With just over six weeks left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, most teams are now focusing on the postseason while others are cutting their losses and zeroing in on the upcoming draft and offseason.
Coming out of the All-Star break, teams and players should be well-rested to tackle the remainder of their regular season schedules.
A race between the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons has heated up in the East, as all three teams are collectively a game apart from one another. The fight for the play-in remains a contentious spot to be in for the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.
In the West, things have been hot all season, as the Oklahoma City Thunder have established their spot at the top while the rest of the conference has been neck-and-neck in the standings. The No. 6 through 9 teams are all separated by one game or less.
This week, we asked our NBA insiders to break down the most important stretch of games for all 30 teams. Whether it’s a last-ditch effort for a postseason push, or a tank for the top of the lottery, which games should we circle on our calendars in the coming weeks?
Here are this week’s updated Power Rankings for all 30 teams.
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
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
The biggest game remaining for the Cavs comes this Friday, in Boston, where they’ll hope to tie the season series at two apiece against the defending champs. The Cavaliers’ toughest stretch, however, comes in their last three games of the regular season — a back-to-back in Indiana and New York, followed by the home finale against the Pacers. Indiana beat Cleveland at home last month although the Cavs have already beaten the Knicks by double digits twice this season. — Dave McMenamin
-
2024-25 record: 46-11
-
Previous ranking: 1
-
Next games: @ BKN (Feb. 26), @ ATL (Feb. 28), @ SA (Mar. 2), vs. HOU (Mar. 3)
A possible Western Conference finals preview followed by an NBA Finals tee-up? The Thunder have a back-to-back with Denver on March 9-10 before facing Boston on March 12. If those teams want an early look at how to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they may want to look at the trapping strategy against the MVP candidate who played a significant role in Minnesota’s massive comeback on Monday. Despite the loss, it was Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20th 35-point performance of the season. According to ESPN Research, he joins Kevin Durant as the only players in franchise history with 20 or more 35-point performances in multiple seasons. — Tim MacMahon
There are three games left across the final few weeks of Boston’s regular season that should be highlighted, and all are at TD Garden: Friday against the Cavaliers, Sunday against the Nuggets and March 12 against the Thunder — the final three meetings of the season against what appear to be their biggest oppositions to defend their title. — Tim Bontemps
Winners of 10 of the last 11 games, the Nuggets are looking more and more like Western Conference contenders. But there are two games on the remaining schedule that could go a long way both boosting the Nuggets’ status as contenders and helping determine the MVP race. Denver plays a back-to-back at Oklahoma City on March 9 and 10. If Denver can sweep, the Nuggets could put a dent into the Thunder’s stellar season thus far and create a ton of intrigue heading into the playoffs. It could also be enough to sway MVP voters when it comes to Nikola Jokic and OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. — Ohm Youngmisuk
The Grizzlies started the Eastern Conference portion of their five-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break, and lost two of the three, including Sunday at Cleveland. The time off might have been the most beneficial for point guard Ja Morant, who has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries but has now played in four consecutive games. Fresh off his second All-Star appearance, Jaren Jackson Jr. is oozing confidence along with surprising rookies Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey. Memphis will look to ride this momentum as it hits a fairly difficult portion of the schedule in late March with four straight road games that include matchups against the Clippers and Oklahoma City. — Michael Wright
-
2024-25 record: 37-20
-
Previous ranking: 6
-
Next games: vs. PHi (Feb. 26), @ MEM (Feb. 28), @ MIA (Mar. 2), vs. GS (Mar. 4)
Despite owning the league’s fifth-best record, the Knicks are currently 0-7 against the top teams in the league: Cavs, Thunder and Celtics. Five of those defeats weren’t truly competitive either. New York has three games left against the Cavs and Celtics collectively; all three of which fall between April 2 and April 11. The Knicks will be eager to illustrate they are a title contender, despite what they’ve shown in their highest-profile games so far. — Chris Herring
For obvious reasons, the return of Luka Doncic to Dallas on April 9 is the box office event still awaiting the Lakers on their schedule for the third of four regular season matchups against the Mavericks. But the six-game stretch in eight days from March 13 through March 20 is more consequential. It starts with a road back-to-back in Milwaukee, followed by a matchup in Denver. Then a home back-to-back against Phoenix and San Antonio and another back-to-back against Denver and Milwaukee. LeBron James highlighted the stretch on his Instagram and added a caption: “This is INSANE!!!!!” — McMenamin
-
2024-25 record: 36-22
-
Previous ranking: 8
-
Next games: vs. SA (Feb. 26), vs. SAC (Mar. 1), @ OKC (Mar. 3), @ IND (Mar. 4)
Houston dropped seven of nine games going into All-Star break, and it didn’t get any easier for the Rockets coming out. Still, Houston defeated Minnesota on Friday with Jabari Smith Jr. back in the lineup after missing 22 games due to a broken bone in his left hand, before losing the next night at Utah. Injured point guard Fred VanVleet has missed nine consecutive games due to a sore ankle, and coach Ime Udoka estimates the veteran is at approximately 80%. There’s a chance VanVleet might return during Houston’s upcoming three-game homestand. However, the back-to-back outings in Los Angeles against the Clippers and Lakers on Apr. 9 and Apr. 11 is the most important stretch of games for a Houston squad that sits at No. 5 in the West. — Wright
-
2024-25 record: 32-24
-
Previous ranking: 10
-
Next games: vs. TOR (Feb. 26), @ MIA (Feb. 28), vs. CHI (Mar. 2), vs. HOU (Mar. 4)
The Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the postseason last year and they are currently on track to face Milwaukee again in the No. 4 seed versus No. 5 matchup if the standings hold. Indiana currently has homecourt advantage, but will face Milwaukee twice in a three-game stretch on March 11 and March 15 that could decide which team will ultimately get to start the first-round series at home. — Jamal Collier
10. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks will begin a four-game stretch on March 9 that could define their path toward the playoffs. Three of those four games are at home, beginning with the East-leading Cavs and a chance for Milwaukee to win its first game against the top three seeds in the conference (0-9). Then, the Bucks will play the Pacers in two of the next three games, with a matchup against the Lakers in between. But those games against Indiana will be key, not only because the Pacers beat the Bucks in the playoffs last year, but because the two teams are currently the No. 4 and No. 5 seed in the East — on track to meet again with potentially homecourt advantage on the lines. — Collier
-
2024-25 record: 32-27
-
Previous ranking: 9
-
Next games: @ LAL (Feb. 27), @ UTA (Feb. 28), @ PHX (Mar. 2), vs. PHI (Mar. 4)
The good news for Minnesota: it has one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, with only Toronto facing a lower winning percentage to end the season. If the Wolves want to escape the play-in tournament and make the playoffs as a top-six seed, it should take advantage of a lighter schedule. Particularly during the week of March 14-21: five games, only one against a team over .500 (at home against Indiana) and three games (Pelicans twice and Utah) against teams heading for the top of the lottery. If the Wolves are clicking, it should be a chance for a winning streak to end the regular season strong. — Collier
12. LA Clippers
-
2024-25 record: 31-26
-
Previous ranking: 11
-
Next games: @ CHI (Feb. 26), @ LAL (Feb. 28), @ LAL (Mar. 2), @ PHX (Mar. 4)
The Clippers’ grip on the sixth spot in the West is slipping as they are in the midst of eight consecutive games away from Intuit Dome. But their final six games of the regular season could determine whether the Clippers are sixth or higher in the standings or have to endure the play-in. That stretch starts on April 4 with two back-to-back home games against Dallas, who could have a healthy Anthony Davis back. Kawhi Leonard will likely have to sit out one of those games, as the Clippers will have to manage him closely to prep for the playoffs. After that, the Clippers host San Antonio and Houston before finishing the regular season at Sacramento and Golden State — two other teams that will challenge for that sixth spot. — Youngmisuk
13. Detroit Pistons
-
2024-25 record: 32-26
-
Previous ranking: 14
-
Next games: vs. BOS (Feb. 26), vs. DEN (Feb. 28), vs. BKN (Mar. 1), @ UTA (Mar. 3)
Forget merely making the playoffs. With the Pistons having used a seven-game winning streak to open up a 3.5-game lead over the Magic for the sixth seed in the East, they can now turn their attention up in the standings. Detroit is only a game back of the Pacers and Bucks for fourth, which would mean home-court advantage in the first round. If the Pistons can stay that close, finishing the season with a home-and-home set against Milwaukee will give them a potential two-game swing. — Kevin Pelton
-
2024-25 record: 31-27
-
Previous ranking: 15
-
Next games: @ ORL (Feb. 27), @ PHI (Mar. 1), @ CHA (Mar. 3), @ NYK (Mar. 4)
The rejuvenated Warriors have their eyes set on the sixth seed and are closing in on it perhaps earlier than expected with April holding the key to their postseason destiny. A five-game stretch against other Western Conference contenders could determine their ability to stay out of the play-in. The challenge starts on April 1 against Memphis. After that, Golden State finishes a daunting six-game road trip in Los Angeles where they will face the new-look duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Warriors return home to face Denver and Houston before visiting a Phoenix side that’s been teetering on the play-in line and will have some extra motivation to get out of elimination. The Warriors then finish the regular season against the Clippers who are clinging to a No. 6 spot in the standings. — Youngmisuk
15. Dallas Mavericks
Big men Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and Dereck Lively II (stress fracture in ankle) joined the team on the California road trip and have progressed to getting in some work on the court. The Mavs’ hope is that Davis and Lively will return in time for the tandem to get several games together at the end of the regular season, sources told ESPN. They’ll be needed in their back-to-back against the Clippers that starts on April 4 and will definitely want Davis back when the Lakers and Luka come to town on April 9. — MacMahon
16. Sacramento Kings
After a 24-point home loss to the Warriors last Friday, the Kings now find themselves chasing their West rivals in the race for play-in positioning. Sacramento can still make up ground and secure the season series tiebreaker when the two teams play on March 13 at the Chase Center. The stakes are significant. The Kings are currently 10th in the West, and the No. 10 seed has yet to advance to the playoffs in four years of the play-in tournament. — Kevin Pelton
17. Orlando Magic
A pair of games against the Hawks in the season’s final week could be key to determining play-in positioning for the Magic. Orlando currently sits seventh, just ahead of Southeast Division rivals Atlanta and the Heat. Staying in seventh would mean the Magic don’t have to travel for the play-in tournament and could advance as the No. 7 seed by winning the opening game at home. Orlando also visits Miami on March 19 with the head-to-head tiebreaker on the line. — Kevin Pelton
18. Phoenix Suns
-
2024-25 record: 27-31
-
Previous ranking: 17
-
Next games: vs. NO (Feb. 27), vs. NO (Feb. 28), vs. MIN (Mar. 2), vs. LAC (Mar. 4)
When you’ve lost nine of 11 games in February, like the Suns have, every game matters when it comes to staying afloat in the Western Conference playoff picture. That said, Phoenix’s six-game stretch from March 2 to March 12 against six Western foes ahead of the Suns in the standings could make or break their season: home against Minnesota and the Clippers, followed by four road games in Denver, Dallas, Memphis and Houston. — McMenamin
19. Miami Heat
-
2024-25 record: 26-30
-
Previous ranking: 18
-
Next games: vs. ATL (Feb. 26), vs. IND (Feb. 28), vs. NYK (Mar. 2), vs. WAS (Mar. 3)
The final four games of the season are against the 76ers, Bulls, Pelicans and Wizards — all of which, by then, should be wins. For a Heat team currently in the play-in and hoping to avoid giving up two future unprotected first-round picks (which happens if they don’t make the playoffs), that could be a pivotal stretch in trying to get into the 7-8 game play-in mix — and thus get two chances at extending the postseason. — Bontemps
20. Atlanta Hawks
-
2024-25 record: 27-31
-
Previous ranking: 20
-
Next games: @ MIA (Feb. 26), vs. OKC (Feb. 28), @ MEM (Mar. 3), vs. MIL (Mar. 4)
For an Atlanta team that’s been teetering in the play-in for most of the season, upcoming games against Orlando on April 8 and 10 will matter the most. These matchups could help determine which club gets homecourt advantage for the East’s No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game. The winner of the 7/8 play-in will likely get a first-round matchup with the reigning NBA champions Boston. — Herring
-
2024-25 record: 24-32
-
Previous ranking: 21
-
Next games: @ HOU (Feb. 26), @ MEM (Mar. 1), vs. OKC (Mar. 2), vs. BKN (Mar. 4)
San Antonio received a brief respite in the ongoing Rodeo Road Trip with a back-to-back set against Detroit and Phoenix in Austin that produced a 1-1 record. The road trip continued Sunday with four straight road games ending March 1 in Memphis. New addition De’Aaron Fox won’t play in front of the home crowd in San Antonio until a March 2 matchup with Oklahoma City. With franchise superstar Victor Wembanyama out for the season, the Spurs continue to tweak schematics on both ends of the floor. By the onset of a three-game road trip against the Clippers, Warriors, and Suns, the Spurs will have a good idea of where they stand, which in turn will likely determine whether they’ll compete for the postseason or position themselves in the lottery. — Wright
-
2024-25 record: 25-33
-
Previous ranking: 22
-
Next games: @ WAS (Feb. 26), @ BKN (Feb. 28), @ CLE (Mar. 2), @ PHI (Mar. 3)
Getting into the play-in mix in the West remains a long shot for the Blazers, who are 4.5 games out of 10th. If Portland is going to stay alive, that means taking care of business against the weaker opponents on a six-game East Coast swing that starts Wednesday against the Wizards. The Blazers face the league’s top three teams (Boston, Cleveland and Oklahoma City) during the trip, but also have three chances to fatten up against lottery-bound Washington, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Dropping any of those games would be costly to Portland’s play-in hopes. — Kevin Pelton
23. Chicago Bulls
-
2024-25 record: 23-35
-
Previous ranking: 24
-
Next games: vs. LAC (Feb. 26), vs. TOR (Feb. 28), @ IND (Mar. 2), vs. CLE (Mar. 4)
The Bulls may have just played their most important game of the season on Monday night, a 142-110 victory over the fading 76ers. The win snapped a six-game losing streak, but for the so-called rebuilding Bulls, it simultaneously increased their lead over the Sixers for the No. 10 seed for the final play-in spot and decreased Chicago’s odds of securing a higher draft pick. The Bulls, Nets and Sixers are all loosely in the mix for the No. 10 seed and Chicago has one game remaining against Brooklyn on March 13. — Collier
24. Brooklyn Nets
-
2024-25 record: 21-36
-
Previous ranking: 25
-
Next games: vs. OKC (Feb. 26), vs. POR (Feb. 28), @ DET (Mar. 1), @ SA (Mar. 4)
With 21 wins, Brooklyn’s played too well — and ultimately won too much — to be in a position to land the best odds for the draft lottery. If the Nets want to maximize their chances at this stage, they’ll potentially take their foot off the pedal for their March 26 and April 6 matchups with Toronto, who has the NBA’s fifth-worst mark. Currently, the Raptors have a 10.5% chance at the top pick, whereas the Nets, the seventh-worst club, have a 7.5% chance. — Herring
-
2024-25 record: 20-37
-
Previous ranking: 23
-
Next games: @ NYK (Feb. 26), vs. GS (Mar. 1), vs. POR (Mar. 3), @ MIN (Mar. 4)
Philadelphia’s final game of the regular season is at home against the Bulls and based on where both teams are in the standings it’s plausible that the game could be the decider for the 10th spot in the East. However, given the recent news about Joel Embiid‘s knee, it might be better for the 76ers to take a cautious approach to how they play the rest of the regular season. — Bontemps
26. Toronto Raptors
-
2024-25 record: 18-40
-
Previous ranking: 26
-
Next games: @ IND (Feb. 26), @ CHI (Feb. 28), @ ORL (Mar. 2), @ ORL (Mar. 4)
From March 7 to March 16, Toronto will play six games against the Wizards (twice), Jazz (twice), 76ers and Trail Blazers. That stretch will help determine whether the Raptors are going to be locked into a top 5 lottery spot or if they move farther down the list over the coming weeks against what is an overall soft schedule. — Bontemps
Look no further than the March 30 and 31 games versus New Orleans and Utah, respectively. Charlotte has the league’s fourth-worst record, while the Pelicans and Jazz are tied for the second-worst mark. This means the Hornets’ odds for the top pick are slightly below (12.5%) than the 14% that Washington, Utah and New Orleans would have as the three worst clubs if things remain the way they are. — Herring
28. Utah Jazz
-
2024-25 record: 14-43
-
Previous ranking: 28
-
Next games: vs. SAC (Feb. 26), vs. MIN (Feb. 28), vs. NO (Mar. 2), vs. DET (Mar. 3)
Rookie Kyle Filipowski, the No. 32 overall pick, is in the midst of the best stretch of his young career. Filipowski has averaged 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds over the last four games, shooting 62.9% from the floor. He has had his first two 20-point double-doubles during that span. The Jazz will look to get Filipowski some backup in this upcoming draft but in order to do that they’ll need to strategically play the rest of the regular season. Especially against the Pelicans on March 2 and the Wizards on March 5 — all three teams are tied for best odds at the No. 1 spot in the lottery (14%). — MacMahon
-
2024-25 record: 15-43
-
Previous ranking: 29
-
Next games: @ PHX (Feb. 27), @ PHX (Feb. 28), @ UTA (Mar. 2), @ LAL (Mar. 4)
Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin views trade deadline additions Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk as experienced players with high hoop IQs that complement franchise cornerstone Zion Williamson. As for Williamson, he’s currently the lightest he’s been (264 pounds) since the Pelicans drafted him. With the season virtually a bust, it’s unknown what impact Brown and Olynyk might make in the next couple of months, but given this team’s rash of injuries, reinforcements are welcomed. A four-game stretch starting Feb. 27 that features two games against the Suns and one against the Lakers will help to provide a clearer picture of how the Pels need to continue to build around Williamson. — Wright
Washington is currently alone at the bottom of the standings as it hopes to land the top overall pick in the upcoming draft. The three teams with the worst records at the end of the season will have a 14% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. So anything less than one of the three worst records for Washington this season would be a significant downturn in their already lost season. With that in mind, three games remain this season that the Wizards would be better off losing in hopes of securing the best odds at the top pick — at Charlotte on March 1, against Utah on March 5 and at Utah on March 19. — Youngmisuk
This post was originally published on this site