This week is the beginning of the NBA Cup! And it comes at a momentous time of the NBA season, when many are somehow wrestling over basic issues like actually being interested in watching basketball.
Sure, there are widespread injuries that have people wanting to change the NBA schedule to account for Ja Morant or Chet Holmgren falling out of midair and landing on their hips. Or how players have become too good at shooting 3s (or not good enough, depending on how the wind is blowing). Or just the simple fact there might be a game where some two-way contract players need to start, because in a league of 500 players, you only care about 10 percent of them.
Perhaps all of these things are concerns as we open the NBA Cup schedule, a device that is here in the first place because the league needed to help some franchises raise more banners before the All-Star break. We’re going to try something novel this week at The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, though. It’s called the “Say Something Nice Challenge.” That’s a real struggle sometimes, but this might be the right time to implement it as we watch these vibrantly colored courts on Tuesdays and Fridays,
GO DEEPER
Ranking the 30 NBA Cup 2024 court designs, from bottom (Pelicans) to top
As we go about the order, I’ll attempt to genuinely promote the game of basketball through 30 teams. It’s a challenge, so I’m sure it’ll go as smoothly as the rankings.
A reminder: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every 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.
Let’s dive into Week 3 of the Power Rankings. Win/loss records are through Monday’s games; statistics are through Sunday.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-0)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at Pelicans, W vs. Warriors, W vs. Nets, W at Bulls
Offensive rating: 121.3 (first place)
Defensive rating: 109.9 (ninth place)
Say Something Nice: They have not lost yet!
What an incredible start to coach Kenny Atkinson’s tenure in Ohio. Only seven teams have ever begun a season 12-0 before the Cavaliers, and of those, only the 1983 Seattle SuperSonics and 2003 Dallas Mavericks failed to reach the NBA Finals. There is a lot to look forward to, like seeing how long the Cavaliers can keep this up while shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3 as a team.
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12 and Oh! Donovan Mitchell dazzles vs. Bulls as Cavaliers reach a perfect dozen
2. Golden State Warriors (8-2)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at Celtics, L at Cavaliers, W at Thunder
Offensive rating: 119.2 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 107.6 (fourth)
Say Something Nice: They are deep.
Ten games into the season, the Warriors are playing 13 players between 28.3 (Stephen Curry) and 12.4 (Gary Payton II) minutes per game, with all of those players appearing in at least half of the games. All but two of the players (Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney) have started at least one game. This might be the most Strength in Numbers Warriors team of all.
3. Boston Celtics (9-2)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L vs. Warriors, W vs. Nets, W at Bucks
Offensive rating: 119.4 (third)
Defensive rating: 108.7 (sixth)
Say Something Nice: This might be the best version of Jayson Tatum.
I’m not just saying that because Tatum topped some list last month. Through 11 games, Tatum is averaging what would be career bests in points (30.5), assists (5.0), steals (1.6), free-throw attempts (9.0) and 3s (4.3). He is questionable for Tuesday’s game with an ankle sprain, but it has been a fantastic start for Tatum while teammates Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis have missed time to begin the season.
The Thunder lost Chet Holmgren to a hip injury but still have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. (Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images)
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-2)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: L at Nuggets, W vs. Rockets, L vs. Warriors, W vs. Clippers
Offensive rating: 114.5 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 102.6 (first)
Say Something Nice: They are committed to their chaotic style.
Chet Holmgren’s hip injury is devastating; hopefully his recovery goes smoothly and he can get back onto the court with no complications. But if there is one team that can handle not having tall people on the floor and find a way to excel, it is the Thunder. Their pressure is suffocating, as they average more than two more steals per game than any other team in the league. Oklahoma City then combines that with a top-five pace and a host of skilled players who drive more than any other team in the league. And when all else fails, they can just utilize the human Do-It-Yourself kit that is MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Who needs rebounds, anyway?
5. Phoenix Suns (8-2)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs. Heat, W at Mavericks, L vs. Kings
Offensive rating: 113.0 (13th)
Defensive rating: 111.0 (12th)
Say Something Nice: They are getting the hang of winning close games.
The Suns lost in overtime Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, their first game without Kevin Durant (calf). But of Phoenix’s eight wins, four have come by three points or fewer. In clutch time games (margin of five points or fewer in the last five minutes of regulation or overtime), the Suns are 7-1, with at least two more wins than any other team in the league.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Denver Nuggets (7-3)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs. Thunder, W vs. Heat, W vs. Mavericks
Offensive rating: 116.9 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (18th)
Say Something Nice: Nikola Jokić is really good.
There are MVP candidates, and there’s Jokić, a three-time MVP winner. The cards are stacked against The Joker even more than usual, and he doesn’t have his favorite lob threat in Aaron Gordon for the rest of the month because of a calf injury. No matter. Jokic is scoring more than ever, dropping double-digit assists for the first time and leading the league in rebounds and assists. He even has 10 blocks in 10 games; Jokic has never averaged 1.0 blocks in a season. He is great, and the Nuggets need every bit of it.
7. Houston Rockets (7-4)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs. Spurs, L at Thunder, W at Pistons, W vs. Wizards
Offensive rating: 112.6 (16th)
Defensive rating: 107.2 (third)
Say Something Nice: The defense is stifling.
The Rockets couldn’t do much with Gilgeous-Alexander Friday night, but other than that, coach Ime Udoka has the fourth-youngest team in the league playing stellar defense. Houston is unapologetically physical, it prioritizes taking away the 3-point line, and Alperen Şengün’s rim protection has improved to begin the season.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (7-4)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W vs. Lakers, W vs. Wizards, W at Trail Blazers
Offensive rating: 116.8 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 108.4 (fifth)
Say Something Nice: The attitude is back.
I hate that Ja Morant may miss the rest of November with a hip injury, but before he got injured, he made it clear he does not like the Lakers. Then Memphis turns around, and Zach Edey is mean-mugging former Grizzlies center Jonas Valančiūnas. And as short-handed as the Grizzlies are, they go into Portland and completely embarrass the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies were awful to watch last season as they cycled through 33 players, but this season, they are bringing a vengeance mentality to the gym.
Tier 3: The Bubble
9. Los Angeles Lakers (6-4)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at Grizzlies, W vs. Sixers, W vs. Raptors
Offensive rating: 117.0 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (26th)
Say Something Nice: Anthony Davis looks unstoppable.
It’s wild to think this is the same Davis who averaged only 21.8 points per game in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers four years ago. Through nine games, Davis is averaging a career-best 31.2 points per game while averaging only 2.2 turnovers per game. For a player who goes to the free-throw line as often as he does, the lack of giveaways is remarkable, and Davis is shooting a career-best 57.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from 3 as well. It’s one of the highest floors seen from a 30-point scorer.
Anthony Davis is on a heater. (Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (6-4)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W at Bulls, W vs. Trail Blazers, L vs. Heat
Offensive rating: 115.3 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 109.7 (seventh)
Say Something Nice: Anthony Edwards can shoot 3s.
Look, I love watching Anthony Edwards dunk. He shakes things up once a season. But how can you be mad about his choice of jump shot coming from 3 and coming at such an impressive clip of accuracy? Edwards is making 45.8 percent of his 11.8 3-point attempts to begin the season. For context, Stephen Curry attempted 11.8 3s per game last season and made “only” 40.8 percent. I, for one, do not need a rule change that discourages Edwards from literally shooting like Curry.
GO DEEPER
Anthony Edwards has opened the season on a Steph Curry-like shooting streak
11. LA Clippers (6-5)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W vs. Sixers, W at Kings, W vs. Raptors, L at Thunder
Offensive rating: 111.9 (17th)
Defensive rating: 109.9 (10th)
Say Something Nice: Norman Powell is a bucket.
I can’t really say anything nice about a Clippers defense that went from fourth to 10th in one night because of the assault in Oklahoma City led by Gilgeous-Alexander. But Powell had zero field goals at halftime of Monday night’s game. He still wound up with 31 points, continuing a torrid start to his 10th NBA season. Powell is scoring like another No. 24 who played in Inglewood, as he is up to 26.0 points on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and he is getting better every week.
GO DEEPER
Ten Clippers takes after 10 games: Kawhi will return slowly, Harden’s turnovers and more
12. Sacramento Kings (6-5)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. Raptors, L vs. Clippers, W at Suns, L at Spurs
Offensive rating: 113.9 (11th)
Defensive rating: 111.4 (13th)
Say Something Nice: The defense is better than expected.
The Kings need to be strong offensively, and they’re asking a lot of their three-dimensional offense led by Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan. But through 11 games, they have been above average defensively despite rim protection concerns and a lack of depth. DeRozan in particular has picked his spots on steals (1.7 per game) while staying out of foul trouble (only 1.3 per game despite playing 38.2 minutes per game).
13. Indiana Pacers (5-5)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs. Magic, L at Hornets, W vs. Knicks
Offensive rating: 113.7 (12th)
Defensive rating: 117.2 (25th)
Say Something Nice: Their wins are loud.
The Pacers have had an uneven start to the season, but they already had wins over the Celtics and Mavericks, and then they became the latest team to demolish the Knicks defense. The loss at Charlotte seemed like rock bottom, as the Pacers were held to only 83 points. But the Tyrese Haliburton who showed up against the Knicks (35 points, 14 assists) is the All-NBA performer the Pacers need to see at least once a week, every week.
14. Dallas Mavericks (5-5)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs. Bulls, L vs. Suns, L at Nuggets
Offensive rating: 114.2 (10th)
Defensive rating: 110.3 (11th)
Say Something Nice: Kyrie Irving’s shooting is incredible.
Jason Kidd is searching for lineups that work, especially with Dallas going through a host of frontcourt injuries. But while Luka Dončić is off to a messy start (41.2 percent field goals, 33.3 percent 3s), Irving has refused to miss shots. Through 10 games, Irving has made 55.2 percent from 3 while maintaining his scoring average from last season (25.6 points).
15. New York Knicks (4-5)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at Hawks, W vs. Bucks, L at Pacers
Offensive rating: 119.5 (second)
Defensive rating: 115.5 (21st)
Say Something Nice: This offense is powerful.
We don’t need to discuss the defense that has kept the Knicks under .500. Let’s focus on how New York is the slowest team in the league, which makes its ability to find scoring success at the end of possessions so difficult to deal with. Going from Julius Randle to Karl-Anthony Towns has helped New York get some of the best shots in basketball, as only three teams have a better field goal percentage. Towns is shooting 53.7 percent from 3 as well.
GO DEEPER
What’s wrong with the Knicks’ defense and can it be fixed?
16. Orlando Magic (5-6)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at Pacers, W vs. Pelicans, W vs. Wizards
Offensive rating: 109.0 (26th)
Defensive rating: 106.8 (second)
Say Something Nice: Orlando is Oklahoma City East defensively.
The loss of Paolo Banchero (oblique) ensures the Magic will have some of the nastiest games in the league for the rest of November. But coach Jamahl Mosley continues to get his young team to defend at the highest of levels. The Magic are the only Eastern Conference team that is in the top five in the NBA defensively as the NBA Cup begins. The Magic allow at least 3.1 fewer second-chance points per game than any other team in the league.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
17. San Antonio Spurs (5-6)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at Rockets, W vs. Trail Blazers, L vs. Jazz, W vs. Kings
Offensive rating: 109.2 (24th)
Defensive rating: 109.8 (eighth)
Say Something Nice: Victor Wembanyama’s defense is even better.
Wembanyama is up to 3.9 blocks per game, leading the NBA once again. The Spurs are bad offensively, but the addition of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes has been credited by San Antonio’s staff for raising the level of awareness defensively. It all ends with Wembanyama, though, who allows only 32.9 percent at the rim in his coverage. No one else who defends at least 3.5 field goal attempts at the rim allows worse than 42 percent.
18. Miami Heat (4-5)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at Suns, L at Nuggets, W at Timberwolves
Offensive rating: 111.1 (19th)
Defensive rating: 112.4 (15th)
Say Something Nice: Kevin Love is back.
Jimmy Butler was unable to play in Minnesota because of an ankle injury, but another former Timberwolves player was able to start instead, as Love made his 2024-25 season debut after missing the first eight games. The 2008 lottery pick didn’t play much, but he made a positive contribution and was on the floor for fellow power forward Nikola Jovic’s game-winning and-1.
Cam Thomas has been a bright spot for the Nets. (Stephen Lew / Imagn Images)
19. Brooklyn Nets (5-6)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L at Celtics, L at Cavaliers, W at Pelicans
Offensive rating: 112.7 (15th)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (17th)
Say Something Nice: Cam Thomas is excelling in handoffs.
Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was with the Sacramento Kings under Mike Brown, and he brought the direct handoff-heavy offense with him. It has allowed Thomas to thrive, as he is up to 24.5 points per game. According to Synergy, no player averages more field goals made per game on handoff actions (1.8) than Thomas.
20. Charlotte Hornets (4-6)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs. Pistons, W vs. Pacers, L at Sixers
Offensive rating: 110.1 (21st)
Defensive rating: 112.8 (16th)
Say Something Nice: LaMelo Ball is making up for lost time.
Ball is already more than halfway past the scoring total he put up last season, as he is averaging 29.4 points per game. Last season, Ball only made it through 22 games, and he did not play after January. This year, Hornets coach Charles Lee has Ball playing the Jayson Tatum role. It has been outrageously inefficient at times, but not everyone can handle the kind of volume Ball has shown he can to begin this season.
21. Detroit Pistons (4-7)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at Hornets, W vs. Hawks, L vs HOU
Offensive rating: 109.3 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (14th)
Say Something Nice: The Pistons aren’t terrible on defense anymore.
New coach JB Bickerstaff has the Pistons playing together defensively, and it is keeping them in games and even winning some. Even in a game in which the Pistons allowed 121 points, Cade Cunningham came up with the game-saving blocked shot Friday night on Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu. Detroit didn’t win its fourth game of the season last year until MLK Day.
GO DEEPER
Self-inflicted wounds plague Pistons’ otherwise promising start to season
22. Chicago Bulls (4-7)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at Mavericks, L vs. Timberwolves, W at Hawks, L vs. Cavaliers
Offensive rating: 109.1 (25th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (19th)
Say Something Nice: Nikola Vučević has found his touch.
Vučević has been one of the most skilled centers in the league over the past decade, but he really struggled with his efficiency last season, making only 48.4 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3. This season, Vučević is averaging 20.8 points while shooting a career-best 58.6 percent from the field overall and 46.8 percent from 3.
23. Atlanta Hawks (4-7)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs. Knicks, L at Pistons, L vs. Bulls
Offensive rating: 111.7 (18th)
Defensive rating: 117.6 (27th)
Say Something Nice: Zaccharie Risacher showed his ceiling.
In Risacher’s first eight games, the top pick of the 2024 NBA Draft only averaged 9.4 points on 32.9 percent from the field. Then Risacher broke out against the Knicks, torching them for 33 points and six 3s. The teenager also added seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the win against the Knicks. Risacher was even younger than Wembanyama was when he got his first 30-point game.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (2-7)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at Clippers, L at Lakers, W vs. Hornets
Offensive rating: 107.4 (27th)
Defensive rating: 114.7 (20th)
Say Something Nice: Joel Embiid is coming back this week.
In fact, the 2023 MVP is supposed to be back Tuesday night!
GO DEEPER
For embattled 76ers, ‘the ship hasn’t sunk’ but tough times continue
25. New Orleans Pelicans (3-8)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L vs. Cavaliers, L at Magic, L vs. Nets
Offensive rating: 109.4 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 119.3 (29th)
Say Something Nice: Brandon Boston Jr. is getting an opportunity.
The LA Clippers moved on from Boston after three seasons, and the San Antonio Spurs elected not to keep him after training camp last month. But Boston landed on his feet with the Pelicans on a two-way contract, and he has started four games amidst the biblical wave of injuries to players at the guard and wing spots (Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins). The ball is finding the bottom of the net more often with the Pelicans, and Boston has shown playmaking and decision-making (3.9 assists, 0.8 turnovers) that was not apparent in any of his previous stops in LA or Kentucky.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Milwaukee Bucks (2-8)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W vs. Jazz, L at Knicks, L vs. Celtics
Offensive rating: 110.6 (20th)
Defensive rating: 115.7 (22nd)
Say Something Nice: Damian Lillard can still take over a game.
It has been a rotten start for the Eastern Conference’s oldest team, and Khris Middleton still isn’t back yet. But Lillard’s offense has still been as advertised, and half of his games have resulted in performances of at least 30 points, including a much-needed win against the Utah Jazz.
GO DEEPER
What’s gone wrong with the Bucks, and do they have time to fix it?
Shaedon Sharpe is back for the Trail Blazers. (Jaime Valdez / Imagn Images)
27. Portland Trail Blazers (3-8)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L at Spurs, L at Timberwolves, L vs. Grizzlies
Offensive rating: 105.4 (28th)
Defensive rating: 116.1 (23rd)
Say Something Nice: They are getting healthier.
Shaedon Sharpe made his regular-season debut after his 2023-24 season was cut short in January and after dealing with a shoulder injury that delayed the start of this year. Backup center Robert Williams III is also back after a full year missed with knee and hamstring injuries. Portland just lost a home game by 45 points, so there’s nowhere to go but up.
28. Utah Jazz (2-7)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at Bucks, W at Spurs
Offensive rating: 103.1 (30th)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (24th)
Say Something Nice: Isaiah Collier made his debut.
Collier, the 29th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, had his NBA debut postponed until this past week because of a hamstring injury. He started in place of the injured Keyonte George on Saturday and posted four assists without a turnover; George only had one start last season with zero turnovers. Utah’s offense is the worst in the league, but it is getting all three rookies, including lottery pick Cody Williams and early second-round pick Kyle Filipowski, valuable minutes.
29. Washington Wizards (2-7)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at Grizzlies, L at Magic, L at Rockets
Offensive rating: 105.1 (29th)
Defensive rating: 117.7 (28th)
Say Something Nice: Bilal Coulibaly is making progress.
Wembanyama said before the 2023 Draft that fellow French prospect Coulibaly should not just be a top-10 pick, but a top-five pick. Coulibaly wasn’t an All-Rookie selection after being the seventh pick in the draft, but this year, he has been remarkably efficient while making plays all over the floor. Of the 117 players averaging at least 10 field goal attempts per game, only five are shooting better than the 57.3 percent Coulibaly is making, and they’re all big men: Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Vučević, Ivica Zubac and Davis.
30. Toronto Raptors (2-9)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at Kings, L at Clippers, L at Lakers
Offensive rating: 112.7 (14th)
Defensive rating: 120.0 (30th)
Say Something Nice: Their offense is nice to look at.
No team has more losses than the Raptors right now, and they’re the only team in the league without a road win. No team is worse defensively. But only three teams average more assists per game than Darko Rajaković’s Raptors, only two teams pass the ball more, and no team is more reliant on paint points. That also means that no team attempts a lower percentage of their shots from 3 than Toronto. If nothing else, the Raptors have a brand that just requires the right talent getting healthy.
GO DEEPER
Seven things I think I know about the Toronto Raptors through 10 (plus one) games
(Top photo of Stephen Curry: Joshua Gateley / Getty Images)
