Now that the NBA season is nearly five weeks in, things are beginning to fall into place in the standings. The West is 44-25 versus the East this season, so let’s take a deep dive into the power rankings of an incredibly stacked conference.
Criteria
These rankings are based on a mixture of factors. There will be some projecting for the rest of the season, but will also be based on the sample size given. Injuries will be considered, but if a player/team is likely to be hurt all season, this will affect their ranking.
- Utah Jazz (4-12)
The Utah Jazz started the season 0-6, but since have won 4 of their last 10. The team has some strong young pieces, including sought-after forward Lauri Markkanen. The average age of the team is just over 25, and it shows on the court. With a bottom 5 offense and defense, this will be a season to forget for Jazz fans. There is nowhere to go but up for Utah, but they can certainly build something in the future.
- Portland Trail Blazers (7-10)
Portland has been trapped in limbo the last couple of seasons but has shown promise this season. They are .500 on their last 10, and rookie center Donvavan Clingan has shown some flashes in his young career. Unfortunately, guard Scoot Henderson has not made the second-year leap many expected. His career trajectory has not gone the way fans expected and has been a big problem with the team’s success. The Blazers are looking for someone to take control of the team, and it’s likely not to be Scoot. This scrappy Blazers team will stay in some games but don’t expect much else.
- New Orleans Pelicans (4-13)
The Pelicans are off to one of the worst starts in the NBA. Things are not looking good for the 15 seed in the Western Conference, and injuries tell their tale. Their top 7 players have all missed significant time, including their main star center Zion Williamson. Zion has been out since November 6th, and for another season will be criticized for missing games. Offseason acquisition Dejante Murray has been out since game one with a hand injury. They currently rank out last in offense and are lacking the talent push needed in the West. If their starters are able to come back, the team could make a run to the play-in tournament, but 13 losses will make this extremely difficult.
- Sacramento Kings (8-9)
Shockingly, a team like Sacramento is ranked this low, but such is life in the WC. De’Aaron Fox has been on fire as of late, with 6 straight games of at least 28 points and 5 assists. Center Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan have both fit in nicely in this big 3. Both the offense and defense are in the top 15. Despite all this success, they still rank 12th in the conference with a losing record. The team has more or less been fine injury-wise, so it comes down to winning games. It’ll be a tight playoff race and the win category has to increase.
- San Antonio Spurs (9-8)
The Spurs have been blowing up expectations with a winning record under Victor Wembanyama and company. Chris Paul has been a nice addition to the offense, with 8.5 assists per game. Paul’s veteran experience should help Stephon Castle and his development as the team’s backup rookie. Wemby is averaging 3.64 blocks per game, and every game looks more and more like the future of the NBA. It likely won’t be this year, or even next season, but expect a championship in San Antonio by the end of the decade.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (8-8)
After a huge blockbuster trade that sent Karl Anthony-Towns to New York for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, as well as an exchange of picks. Both teams have performed worse since the trade, and the Wolves are now on a two game losing skid. While Divincenzo has struggled with shooting with 35.6% from the field, Julius Randle has found his role in the offense. The issue comes defensively, where they now rank just barley inside the top ten. With defense being their identity last year, they have now lost it and are now closer to average on both offense and defense. Anthony Edwards has been a huge bright spot, currently averaging 28/5/4 shooting nearly 44% from three on the second highest volume in the league.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (10-7)
The Grizzlies have dealt with injuries to star Ja Morant, leading to a lower record than expected. The unit has a strong mix of ball handlers, role players, and fresh talent. Scotty Pippen Jr. has been an underrated backup point guard, and rookie Zach Edey has filled the loss of Steven Adams at the center position. It all comes down to Ja Morant and his ability to stay healthy. On top of off-the-field antics, Morant has missed notable time in the last two seasons. At their peak, the Grizzlies could be a top 6 seed but could be borderline lottery at their worst.
- Phoenix Suns (9-7)
Just like their standings rank, the team comes in at 8th on the power rankings. As good as the big three has been, Durant, Beal, and Booker will continue to miss significant time. When healthy, the Suns are a threat to win the finals. But the good comes with the ugly. A 5 game-losing streak is your result when your top 3 are out and bench players are diminished. Expect a hit-or-miss team out of Phoenix.
- Dallas Mavericks (9-8)
The defending Western Conference Champions have been off to a slow start. Superstar Luka Doncic’s numbers have been down, but has still been coming through for his team. The acquisition of Klay Thompson from the warriors has had its time under the spotlight, but has generally been underwhelming. Dereck Lively has continued his success from 2023 into this season, and has been a big lob threat for Luka. Expect Doncic to get his team back on track, and will be a team nobody wants to play in the playoffs.
- Denver Nuggets (9-6)
This has been 100% the Nikola Jokic show. Jokic was already most fans’ bid as the top team in the NBA, and he has taken his game up to a new level. Jokic averaging 30/14/11, second in each category. On top of this, he is shooting 56% from three on four threes a game, and has the third-highest minutes in the league. The team got off to a rough start, but seems to be back on track. The role players around Jokic do their part, but this is his team. The only concern is that he is run into the ground by playing as much as he is. At this rate, we could see the second thirty-point triple-double of this century.
- Los Angeles Clippers (11-7)
LA has been outstanding this season. With Kawhi Leonard once again sidelined by a major injury, many expected the team to rank out at the bottom of the play-in at best, but are currently the 5 seed. They have been playing outstanding defense, ranking 4th in the league. Norman Powell has been shooting lights out in California, shooting nearly 49% from three on 8 attempts a game. At 31 years old, Powell is in the running for Most Improved Player, averaging 23 PPG. Harden has been running the show, but has been incredibly inefficient. The rest of the lineup has been hustling on the court, and have been locked in.
- Los Angeles Lakers (10-6)
The other LA team has been just as good, if not a little better. Anthony Davis has been making his case for MVP, playing incredible defense and averaging more than 30 PPG. LeBron James is the same player as last year, and has shown no signs of slowing down. He’s nearly 40 years old and still playing at an all-star level. Rookie Dalton Knecht has been an impressive piece to the offense, shooting 45% from three on 5 attempts per game. Overall, D’Angelo Russell has been the only disappointing player, and he may be traded sometime this season.
- Houston Rockets (12-6)
Nobody expected the Rockets to be as good as they have been. There were many questions coming into the season on how the team would fit, with so many players who need the ball in their hands. It is safe to say they have answered that question and then some. Only time will tell if they will be able to keep up the success.
- Golden State Warriors (12-4)
Steph Curry and this offense has exploded, and no one saw it coming. Buddy Hield has replaced Thompson more than perfectly, and the entire team is playing in sync. They currently are top 5 in offense and defense, and it looks like the dynasty might have more life than we thought.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (12-4)
There is no other answer for number one. Despite losing Chet Holmgren for an extended time, the team has stayed more than afloat. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has inserted himself into MVP conversations, and the defense is playing elite.
Recap
With less than 20 games played, we cannot overreact. But with this sample size, we can get some solid judgments of the conference. There will be a lot of volatility in the league, so grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the next 6-7 months of basketball.
