Celtics
Boston’s web ranking was almost twice that of the subsequent closest group — as clear a sign as any of how dominant this group was from begin to end. Headlined by a number of top-end depth that includes Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, each single participant who took the ground for the Celtics this season completed with a constructive plus-minus. Merely outstanding. — 64-18
2

Thunder
It actually cannot be overstated how great this season was for the Thunder to earn the No. 1 seed in a brutal Western Convention regardless of being one of many youngest groups within the NBA. Touchdown within the prime 5 in each offense and protection isn’t any joke, so credit score goes to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, head coach Mark Daigneault and the entrance workplace for placing the entire thing collectively. The scariest half is that they’re solely going to get higher. 2 57-25
3

Nuggets
The Nuggets had every part in place to complete because the No. 1 seed, however let it slip via their fingers with a loss to the Spurs within the penultimate sport of the season. Denver definitely flipped the proverbial change late within the season, ending with the West’s greatest report after the All-Star break. Nikola Jokic is in line to win his third MVP award and most are choosing the defending champs to make it again to the Finals in a pair months. — 57-25
4

Timberwolves
Final postseason’s end gave a small trace as to what we had in retailer from the Timberwolves, however not many would have predicted they’d be battling for the No. 1 seed till the ultimate day of the season. Three main causes for the breakout 12 months: Anthony Edwards’ leap (actually) to elite standing, Karl-Anthony Cities’ means to slot in, and Rudy Gobert’s defensive resurgence. And a particular shoutout to Mike Conley for retaining the entire thing collectively. What a season. 2 56-26
5

Clippers
A story of three seasons for the Clippers, who suffered via an atrocious stretch after the James Harden commerce, then rose to one of many league’s greatest groups, solely to hit a wall after the All-Star break by which they’d a bottom-five defensive ranking. All that makes it arduous to kind out the place the Clippers belong within the closing pecking order, however they will hold their hats on their plus-10 web ranking when Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George share the ground. 1 51-31
6

Knicks
The OG Anunoby commerce reworked the Knicks, and Jalen Brunson morphed right into a 6-foot-2 Superman to cement his group among the many Japanese Convention elite. Tom Thibodeau will obtain vital Coach of the 12 months consideration for guiding the Knicks to a top-10 end in each offensive and defensive effectivity regardless of an injury-riddled roster. 3 50-32
7

Pelicans
Zion Williamson’s emergence as a two-way risk together with the regular efficiency from CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram saved the Pelicans within the mixture of contenders all season lengthy regardless of varied accidents. Late-game eventualities had been generally a problem, however their top-10 end in each offense and protection reveals how a lot of a risk New Orleans was all season. 3 49-33
8

Bucks
It actually is tough to explain what transpired in Milwaukee this season — between two head coaches, a number of defensive identities and accidents to prime gamers, the Bucks vacillated between the convention’s greatest problem to the Celtics and a legit “blow it up” candidate. By way of all of that Giannis Antetokounmpo was as sensible as ever and the Bucks dominated the minutes he shared with Damian Lillard, despite the fact that the previous Blazers guard wasn’t fairly as much as his standard normal. The protection improved just below Doc Rivers, however was nonetheless nowhere close to the standard Milwaukee normal, contributing to a lot of the issue. 8 49-33
9

Mavericks
The Mavericks rode chemistry from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, together with some deft maneuvers from the entrance workplace, to gather the Western Convention’s greatest report following the commerce deadline additions of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. In addition they had a top-five defensive ranking over that span following a horrendous begin to the season on that finish of the ground. Dallas enters the playoffs as one of many hottest groups within the NBA. 4 50-32
10

Suns
When the Suns went “all in” on the Huge Three, this in all probability is not what they’d in thoughts. Accidents had been a problem, to make certain, however even when Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal had been all wholesome, there was just a few zing missing with this squad. The perplexing fourth-quarter struggles are well-documented, however the offense was nonetheless dominant with the three stars on the ground. 3 49-33
11

Cavaliers
It is in all probability not GREAT when your greatest stretch of basketball comes with out two of your prime gamers. However that is what occurred to the Cavs when Darius Garland and Evan Mobley each missed prolonged time, permitting Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen to be flanked by copious capturing. Total this must be considered as a lateral season for Cleveland, which can have loads of offseason questions relying on how the postseason shakes out. 6 48-34
12

76ers
What a curler coaster for 76ers followers, who — after the James Harden commerce drama — acquired to look at Joel Embiid start arguably the very best scoring season in NBA historical past, solely to see the group wrestle when the large man went down for 2 months. Tyrese Maxey did his greatest to hold them in a breakout 12 months, and so they saved their heads simply sufficient above water to provide themselves a puncher’s likelihood with Embiid again for the postseason. — 47-35
13

Pacers
Behind Tyrese Haliburton and a complete lot of tempo and area, Indiana put up the second-best offensive ranking in NBA historical past. The protection was unhealthy, although it did enhance because the 12 months went alongside, and the Pacers established themselves as a group to be reckoned with shifting ahead — notably after the addition of Pascal Siakam. 1 47-35
14

Magic
Orlando had a breakout season with a bottom-10 offense, which tells you the way incredible their protection was. Paolo Banchero has emerged as a bona fide No. 1 possibility, with Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs supplying help. 6 47-35
15

Lakers
Issues are by no means easy in Laker Land and this season was no exception, however they used a powerful end to get firmly into the postseason combine. Maybe the most important shock was that wholesome seasons from each LeBron James and Anthony Davis did not translate to a top-five end within the West given how properly they ended final 12 months. Darvin Ham lastly settled on a beginning lineup of James, Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, nevertheless, which carried out properly to shut out the season. 4 47-35
16

Warriors
Steve Kerr stated it greatest: In the event you would have instructed him that his group would win 25 street video games this season, he would have assumed the Warriors could be 55-plus wins total. As a substitute, their uncharacteristically mediocre residence report had them preventing for Play-In positioning till the final day of the season. Stephen Curry had one other All-NBA caliber 12 months, whereas Golden State turned issues round defensively following Draymond Inexperienced’s return from suspension. Maybe the most important improvement, nevertheless, was the emergence of younger gamers Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis, who may assist lengthen the group’s quickly closing championship window. 3 46-36
17

Kings
The Kings gained 48 video games final season and had been the No. 3 seed. They gained 46 video games this season and landed within the Play-In. Would not appear honest, does it? Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox had been each excellent once more whereas Malik Monk emerged as a Sixth Man of the 12 months favourite previous to his late-season damage, however total the Kings offense didn’t duplicate its dominance from a season in the past. There was some marginal defensive enchancment that Mike Brown can construct upon heading into subsequent season. 2 46-36
18

Warmth
One other Warmth common season rife with accidents and lackluster performances, just for us to throw all of it out the window as soon as the postseason begins. Simply two members of the Warmth — Bam Adebayo and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. — performed greater than 70 video games, whereas the likes of Haywood HIghsmith, Nikola Jovic and Duncan Robinson grew to become important to the group’s survival. In true Miami style, they had been second within the NBA in defensive effectivity after the All-Star break and fifth total. — 46-36
19

Rockets
Simply an enormous step ahead for the Rockets this season beneath Ime Udoka, who — together with acquisitions Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks — helped the group enhance from twenty ninth in protection final season to tenth this 12 months. Alperen Sengun thrived as the point of interest of the offense, whereas Jalen Inexperienced confirmed his potential late within the season. With kids Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason additionally within the fold, the long run is vibrant for Houston. — 41-41
20

Bulls
On the verge of the underside 10 in offense and protection, the Bulls had a disappointing marketing campaign marked by a season-ending damage to Zach LaVine. Coby White’s emergence and DeMar DeRozan’s clutch heroics had been vibrant spots, nevertheless it’s arduous to examine a path to competition for the Bulls within the close to future. — 39-43
21

Hawks
Any hopes of a return to the glory of the 2021 postseason had been shortly extinguished because the Trae Younger-Dejounte Murray combo by no means yielded fruitful outcomes. The excellent news is the Hawks discovered an actual keeper in third-year ahead Jalen Johnson, however finally it looks like one of many two ball-dominant guards goes to should go this offseason. — 36-46
22

Nets
Mikal Bridges failed to copy the No. 1 scorer consistency he displayed to shut 2022-23 because the Nets slowly drifted out of postseason consideration this 12 months. Brooklyn has a number of items to work with, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not they can match collectively to type a winner. Cam Thomas proved he can carry an offense, although his future could also be as a sixth man given his lack of effectivity. — 32-50
23

Jazz
The Jazz wanted to choose a course this season, and so they definitely did, ending with one of many league’s worst information after the All-Star break. Lauri Markkanen was extremely environment friendly as soon as once more with over 23 factors per sport on 48/40/89 capturing splits, however Will Hardy stated the subsequent step is for the 7-foot ahead to enhance at creating his personal shot. 6 31-51
24

Grizzlies
The Grizzlies had 13 gamers listed as “out” for considered one of their closing video games of the season. If that does not sum up 2023-24 for Memphis, I do not know what does. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. performed simply 9 video games collectively whereas Marcus Good suited up for simply 20 video games complete, however the silver lining is that gamers like Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson and Jake LaRavia established themselves as legit items shifting ahead. 1 27-55
25

Raptors
Nicely, the Raptors lastly hit the rebuild button, sending out OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam for packages centered round RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Bruce Brown and draft compensation. Issues did not go nice after a season-ending damage to Scottie Barnes, who was in the midst of a breakout season, however Barrett and Quickley each regarded promising throughout their first stints in Toronto. 1 25-57
26

Spurs
It is arduous to say a season that completed with a win complete within the low-20s was a rousing success, however that is simply how nice Victor Wembanyama was as a rookie. Flashes of brilliance progressed into constant dominance because the 7-foot-4 alien seems like he can actually be one of many all-time greats if he can proceed to remain wholesome. The Spurs will work on the items that encompass him, however they might not have anticipated a extra spectacular season from their No. 1 total decide. — 22-60
27

Path Blazers
Early accidents halted any ideas of playoff competition for the Blazers, and issues simply acquired worse from there. It is tough to say it was a misplaced season, as there’s at all times improvement to be made, however having Shaedon Sharpe, Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III and Anfernee Simons off the court docket for vital parts of the season did not do a lot for the development of the franchise. 2 21-61
28

Hornets
One other ugly 12 months for the Hornets that noticed LaMelo Ball injured for many of the season and little development from different younger gamers. Brandon Miller was a vibrant spot, displaying talent and basketball IQ past his years, however there’s not a complete lot else to construct round proper now in Charlotte. 1 21-61
29

Wizards
We knew it was going to be a tough 12 months for the Wizards nevertheless it was one way or the other nonetheless disappointing, largely because of a poor efficiency from Jordan Poole (who, to be honest, acquired higher to shut the season). There have been some vibrant spots: Kyle Kuzma did his factor and Deni Avdija made main strides, however the street towards competition might be lengthy and arduous. 1 15-67
30

Pistons
The report is what it’s, however franchise centerpiece Cade Cunningham had a wonderful finish to the season, placing up 24 factors, eight assists and 5 rebounds per sport on 46/40/90 capturing splits after the All-Star break. Exterior of him, Ausar Thompson seems like a legit piece shifting ahead whereas fellow rookie Marcus Sasser profiles as a heat-check bucket getter. — 14-68