With the NBA Play-In Tournament a few days away, it’s time for another edition of Jeff Pratt’s power rankings. This time, Jeff will only be ranking the 20 teams technically still in contention with the pre-playoff tourney about to kick off.
This is the latest update since April 5, 2024.
See his full list below!
NBA POWER RANKINGS (April 12, 2024)
TIER 1: LEGITIMATE CONTENDERS
1) Boston Celtics
- Record: 62-18
- Previous Ranking: 1
The path to the Finals is as clear as ever. The Celtics’ most dangerous opponent in the East is, well, the Celtics.
2) Denver Nuggets
- Record: 56-24
- Previous Ranking: 2
A trip back to the Finals seems to be a foregone conclusion, but I expect Denver to face some adversity in the conference semis and WCF.
3) Minnesota Timberwolves
- Record: 55-25
- Previous Ranking: 3
The only Western Conference team that can beat Denver in a seven-game series, in my opinion.
4) Oklahoma City Thunder
- Record: 55-25
- Previous Ranking: 4
How will the lack of frontcourt size affect them when games start to really matter?
TIER 2: FRINGE CONTENDERS
5) Dallas Mavericks
- Record: 50-30
- Previous Ranking: 6
The depth outside of Luka and Kyrie just isn’t enough, but this team could beat any Western Conference squad except Denver in a seven-game series.
6) New York Knicks
- Record: 48-32
- Previous Ranking: 5
Losing Randle hurts, but this Knicks team is special. An ECF run feels like a strong possibility.
7) Los Angeles Clippers
- Record: 51-29
- Previous Ranking: 7
Can they stay healthy? Can Harden break the postseason curse? There are a lot of challenges this team has to overcome to make a deep run.
8) New Orleans Pelicans
- Record: 48-32
- Previous Ranking: 11
I’ve been fooled before by this team, but I just can’t shake the feeling that they’re capable of doing something special if healthy.
9) Phoenix Suns
- Record: 47-33
- Previous Ranking: 8
No one wants to see KD and Booker in a playoff series. Can the other guys do enough?
TIER 3: SQUADS WITH POTENTIAL, BUT JUST NOT ENOUGH
10) Milwaukee Bucks
- Record: 49-31
- Previous Ranking: 9
THE MOST frustrating team in the league this year by a large margin. Fans are ready for the season to be over. Doc is also probably ready for the season to be over.
11) Cleveland Cavaliers
- Record: 47-33
- Previous Ranking: 12
We were robbed of seeing this team’s full potential due to all the injuries this year.
12) Philadelphia 76ers
- Record: 45-35
- Previous Ranking: 13
I refuse to believe in Philly until they make it out of the second round, but if Embiid and company land the No. 6 or 7 seed, that could finally happen.
TIER 4: SECOND ROUND IS THE CEILING
13) Orlando Magic
- Record: 46-34
- Previous Ranking: 10
A very fun team with an excellent coach, they’re just a year or two away.
14) Miami Heat
- Record: 44-36
- Previous Ranking: 15
It doesn’t feel like we’re primed for the typical Playoff Jimmy run, but you never know. Also, Spo can out-coach anyone in the league.
15) Golden State Warriors
- Record: 42-34
- Previous Ranking: 18
Peaking at the right time! No one wants to face Steph Curry in the postseason.
16) Los Angeles Lakers
- Record: 45-35
- Previous Ranking: 16
Built to give any of the top three teams trouble in a potential first-round matchup.
17) Indiana Pacers
- Record: 46-34
- Previous Ranking: 17
Did what they needed to do in order to avoid the Play-In. I’m not expecting much more.
18) Sacramento Kings
- Record: 45-35
- Previous Ranking: 14
Their current form leaves a LOT to be desired heading into the Play-In.
TIER 5: Technically Qualified
19) Chicago Bulls
- Record: 38-42
- Previous Ranking: 20
Will be part of the least-anticipated Play-In game in its brief history.
20) Atlanta Hawks
- Record: 36-44
- Previous Ranking: 21
Will ALSO be part of the least-anticipated Play-In game in its brief history.
Stay tuned for another installment of Jeff’s power rankings soon!
