NBA Power Rankings: Nuggets rise, Knicks fall as we assign third-quarter grades

New York Times

11-03-2025

Wake up! All 30 NBA teams have fewer than 20 games left this season! We bring you back to the blackboard with grades for the NBA season's third quarter!
All right, enough with the exclamations. You see, these are the grades none of you were expecting. You knew first-quarter grades were coming. Of course there were going to be second-quarter grades, although some of you thought they were first-half grades (they were NOT). Spoiler alert: There will be fourth-quarter grades at the end of the season! But we are here first with third-quarter marks, assessing all of these teams that got too comfortable while having all of your favorite excuses (Injury! Trades! All-Star break! Exclamation marks!).
After last night's NBA action — every NBA team has *no more* than 20 games remaining for the regular season.
Here is every team's record from the third quarter of the season
Trends are from the second quarter of the season📈📉
What stands out…
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— Law Murray 📘 (@lawmurraythenu.bsky.social) March 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Once again, a letter grade assigned will go to each team (yes, even the Dallas Mavericks) considering the context of how that team performed over the last six to seven weeks. Over the most recent 25 percent of the season, an item that conveys what each team struggled with or excelled at will be featured. We have made it through 78 percent of the season, so some of you should take a good long look before you get ready to miss basketball soon.
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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 20 of The Athletic's NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records and statistics are through Monday's games.
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at CHI, W vs. MIA, W at CHA, W at MIL
Offensive rating: 122.0 (first)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (seventh)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: A
Third quarter: A
The Cavaliers are blasting into the final quarter of the season on a 14-game winning streak, which is very impressive. But you can't forget that this team started 15-0 and fit another 12-win streak in there. Cleveland's offense has been scary all season, in part thanks to Darius Garland's 3-point shooting (38.4 percent since late January). But the Cavaliers have also had the third-best defense in the last several weeks as well.
GO DEEPER
Well-balanced Cavaliers barely need MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell in 14th straight win
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at MEM, W vs. POR, W vs. DEN, L vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 118.5 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 106.1 (first)
First quarter: A-
Second quarter: A
Third quarter: A
The Thunder 'only' have one double-digit win streak this season, and even their 15-game run that started in December was interrupted by an NBA Cup loss. Like Cleveland, the Thunder maintained a strong defense. And also like Cleveland, Oklahoma City showed that it's just as good on the other side of the ball. This is now a top-five offense, partly because MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander creates buckets for himself and his teammates without turning the ball over (only 2.2 turnovers per game since late January).
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Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs. POR, W vs. PHI, W vs. LAL, W vs. UTA
Offensive rating: 119.1 (third)
Defensive rating: 110.1 (fifth)
First quarter: A-
Second quarter: B-
Third quarter: B+
As good as Derrick White was last season for the Celtics, he has arguably been even better and more necessary this year. White makes more 3s than ever, inching closer to 40 percent, and his ability to make plays without turning the ball over has been crucial with Jrue Holiday missing several games. Winning the turnover battle went a long way toward the Celtics controlling their rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend.
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs. SAC, W vs. PHO, L at OKC, W at OKC
Offensive rating: 119.5 (second)
Defensive rating: 114.6 (20th)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: B
The Nuggets beat some teams with winning records this week, Nikola Jokić basically triple-doubled twice in the same game against the Phoenix Suns, and they managed to split the season series with division rival Oklahoma City. It was a good week for Denver, and it was a good third quarter. Was it great? I can't go that far. This defense is not acceptable, Aaron Gordon continues to struggle with durability, and the depth is uninspiring. But one thing to be encouraged by is how much better Jamal Murray has been. Seven of his 10 30-point games this season have come since Jan. 29.
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W vs. NO, W vs. NY, L at BOS, L at BRK
Offensive rating: 114.4 (12th)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (13th)
First quarter: C+
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: A
Everyone will remember this portion of the season as the time the Lakers acquired (Read: stole) Luka Dončić. But JJ Redick oversaw the league's best defense since late January with Jaxson Hayes as a starting center, a notable trend toward the Lakers being a legitimate problem in the spring. Perhaps the Lakers will hope to peak again in the playoffs, because injuries are piling up and LeBron James (groin) might not be back until April.
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Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L vs. OKC, W at DAL, W at NO, W vs. PHO
Offensive rating: 117.7 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 112.0 (11th)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: B-
The pretender bracket has not been as glaring to begin March, and it really comes down to these teams starting to lose critical pieces. At least this is the time to have week-to-week issues for the squads that built some Play-In Tournament cushion. Memphis' defense was already headed in the wrong direction before All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.'s ankle injury that likely knocks him out of Defensive Player of the Year eligibility. The Grizzlies haven't been at their best offensively either, but it has still been a top-10 unit since late January, while rookie center Zach Edey has averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds per game in that span.
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L at IND, W at NO, W vs. NO, W vs. ORL
Offensive rating: 113.7 (16th)
Defensive rating: 109.5 (fourth)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C-
Houston got off to a great start this season, but it has dropped a level every other month. That's not too surprising. It's hard to maintain a strong defense all season, especially when you are as young as Houston and get to the point when injuries are a growing factor. The Rockets were relatively healthy in the first half of the season, but now Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., invisible rookie Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have all had or are now facing multi-week absences. Jalen Green is still here, but he's also still woefully inconsistent, making only 41.2 percent of his field goals since late January.
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at NY, W at BRK, W vs. DET, W vs. POR
Offensive rating: 113.7 (15th)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (eighth)
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First quarter: B+
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: B+
The Warriors won some championships in the past, and they enjoy telling you just how much they feel like they can contend when they are playing well. We heard that talk when they started 12-3, and we're back at this point now that they have won 12 of 14 (with a slightly more serious roster). The bottom line for the Warriors is that they are defending at a top-five level again, with Draymond Green blowing up plays at an elite level; Green is averaging 1.9 steals per game since late January.
GO DEEPER
The burden, gift and curse of being Draymond Green
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L vs. GS, L at LAL, L at LAC, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 118.1 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 113.8 (14th)
First quarter: B-
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: B-
The Knicks didn't exactly impress in the third quarter of the season, but they won games thanks to All-Star Jalen Brunson's ability to drag his weary constituents to wins. But the Knicks botched a 13-point lead at the Lakers, and Brunson's ankle was an overtime casualty that puts the rest of his March in jeopardy (I am sensing a theme). The player who may emerge with even more importance is small forward Josh Hart, who has compiled 5.6 assists and only 2.4 turnovers per game since late January. Hart isn't a shoot-first player, but he does everything else, and he could probably handle more of the playmaking while New York's other scorers step up in Brunson's stead.
GO DEEPER
The Knicks have the blueprint to win without Jalen Brunson
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W at ATL, W vs. DAL, L vs. ORL, L vs. CLE
Offensive rating: 113.8 (13th)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (ninth)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: B-
Folks were much more excited about the Bucks when they started 2-8 this season. They have since stabilized, but they remain a relatively quiet team despite their star power. No one actually thinks they can threaten anyone this spring. They're merely a fine basketball team. It helps that Kyle Kuzma has been useful since coming over from Washington, averaging 7.4 rebounds and only 1.9 personal fouls while slotting in as starting small forward.
GO DEEPER
Bucks seeking answers on offense after sputtering in losses to Magic, Cavaliers
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs. HOU, L at ATL, L at ATL, L at CHI
Offensive rating: 114.9 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (17th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: B
Pascal Siakam may be the Indiana All-Star, but point guard Tyrese Haliburton continues to be the barometer of success for the Pacers. And on that note, Indiana's first three-game losing streak in three months coincided with the first stretch of consecutive missed games of the season for Haliburton. This remains an average defense but a good offense that Haliburton has mastered; since late January, Haliburton has compiled 9.3 assists per game against only 1.5 turnovers.
GO DEEPER
Pacers have struggled recently but won't sneak up on anyone this year
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at LAC, L at GS, W at POR
Offensive rating: 113.7 (14th)
Defensive rating: 112.0 (10th)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: B+
Third quarter: B+
The Pistons finally lost back-to-back games for the first time in a month, but this is a team that followed up great improvement in the second quarter of the season by showing that the performance is sustainable in the third quarter. The offense is good, while the defense is great. Perhaps the biggest catalyst for the Pistons resistance is sophomore forward Ausar Thompson, who has averaged 2.2 steals per game since late January.
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Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs. PHI, W at CHA, W at MIA, W vs. SA
Offensive rating: 114.5 (10th)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (sixth)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C+
The Timberwolves are a funny team. They have a habit of mixing their most consistent performances with their most crushing defeats. This team is on a five-game winning streak (any of those losses would have been troubling, so at least they handled their business) but still leads the league this season with 23 clutch-time losses. Credit to point guard Mike Conley, who has complemented Anthony Edwards by averaging 4.9 assists and only 0.9 turnovers per game since late January.
GO DEEPER
With Rudy Gobert back, the Timberwolves look ready to go on a run
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at PHO, W vs. DET, W vs. NY, W vs. SAC
Offensive rating: 111.8 (20th)
Defensive rating: 109.5 (third)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C-
LA capped off a rotten post-All-Star break launch of six losses in seven games by blowing a 23-point lead to the flailing Suns. No good team blows leads worse than LA does this season. The Clippers have allowed the third-highest 3-point percentage since late January, trailing only Sacramento and Denver. The offense is not as bad as it was, but it's still not strong enough to consistently make up for opponents heating up on them. The Clippers had a fun three-game winning streak at home that featured a 50-point James Harden output and a Kawhi Leonard game-winning buzzer beater, two events that hadn't happened since the 2010s.
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at DEN, W vs. SA, L at LAC, L vs. NY
Offensive rating: 115.8 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 114.1 (16th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: C+
Sacramento was on some real momentum in LA, and then Leonard had to beat the buzzer against them. The Kings went from being one of the league's worst clutch-time teams under Mike Brown to one of the league's best in tight games under interim coach Doug Christie. But the Kings need center Domantas Sabonis back, if only to help with the possession battle. Sabonis has averaged 4.0 offensive rebounds per game since late January.
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Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L at MIL, L vs. MEM, L vs. PHO, W at SA
Offensive rating: 114.4 (11th)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (18th)
First quarter: B-
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: 🤦🏾‍♂️
What do you want me to say about this lugubrious franchise? Anthony Davis went full Aaron Rodgers in his debut, and then Kyrie Irving tore his ACL to put serious doubt into the duo returning for a second game together until 2026. Two-way contract Kessler Edwards is starting games at center. This is a bottom-10 offense and a bottom-five defense given the dilapidated state of this roster. Coach Jason Kidd has kept Dallas from completely collapsing as it seeks to stay over .500 and within the Play-In Tournament. But given how things have gone since the Dončić trade, the next preventable disaster is probably around the corner.
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L vs. MIL, W vs. IND, W vs. IND, W vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 112.2 (18th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (19th)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B
Third quarter: D+
The Hawks took advantage of the absence of Tyrese Haliburton and the remains of the Philadelphia 76ers to rip off three straight badly needed wins. Before that, Atlanta had lost 15 of 21 games while looking equally unimpressive on both ends of the floor. Atlanta has started to move on from center Clint Capela, installing Onyeka Okongwu instead. The Hawks have had a bottom-five paint defense almost all season.
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs. CLE, W at ORL, W at MIA, W vs. IND
Offensive rating: 112.0 (19th)
Defensive rating: 115.7 (25th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D
The commitment to the 10th seed remains strong in Illinois. Just as Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Toronto clinch losing seasons, the Bulls find their first three-game winning streak since Christmas. This is still a bad team laden with uninspiring defenders who don't force turnovers. But they're still here, I guess, and they're beating the teams they may face in the Play-In.
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Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs. LAC, L at DEN, W at DAL, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 114.8 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 116.8 (27th)
First quarter: C+
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: D
This week was certainly an eventful one for the Suns. But ultimately, the third quarter of the season conveyed just how much of a waste of talent this group has been. They reached a valley defensively, as only the New Orleans Pelicans have been worse on that end of the floor since late January. The 'I'll do it' Devin Booker hasn't shown up nearly enough this season, as only three of Booker's 16 multi-steal games have come since the beginning of February. If this was truly just a make-or-miss league, then the Suns wouldn't be in this position.
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L vs. TOR, L vs. CHI, W at MIL, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 107.6 (28th)
Defensive rating: 109.4 (second)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: C-
Third quarter: D
The Magic were never able to overcome their offensive struggles that were pockmarked by horrible shooting. And now, the defense isn't special enough to keep them relevant anymore. As great a scorer as power forward Paolo Banchero is, he and Franz Wagner have real issues as 3-point shooters that threaten to limit what the Magic can do in the short and long term.
GO DEEPER
What's wrong with the Orlando Magic right now? Almost everything
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at CLE, L vs. MIN, L vs. CHI, L vs. CHA
Offensive rating: 111.5 (21st)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (12th)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D
The way the Mavericks handled Dončić is always going to be a topic of conversation. But at least for this season, the Heat have been ducking smoke from letting the Jimmy Butler situation get as bad as it did instead of trading him before camp. As bad as the recurring suspensions were, Miami has gone from its usual also-ran identity in the Eastern Conference during the regular season to a flat-out bad team. Congrats, you traded Jimmy Butler. What is even left here? The only good thing about watching the Heat offense is that they don't get offensive rebounds, so you don't have to keep watching them try to score. They are 4-11 since Butler departed, and they're about to match last season's loss total.
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Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W vs. BRK, L at SAC, L at MIN, L vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 113.1 (17th)
Defensive rating: 115.7 (24th)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: D-
Let's face it, the Spurs were bad even with Victor Wembanyama. Once he was ruled out for the season, it was a wrap. Wembanyama was one of those big defenders who actually made a difference for his team on that end of the floor. Without him, San Antonio isn't even trying to consistently get stops. They have comfortably been a bottom-five defense in the third quarter of the season, and the few times an opponent actually misses a shot against them, they struggle even more to secure a rebound.
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at BOS, L at OKC, L vs. DET, L at GS
Offensive rating: 110.9 (24th)
Defensive rating: 114.7 (21st)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: D-
Third quarter: A-
Seeing the Trail Blazers put together winning streaks of six and four (twice) games was quite moving. They improved the offense to about league average while benefiting from teams shooting poorly from 3 to raise the defense to top-10 levels for an extended stretch of the season. Deni Avdija has been a solid addition to the franchise as a 24-year-old who has excellent size for his skill set. Unfortunately, their run appears just about over after hitting a stretch of schedule filled with teams that wasted little time with them.
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W at ORL, W vs. UTA, L vs. WAS, W vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 110.1 (26th)
Defensive rating: 115.0 (22nd)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: C
Scottie Barnes has only made 23.4 percent of his 3s since late January, a troubling number from a young star whom the Raptors are trying to build around offensively. But Toronto has shown it can be quite good defensively despite the tank formulating north of the border.
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Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L at SA, L vs. GS, L at CHA, W vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 108.7 (27th)
Defensive rating: 115.2 (23rd)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: D-
Third quarter: D+
D'Angelo Russell got his #RevengeGame against the Lakers on Monday night, helping to snap the second seven-game losing streak of the season in Brooklyn. But this offense was in a rough place in the last several weeks. Only the Charlotte Hornets were worse offensively, and then Brooklyn couldn't even close a game out against them.
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at MIN, L at BOS, W vs. UTA, L at ATL
Offensive rating: 111.3 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 116.3 (26th)
First quarter: D-
Second quarter: C
Third quarter: D-
An abysmal season makes it clear that building around Joel Embiid's availability is foolhardy. Not only was Embiid not available for even 20 games this season, but Philadelphia did not get an adequate backup plan. Andre Drummond only started 22 games this season, and while Guerschon Yabusele had a strong season individually, rim protection is not a strength of his.
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L vs. MIN, L vs. CLE, W vs. BRK, W at MIA
Offensive rating: 106.8 (29th)
Defensive rating: 114.1 (15th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: D-
Third quarter: F
The Hornets finally started looking like a competitive team this week, so they crawl out of the cellar. But that was after Charlotte lost 20 of 24 games, displaying the NBA's worst offense. LaMelo Ball has made only 36.1 percent from the field since late January. Ball's outrageous shot selection is only matched by a poor finishing rate when he actually does get to the rim.
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: W vs. UTA, W at TOR, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 105.8 (30th)
Defensive rating: 117.6 (28th)
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First quarter: F
Second quarter: F
Third quarter: D
On one hand, Washington did well enough to get out of any worst-team-ever conversations. The bad news is, the Wizards' lead on the best lottery odds shrank after they beat the Utah Jazz. Jordan Poole returned after missing time with an arm injury, but he is still best suited as a backup who doesn't have to be a team's primary playmaker. Washington's improvement is thanks to its defense being somewhat more acceptable than a still-awful offense.
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at LAL, L vs. HOU, L at HOU, L vs. MEM
Offensive rating: 110.3 (25th)
Defensive rating: 118.5 (30th)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: D+
This week wasn't exactly set up for the Pelicans to win games, but they still failed to win any of them. Their four-game losing streak comes after they won four of five games. The most troubling aspect of the season for the Pelicans' defense was how much they were cooked by 3-point shooting. Only the Jazz allow more 3s for the entire season, while New Orleans has allowed the most 3s since late January.
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at WAS, L at TOR, L at PHI, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 111.2 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 118.3 (29th)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
Third quarter: F
If the Jazz actually win a lottery for once, then perhaps they can get an F+. But I don't reward tanking, since that's not a coaching or player goal. It's wild that any team could catch the Wizards for losses given how bad Washington was for most of this season, but the Jazz have lost 25 of 31 games. Per Stathead, the worst team of all time in turnover differential was the 1982 Bulls, a team that had 385 more turnovers than their opponent. With 17 games left to play, this season's Jazz have 365 more turnovers than their opponent, and that does not include shot-clock violations.
(Top photo of Josh Hart: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)