We are now nearly a month into the 2023-24 NBA season and the expected parity of the league coming into the season has been delivered on and then some more.
Teams such as the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers dropped out this week without doing anything egregious to drop out of the top 10. Things could change, but the league appears to be as balanced this season as it has in well over a decade.
This week’s edition of NBA power rankings:
NOTE: This ranking is retroactive to Monday
HM: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks might just have the most stringent defense in the NBA in a season where defenses have largely looked better.
Don’t be mistaken though, the Knicks have a good, if not amazing offense. Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett have both been superb in lead roles, while Julius Randle has picked up his slack after an atrocious start. Immanuel Quickly remains a sixth man of the year candidate, and players such as Quentin Grimes/Donte Divincenzo are superb supporting cast pieces.
The Knicks sit at 8-5 and have a big week ahead of them.
10: Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have quickly rattled off three straight wins in the last week, including a near 20-point drubbing of the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win streak has at least temporarily quelled some major concerns, and the Suns look like the squad that was expected to show up prior to the season.
Devin Booker looks to be in complete command in the full-time point guard role, while Kevin Durant has had an MVP-level start to the season.
Phoenix’s offense also has been the league’s best in the past week, and if that continues the Suns should continue to rise up the rankings.
9: Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks had a rough week.
While Dallas did lose to two teams that are also in the top 10 in Milwaukee and Sacramento, their fatal flaw continues to show far too often.
While Dallas does have a potent offense behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, their porous defense cost them both games in the past week.
While there is an undeniably talented squad in Dallas, the lack of addressing of the obvious defensive shortcomings could be the undoing of the team this season.
Dallas has a massive week ahead, facing both of the star-studded Los Angeles teams, which will be a true litmus test for the Jason Kidd-coached squad.
8: Miami Heat
The Heat remain a staple in the top 10 after a poor start to the season.
Miami does slip a little bit this week due to a poor loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, a game in which they lead 22-1 in the first quarter.
The most important development for the Heat this season is the emergence of Bam Adabeyo on the offensive side of the ball. Adabeyo remains one of the best defenders in basketball and has taken a noticeable leap on offense as a scorer/playmaker.
What could have been if Miami had acquired Damian Lillard.
..7: Sacramento Kings
The Kings appear to be revitalized by the return of star De’Aaron Fox, having won all four contests since his return in controlling fashion.
Mike Brown’s squad looks anything but a fluke after a 48 win season in 2022-23. This squad is among the best offensively in the NBA. They are also a deep and well-constructed roster that shares a strong amount of built-up continuity.
Sacramento has the makings of a playoff team once again, even in an uber-competitive division.
6: Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets shouldn’t panic even after two disappointing losses in the last week.
The truth is that Denver is still the defending champions, still have the best player in basketball on the roster, and are still awaiting the return of co-star Jamal Murray.
Denver still sits near the top of the West standings and are doing so while playing in a division that’s become more competitive than anticipated.
One thing that should be a major positive development going forward is the team looking to be an exponentially-improved defense even compared to last seasons’ title-winning squad.
5: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are perhaps the biggest surprise of the season nearly a month in.
Minnesota looks revitalized under Chris Finch, with Karl Anthony-Towns looking to repair his reputation after a slow start and Rudy Gobert re-introducing himself as one of the most dominant defenders of this era.
Minnesota is likely going to need to show this level of play for another month or so to establish themselves as a legitimate contender, but they certainly look like a solid playoff team currently.
4: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have arrived.
After two horrible seasons of tanking and a surprise play-in bid in 2023, many expected OKC to make another leap this season, and they have more than delivered so far.
OKC is lead by the trio of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rising star Jalen Williams, and rookie-of-the-year candidate Chet Holmgren.
Luguentz Dort has also experienced a boost in efficiency while remaining one of the most feared defenders in the entire NBA.
The fact that Oklahoma City possesses both one of the most potent offenses and stout defenses should be an extremely promising result for Thunder fans, but does this team have enough true star power to make a real run in the Western Conference? It remains to be seen.
Milwaukee finally looks to be putting things together.
The Bucks are 9-2 with Damian Lillard this season, and the team has improved defensively from a bottom-five unit to right around the middle-of-the-pack.
While the Lillard/Antetokounmpo duo has yet to fully gel and Milwaukee didn’t beat anyone in the top 10 in this stretch outside of Dallas, it looks as if the Bucks have figured things out regardless.
2: Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia rebounded nicely from narrow losses to the Indiana Pacers/Boston Celtics with resounding wins against the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets.
The Sixers remain one of the most consistent teams in the league and are still playing inspired basketball even though the absence of Kelly Oubre Jr.
Tyrese Maxey looks to be the perfect co-star to Joel Embiid, and Nick Nurse looks to be the right man to lead the franchise at this time.
Philadelphia looks to very much be in the mix in the East, even with Milwaukee and Boston looming.
1: Boston Celtics
Boston continues to find different ways to win games, having beaten New York/Philadelphia behind both offense and defense, while also squeaking out wins against Toronto/Memphis behind a street defense.
While Boston still has depth questions and Jaylen Brown has regressed this season, this squad still has been the most impressive thus far behind Jayson Tatum.
Boston may need to address some questions by the trade deadline to be a surefire deep-run team, but for now they top the power rankings once again.
