺队不会在赛季末努力争取实现这一目标。问题是，马刺队在赛季末的八个对手中有四个拥有.500或更好的战绩，并且马刺队以五场客场比赛结束常规赛。尽管没有维克托·文班亚马和德阿隆·福克斯(De’Aaron Fox)上场，但马刺队仍然有几名年轻球员在为未来的角色试训。值得关注的是，斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)是否会巩固他似乎要获得的年度最佳新秀赛季。– 迈克尔·莱特
- 多伦多猛龙
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 28胜48负
- 之前的排名： 25
- 接下来比赛： 对阵开拓者（4月3日），对阵活塞（4月4日），客场对阵篮网（4月6日）
虽然多伦多在本赛季结束前不会看到布兰登·英格拉姆(Brandon Ingram)与这群人在一起会是什么样子，但猛龙队有机会看到斯科蒂·巴恩斯(Scottie Barnes)和伊曼纽尔·奎克利(Immanuel Quickley)在一起，因为自从奎克利上赛季到达以来，由于伤病，他们两人很少分享任何上场时间。在周二晚上被淘汰出季后赛后，猛龙队至少可以利用他们最后的几场比赛来看看这对组合在未来会是什么样子。– 邦坦普斯
- 布鲁克林篮网
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 25胜51负
- 之前的排名： 24
- 接下来比赛： 对阵森林狼（4月3日），对阵猛龙（4月6日），对阵鹈鹕（4月8日）
即使布鲁克林仍然与摆烂的76人队保持着触手可及的距离，争夺NBA倒数第五的战绩——以及彩票抽签中获得状元签的10.5%的机会——但很明显，篮网队第一年执教的教练乔迪·费尔南德斯(Jordi Fernandez)正在努力从这群球员身上榨取他所能得到的一切。篮网队刚刚赢得了自全明星赛以来（对阵奇才队和小牛队）的第一场背靠背比赛。– 克里斯·赫林
- 费城76人
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 23胜53负
- 之前的排名： 26
- 接下来比赛： 对阵雄鹿（4月3日），对阵森林狼（4月5日），客场对阵热火（4月7日）
在布鲁克林取得背靠背胜利后，费城现在在NBA选秀抽签排名中“领先”于篮网队排名第五——对于76人队来说，这是一个非常重要的位置，因为他们的选秀权需要排在前六名之内，以避免将其送给雷霆队。排名第五，而不是第六，将使费城有近三分之二的机会保留选秀权。这是费城在未来一周半时间里的主要关注点。– 邦坦普斯
- 夏洛特黄蜂
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 19胜56负
- 之前的排名： 28
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵步行者（4月2日），对阵国王（4月4日），对阵公牛（4月6日），对阵灰熊（4月8日）
更重要的是，夏洛特——即使在周一战胜爵士队之后——也希望保持在联盟积分榜的后三名，以便与爵士队和奇才队一起获得最高的彩票概率。由于拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball)（脚踝和手腕）被排除在本赛季剩余的比赛之外，并且俱乐部在总积分榜上比鹈鹕队落后两场，因此黄蜂队似乎越来越有可能以他们想要的方式结束：在底部。– 克里斯·赫林
- 华盛顿奇才
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 16胜59负
- 之前的排名： 30
- 接下来比赛： 对阵国王（4月2日），对阵魔术（4月3日），客场对阵凯尔特人（4月6日），客场对阵步行者（4月8日）
在本赛季还剩下七场比赛的情况下，奇才队必须确保他们在预计将是星光熠熠的选秀中拥有最好的彩票概率。他们本赛季即将达到60场失利，并且与爵士队并驾齐驱，以最差战绩结束比赛，而黄蜂队紧随其后。最差的三个战绩将获得14%的概率获得总冠军签。虽然华盛顿希望让亚历克斯·萨尔(Alex Sarr)等年轻人获得高质量的比赛经验，但必须保持获得状元签的最高概率。– 杨米苏克
- 犹他爵士
- 2024-25赛季战绩： 16胜60负
- 之前的排名： 29
- 接下来比赛： 客场对阵火箭（4月2日），客场对阵步行者（4月4日），客场对阵老鹰（4月6日）
约翰·斯托克顿(John Stockton)的一项助攻纪录已被新秀以赛亚·科利尔(Isaiah Collier)打破。科利尔在周一输给黄蜂队的比赛中送出7次助攻，目前本赛季的助攻数为419次，打破了斯托克顿此前创下的新秀特许经营纪录415次。去年选秀中的第29顺位选秀权将需要再送出15,388次助攻才能打破斯托克顿的NBA职业生涯纪录。– 蒂姆·麦克马洪
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: End-of-season watch list for all 30 teams
NBA Power Rankings: End-of-season watch list for all 30 teams
Less than two weeks to go in the NBA regular season but there’s plenty still to play for. Teams are snapping up postseason spots but the race to avoid the play-in tournament is changing by the day. Things remain especially tough in the Western Conference, where the teams between third and eighth place are all separated by at least two games.
At the bottom end of the standings, several teams are straddling the fine line between a strong finish and improving their lottery chances for the No. 1 draft pick in a stacked class of prospects led by Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg.
With only a handful of games left, players are trying to meet the criteria for postseason honors while also making their case for the top awards such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.
Our NBA insiders give their takes on where things stand in our latest Power Rankings and what to watch in the few remaining weeks of the season.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | Feb. 26 | Mar. 5 | Mar. 12 | Mar. 19 | Mar. 26
Jump to a team:\
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2024-25 record: 63-12
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: vs. DET (Apr. 2), @ HOU (Apr. 4), vs. LAL (Apr. 6), vs. LAL (Apr. 8)
The Thunder’s blowout of the Bulls on Monday meant that Oklahoma City has clinched the best cross-conference record in NBA history. The Thunder are 28-1 against Eastern Conference teams this season, the lone blemish coming in their visit to Cleveland. The previous best cross-conference record was 27-3, achieved by the 2015-16 Warriors, 2006-07 Mavericks and 1999-2000 Lakers. – Tim MacMahon
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2024-25 record: 60-15
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: vs. NYK (Apr. 2), @ SA (Apr. 4), vs. SAC (Apr. 6), vs. CHI (Apr. 8)
The Cavs already secured the third 60-win season in franchise history and can tie the team record for wins by going 6-1 down the stretch. That’s secondary, of course, to making sure they hold on to the No. 1 seed in the East, up four games on the Celtics, who have won 14 of their past 15. And only one of Cleveland’s last seven games is against a team out of the postseason picture (San Antonio). – Dave McMenamin
3. Boston Celtics
- 2024-25 record: 56-19
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: vs. MIA (Apr. 2), vs. PHX (Apr. 4), vs. WAS (Apr. 6), @ NYK (Apr. 8)
If the Celtics win out, there’s a small chance they could catch the Cavaliers for the top spot in the East. But what is by far more important for the Celtics over the next couple of weeks is whether they can get into the playoffs healthy. Boston is more than confident in its chances of going toe-to-toe with any team if it has its full complement of talent. – Tim Bontemps
4. Houston Rockets
- 2024-25 record: 49-27
- Previous ranking: 4
- Next games: vs. UTAH (Apr. 2), vs. OKC (Apr. 4), @ GS (Apr. 6)
Despite Houston missing a chance to become the second team in the West to clinch a postseason spot, coach Ime Udoka is more concerned with the Rockets staying healthy, consistent and leaning into their physicality to routinely turn defense into offense. Houston is also looking at ways to improve its half-court offense ahead of the playoffs and can lean on its league-leading offensive rebounding. The upcoming schedule should serve as strong preparation for the postseason with Houston set to close against five expected West playoff participants. – Michael Wright
5. Denver Nuggets
- 2024-25 record: 47-29
- Previous ranking: 5
- Next games: vs. SA (Apr. 2), @ GS (Apr. 4), vs. IND (Apr. 6)
The Nuggets have a lot on the line in their final six games as they aim to finish among the top-four teams in the West. Nikola Jokic is still in a two-man race for MVP with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and will probably need a big finish to overcome the recent five-game stretch he missed due to injury. But perhaps the most important thing for the Nuggets is their health and making sure Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are ready for the playoffs. No matter the seeding, Denver has a shot to come out of the West as long as those three remain healthy. It’s worth noting the last team to beat the West-leading Thunder (currently on a 10-game win streak) were the Nuggets. – Ohm Youngmisuk
6. Los Angeles Lakers
- 2024-25 record: 46-29
- Previous ranking: 7
- Next games: vs. GS (Apr. 3), vs. NO (Apr. 4), @ OKC (Apr. 6), @ OKC (Apr. 8)
The Lakers have qualified for the postseason through the play-in tournament in three of the past four seasons. With L.A. in the No. 4 spot in the West with seven games remaining in the regular season, LeBron James and the Lakers are dead set on holding their positioning and making the playoffs outright. “Our mission is to lock in a playoff spot,” James said. “We don’t want to have to play in the play-in, so we understand what’s at stake.” – McMenamin
7. Golden State Warriors
- 2024-25 record: 44-31
- Previous ranking: 9
- Next games: @ LAL (Apr. 3), vs. DEN (Apr. 4), vs. HOU (Apr. 6), @ PHX (Apr. 8)
Since acquiring Jimmy Butler III before the trade deadline, the Warriors’ goal has been clear – get the sixth seed or higher and stay out of the play-in. The Warriors don’t want to risk an improved second half of the season in a potential single-elimination predicament and would rather have an invaluable week off before a first-round seven-game series. Curry told ESPN earlier this season that he feels the Warriors can beat anyone in a series because of their championship experience. Add Butler to the mix and they’re confident they can make a run. – Youngmisuk
8. Indiana Pacers
- 2024-25 record: 44-31
- Previous ranking: 11
- Next games: vs. CHA (Apr. 2), vs. UTAH (Apr. 4), @ DEN (Apr. 6), vs. WAS (Apr. 8)
Can the Pacers hold the No. 4 seed? The Pacers have stayed hot while the injury-riddled Bucks dropped from fourth to sixth in the standings, setting Indiana up for potential home-court advantage in their first-round series. The Pacers also have a two-game lead over No. 5 Detroit and will have five of their final seven games at home entering the playoffs, giving them an edge as a top-four seed. – Jamal Collier
9. Memphis Grizzlies
- 2024-25 record: 44-32
- Previous ranking: 8
- Next games: @ MIA (Apr. 3), @ DET (Apr. 5), @ CHA (Apr. 8)
The Grizzlies sent shock waves through the NBA when they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins so close to the end of the regular season. Now, let’s see how Memphis plays under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, a former Finnish professional player and coach of Paris Basketball in 2023-24, where he won the EuroCup on the way to being named coach of the year. After utilizing an offense built mostly by recently fired assistant Noah LaRoche, Memphis will try to incorporate more of Iisalo’s pick-and-roll tactics to optimize guard Ja Morant. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said he expects “clarity of direction” down the stretch, but the team is 0-3 since Jenkins’ dismissal. – Wright
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2024-25 record: 44-32
- Previous ranking: 10
- Next games: @ BKN (Apr. 3), @ PHI (Apr. 5), @ MIL (Apr. 8)
Can the Wolves get out of the play-in? Minnesota, like every other team surrounding them in the standings, wants to avoid the play-in tournament and grab a top-six seed. The Wolves, on a three-game winning streak, sit at No. 7 in the standings but are tied with the No. 6 Grizzlies in games back (19.5). However, they sit only half a game ahead of the No. 8 Clippers. After a double-overtime win versus Denver on Tuesday night, the road gets easier for Minnesota, with a road trip against Brooklyn and Philadelphia to close out the week. – Collier
11. New York Knicks
- 2024-25 record: 48-27
- Previous ranking: 6
- Next games: @ CLE (Apr. 2), @ ATL (Apr. 5), vs PHX (Apr. 6), vs. BOS (Apr. 8)
The biggest thing the Knicks are focused on over these final two weeks is star guard Jalen Brunson’s health as he recovers from an ankle sprain sustained last month. The team is also hoping backups Deuce McBride and Cam Payne can return soon after missing some time, and for Mitchell Robinson to get back into form after his prolonged absence. But Brunson getting back in time for a handful of regular-season games to feel comfortable heading into the postseason – something he said he’s hoping to do – would be ideal. – Chris Herring
12. LA Clippers
- 2024-25 record: 43-32
- Previous ranking: 12
- Next games: vs. NO (Apr. 2), vs. DAL (Apr. 4), vs. DAL (Apr. 5), vs. SA (Apr. 8)
The Clippers are fighting to get to the sixth seed and avoid the play-in. But the most important thing for the Clippers is once again making sure Kawhi Leonard is healthy entering the playoffs. When Leonard missed the first part of the season, he and the Clippers said they wanted to do everything they could to ensure the superstar doesn’t get hurt in the playoffs like he has the past two occasions. They’ve been holding Leonard out of back-to-backs, but luckily, they have only one back-to-back remaining, consecutive home games against Dallas. – Youngmisuk
13. Detroit Pistons
- 2024-25 record: 42-33
- Previous ranking: 14
- Next games: @ OKC (Apr. 2), @ TOR (Apr. 4), vs. MEM (Apr. 5), vs. SAC (Apr. 7)
Having almost clinched a top-six spot in the East and a direct return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, the Pistons are focused on seeding over the remainder of the regular season. Catching the Pacers for home-court advantage in the first round could be difficult since Indiana has a two-game lead in the standings and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, but Detroit will want to stay ahead of the reeling Bucks for fifth. That tiebreaker won’t be decided until the season’s final weekend when the teams play a home-and-home set. – Kevin Pelton
14. Milwaukee Bucks
- 2024-25 record: 41-34
- Previous ranking: 13
- Next games: @ PHI (Apr. 3), @ MIA (Apr. 5), @ NO (Apr. 6), vs. MIN (Apr. 8)
Damian Lillard’s health is the biggest thing to watch in Milwaukee, which dropped four straight games before their win against the Suns on Tuesday night and has fallen to No. 6 in the standings since the superstar’s absence. Any chance of the Bucks making a deep postseason run hangs on whether Lillard can return this season. The emerging chemistry between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the highest-scoring duo in the league, is something the Bucks will sorely need in the postseason. – Collier
15. Atlanta Hawks
- 2024-25 record: 36-39
- Previous ranking: 16
- Next games: @ DAL (Apr. 2), vs. NYK (Apr. 5), vs. UTAH (Apr. 6), @ ORL (Apr. 8)
Atlanta will want to prioritize not overworking Trae Young, who’s been day-to-day lately with right Achilles tendonitis. Beyond that, the Hawks are also focusing on getting backup big Clint Capela (left hand injury) back soon should they reach the playoffs. The Hawks will be circling their two remaining games with the Magic, whom Atlanta is incredibly likely to face in the play-in matchup for the No. 7 seed. The two teams, who have been swapping spots in the standings all season, are neck-and-neck in games back. – Herring
16. Dallas Mavericks
- 2024-25 record: 37-39
- Previous ranking: 19
- Next games: vs. ATL (Apr. 2), @ LAC (Apr. 4), @ LAC (Apr. 5)
The Mavs will at least get a glimpse of general manager Nico Harrison’s vision of the NBA’s biggest and most dynamic frontcourt down the stretch. Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and Daniel Gafford (knee sprain) recently returned from extended injury absences, and Dereck Lively II (ankle stress fracture) is on the verge of doing so. Davis has averaged 14.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games since returning, chipping off rust while dealing with a minutes restriction. Gafford had 17 points and 7 rebounds in 19 minutes during Monday’s loss to the Nets, his first game back. – MacMahon
17. Sacramento Kings
- 2024-25 record: 36-39
- Previous ranking: 15
- Next games: @ WAS (Apr. 2), @ CHA (Apr. 4), @ CLE (Apr. 6), @ DET (Apr. 7)
Despite losing six of their past seven games, the Kings are still clinging to the 10th and final play-in spot in the West. Durant’s injury improves Sacramento’s chances at postseason play as they are 1½ games ahead of the Suns. But the head-to-head tiebreaker is up for grabs on the last day of the regular season as they face off in Sacramento. Between now and then, the Kings’ more favorable schedule makes them BPI’s favorites to reach the play-in in 85% of simulations. – Pelton
18. Orlando Magic
- 2024-25 record: 37-40
- Previous ranking: 18
- Next games: @ WAS (Apr. 3), vs. ATL (Apr. 8)
The Magic are locked in a battle for seeding in the play-in tournament as they’ve slipped behind the Hawks for seventh. If they fall any lower, advancing with a single play-in win would be off the table. Orlando and Atlanta will play twice in the season’s final five games, starting Tuesday at Amway Arena. The Magic have gone 5-2 in their past seven games but haven’t made up any ground on the Hawks. – Pelton
19. Chicago Bulls
- 2024-25 record: 34-42
- Previous ranking: 21
- Next games: vs. POR (Apr. 4), @ CHA (Apr. 6), @ CLE (Apr. 8)
Keep your eyes on Josh Giddey entering free agency. The Bulls’ recent surge allowed them to briefly set their sights on moving up in the standings for the East play-in tournament before settling back to No. 10 this week, but the most important thing to watch down the stretch will be how Giddey finishes the season. His numbers have been impressive since the All-Star break and, along with Coby White, he’s given the Bulls a backcourt to build around. However, Giddey’s finish, including during any postseason, will be key to proving he is a different player than the one who got benched in Oklahoma City in last season’s playoffs. – Collier
20. Phoenix Suns
- 2024-25 record: 35-41
- Previous ranking: 17
- Next games: @ BOS (Apr. 4), @ NYK (Apr. 6), vs. GS (Apr. 8)
Will Kevin Durant’s sprained ankle dash any hopes of the Suns making at least the play-in tournament? Before Durant got hurt in a blowout loss to the Rockets, handing them their third loss in a row, Phoenix had won five out of six. They’re only 1½ games behind the No. 10 Kings, whom they face on the last day of the season. But with Durant sidelined at least a week and with upcoming games against the Celtics, Knicks, Warriors and Thunder, it seems as though the sun is beginning to set on Phoenix’s season. – McMenamin
21. Miami Heat
- 2024-25 record: 34-41
- Previous ranking: 23
- Next games: @ BOS (Apr. 2), vs. MEM (Apr. 3), vs. MIL (Apr. 5), vs. PHI (Apr. 7)
After following up a 10-game losing streak with a five-game winning streak, Miami has given itself a chance to get back into the 7-8 play-in game. For Miami, getting into the playoffs means avoiding having two unprotected picks out in the future. – Bontemps
22. Portland Trail Blazers
- 2024-25 record: 33-43
- Previous ranking: 20
- Next games: @ TOR (Apr. 3), @ CHI (Apr. 4), vs. SA (Apr. 6)
A four-game losing streak has probably taken the possibility of the Blazers reaching the play-in tournament off the table. They’re 3½ games back from the Kings and would also have to pass the Suns to finish at No.10 in the standings. At some point soon, Portland’s focus may shift to finishing as high in the lottery as possible. The Blazers and Spurs will most likely enter the lottery eighth and ninth, with that order to be determined. The two teams play Sunday in Portland. – Pelton
23. New Orleans Pelicans
- 2024-25 record: 21-54
- Previous ranking: 27
- Next games: @ LAC (Apr. 2), @ LAL (Apr. 4), vs. MIL (Apr. 6), @ BKN (Apr. 8)
Bad news on the injury front continues for New Orleans, which announced Monday that star forward Zion Williamson (backbone contusion) and guard CJ McCollum (right foot bone contusion) would miss the remainder of the season. There’s also a chance that three other players – Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones – could miss at least part of next season recovering from injuries that ended their 2024-25 campaign. With injuries derailing this team’s season early, the Pelicans need to finish 2024-25 with an eye on the draft and roster construction to fill in expected gaps they’ll have to start next season. – Wright
24. San Antonio Spurs
- 2024-25 record: 31-44
- Previous ranking: 22
- Next games: @ DEN (Apr. 2), vs. CLE (Apr. 6), @ POR (Apr. 6), @ LAC (Apr. 8)
San Antonio will need a miracle to nudge its way into the play-in tournament, but that doesn’t mean the Spurs won’t close out the season fighting hard to make that a reality. The problem is that four of San Antonio’s eight opponents down the stretch own records of .500 or better, and the Spurs close the regular season with five road outings. Despite playing without Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs still have several young players auditioning for future roles. It’s worth watching whether Stephon Castle will cement what appears to be a Rookie of the Year season. – Wright
25. Toronto Raptors
- 2024-25 record: 28-48
- Previous ranking: 25
- Next games: vs. POR (Apr. 3), vs. DET (Apr. 4), @ BKN (Apr. 6)
While Toronto won’t get to see what Brandon Ingram looks like with this group before the end of the season, the Raptors are getting chances to see Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley together, after the two of them have rarely shared any court time because of injuries since Quickley arrived last season. After being eliminated from the postseason on Tuesday night, the Raptors can at least use their last few games to see what that duo could look like moving forward. – Bontemps
26. Brooklyn Nets
- 2024-25 record: 25-51
- Previous ranking: 24
- Next games: vs. MIN (Apr. 3), vs. TOR (Apr. 6), vs. NO (Apr. 8)
Even as Brooklyn remains in striking distance of the tanking Sixers for the NBA’s fifth-worst mark – and the 10.5% chance at the top pick in the lottery – it’s clear that first-year Nets coach Jordi Fernandez is trying to squeeze whatever he can out of this group. The Nets just won back-to-back games (against the Wizards and Mavericks) for the first time since the All-Star break. – Herring
27. Philadelphia 76ers
- 2024-25 record: 23-53
- Previous ranking: 26
- Next games: vs. MIL (Apr. 3), vs. MIN (Apr. 5), @ MIA (Apr. 7)
After Brooklyn pulled off back-to-back victories, Philadelphia now holds a “lead” over the Nets for fifth place in the NBA’s draft lottery standings – a massively important position for the 76ers to be in, given their pick needs to fall inside the top six spots to avoid sending it to the Thunder. Finishing fifth, rather than sixth, will give Philadelphia a nearly two-thirds chance of keeping the pick. This is the main focus for Philadelphia over the next week and a half. – Bontemps
28. Charlotte Hornets
- 2024-25 record: 19-56
- Previous ranking: 28
- Next games: @ IND (Apr. 2), vs. SAC (Apr. 4), vs. CHI (Apr. 6), vs. MEM (Apr. 8)
More than anything, Charlotte – even after its Monday win over Utah – will want to stay positioned in the bottom three of the league’s standings to grab the top lottery odds along with the Jazz and Wizards. With LaMelo Ball (ankle and wrist) ruled out for the rest of the season, and the club sitting two games worse than the Pelicans in the overall standings, the Hornets seem increasingly likely to finish where they want to be: at the bottom. – Herring
29. Washington Wizards
- 2024-25 record: 16-59
- Previous ranking: 30
- Next games: vs. SAC (Apr. 2), vs. ORL (Apr. 3), @ BOS (Apr. 6), @ IND (Apr. 8)
With seven games remaining in the season, the Wizards have to ensure that they have the best lottery odds in what is expected to be a loaded draft. They’re approaching 60 losses on the season and are in a dead heat with Utah to finish with the worst record, with Charlotte not far behind. The three worst records will earn 14% odds for the top overall pick. While Washington wants to get youngsters like Alex Sarr quality experience down the stretch, it’s imperative to maintain the highest odds for the No. 1 pick. – Youngmisuk
30. Utah Jazz
- 2024-25 record: 16-60
- Previous ranking: 29
- Next games: @ HOU (Apr. 2), @ IND (Apr. 4), @ ATL (Apr. 6)
One of John Stockton’s assist records has been broken by rookie Isaiah Collier. Collier, who dished out seven assists in Monday’s loss to the Hornets, now has 419 assists for the season, breaking Stockton’s previous franchise record for a rookie of 415. The No. 29 pick in last year’s draft would need 15,388 more assists to break Stockton’s NBA career record. – MacMahon
By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN