NBA Power Rankings six weeks into the 2022-23 season
Dec 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham (4) an forward Zion Williamson (1) congratulate forward Naji Marshall (8) on a three point basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The first quarter of the 2022-23 NBA season is behind us and not everything has gone as predicted. There has been a lot of movement in the league and therefore we are providing updated NBA power rankings 2022-23.
So, let’s see who the best NBA teams at the moment are.
Updated NBA power rankings 2022-23
In the updated NBA power rankings 2022-23, we are about to list the 10 best NBA teams at the moment which does not necessarily mean that these are the teams that are most likely to win the NBA championship.
10. Nuggets
It is not all about Nikola Jokic in Denver this season. Starting point guard Jamal Murray has returned from an ACL injury and is picking up his form. Michael Porter Jr. has also recovered from his back injury and coach Mike Malone is carefully managing his playing time.
Jokic’s scoring numbers have significantly dropped this season which will leave him out of the MVP finalists this year, but the Serbian center is dedicated to leading his team deep in the Playoffs.
The Nuggets are in the top four in the Western Conference this season and with the experience from the past two years, they will definitely be a contender when the time comes.
9. Kings
The Sacramento Kings are enjoying their best start of the season in the past decade. They are the team with the longest Playoff drought of any team in the four professional sports leagues in the USA.
The last time they made it to the postseason was back in 2006 and it seems like this may be the year for them. De’Aaron Fox is leading this team with over 23 points and 5 assists per game and Domantas Sabonis is a regular double-double player.
Coach Mike Brown led the Kings to a seven-game winning streak recently showing that this team is for real. They may not finish among the top six teams in the conference but will definitely have a chance to advance to the Playoffs even if they finish between the 7th and 10th seed in the West.
To find out how is that possible, read the NBA Play-In tournament explained.
8. Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, and they are expected to have another deep run this year as well. Their current record is not as good as expected but with Luka Doncic playing the way he does, the sky is the limit for these Mavs. Doncic is leading the league in scoring with over 33 points per game and is one of the leading candidates to win the MVP award this season.
The Mavs traded for Christian Wood in the off-season but unfortunately, the center has missed significant time in the past month. When he gets back, the Mavs are expected to be back in the top 6 in the conference.
7. Warriors
The Golden State Warriors were the favorites in the preseason Western Conference betting but after the poor start they had, the defending champions may not be that dominant this season.
The Warriors needed more than a month to get to .500 winning despite having the same roster that dominated last year. Steph Curry is still in his prime as he is the fifth-best scorer in the league at the moment averaging 30 points per night while shooting over 43% from deep. The Warriors are still searching for their top form, so expect to see them much higher in the power rankings next time.
6. Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers were not very high in the preseason Eastern Conference betting but after trading for Donovan Mitchell, things look much better.
Mitchell has quickly adapted to the Cavs and he leads the team with 27 points per game. Darius Garland, who made the All-Star team last season, plays even better next to Mitchell and big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are assets that make the Cavs a real contender in the East.
They are the best defensive team in the league at the moment allowing less than 105 points per game and they will definitely finish among the top four teams in the conference this season.
5. Grizzlies
Many were surprised how the Memphis Grizzlies challenged the Golden State Warriors in the Playoffs and now everybody sees the Grizzlies as a team that is ready to win. Ja Morant had a minor knee injury but decided to play through it. He is among the top 10 players in both points and assists this season and will be in the MVP conversation at the end of the season.
The Grizzlies are the best rebounding team in the league which clearly speaks about their effort that may soon put them on top of the conference.
4. Pelicans
After missing the entire last season, Zion Williamson is back for the Pelicans. The team made a great deal trading for CJ McCollum last season and with these two and Brandon Ingram, they are among the top five teams in the league in points per game and field goal percentage.
Center Jonas Valanciunas is another reason for the recent success of the Pelicans who felt how it is to be on top of the conference in the first week of December. Many are surprised to see the Pelicans this high on the NBA power rankings today but if they stay healthy, they may be the best team in the West this season.
3. Suns
The Phoenix Suns have made a name for themselves as one of the best teams in the West in the last two seasons and that is the case this time around as well. Starting point guard Chris Paul has missed more than a month now with an injury just like the sixth man Cam Johnson but that has not impacted the team record.
Devin Booker is among the top 10 scorers in the league and Deandre Ayton has picked up his game despite not being able to agree on a contract extension with the team prior to restricted free agency. Cameron Payne is a candidate for the MIP award seeing how good he has played replacing CP3 in the starting lineup.
2. Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks had their best start in franchise history opening the season with 9 straight wins. Giannis Antetokounmpo is having another amazing season as he averages more than 32 points and 11 rebounds being in the top five in both categories. Khris Middleton missed the first month of the season and now he is back, the Bucks are even better.
This team has been together for many years now and seems to be ready for another championship run like in 2021.
1. Celtics
The Boston Celtics are definitely the best team in the NBA at the moment. They reached the NBA Finals last season and now everyone expects to see them back in the fight for the championship.
The Celtics lost only one game in the month of November and are able to win even when they are not on top of their game. Jayson Tatum is the leading candidate to win the MVP award this season but more importantly, the Celtics look ready to lift banner no. 18.
