The last week of 2022 and the first games of 2023 gave fans plenty of exciting NBA moments. LeBron James, at 38 years old in his 20th season, scored 40 or more points in two Lakers victories. Luka Dončić averaged over 48 points in three games for the Mavericks. Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers scored 71 points, marking the third 70-point game of the century.
Klay Thompson scored 54 points, and Kevon Looney added 21 rebounds and 14 points, including a game-winning shot in double overtime, to help the Warriors beat Atlanta on Monday.
In the standings, the Celtics held onto the top spot in the league, while the Nets extended their winning streak to 12 games. The Nuggets stayed at the top of the Western Conference. Here’s where all 30 teams rank as of the first power rankings of 2023.
1. Boston Celtics
Record: 26–11
Previous ranking: 1
The Celtics continue to lead the Eastern Conference and have the best record going into the new year. After a big win over the Bucks on Christmas Day, Boston went 2-1 last week with victories against the Rockets and the Clippers, who had previously beaten the Celtics and held them to under 100 points for the first time this season.
However, they lost to the Nuggets on Sunday. Boston remains the top offensive team and the No. 7 defense. The Celtics will finish a road trip with games against the Thunder, Mavericks, and Spurs.
2. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 25–12
Previous ranking: 6
The Nets are the hottest team in the NBA, currently on a 12-game win streak, the longest in the league. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been leading the charge, with Durant ranking sixth in points per game (29.7) and among the top three in total points behind Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum. Brooklyn has a three-game road trip coming up, with games against Chicago, New Orleans, and Miami.
3. Denver Nuggets
Record: 24–13
Previous ranking: 2
The Nuggets remain in first place in the Western Conference after finishing the week 3-2, including wins over Sacramento, Miami, and Boston. Denver did lose to the Kings and the Timberwolves on Monday, but Nikola Jokić continued his strong play, recording two more triple-doubles. Denver now has a couple of days off before facing the Clippers and Cavaliers later this week.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 23–13
Previous ranking: 7
The Grizzlies are on a roll, winning three straight and six of their last 10 games. They’re ranked in the top three for both rebound and offensive rebound percentage. While Ja Morant gets a lot of attention, Steven Adams deserves credit for leading the league in offensive rebounding percentage and tying his career-high with 23 rebounds against Sacramento. Memphis’s next four games are on the road against the Hornets and Magic, followed by home games against the Jazz and Spurs.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 23–13
Previous ranking: 4
After a tough stretch of four losses in a row to Eastern Conference teams, the Bucks bounced back with a dominant win over the Timberwolves, thanks to a strong second half and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s great performance. However, they lost to the Wizards without key players like Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday. The Bucks are still No. 3 in the East, but they’ve lost six of their last 10. This week, they have another game against Washington and then matchups with the Raptors, Hornets, and Knicks, giving them a chance to get back on track.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 24–14
Previous ranking: 3
Cleveland went 2–1 last week with games against Central Division rivals. After losing to the Pacers, the Cavaliers bounced back with two wins against the Bulls, including a historic 71-point game from Donovan Mitchell, marking the third-highest single-game point total in NBA history. This game was a thrilling overtime comeback. With Mitchell’s record-breaking performance, Cleveland is having its best start at home since the 2016–17 season, when LeBron James was still on the team. The Cavaliers will host the Suns next before heading out on a five-game road trip.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 23–14
Previous ranking: 5
The Pelicans had wins over Minnesota and Philadelphia last week, but ended 2022 with a loss to the Grizzlies and began 2023 with a loss to the 76ers. Zion Williamson suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the game against Philadelphia, after scoring 26 points in the first three quarters. Without Williamson, New Orleans couldn’t secure the win. The Pelicans will play the Rockets and Nets at home next before heading on a five-game road trip.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 22–14
Previous ranking: 8
The 76ers are on an 8–2 run in their last 10 games, coming off two wins against New Orleans and Oklahoma City after losses to the Wizards and the Pelicans. In the win against the Pelicans on Monday, Joel Embiid and James Harden combined for 69 points, highlighting their strong partnership for the team. This week, Philadelphia will play against Indiana, Chicago, and Detroit.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 22–16
Previous ranking: 10
The Mavericks secured four wins last week, extending their winning streak to seven games with a comeback win over the Rockets after being down by 18 points in the second half. Luka Dončić, who leads the league in scoring with an average of 34.3 points per game, was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 48.7 points in three games.
While Dončić has been amazing, Christian Wood has also had a big impact, averaging 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game over the last 10 games. The Mavs will play against Boston, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City this week.
10. Indiana Pacers
Record: 21–17
Previous ranking: 18
Indiana had a perfect 4–0 week, winning against the Hawks, Cavaliers, Clippers, and Raptors. The team had strong performances from Tyrese Haliburton, who has greatly improved in his third year, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner. The Pacers have now won seven of their last 10 games and are five games above .500 for the first time since the 2019–2020 season. Indiana’s next games are on the road against Philadelphia on Wednesday and at home against Portland and Charlotte.
11. Sacramento Kings
Record: 19–16
Previous ranking: 12
The Kings ended 2022 with two home wins against the Nuggets and Jazz before losing to Memphis on New Year’s Day. After the loss to the Grizzlies, Sacramento quickly bounced back. Domantas Sabonis, who missed the first game of a back-to-back against Denver due to a right thumb injury, had three strong performances, including a 30-point game against the Nuggets. The Kings will start the new year with an away game against the Jazz, followed by a five-game home stretch against the Hawks, Lakers, and Magic.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 21–18
Previous ranking: 11
The Clippers went 1–3 last week, losing to Boston, Indiana, and Miami on Monday night. However, Kawhi Leonard led the team in scoring against the Celtics despite the loss. L.A. has lost three games in a row but is still three games above .500 and has the No. 6 defense in the league. The Clippers’ next three games include two road games against Denver and Minnesota, followed by a matchup with the Hawks.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 19–17
Previous ranking: 13
After beating Charlotte the day after Christmas, the Trail Blazers went 1–1 with a loss to the Warriors and a win against the Pistons. Although Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons struggled to score in the past week, both had at least one 30-point performance in their last two games. Jerami Grant also stepped up, scoring 36 points in the win against Detroit. The Blazers will have a three-game road trip this week, facing Minnesota, Indiana, and Toronto.
14. Miami Heat
Record: 20–18
Previous ranking: 19
The Heat went 3–1 last week with wins against the Lakers, Jazz, and Clippers, and a loss to the Nuggets. The victories helped Miami move up in the rankings, now just one game behind the Pacers for No. 6 in the East. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo played important roles in the wins, with Adebayo scoring more than 30 points in back-to-back games. The Heat will finish their six-game West Coast road trip this week before heading home to play Brooklyn.
15. New York Knicks
Record: 20–18
Previous ranking: 14
New York experienced its longest losing streak of the season, losing five games last week. However, the Knicks ended 2022 with a crucial win against Houston, thanks to Julius Randle’s 35-point performance, and started 2023 with a win against the Suns on Monday. The Knicks will face San Antonio, Toronto, and Milwaukee next.
16. Phoenix Suns
Record: 20–18
Previous ranking: 9
The Suns lost for the sixth time in their last seven games when the Knicks defeated them on Monday. They have a strong record at home (14–5) but struggle on the road with a 6–13 record. Phoenix desperately needs Devin Booker, who has been out with a left groin strain since the loss to the Nuggets on Christmas Day. He won’t be reevaluated until the last week of the month. This week, the Suns will play two games against Cleveland and one against Miami.
17. Golden State Warriors
Record: 20–18
Previous ranking: 16
The Warriors had a strong week, winning four games against Charlotte, Utah, Portland, and in a double-overtime win against the Hawks on Monday. Without Steph Curry, who is sidelined with a left shoulder injury, Klay Thompson stepped up with a 54-point game, including 10 made three-pointers against Atlanta. Thompson has averaged 38 points in Golden State’s last three games. Despite the wins, the Warriors are still struggling on the road with a 3–16 record and need to improve.
18. Utah Jazz
Record: 19–20
Previous ranking: 15
Now in January, Utah is one game below .500. The end of 2022 was tough for the Jazz with losses to the Warriors, Kings, and Heat. There might be changes in the franchise in the new year, but if the playoffs started now, Utah would be in a play-in game against the Warriors. This week, the Jazz will play the Kings, followed by a three-game road trip with games against Houston, Chicago, and Memphis.
19. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 17–20
Previous ranking: 17
The Hawks were above .500 last week, but after four straight losses, including a double-overtime loss to Golden State, they are now three games below .500 and have lost seven of their last 10 games. The good news is that Dejounte Murray is starting to play better, and Trae Young is still putting up good numbers. The Hawks are ranked No. 9 in the Eastern Conference and will go on a three-game road trip to California, playing the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers this week.
20. Washington Wizards
Record: 17–21
Previous ranking: 26
After their loss to the Jazz just before Christmas, the Wizards have been on a strong run, winning five straight games. They won three of those games without Bradley Beal, who has been dealing with a left hamstring issue. Kristaps Porziņģis and Rui Hachimura have stepped up in his absence. The Wizards will play two road games this week against the Bucks and the Thunder, then a home game against the Pelicans.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 17–21
Previous ranking: 21
The Timberwolves finished 2022 with six straight losses but started 2023 with an important win over the top-ranked Denver Nuggets. The team has had to deal with injuries to Karl-Anthony Towns, Taurean Prince, and Jordan McLaughlin, while D’Angelo Russell and Naz Reid have also missed some games. The Timberwolves’ next three games will be against the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Rockets.
22. Chicago Bulls
Record: 16–21
Previous ranking: 24
The Bulls began the week strong, winning against the Bucks in overtime with DeMar DeRozan’s 40-point performance and then beating the Pistons. However, after two wins in a row, Chicago lost to Cleveland on New Year’s Eve and lost again in overtime to the Cavaliers on Mitchell’s historic night. The Bulls’ upcoming schedule looks tough as they will face Brooklyn, then Philadelphia, Utah, and Boston.
23. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 16–21
Previous ranking: 25
The Lakers went 3–1 after starting the previous week 0–4. LeBron James was key in their last two wins, scoring two 40-point games—47 points on his 38th birthday and 43 points against Charlotte—in Year 20 of his career. However, with Anthony Davis still out, the Lakers are still in 12th place in the West. They will play four games this week against Miami, Atlanta, Sacramento, and Denver.
24. Toronto Raptors
Record: 16–21
Previous ranking: 20
The Raptors had a bright spot with back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a month. But then they lost two games to the Clippers and Grizzlies. They managed to beat Phoenix, who was missing Devin Booker, but then lost to Indiana to start the new year. Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. contributed greatly to the Raptors’ games last week. Toronto will play the Bucks, Knicks, and Trail Blazers at home this week.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 15–21
Previous ranking: 23
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the key for the Thunder. Despite a 1–2 record last week, with losses to the Hornets and the 76ers, SGA showed his rise as a star, averaging 30.8 points per game this season. Oklahoma City will play Boston, Orlando, Washington, and Dallas to begin 2023.
26. Orlando Magic
Record: 13–24
Previous ranking: 22
Before Christmas, the Magic won eight out of their last nine games. However, in the final week of 2022, they lost three games to the Lakers, Pistons, and Wizards. Now, after falling in the rankings, the Magic will try to break their three-game losing streak. They will play Oklahoma City and Memphis, and also have road games against Golden State and Sacramento this week.
27. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 12–25
Previous ranking: 27
San Antonio had a 1–3 record, with their only win coming against the Knicks, thanks to Keldon Johnson’s 30-point game. Johnson also scored 22 points in the Spurs’ loss to the Nets on New Year’s Day. The Spurs have lost seven out of their last 10 games and are two games ahead of the Rockets for the worst record in the Western Conference. This week, San Antonio will face New York, then have home games against Detroit and Boston before playing Memphis.
28. Houston Rockets
Record: 10–27
Previous ranking: 28
The Rockets ended a five-game losing streak right after Christmas, but then lost four more games to finish 2022. They lost two road games to Boston and Dallas, followed by two home losses to New York and Dallas. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. have been playing well, but the team has not been able to get many wins. Houston will play New Orleans, Utah, and Minnesota this week.
29. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 10–28
Previous ranking: 29
Charlotte reached 10 wins after beating Oklahoma City, but then lost three games to the Warriors, Nets, and Lakers. After their home game against Memphis on Monday, the Hornets will start a four-game road trip, including two games against the Bucks and the Pacers this week.
30. Detroit Pistons
Record: 10–30
Previous ranking: 30
The Pistons avoided a second seven-game losing streak this season by beating Orlando, but then lost to the Bulls. Jaden Ivey has been playing well as a bright spot for the team. The Pistons are just below the Hornets in the standings and have two games left on their five-game road trip, against Golden State and San Antonio, before heading home to face the 76ers this week.
