DKNetwork Logo DKNetwork Logo
NBA Power Rankings: Thunder ascend to top spot, injury-plagued Mavericks falter

NBA Power Rankings: Thunder ascend to top spot, injury-plagued Mavericks falter

NBA DraftKings Network DraftKings Sportsbook Insights

Published:

By: Grant Afseth

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, there is plenty to monitor around the league and how things could change outlooks in the title race. With Jimmy Butler at the forefront of the latest rumors, plenty of reshuffling that occurs as contenders attempt to add more firepower.

At the top of the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers are locked in a battle for supremacy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell have emerged as MVP candidates, propelling their teams to the top of their respective conferences. Elsewhere, teams like the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies are positioning themselves for deep playoff runs, while others face questions about their roster construction and postseason viability.

Among teams facing critical challenges are the Dallas Mavericks, who continue to deal with significant injuries that could shape their season’s trajectory. Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a left calf strain, an injury that has limited his play to just 22 games this season. Adding to their woes, Dereck Lively II is reportedly set to miss multiple months due to a fracture in his foot, further testing the depth and resilience of the Mavericks’ roster.

Here’s the list of all 30 NBA teams in the power rankings, from first to 30:

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder: 35-7 (+255 odds to win NBA Finals on DraftKings Sportsbook)
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers: 36-6 (+850)
  3. Boston Celtics: 30-13 (+245)
  4. Memphis Grizzlies: 28-15 (+2500)
  5. Houston Rockets: 28-14 (+6000)
  6. Denver Nuggets: 27-16 (+1400)
  7. New York Knicks: 29-16 (+900)
  8. Milwaukee Bucks: 24-17 (+2500)
  9. LA Clippers: 24-18 (+2500)
  10. Indiana Pacers: 24-19 (+11000)
  11. Los Angeles Lakers: 23-18 (+4500)
  12. Sacramento Kings: 22-20 (+8000)
  13. Orlando Magic: 23-22 (+10000)
  14. Minnesota Timberwolves: 22-21 (+4500)
  15. Atlanta Hawks: 22-20 (+35000)
  16. Dallas Mavericks: 23-20 (+1400)
  17. Detroit Pistons: 22-21 (+50000)
  18. Miami Heat: 21-21 (+15000)
  19. Phoenix Suns: 21-21 (+4000)
  20. Golden State Warriors: 21-21 (+5000)
  21. San Antonio Spurs: 19-22 (+100000)
  22. Chicago Bulls: 19-25 (+100000)
  23. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-26 (+6000)
  24. Portland Trail Blazers: 15-28 (+100000)
  25. Brooklyn Nets: 14-30 (+100000)
  26. Charlotte Hornets: 11-28 (+100000)
  27. New Orleans Pelicans: 12-32 (+100000)
  28. Utah Jazz: 10-31 (+100000)
  29. Toronto Raptors: 11-32 (+100000)
  30. Washington Wizards: 6-36 (+100000)

Grant Afseth

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is grant-afseth) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.