The NBA Power Rankings 2023–24: Bucks, Nuggets Rising to Start March

Two things 28 other NBA teams don’t want to see: the Bucks and Nuggets finding rhythm late in the season. Milwaukee and Denver have each pulled off six straight wins into early March, a potential omen of things to come.

Both teams haven’t dominated in the regular season like they’ve done before, but it might not matter if they each hit stride come playoff time.

Elsewhere, Washington has lost 15 in a row, while the play-in race out West may be scorching. Let’s look at the updated 2023–24 NBA Power Rankings:

30. Nuggets, 9-52

The Wizards have become that team. With a 15-game losing skid still continuing, Washington has somehow dethroned the Pistons as the team with the worst record. Kyle Kuzma poked fun at Detroit on social media earlier in the season, and now the tables have turned. Welcome to the bottom, Washington. (Last ranking: 29)

29. Detroit Pistons, 9-51

Somehow, the Pistons have managed to rise a spot after being at the bottom since virtually November. There’s still not much positive to write home about for Monty Williams’ group. (Last ranking: 30.)

28. Charlotte Hornets, 15-46

Charlotte has lost four in a row and holds the league’s worst net rating. With no LaMelo Ball or Mark Williams for a long stretch of the season, only rookie Brandon Miller has been a player worth tuning into. (Last ranking: 26)

27. San Antonio Spurs, 13-48

On the other side, watching Victor Wembanyama is like watching five good players in one. The number of leaps he’s done in just one season is amazing, but too bad he hasn’t been able to enjoy as many wins in his debut campaign. (Last ranking: 28)

26. Portland Trail Blazers, 17-43

Not much is new in Portland other than hope Scoot Henderson can complete the year on a positive note whenever he returns from an injury-related hiatus. (Last ranking: 27)

25. Memphis Grizzlies, 21-41

Memphis loses two spots as it has picked up only three wins since Jan. 28. It’s been a season full with awful injuries, so the major goal is merely to end without any more serious ones. (Last ranking: 23)

24. Brooklyn Nets, 24-37

The Nets stay in the same slot as the last edition, since they’ve done nothing of importance to rise or drop. The offseason is the priority. (Last ranking: 24)

23. Toronto Raptors, 23-38

The Raptors recently granted newly acquired Toronto native Kelly Olynyk a two-year, $26.25 million deal. The 32-year-old big man could be a trade candidate again next season if the Raptors keep failing. (Last ranking: 25)

22. Atlanta Hawks, 26-34

Barring a dramatic late run through the play-in tournament, Atlanta is headed for another middle-of-the-pack season. Roster reshuffling, particularly via a probable Dejounte Murray trade, will be essential in the offseason. (Last ranking: 23)

21. Utah Jazz, 28-34

Utah slides a spot after losing 2-8 in its last 10 games, likely catastrophic in the play-in race. Keyonte George is looking more and more potential each game, so at least there’s one plus from a youth-development aspect. (Last ranking: 20)

20. Houston Rockets, 26-34

Houston maintains a top-10 defensive unit but isn’t in the middle of the playoff race like the other great teams around it. It boils down to the offense placing No. 24 in offensive rating, which will be something head coach Ime Udoka wants to improve for 2024–25. (Last ranking: 21)

19. Chicago Bulls, 29-32

DeMar DeRozan and Coby White have given some big-time performances in recent weeks, but there’s still little optimism that the Bulls can cause any major harm in a hypothetical playoff series. Trades should’ve been made at the deadline. (Last ranking: 19)

18. Sacramento Kings, 34-26

Teams ranked No. 18 through No. 5 are highly tight, so being placed low shouldn’t always be viewed as overly gloomy. But the Kings just can’t prove they can generate regular performances, especially against clubs below them record-wise. Not improving on the margins will be their downfall, whenever it comes. (Last ranking: 14)

17. Orlando Magic, 35-26

The Magic did themselves a favor by finishing 8-2 in their past 10, with Paolo Banchero averaging fantastic figures. Who knows how Orlando will perform in a hypothetical playoff series? But it is a tough squad to beat at home. (Last ranking: 17)

16. Los Angeles Lakers, 34-29

You never know what version of the Lakers you’ll get, which is ultimately both good and bad and will probably be the reason for their downfall (along with coaching problems). (Last ranking: 15)

15. Golden State Warriors, 32-28

Milwaukee and Denver dominated the talk earlier about teams peaking, but the Warriors are also dark-horse contenders. They’ve been in good shape since before the All-Star break and are due to get back Andrew Wiggins, who is vital to their wing depth. Let’s see whether they can keep climbing. (Last ranking: 18)

14. Indiana Pacers, 34-28

Indiana has been up and down in recent weeks, with Tyrese Haliburton’s inconsistent shooting coinciding with the stretch. It’ll need to figure things out soon to risk further dropping down the ladder. (Last ranking: 13)

13. Miami Heat, 34-26

The Heat have a fantastic track record of peaking at the proper time, which could be the case again this season. They’re 10-3 in their previous 13 and just added sharpshooter Patty Mills to the bench. He’s demonstrated before that he can shoot his way to a team playoff triumph. (Last ranking: 16)

12. Dallas Mavericks, 34-27

The Mavericks slip a spot after losing four of their past five. They had won seven in a row prior to that streak, which featured victories over clubs like Philadelphia, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and New York. A reversal is needed shortly. (Last ranking: 11)

11. Philadelphia 76ers, 35-25

The 76ers have regularly slid down the ladder since Joel Embiid’s knee injury. They just need to keep him afloat till he returns, then hope he can stay injury-free and go on a run. (Last ranking: 10)

10. New York Knicks, 36-25

The Knicks are also facing an injury crisis of their own, and they’re exceedingly fortunate that Jalen Brunson’s recent scare wasn’t more catastrophic. Like Philly, they’ll need to stay afloat and make a run when the key guys are intact. (Last ranking: 9)

9. Phoenix Suns, 35-26

Phoenix dropped four of their past six games while playing Houston three times in that timeframe. The Suns went just 1-2, though, with one loss at home. Those are the wins Phoenix should be claiming because, with how tight the West is, one loss might make the difference in play-in tournament safety. (Last ranking: 8)

8. New Orleans Pelicans, 36-25

New Orleans is a major riser, having gone 10-4 in its previous 14. The major point for the Pelicans has always been keeping Zion Williamson healthy, especially when the run-in comes. Let’s see whether the team can keep this form going. (Last ranking: 12)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers, 39-21

Cleveland used to be the No. 2 seed out East, but a recent ordinary run of form mixed with Milwaukee’s hot streak sees it drop. Getting Donovan Mitchell back healthy is crucial. (Last ranking: 6)

6. Los Angeles Clippers, 39-21

The Clippers are 5-6 in their last 11, yet each loss has come against a possible playoff contender. But with other clubs surrounding them in better form, L.A. loses three spots. (Last ranking: 3)

5. Milwaukee Bucks, 41-21

Milwaukee has won six in a row to take back the No. 2 spot, though there’s still plenty of work to do to catch up to No. 1. Two of those wins were against a weak Hornets team, but the triumphs occurred in Minnesota, in Philadelphia, in Chicago, and vs. the Clippers without Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks need to keep rolling if they want a higher rating, but they’re back in the top five for now. (Last ranking: 7)

4. Oklahoma City Thunder, 42-19

Ranking the top three teams out West is tremendously difficult because of how close the competition is. Oklahoma City has been outstanding lately, but it doesn’t jump from last time out. Losing in San Antonio really stinks. (Last ranking: 4)

3. Minnesota Timberwolves, 43-19

Minnesota’s latest three losses were all at home to Milwaukee, Sacramento, and the Clippers. Otherwise, they took care of business, including three wins over Portland since Feb. 13. But it’s not enough to be named the best in the West. (Last ranking: 2)

2. Denver Nuggets, 42-19

The defending champs are soaring again, having won six in a row. Remember, the Nuggets’ absolute dominance didn’t truly kick in last season until the playoffs. Then they locked things down. But last season, Denver didn’t face a genuine threat in the West, which has altered this year. It’ll be interesting to watch how Denver fares this time around. (Last ranking: 5)

1. Boston Celtics, 48-12

The Celtics stay first for the eighth edition running. Their starting five have the right balance in each position, and they’re currently on a league-best 11-game winning streak. As long as they keep the course, this is their premier shot at Banner No. 18. (Last ranking: 1)