Album of the Week: “Control,” Janet Jackson (1986)
As we descend into spooky season, the NBA has mercifully returned with real games. Sure, you made the conference finals the last two years. But what have you done for me lately?
I’m sure after last week’s season-opening Power Rankings, many of you have questions. The entire NBA season is a series of questions, bound by the primary objective that most teams have of trying to win a championship or build toward some sort of team that could contend in a reasonable amount of time. Every week will present an opportunity to ask the questions that really matter, such as what channel is the NBA on tonight or why are we still playing “Who He Play For?”
We’re not going to ask questions every week, but we will this week. Some big ones. Because that’s what we do when there have only been two or three games.
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 2 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore The Big Question for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs HOU, W at IND, W at ATL
Offensive rating: 116.4 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 106.8 (fifth place)
The Big Question: Is Chet Holmgren breaking out this season?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the constant; there aren’t serious questions about his variability. Same thing with the Thunder defense, which is going to be there this season. But with Jalen Williams out to begin the season, the attention shifts to the “other” 2022 lottery pick who got paid, Chet Holmgren. And it is easy to forget that Holmgren had only played in 114 NBA games through three NBA seasons. Holmgren is only 23 years old, and his opportunity to establish himself as a star is probably what represents Oklahoma City’s greatest area of potential improvement. On that front, Holmgren is off to an auspicious start, scoring 28 points on ring night while dropping 31 points in under 30 minutes at Atlanta. If Holmgren’s 3-pointer can be consistent and he can weaponize his ballhandling to the point of drawing free throws more often, then the Thunder will be even more difficult to guard, making them an even more complete team.
2. New York Knicks (2-1)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs CLE, W vs BOS, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 109.6 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 105.6 (fourth place)
The Big Question: Can the Knicks count on Mitchell Robinson as a starter?
Mike Brown has made it clear how he is going to change the team. Mikal Bridges will take more of the ballhandling responsibility, Karl-Anthony Towns will start halves next to a paint-bound center, and Josh Hart will bolster the second unit. Towns is off to a tremendous start as a rebounder, averaging 14.0 per game. New York has yet to play Robinson, though, electing to start Ariel Hukporti for two games while starting Miles McBride against the Celtics. Robinson has missed at least 20 games in four of the last five seasons, and that makes it difficult to develop chemistry and consistency when a starter is out so often.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L at NY, W at BRK, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 115.0 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 114.1 (14th place)
The Big Question: Who is going to help Donovan Mitchell on the perimeter until Darius Garland gets back?
Mitchell is having a great start, averaging 30 points on 51.7 percent shooting. So far, he has two big boosts to help him out. Sam Merrill is starting and has already made 15 3s (51.7 percent). Only Stephen Curry has made more 3s than Merrill. And Lonzo Ball has come off the bench to drop 19 dimes. No reserve has more assists than Ball. Both figures will be hard to sustain; Merrill isn’t a scorer inside the arc or a playmaker for others, while Ball has to be managed carefully because of his knee. Garland will be needed, and De’Andre Hunter’s return to action this week should help the Cavaliers as well.
4. Golden State Warriors (2-1)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at LAL, W vs DEN, L at POR
Offensive rating: 117.9 (eighth place)
Defensive rating: 119.2 (28th place)
The Big Question: Can Jimmy Butler force the issue all season?
When it comes to getting to the free-throw line, Butler has more guile than “Street Fighter.” He is still Jimmy G. Buckets, and the G stands for “gets free throws.” Through three games, Butler is already averaging 11.3 free-throw attempts. The question is how much scoring is Butler looking to do when he doesn’t get fouled. With rest going into the season opener against the Lakers and the Golden State home opener against the Nuggets, Butler attempted 14 and 16 shots and was well over 30 minutes in both wins. With zero days rest and a trip to Oregon, Butler attempted 10 free throws but was held to 3-of-7 shooting from the field in a blowout loss. The peak version of Butler combines the free throws with field goals, to go along with everything else Butler does well. At age 36, we’ll have to see how often that version of Butler shows up to help Curry on a week-to-week basis.
5. Denver Nuggets (1-1)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L at GS, W vs PHO
Offensive rating: 124.5 (first place)
Defensive rating: 117.0 (25th place)
The Big Question: Can Aaron Gordon score like an All-Star all season?
The magnet ball Gordon was working with in the Bay Area to open the season was a sight to behold, but even if he missed all 11 of his 3-point attempts in his career-high 50-point night, Gordon would have still been left with 20 points. Gordon regressed from making 10 of 11 3s against the Warriors to missing 5 of 6 3s against the Suns, but he still scored 17 points Saturday night. The sharp improvement of Gordon’s shot was seen last year, as he went from a 32.3 percent 3-point shooter and 68.3 percent free-throw shooter through 10 NBA seasons to a 43.6 percent 3-point shooter and 81 percent free-throw shooter in the 2024-25 season. Gordon is getting to the line at a high rate and has made all 12 of his attempts. If the floor is this high for Gordon as a scorer while playing off Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, then he could be Jokić’s first All-Star teammate.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Los Angeles Lakers (2-1)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L vs GS, W vs MIN, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 120.5 (third place)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (18th place)
The Big Question: Should LeBron James take his time coming back?
That seems like a blasphemous question, but the Lakers were outscored all season a year ago with James on the floor. In the regular season before the All-Star break, the Lakers were outscored by 40 points with James on the floor while outscoring opponents by 81 points with James off the floor. After the All-Star break, the Lakers were outscored by 14 points with James on the floor and outscored opponents by 73 points with James off the floor. And in the playoffs, the Lakers were outscored by 41 points with James on the floor, compared to outscoring the Timberwolves by six points when James was off the floor. In James’ stead, Luka Dončić scored more than 40 points in back-to-back games to begin the season, while Austin Reaves dominated Sacramento to the tune of 51 points. Los Angeles has shot creators and shot makers and a relatively forgettable defense. The Lakers are in no rush to see James back before he is ready to return.
7. Miami Heat (2-1)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at ORL, W at MEM, W vs NY
Offensive rating: 115.8 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 105.5 (third place)
The Big Question: How does Miami sustain playing faster than ever?
The Heat were bottom five in pace in all six seasons that Butler was on the team. Erik Spoelstra won his first championship as head coach of the Heat in 2012 and has had Miami in the bottom 10 in pace every single season since then. Those Pat Riley conditioning tests were never administered with a fast pace of play in mind down in South Beach once the games actually started. Well, the games have begun, and it’s Miami playing the fastest-paced games through one week. And that’s without Tyler Herro, the player who is projected to be the primary playmaker once he returns from injury. You’ve literally never seen a Heat team care about all-out speed, but in a league that wants to play faster all the time, Spoelstra is implementing it in Miami with great effect. We’ll see how sustainable it can be.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (2-1)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs WAS, W at TOR, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 117.2 (ninth place)
Defensive rating: 112.4 (11th place)
The Big Question: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo do this all season?
Antetokounmpo has decided that he will not be guarded to begin the season, dropping 37 points on the Wizards, 31 in Toronto and 40 at Cleveland in a losing effort. Just in the paint alone, Antetokounmpo is averaging a league-leading 24.7 points, which would tie Anthony Davis at 24th for total scoring. The Bucks have needed every bit of what Antetokounmpo is outputting, and no one else on this team consistently scores inside (center Myles Turner has eight paint points in 88 minutes), so it should be exhilarating to watch peak Antetokounmpo thrash his way through defenders out of necessity.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at POR, L at LAL, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 113.6 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 118.5 (27th place)
The Big Question: How do the Timberwolves evolve offensively around Anthony Edwards?
Edwards left Sunday’s game against the Pacers early because of a hamstring injury, thrusting 38-year-old Mike Conley back into the first unit to finish a win in Minnesota’s home opener. But Conley’s move to the second unit wasn’t just to start Donte DiVincenzo as the nominal point guard. It was to further acknowledge that Edwards is a heliocentric force. The individual emphasis Edwards has had going into this season was to be in the post and the midrange, the latter of which was necessary to get a tough win at Portland. Minnesota’s ball movement has taken a hit to open the season, so that’s something to keep an eye on.
10. Detroit Pistons (2-1)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at CHI, W at HOU, W vs BOS
Offensive rating: 113.5 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 111.1 (ninth place)
The Big Question: Which young Pistons take the next step with Cade Cunningham?
Cunningham had his star turn last season for a resurgent Pistons team, but the big help came from veteran role players. This year, the Pistons need to see more growth from their first-round rookie contract players: Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Ronald Holland II and Jaden Ivey. Detroit is going to have to wait until Ivey returns from a knee scope, but Duren was great against the Celtics, while Thompson is finding ways to leave his imprint on games even though his jumper isn’t there yet. Holland is leading the bench scoring as well.
Cade Cunningham drives to the basket as Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. defends. (Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
11. LA Clippers (2-1)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: L at UTA, W vs PHO, W vs POR
Offensive rating: 119.0 (sixth place)
Defensive rating: 115.0 (17th place)
The Big Question: When does Bradley Beal start contributing offensively?
LA’s offense has been solid when it actually takes shots, as the Clippers are third in field goal percentage through one week. Turnovers have been a major issue, one of the reasons why they were blown out in Utah. But the player who was supposed to help provide a panacea against pressure defenses, Bradley Beal, has been quiet to begin his Clippers tenure. Beal is day-to-day after missing Sunday’s win against the Trail Blazers because of back soreness that developed after taking a charge against Dillon Brooks. LA is deep, and eight players have played more than Beal so far. The 30-point scorer from Washington isn’t ever coming back, and at this rate, it is difficult to see Beal even be the 17-point scorer he was in Phoenix. What the Clippers will gladly take at some point is for Beal to provide the kind of secondary playmaking and scoring on nights Kawhi Leonard is being overplayed or James Harden doesn’t have the juice.
12. San Antonio Spurs (3-0)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W at DAL, W at NO, W vs BRK
Offensive rating: 120.2 (fourth place)
Defensive rating: 104.7 (second place)
The Big Question: Have the Spurs figured out how to play when Victor Wembanyama is off the floor?
When Wembanyama was a rookie two years ago, the Spurs were outscored with and without him on the floor; they were a 60-loss team. Last season, the Spurs outscored opponents by 102 points with Wembanyama on the floor but were outscored by 328 points when Wembanyama was off the floor or inactive. In three games to begin this season, the Spurs are outscoring opponents by 32 points with Wembanyama on the floor and 16 points with Wembanyama off the floor. Two big reasons are the presence of backup center Luke Kornet and backup point guard Dylan Harper, the second pick in the draft. San Antonio is also holding up defensively while scoring even better offensively with Wembanyama on the bench. Individually, Wembanyama looks terrifying. The competition hasn’t been the best, but the Spurs weren’t good last year either, so looking good with and without Wembanyama is an encouraging early sign for a Spurs team that is still waiting for the season debut of De’Aaron Fox.
13. Chicago Bulls (2-0)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs DET, W at ORL
Offensive rating: 105.6 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 98.1 (first place)
The Big Question: Is this defense trustworthy?
How many of you had the Bulls making it out of the first week of the season as the only defense that has held teams below 100 points per 100 possessions? Chicago had a top-10 defense after the All-Star break last season, and it’s enjoying the result of brickfests from the Pistons and Magic while giving up the most paint points in the league. But the Bulls have positional size, and they aren’t playing a surplus of defensive liabilities on the perimeter with Coby White nursing a sore calf. It’s only two games, and Chicago’s offense has been unimpressive. But the Bulls have been more than competitive despite lacking a name-brand stopper on defense.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (2-0)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W at BOS, W vs CHA
Offensive rating: 118.6 (seventh place)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (22nd place)
The Big Question: How does Paul George change things?
The Sixers have a lot to feel good about through Week 1, earning two wins after facing double-digit deficits while getting exciting contributions from all of Joel Embiid (he’s playing!), Tyrese Maxey (that 3-ball is lit), VJ Edgecombe (setting team records already) and Quentin Grimes (clutch 3 vs. Hornets). George is still trending toward a return, and he is set to replace a very different player in the first unit, as two-way contract Dominick Barlow has been starting. Philadelphia could use some more playmaking defensively, but offensively, George could ease in and add another shooter to a team that looks like it has a lot of skill in the rotation already.
Tier 3: The Bubble
15. Houston Rockets (0-2)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L at OKC, L vs DET
Offensive rating: 109.3 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (12th place)
The Big Question: Size is cool, but is there enough skill here?
When Ime Udoka took over the Rockets head coaching position, he brought Fred VanVleet with him. Among the biggest issues with the Rockets during the Stephen Silas/post-James Harden era was the sheer number of turnovers: 15.9 per game over three seasons, the most in the NBA to go with the most losses. Udoka and VanVleet turned that number around in their first two seasons together, down to 13.3 per game, ranking 10th. Now, one way the Rockets minimized turnovers is by passing fewer times than any other team last season. But the possession battle is important to the Rockets. In two close losses, the assist-turnover ratio is glaring: 23:25 at Oklahoma City, 15:14 at home against the Pistons. That includes a 4:7 assist-turnover ratio in clutch time. Getting this offense to click while running it through Alperen Şengün, Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson is going to take time.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (2-1)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs NO, L vs MIA, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 114.6 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 114.9 (16th place)
The Big Question: How much of an X-Factor is Cedric Coward?
Doubters of the Grizzlies will point to how they were absolutely smoked on their home floor by the Miami Heat, and the absences of their top two centers (Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke) to go with their top two reserve guards (Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr.) are going to be a factor over an extended period of time. But the Grizzlies do have Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant for now, when it looked like both could miss time in Week 1. Trading up to get Coward in the 2025 draft lottery is already paying immediate dividends. Mystery man Coward only played six games at Washington State because of season-ending shoulder surgery then was held out of summer league as a precaution. He had a slow preseason as a shooter, missing 23 of 26 3s. But now, Coward is here, and he punctuated his NBA arrival by making all six 3s off the bench against the Pacers. He’s the kind of big wing the Grizzlies have needed for years, and they missed in their previous attempt to trade into the lottery to acquire one (Ziaire Williams). Washington State worked out for the Grizzlies last year with 2024 second-round pick Jaylen Wells; Coward offering a high level of play in Memphis’ rotation would be huge.
17. Portland Trail Blazers (1-2)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs MIN, W vs GS, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 110.0 (seventh place)
The Big Question: Can Shaedon Sharpe coexist with the rest of Portland’s creators?
Portland is forming an identity around defending with an abundance of physical wings, and the Blazers are rivaling the Oklahoma City Thunder in their ability to score off turnovers. But when they’re in the half court, it gets shaky, especially if starter Deni Avdija or reserve Jerami Grant can’t waltz to the free-throw line. Sharpe got a contract extension, but he had a rough opening week to the season, as he is averaging 17.0 points on 19.7 field goal attempts per game while recording a 6:12 assist-turnover ratio. Sharpe has great size for a guard, can shoot and has special explosion. But defenses would likely rather have Sharpe as the top option in Portland rather than Avdija.
18. Charlotte Hornets (2-1)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W vs BRK, L at PHI, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 124.5 (first place)
Defensive rating: 111.6 (10th place)
The Big Question: Is this the year LaMelo Ball gets back to the All-Star Game?
Ball was the 2021 Rookie of the Year while contributing to a Hornets team that was in the Play-In Tournament, and then the Hornets were in the Play-In in 2022 while Ball led the Hornets to a 43-39 record, the team’s lone winning season during this nine-year playoff drought. Things have been off the rails since in Charlotte, and Ball’s frequent injuries, combined with imprudent offensive stewardship, have been a primary contributor. But this season is starting off with Ball leading three straight performances of at least 120 points. The only reason Ball wasn’t an All-Star last season was because the Hornets were so bad. The wins over the Nets and Wizards shouldn’t be taken for granted, especially since the Hornets were a combined 1-7 against those two teams last season.
19. Utah Jazz (1-1)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: W vs LAC, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 120.1 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (eighth place)
The Big Question: Is Lauri Markkanen back?
I had the Jazz ranked last in the opening week, but I specifically said that, if head coach Will Hardy has a full complement of talent, then he will make defenses uncomfortable. Markkanen dipped below 20 points per game last season, but he’s out to re-establish himself as a mismatch nightmare to begin this season. His 20 points against the Clippers was merciful, as Utah led that game by 37 points in the third quarter and Markkanen made it very clear in that first quarter that he was unbothered by Kawhi Leonard. The ball found him at a higher volume in Sacramento, and Markkanen dropped 33 points in a one-point loss where he didn’t get a touch on the final possession. There are two types of Jazz teams: the one that will be shadow-banning their own talent to save a lottery pick and the team that has a rare offense bolstered by a 7-foot-1 small forward. Teams will have to deal with the latter for the time being.
20. Toronto Raptors (1-2)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at ATL, L vs MIL, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 116.4 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 116.3 (20th place)
The Big Question: Are the Raptors too aggressive defensively?
Toronto is committed to playing fast, and its pressure defensively plays into that objective. But it seems “To steal or bust!” for the Raptors, as the Raptors foul excessively and give up a ridiculous amount of points in the paint. Jakob Poeltl is off to a tough start, as he has only one blocked shot in 68 minutes but has racked up 16 fouls in three games.
Jakob Poeltl defends Anthony Davis on Sunday night in Dallas. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
21. Atlanta Hawks (1-2)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L vs TOR, W at ORL, L vs OKC
Offensive rating: 106.1 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 116.4 (21st place)
The Big Question: How will they be able to optimize Kristaps Porziņģis?
Well, the first part is actually having Porziņģis in the lineup. The Hawks have already had to use a different starting lineup in each game because of illness/injury to Porziņģis, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. But the season opener saw Porziņģis make only one of his five shots inside the arc while he attempted seven 3s. Now, there’s nothing wrong with Porziņģis shooting 3s, as that is the element that he brings to this year’s Atlanta team that hasn’t ever been there with previous 7-footers. But the Hawks need to get him near the basket, too, or this offense is going to be thoroughly underwhelming.
22. Orlando Magic (1-2)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs MIA, L vs ATL, L vs CHI
Offensive rating: 102.5 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 106.9 (sixth place)
The Big Question: How is the 3-point shooting still this poor?
When the Magic beat the Heat, they made 12 of 30 3s, a 40 percent clip. The Magic made at least 40 percent of their 3s in 14 games last season, winning 10 of those. Then in back-to-back losses, the Magic made only 12 of 55 3s combined, a 21.8 percent mark. Desmond Bane is at 26.7 percent, Paolo Banchero is at 16.7 percent, and new guards Tyus Jones and rookie Jase Richardson are a combined 0-for-9. Orlando has finished dead last in 3s made each of the previous two seasons, and the Magic can’t be taken seriously if they are regularly shooting below 30 percent again, no matter how good the defense is.
23. Sacramento Kings (1-2)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L at PHO, W vs UTA, L vs LAL
Offensive rating: 111.8 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 114.0 (13th place)
The Big Question: How does Doug Christie navigate the shot creators?
On one hand, Christie has a lot of players who can create for themselves. Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are starters, Malik Monk is still here, and Russell Westbrook is new here. That doesn’t include last year’s lottery pick Devin Carter and this year’s first-round rookie, Nique Clifford. But Christie is going to be asking for “sacrifice” all season, especially if LaVine is going to be the only one scoring at a high level.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (0-2)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L at MEM, L vs SA
Offensive rating: 111.7 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 114.8 (15th place)
The Big Question: Can the Pelicans convert their shots?
The issue isn’t how close the Pelicans are shooting. The average distance on their field goal attempts is 11.5 feet, which would have been the closest in the NBA by 1.5 feet last season. Despite that shot distance, the Pelicans are shooting only 44.6 percent through two games, which would have ranked 27th in the NBA last season. Now, the Pelicans won’t spend every game trying to deal with division foes Jaren Jackson Jr. or Victor Wembanyama, but Zion Williamson is at 46.2 percent from the field (he’s a career 58.7 percent converter from the field) while the other three Pelicans attempting double-digit field goals per game (Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones) are all below 43 percent. It’s clear that New Orleans wants to live in the paint, but the Pelicans are going to need to do better while they’re in there, especially while Williamson is playing.
25. Phoenix Suns (1-2)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W vs SAC, L at LAC, L at DEN
Offensive rating: 109.5 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 124.8 (29th place)
The Big Question: How will this center situation unfold?
The Suns have four centers, all of them in completely different situations. Oso Ighodaro, a 2024 second-round pick, is Jordan Ott’s new starter, a role that might be a little too much for him. Mark Williams is a starting-caliber center in a contract year who cost the Suns a late first-round pick to acquire, but he’s being load-managed to begin the season. Nick Richards was brought in last winter, and he’s only playing spot minutes. Khaman Maluach is a lottery-pick rookie, but the future isn’t now, apparently, as he’s behind all of these players. Whether it is a lack of size, motor, athleticism or experience, Phoenix might have issues with interior defense all season, though it won’t be for a lack of options or reasons.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Boston Celtics (0-3)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs PHI, L at NY, L at DET
Offensive rating: 110.6 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 116.8 (23rd place)
The Big Question: How do the Celtics win the other math problems?
The Celtics brand under coach Joe Mazzulla has been to take more 3s and make more 3s than their opponents. But they wanted to win in all of the other margins as well. They didn’t score often in the paint, but they made sure you didn’t either. They didn’t force many turnovers, but that’s because they wanted to be sure opponents didn’t live at the free-throw line. And they were a heavy isolation team, but that kept turnovers and the associated fast-break points allowed down as well. After one week, Boston ranks third in 3-point attempts, but only the Thunder and Magic have been less accurate in hitting them. Boston is allowing the most second-chance points in the league. Only two teams score less often off turnovers. And even the 3s are going the way of their opponents. Boston is healthy other than Jayson Tatum, and it’s getting off to decent starts. But as these first games have gone on, the team hasn’t shown that it is strong enough to win yet.
27. Washington Wizards (1-2)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at MIL, W at DAL, L vs CHA
Offensive rating: 108.0 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 117.0 (24th place)
The Big Question: Who cares about power forwards?
It’s Alex Sarr and a surfeit of wings populating the lineups for the Washington Wizards. Sure, Khris Middleton (6-7, 222 pounds) and Cam Whitmore (6-6, 230 pounds) have the bulk of power forward-sized players. But the Wizards are the least interested team in the league when it comes to offensive rebounding, and only the Kings and Rockets have attempted more midrange field goals than Washington. The Wizards are a perimeter-oriented offense that is looking for their next star. But keep an eye on forward Kyshawn George, who is making the most of Bilal Coulibaly’s injury absence, highlighted by a 34-point, 11-rebound performance in Dallas.
28. Dallas Mavericks (1-2)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L vs SA, L vs WAS, W vs TOR
Offensive rating: 106.3 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 115.9 (19th place)
The Big Question: Can Cooper Flagg make up for Dallas’ guard deficit?
There are a lot of intriguing comparisons to make for Flagg’s NBA primary playmaker baptism: Grant Hill, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo. But as good as Flagg is, he’s still an 18-year-old rookie playing a demanding position while doing so next to a mix of veterans who may or may not fit together. The Mavericks were smoked against the Spurs while getting embarrassed by a Wizards team that they are theoretically built to overwhelm. Dallas finally broke out against the Raptors, and it was interesting that D’Angelo Russell was a leader of an offensive onslaught off the bench. The circumstances that got Flagg to Dallas are unique, and their offense looks like it will be inconsistent, yet intriguing.
29. Indiana Pacers (0-3)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L vs OKC, L at MEM, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 106.1 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (26th place)
The Big Question: Can the Pacers survive an early-season rash of injuries?
It’s one thing to plan to be without Tyrese Haliburton all season. It’s another to already be struck by injury so hard that Ben Sheppard is starting at point guard while two-way contract RayJ Dennis is playing 27 minutes off the bench. Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell and second-round rookies Kam Jones and Taelon Peter have all missed games already. And that’s not to say anything about the team’s woeful center situation. The Pacers have competed, losing in double overtime to the Thunder while having a chance in Minnesota on the second night of a back-to-back. But what was supposed to be a deep Pacers team is getting depleted early.
30. Brooklyn Nets (0-3)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at CHA, L vs CLE, L at SA
Offensive rating: 114.1 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 125.8 (30th place)
The Big Question: How are the Nets going to get stops?
Defense is the indicator of how together a team is on a play-by-play basis. Through three games, the Nets don’t have much to fall back on when they don’t have the ball. If they don’t get a steal, they’re giving up points. They foul too much and give up great shots. And if teams miss those great shots, Brooklyn isn’t ending possessions with enough rebounds.
