The NBA Weekly Power Rankings

Five weeks in and almost a quarter into the 2021-22 regular season the NBA Power Rankings are starting to shape the storylines of the season. The defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks have had a season to forget so far as they are on the periphery of the Playoff positions after 13 games. The Warriors are still at the top while the Sixers have had a dramatic fall after a good start.

1 – Golden State Warriors (Unmoved)

To say that the Warriors are an immovable object in the power rankings would be an understatement. We are seeing shades of 2015 with the Bay Area outfit topping the West and the NBA at large as the best team. They are 8-1 in the West so far and a recent statement victory over the Brooklyn Nets demonstrated that they mean business this year.

2 – Washington Wizards (Moved up five spots)

The hottest team in the East was the Chicago Bulls a few weeks ago but the Wizards have since displaced them. The Bradley Beal-led team has the longest active winning streak in the Eastern Conference of five games. The Wizards have moved up five spots in the power rankings.

3 – Phoenix Suns (Moved up 5 spots)

Early season struggles had us all thinking the same thing, “Was last year’s run a fluke?” The Suns have dispelled that notion with nine straight victories. The current run makes them the in-form team in the league as they have moved up five spots in the rankings.

4 – Chicago Bulls (Unmoved)

The Bulls have retained their spot in the rankings with two consecutive wins in as many games. A morale-boosting win over the Lakers has strengthened the team’s case to be taken seriously in the league. They are one of only a handful of teams that have consistently stayed in the top five of the power rankings in the first few weeks of the season.

5 – Dallas Mavericks (Moved up 1 spot)

The Mavs are 7-3 in their last 10 games, this has seen them maintain a top 10 spot in these rankings. The Luka Doncic-led Mavs have a healthy 7-1 record in the West which demonstrates their superior head-to-head record against their Conference rivals.

6 – Brooklyn Nets (Moved up 5 spots)

With Kevin Durant continuing to be great, the Nets roster is sure to follow suit and complement his offensive prowess. The Nets are 8-2 in their last 10 games, they are currently the third seed in the East. They have significantly improved by moving up five spots in these rankings.

7 – Miami Heat (Dropped four spots)

The Heat have dropped four spots in the rankings but they are still a force on the road with a 4-1 record. Their road form is one of the best in the league and they seem more comfortable on their travels with each passing week. They have won their last two games.

8 – Utah Jazz (Dropped 3 spots)

The Jazz have dropped down three places in these rankings. A 5-5 run in the last 10 games has seen them give up their place in the top five. Interestingly. they are unbeaten in the West with a 5-0 record against their Conference foes.

9 – Los Angeles Clippers (Moved up 5 spots)

The Clippers have been affected by injuries to their starters and this resulted in a slow start to the season. However, Paul George has taken the baton and put the city on his back by leading the team to an impressive 8-2 run in the last 10 games. That run included a seven-game winning streak which was recently halted, however, they quickly got back to winning ways. They have moved up five spots in the rankings.

10 – Denver Nuggets (Moved up 3 spots)

The Nuggets have been fuelled by a strong home record of 7-1 and this has made their home arena a fortress in the first few weeks of the season. They are currently situated in the fourth seeding spot in the West. The Nuggets have a 5-3 record in November.

11 – Cleveland Cavaliers (Dropped two spots)

A new Playoff contender in the East is rising. The Cavs’ last Playoff appearance was in 2018 when LeBron James was still on the roster and they seem determined to make up for lost time if their start is anything to go by. They have enjoyed November with a 6-2 record, which is a significant improvement on their 3-4 start in October.

12 – New York Knicks (Dropped two places)

The Knicks have dropped down two spots in the last week. The Knicks’ recent slide can be linked to their 3-5 record in November which is a drop in form compared to their 5-1 start in October. They are still good on their travels with a 5-2 record away from the Garden.

13 – Charlotte Hornets (Moved up 3 spots)

The Hornets have moved up three spots in the power rankings owing to an active three-game winning run in recent days. They are an offensive force as they are ranked second in the league with an average nightly output of 113.3 points. The Hornets are sure to push for Playoff contention if they can maintain their current form.

14 – Los Angeles Lakers (Moved up two spots)

The star-studded Lakers are gradually moving up the power rankings. They are still yet to gel as a unit but they are still tallying an eighth highest average nightly output of 109.8 points. The Lakers are 4-4 in November and 6-4 in the last 10 games.

15 – Philadelphia 76ers (Dropped 13 spots)

Yes, you read that right. The previously red-hot Sixers are currently on an epic fall that is not showing signs of stopping. After an impressive 8-2 start the Doc Rivers-coached Sixers have lost their last five games. They had a near perfect 4-1 start in November until the wheels fell off to see them drop to the eighth seed out East. With Joel Embiid missing time and Ben Simmons still away from the team they have dropped down 13 spots in these rankings, this represents the biggest slide on the list.

16 – Boston Celtics (Moved up 5 spots)

The Celtics have moved up five places. They have a 5-5 record in the last 10 games.

17 – Memphis Grizzlies (Dropped 5 spots)

The Grizzlies have dropped down five spots as well. A few weeks ago they were in the top 15.

18 – Portland Trailblazers (Unmoved)

The Blazers are 4-6 in their last 10 games. They have retained their spot from the previous week.

19 – Toronto Raptors (Dropped four spots)

The Raptors have dropped down four spots. They were ninth in the first two weeks of the season with a 5-3 record. They have since struggled for consistency despite the return of Pascal Siakam.

20 – Sacramento Kings (Moved up 1 spot)

The Kings are 3-5 in November. They have moved up one spot.

21 – Milwaukee Bucks (Moved down one spot)

The defending champions have lost their last two games and they are still enduring a nightmare title defence. They’ve missed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez badly.

22 – Atlanta Hawks (Unmoved)

The Hawks are currently on a two-game winning run but they are yet to build up a head of steam.

23 – Indiana Pacers (Unmoved)

The Pacers are 2-2 in their last four games and remain unimpressive.

24 – Oklahoma City Thunder (Unmoved)

After a horrible start to the season the young Thunder are 2-2 in their last four games, they are also 5-5 in their last 10 games. In week three they were the basement team in the rankings with the worst record in the league, they have gradually showed signs of improvement.

25 – Minnesota Timberwolves (Unmoved)

The Timberwolves have lost their last two games and the team seems to not be able to build momentum.

26 – San Antonio Spurs (Unmoved)

The Spurs have lost their last three games and are struggling for form.

27 – Detroit Pistons (Moved up 1 spot)

The Pistons have lost their last four matchups. They are 0-3 in November.

28 – Orlando Magic (Moved down 1 spot)

The basement team in the Eastern Conference has lost three consecutive games. They have dropped down one spot in the power rankings.

29 – New Orleans Pelicans (Moved up 1 place)

The Pelicans have vacated the bottom spot courtesy of a single win in their last 10 games.

30 – Houston Rockets (Dropped down 1 spot)

The worst team in the league at the moment. The Rockets’ winless run has seen them drop one spot to occupy the basement spot in the power rankings. They have lost 12 games in a row, the worst record in the league.