Album of the Week: “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Doechii (2024)
We are 28.8 percent of the way through the NBA regular season! Because every team has made it through 20 games and the small-sample period has evaporated, it’s time to acknowledge the quarter mark of the season. That means it’s time for grades.
Here is a look at every team’s record through 20 games:
Every NBA team has played at least 20 games!
First quarter of the NBA season is in as a result
These are the records of each team’s first 20 games:
*top-six in Conference
📈📉 based on last season
discuss… pic.twitter.com/p3oGpW8vmC
— Law Murray 🎄 (@LawMurrayTheNU) December 6, 2025
Each team will get a letter grade. And as some of you experienced last season, I’m a particularly ruthless grader. This is probably not the report card you want to use to decide how much you’ll get off the holiday wish list. In addition to considering achievement, context and expectations, I’ll comment on one item that each team has either done well or has not done well through the first 25 percent of the season.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 8 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore first-quarter grades for each team. Win-loss records are through Sunday’s action; the first quarter ended for all teams Friday.
Tier 1: Top Contenders1. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at GS, W vs DAL, W at UTA
Offensive rating: 120.0 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 104.1 (first place)
First-quarter grade: A
The Thunder have lost once. And they’re NBA Cup-bound, along with seven other teams that have lost more than one game. It will be interesting to see if they make the NBA Cup championship for the second year in a row, because if they do win twice this week, they would have to return home next week to play on zero days rest and thank host the LA Clippers. But about this start. Obviously, it is the best in franchise history (yes, that includes Seattle. Bring back the Sonics). Only four other teams have ever won at least 19 of their first 20 games, and all of those teams at least made it to the conference finals. Only the 1970 Knicks (23-1) and 2016 Warriors (24-0, blew a 3-1 NBA Finals lead) have had a record like the Thunder have now. This is the best team in the league because it has the reigning MVP (through three quarters anyway) in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the best defense in the league, forcing turnovers better than any other team. Why not an A-plus? Well, we want to leave some slight room for improvement! As I said above: ruthless grader.
2. Denver Nuggets (17-6)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L vs DAL, W at IND, W at ATL, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 124.0 (first place)
Defensive rating: 115.4 (18th place)
First-quarter grade: B+
The Nuggets have had to navigate multi-week injuries to Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, but it’s easier when you have more depth around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Denver leads the NBA in field goal percentage, with all three of Jokić (61.2 percent), Murray (50.6 percent) and Gordon (53.2 percent) making more than half of their field goals. This is a powerful basketball team, one that has won 10 consecutive games away from Ball Arena.
3. Detroit Pistons (19-5)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs ATL, L at MIL, W vs POR, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 116.7 (ninth place)
Defensive rating: 111.3 (fourth place)
First-quarter grade: A
This was Detroit’s best 20-game start in 20 years. And the Pistons are defending like contenders, primarily because they force turnovers at a high rate. Six Pistons average at least a steal per game, led by second-year reserve forward Ronald Holland II with 1.7 per game.
4. Houston Rockets (15-6)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L at UTA, W vs SAC, W vs PHO, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 121.4 (fourth place)
Defensive rating: 110.7 (second place)
First-quarter grade: A
The Rockets attempt the fewest 3s in the league, have one of the worst turnover rates and are arguably the slowest team in the league. And yet, they are off to their best 20-game start in eight years while overwhelming teams with second-chance scoring opportunities and the kind of size that overwhelms teams on both ends of the floor. This wasn’t a great week for the Rockets, though, as they lost two road games to losing teams while dealing with the dreaded five games in seven days stretch.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (17-6)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L vs PHO, W at TOR, L at BOS, W at PHI
Offensive rating: 118.3 (sixth place)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (20th place)
First-quarter grade: A
When the Lakers lose, they get wiped off the court. But if it’s a close game, they are winning it. They are the last undefeated team in clutch time at 8-0, and they are 15-0 when they lead through three quarters. They have the top scorer in the league in Luka Dončić, a second free-throw merchant in Austin Reaves leading all No. 2 scorers and the top scorer in league history in LeBron James picking his spots. This is the best 20-game start for the Lakers in six seasons, and that is more meaningful than their strength of schedule, considering the fact that their best three players are still coalescing.
Tier 2: In a Good Place6. Boston Celtics (15-9)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs NY, W at WAS, W vs LAL, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 122.0 (second place)
Defensive rating: 114.8 (17th place)
First-quarter grade: B
The Celtics aren’t the contenders they have been in the past with Jayson Tatum playing. But other than that, it’s been a good start to the season for Boston, and the Celtics have continued to be one of the best teams in the league at taking care of the basketball. They have ranked in the top two in fewest turnovers per game each of the previous two seasons, and they have the fewest turnovers per game this season as well. The only player allowed to turn the ball over is Jaylen Brown (3.6 turnovers per game), and Brown is making up for the turnovers by having more 30-point games this season (13) than he had all of last season (10, including playoffs).
7. New York Knicks (16-7)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L at BOS, W vs CHA, W vs UTA, W vs ORL
Offensive rating: 121.7 (third place)
Defensive rating: 113.5 (14th place)
First-quarter grade: B
New York’s 13 wins in its first 20 games are actually the most the franchise has had to start a season in 13 years. Mike Brown implored last year’s Sacramento Kings to play the right way possession after possession after possession before he got fired. Now, you have to scroll to see where the Kings rank, while the Knicks lead the league in the possession battle. Jalen Brunson averages only 2.3 turnovers per game for a Knicks team that ranks third in turnover percentage.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-8)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W at NO, W at NO, W vs LAC
Offensive rating: 118.2 (seventh place)
Defensive rating: 113.3 (11th place)
First-quarter grade: B
I’d rather a team be a schedule merchant and win games than balance “statement wins” with losses to teams they should beat. At some point, Minnesota is going to need to show that they can beat good teams. But in the meantime, they are winning while being one of the best shooting teams in basketball. Anthony Edwards continues to show that he is one of the game’s very best singular threats, as he is north of 40 percent from 3 on more than eight attempts per game. That’s Stephen Curry/Damian Lillard territory considering Edwards’ scoring average.
9. San Antonio Spurs (15-7)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs MEM, W at ORL, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 117.7 (eighth place)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (16th place)
First-quarter grade: B+
This is San Antonio’s best 20-game start in nine years, and that’s with center Victor Wembanyama limited to only 12 games due to a calf injury. The Spurs are top 10 in field goal percentage even though Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have yet to be available for the same game. Fox is averaging 26.7 points since the last time Wembanyama or Castle has played.
Tier 3: The Bubble10. Orlando Magic (14-10)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs CHI, L vs SA, W vs MIA, L at NY
Offensive rating: 115.7 (11th place)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (fifth place)
First-quarter grade: B
The Magic have done a decent job getting off to good starts since becoming a playoff team two seasons ago. The question with them is about the health of their best players. Paolo Banchero is the leading rebounder on one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the league, but Banchero has already missed 10 games because of a groin strain. Sunday’s game in New York saw Franz Wagner go down with a leg injury. And the Magic also have to preserve the heart and soul of the team, point guard Jalen Suggs.
Tyler Herro has spent a lot of time on the Miami bench this season. (Rhona Wise / Imagn Images)
11. Miami Heat (14-10)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs LAC, L at DAL, L at ORL, L vs SAC
Offensive rating: 115.4 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (sixth place)
First-quarter grade: B+
Miami combines the fastest pace in the NBA with a defense that may give up a lot of total points but keeps teams from doing so efficiently. Bam Adebayo is having a bounce-back season on both ends of the floor. This was a concerning week for the Heat, though, as they lost three straight games while Tyler Herro (toe) deals with another injury.
12. Toronto Raptors (15-10)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs POR, L vs LAL, L vs CHA, L vs BOS
Offensive rating: 115.3 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 112.8 (eighth place)
First-quarter grade: A
The Rui Hachimura buzzer-beater, assisted by LeBron James, commenced a three-game losing streak, and now the Raptors have lost twice to the Hornets. But these are first-quarter grades, and the Raptors should be credited for their best 20-game start in six years. This team is already halfway toward matching its win total from all of last season. Scottie Barnes (1.4 steals) leads four Raptors averaging more than 1.0 steals per game.
13. Phoenix Suns (13-10)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W at LAL, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 115.5 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (13th place)
First-quarter grade: B
This is actually the third season in a row that Phoenix has won 12 of its first 20 games, and the Suns have done it under three different head coaches. The outcome of the season was very different with Frank Vogel in 2023-24 (swept in first round) than it was under Mike Budenholzer last season (failed to qualify for Play-In Tournament), so the Suns should know there is more work to do. That work is a little tougher given the soft-tissue injuries affecting Devin Booker and especially Jalen Green. But Phoenix is relevant in the West because of a defense that collects more steals than any team in the league (yes, even more than the Thunder).
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at IND, L vs POR, W vs SA, L vs GS
Offensive rating: 115.9 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (ninth place)
First-quarter grade: B-
It’s not that Cleveland is bad. But this season has made the Cavaliers look like the Donovan Mitchell teams under J.B. Bickerstaff, not the first Kenny Atkinson team from last season. The Cavaliers still do a good job taking care of the basketball, and Lonzo Ball has helped Cleveland from a ballhandling standpoint given Darius Garland’s injury recovery and Ty Jerome’s departure. But the time that Garland and center Jarrett Allen have missed has exposed Cleveland’s depth and made the team a lot closer to ordinary.
15. Atlanta Hawks (14-11)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at DET, L vs LAC, L vs DEN, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 114.8 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 113.3 (10th place)
First-quarter grade: B
The Hawks are treading water with point guard Trae Young set to be re-evaluated as soon as this week following an October MCL sprain. Shooting guard Dyson Daniels continues to pilfer foes for a stronger-than-usual defense. Young’s absence has allowed Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to emerge into bigger roles, and Johnson and Alexander-Walker have shown that they can handle it.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (13-10)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W vs WAS, W vs GS, W at MIL, L vs LAL
Offensive rating: 114.3 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 113.5 (15th place)
First-quarter grade: B
This is definitely an A for Tyrese Maxey and a C for the rest of the team. Credit the 76ers for getting off the mat from last season’s disaster bomb, getting a No. 3 overall pick from the tank in the starting lineup and playing good enough defense to let Maxey run circles around NBA defenses, smiling the whole time. No team blocks more shots than Philadelphia, as De’Anthony Melton found out when Maxey had to save a game late. With that said, there are serious concerns. Joel Embiid has as many dunks as Nick Nurse does this season. Paul George has as many dunks as Nick Nurse as well. Neither of Maxey’s co-stars is capable of actually supporting him. And this is the worst third-quarter team in the league (minus-5.9 point differential), which is saying something given the rest of this list of teams.
17. Golden State Warriors (13-12)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs OKC, L at PHI, W at CLE, W at CHI
Offensive rating: 112.7 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 110.7 (third place)
First-quarter grade: C-
When the Warriors went to five straight finals in the 2010s, they always won at least 13 of their first 20 games. When they had an outlier championship season in 2021-22, they started 18-2. Golden State is right in the middle of the West, failing to build off the Jimmy Butler III momentum that they ended last season with. Good thing for them that the West isn’t as deep this season as it usually has been, and Golden State has been able to steal some wins with Stephen Curry missing time because of a defense that steals the ball more than any team outside of Phoenix and Oklahoma City.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear18. Memphis Grizzlies (11-13)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at SA, W vs LAC, W vs POR
Offensive rating: 111.5 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (12th place)
First-quarter grade: D
First, the bad. The Grizzlies have had some low moments this season, and many of them have involved Ja Morant. Whether it is his on-court decline (35.9 percent field goals), his increasingly poor fit, the clashes with the coaching staff or missed games, it has been a forgettable season for the face of the Grizzlies franchise. Jock Landale had to start 13 games. Top trade acquisition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is shooting 38.2 percent from the field and top free-agent acquisition Ty Jerome hasn’t played at all. Only three teams have a worse field goal percentage. Now, Memphis is playing a lot better since center Zach Edey got back from injury, and it has shown that it can punch well enough to stay out of the bottom five in the West.
19. Dallas Mavericks (9-16)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W at DEN, W vs MIA, L at OKC, W vs HOU
Offensive rating: 108.6 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 112.3 (seventh place)
First-quarter grade: D-
This was a quality week for the Mavericks, as they beat three teams with winning records. Some teams haven’t done that all season, so the arrow continues to point up. As far as 20-game starts go, this was Dallas’ worst since the last team that didn’t have Luka Dončić on it to begin a season (2017-18). For a team as big as Dallas, it has a bottom-five offensive rebound rate, and injuries to centers Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II mean that Anthony Davis is playing center next to forward Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington; Davis, Gafford and Lively have yet to play in the same game this season.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (9-15)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at TOR, W at CLE, L at DET, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 113.3 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (19th place)
First-quarter grade: C-
The Trail Blazers had a spark when this season started, but they have lost 75 percent of their games since Jrue Holiday began missing games. The defense started off with an emphasis on applying indiscriminatory pressure. But Portland fouls entirely too much, and that is a bigger issue than the effort to force turnovers has been a positive attribute.
Milwaukee once again has to figure out how to stay afloat without Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Benny Sieu / Imagn Images)
21. Milwaukee Bucks (10-15)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at WAS, W vs DET, L vs PHI, L at DET
Offensive rating: 114.3 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 117.0 (22nd place)
First-quarter grade: D
Even with the now 31-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee is a painfully average team. With Antetokounmpo sidelined, the Bucks are a hopeless team, having lost seven consecutive games with Antetokounmpo out of the lineup. The Bucks foul too much and have too many poor defenders. The one game the Bucks won this past week saw Antetokounmpo suffer a multi-week calf injury in the wake of more discussions about Antetokounmpo’s murky intentions for his future.
22. Charlotte Hornets (7-17)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L at BRK, L at NY, W at TOR, L vs DEN
Offensive rating: 113.5 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (24th place)
First-quarter grade: D+
The Hornets have lost at least 13 of their first 20 games each of the last four seasons. Charlotte has an identity defensively of keeping teams off the free-throw line and securing rebounds. But the Hornets don’t force turnovers as part of their effort in defending without fouling, and they don’t really defend, ranking in the bottom five in field goal percentage allowed and allowing the highest 3-point percentage in the league.
23. Utah Jazz (8-15)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: W vs HOU, W at BRK, L at NY, L vs OKC
Offensive rating: 112.8 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 120.8 (29th place)
First-quarter grade: D+
Lauri Markkanen got sick and finally missed his first game of the season. The Jazz promptly lost by 30 points (to the Thunder, but without Gilgeous-Alexander playing). So here we are, a Utah team that is almost halfway to last season’s win total already, but one that has tremendous tank capability still because Markkanen has shown up and balled out almost every night. Then again, Utah did lose Walker Kessler after five games, and the Jazz are bottom five in field goal percentage allowed with dreadful rim protection.
24. Brooklyn Nets (6-17)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: W vs CHA, W at CHI, L vs UTA, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 112.3 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 119.8 (27th place)
First-quarter grade: D-
This Nets team was not supposed to be good, and they lost four times as many games as they won over the first 20 games of the season. That’s the worst start for the Nets since the franchise was in New Jersey and started 1-19 in 2009. This is the worst defense Brooklyn has ever had, and it particularly struggles to defend inside. But if you want the Nets to win, this was a good week. And if you want the Nets to lose, then they’re still in decent lottery shape.
25. Chicago Bulls (9-14)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at ORL, L vs BRK, L vs IND, L vs GS
Offensive rating: 111.9 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 117.3 (23rd place)
First-quarter grade: C-
When Chicago started 5-0, the Bulls were back. But the sample size had to marinate. Now the Bulls are back to being bad. Since 2017, the Bulls have had a losing record through 20 games every season but one, the 2021-22 season that they made the playoffs. This is a soft defense that forces turnovers less frequently than every team except Washington and Denver. The Bulls are where a lack of talent meets a lack of grit, and they have the longest active losing streak in the NBA.
Tier 5: Basement Floor26. Sacramento Kings (6-17)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at HOU, W at MIA
Offensive rating: 109.2 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 119.2 (26th place)
First-quarter grade: F
Like the Clippers, the Kings are off to their worst 20-game start in 15 seasons. Unlike the Clippers, the Kings have only been to the playoffs once in those 15 seasons. Still, this team is an example of talent devolving into an awful fit. There are too many players on this team who aren’t capable of giving consistently good efforts toward winning basketball. This is a very bad defense, but this might be the worst use of offensive talent in the team’s history. It doesn’t help that the Kings are the worst rebounding team in the league.
27. LA Clippers (6-18)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at MIA, W at ATL, L at MEM, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 113.4 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 118.6 (25th place)
First-quarter grade: F
By far the most disappointing team in basketball. The Clippers had many doubters, but even their biggest trolls didn’t have them losing 75 percent of their games. The defense has breakdown after breakdown on a nightly basis, allowing 3s repeatedly. This year’s Clippers alternate getting completely blown out, losing in the clutch and blowing massive leads because they can’t consistently get stops. They also can’t keep from embarrassing themselves, with the Chris Paul dismissal serving as an own goal on multiple fronts. The Clippers haven’t shown any signs that they are capable of putting enough wins together to save a season that had high expectations, and it has more to do with the decline in effectiveness of players already on the team than the few new veterans added.
28. Indiana Pacers (5-18)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L vs CLE, L vs DEN, W at CHI
Offensive rating: 108.3 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 116.5 (21st place)
First-quarter grade: F
The roster was fragile after the Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton and the free-agent defection of center Myles Turner. But this was the worst 20-game start in the entire history of the Pacers, including the ABA days that go all the way back to 1967. The losses of Haliburton and Turner, combined with other injuries and a neglect of the center position, have Indiana as the worst team in the league at converting field goals (43.4 percent).
29. Washington Wizards (3-19)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: W vs MIL, L at PHI, L vs BOS, L vs ATL
Offensive rating: 108.3 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 123.8 (30th place)
First-quarter grade: F
The Wizards only win enough to stave off thoughts of true futility. But they have now started with at least 17 losses in their first 20 games for three consecutive seasons. These have been the worst starts in franchise history, and that says a lot considering the fact that Washington hasn’t had a 50-win season in the 3-point era. The Wizards punted on any power forward-type players this season, and have the league’s worst defensive rebound percentage in the league. And while the goal is to tank, you saw what DMV native Kevin Durant said about tanking when the lottery results were revealed this past spring.
30. New Orleans Pelicans (3-21)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs MIN, L vs MIN, L at BRK
Offensive rating: 110.0 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 120.4 (28th place)
First-quarter grade: F
This is arguably the nadir of pro basketball in New Orleans, even worse than the first seasons without Chris Paul. At least Anthony Davis showed up as a short-term reward after Paul’s 2011 departure. The Pelicans punted the 2026 draft for Derik Queen, and they are showing how they absolutely do not have the team to validate that decision. The Pelicans allow 124.2 points per 100 possessions when 2025 lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Queen share the floor.