The 2024–25 NBA season has started, and teams are already trying to get ahead. It looks like it will be an exciting and tough year. The Power Rankings (TPR) breaks down all 30 NBA teams in Week 1 by looking at their success, strengths, weaknesses, and most important players. Check out the full NBA week 1 power rankings to see who is in early contention for the title and still has much to show.
All 30 Teams in NBA Week 1 Power Rankings
1 Denver Nuggets
Thanks to a strong squad led by Nikola Joki and Jamal Murray, the defending champions are at the top of the NBA power rankings for week 1. The Nuggets kept most of the players who helped them win the championship, making them the favorites to protect their title. Denver’s many different players give them an edge in the Western Conference.
2 Boston Celtics
Boston made some big moves over the summer. They added Kristaps PorziĆĿis to strengthen their frontcourt. Thanks to Jrue Holiday, they are now the best team in the East because they have the best defense. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still the Celtics’ top-scoring threats, and how well they play will decide how likely they are to win the title.
3 Milwaukee Bucks
When the Bucks bought Damian Lillard, he joined Giannis Antetokounmpo to make one of the best duos in the league. Their offensive ability is unmatched, but since they lost Jrue Holiday, there are concerns about their defense. Milwaukee’s ability to work together well early in the season will be key to keeping their spot in the NBA week 1 power rankings.
4 Phoenix Suns
The Suns have a trio of stars: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. They are very good at offense, but they will need to stay fit and find a balance between their stars. Phoenix might have trouble with depth in the long run, but they have high hopes for the start of the season.
5 Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers got some good players, like Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince, to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the team over the summer. The Lakers want to build on their strong playoff run last year by getting better at shooting and defense. The Power Rankings (TPR) put them in the top five because they have what it takes to compete with the best in the West.
6 Golden State Warriors
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and now Chris Paul, the Warriors have a new look as they try to make the most of their title window. Although Paul’s compatibility with the “Splash Brothers” is still up for question, his ability to create plays could open up new offensive options. The young players on Golden State’s bench must also help the leaders.
7 Philadelphia 76ers
Even though the James Harden scandal is still a big deal, the 76ers’ season is still going strong thanks to Joel Embiid. They are still a strong contender in the East. Tyrese Maxey’s growth will be crucial in making up for any lost production if Harden leaves. The team’s defense and how well they work together could affect their ranking in the coming weeks.
8 Miami Heat
Even though they didn’t get Damian Lillard, Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat are still a tough team. The team led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo is known for its tough defense and history of making the playoffs. The Heat have lost some key players, which will test their strength, but they have shown time and time again that they can handle it.
9 Dallas Mavericks
Dallas got Kyrie Irving to sign a long-term deal and wants to get back into the playoff picture with Luka Dončić leading the way. With the arrival of Grant Williams, the Mavericks have fixed some of their defensive problems. But they still need to work on their interior defense and rebounding. The Power Rankings (TPR) put them in the top 10, but that depends on how well Luka and Kyrie work together.
10 Sacramento Kings
The fact that Sacramento made it back to the playoffs last year was a big step forward, and they want to keep going strong. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis led a strong attack that scored the most points per game and won the championship. The Kings’ defense is still not very good, and they will need to get better if they want to move up in the NBA week 1 power rankings.
11 Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland had a quiet summer because they chose to focus on developing their players. One of the most dynamic backcourts in the league is made up of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Evan Mobley’s development could make the Cavaliers a real threat. What the team can do is based on how well they do against the best teams in the East.
12 Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are in a tough spot to start the season because Ja Morant is suspended. But they still have some very good young players, like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis will need a lot of different players to stay in the game. Where they rank in the Power Rankings (TPR) will depend on how they do early in the season.
13 New York Knicks
Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are still a strong East playoff team. New York wants to go further in the playoffs with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle in charge of the offense. With more players on the bench, like Donte DiVincenzo, they might get the boost they need to advance in the final rankings.
14 Los Angeles Clippers
How well the Clippers do depends on how healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are. Both of them missed a lot of time last season. LA has the skills to play with the best teams in the West if they can stay on the court. The team is different now that Russell Westbrook is on it, but they must be consistent if they want to move up the ranks.
15 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are starting the season with a new squad and a stronger focus under head coach Quin Snyder. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray make a strong backcourt, but how well the team defends as a whole will decide its success. Atlanta is a team that could surprise, but it hasn’t been consistent yet.
16 Toronto Raptors
At this point, Toronto has a mix of young, talented people and seasoned experts. However, the absence of Fred VanVleet makes it harder to lead and make plays. Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes are the team’s main players. This season will depend on how the Raptors take on their new head coach, Darko Rajaković.
17 New Orleans Pelicans
The most important thing for New Orleans is Zion Williamson’s health. He makes the Pelicans a tough opponent when he’s on the court. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum help score, but the team needs to improve its depth and defensive stability to move up in the NBA week 1 power rankings.
18 Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in charge of the Thunder, one of the most interesting young teams. The defense might get better in Chet Holmgren’s first season as coach. How often OKC makes the playoffs will rest on how much Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams improve.
19 Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vučević are still with the Bulls, but there are still questions about how high they can go. For Chicago to move up in the rankings, they need to do a better job of defense and hitting three-pointers. They will test how well they can finish wins throughout the season.
20 Minnesota Timberwolves
With Anthony Edwards becoming a star, the Timberwolves want this to be their big year. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns are great together, but they need to work on getting along better. Minnesota’s defense should be good, but the offense is still not consistent.
21 Brooklyn Nets
With Mikal Bridges at the center, Brooklyn starts a new era without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Nets have a mix of young and old abilities but don’t have enough stars to compete with the league’s best teams. If they want to make the playoffs, their defense must be strong.
22 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have put together a fun group of young players around Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin. That being said, Indiana might not be in the running for a title for another year or two. But, they are a team to keep an eye on in the East because of how fast they play and how deep their squad is.
23 Utah Jazz
Many people were surprised by how strong Utah was last season. Lauri Markkanen’s rise to fame was a big part of that. Even though the Jazz have a young team with a lot of potential, they don’t have the top players they need to move up in the NBA week 1 power rankings.
24 Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard’s time is over, and Portland has to start over. The Trail Blazers have a young team led by Scoot Henderson, so they have a lot of promise. But, they won’t make much noise in the Western Conference for a few years.
25 San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is now even more exciting since Victor Wembanyama moved there. The young star will need some time to get used to the NBA, but having him there makes the Spurs more well-known. The Power Rankings (TPR) think things will improve over time as the young team gains experience.
26 Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte has low hopes going into the season because the roster is still unstable. The Hornets need more steady play from their other players to stay out of the bottom three teams in the rankings. LaMelo Ball is still a bright spot.
27 Orlando Magic
Orlando’s young players, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, have a lot of promise, but they need time to grow up. The defense will be very important if the Magic want to progress this season.
28 Houston Rockets
During the off-season, Houston invested in players Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. However, the growth of young players like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. will show how far the Rockets have come.
29 Detroit Pistons
Detroit has hope now that Cade Cunningham is back, but it is still in the early stages of rebuilding. The Pistons have many interesting young players, but they need to improve a lot if they want to move up in the rankings.
30 Washington Wizards
At this point, Washington is in full rebuild mode. They are trading away stars and focused on developing new players. Fans can look forward to seeing what Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma can do in bigger roles, as the team is expected to have a tough game.
Conclusion
As the 2024–25 NBA season goes on, The Power Rankings (TPR) will keep giving weekly updates and new information about how team success is changing. With each team trying to move up in the NBA week 1 power rankings. The early numbers set the stage for what should be a wild and exciting race to the playoffs. TPR will keep you updated on the latest news, trends, and expert analysis all season long.
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