Power Rankings, Week 2: Lakers on the Rise as Cavs Make Top 5 Push

After just six days, only four teams remain undefeated in the NBA: the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, all with a perfect 3-0 record. The Cavs and Lakers have been standout surprises, especially considering Cleveland's softer schedule in Week 1. However, they will face tougher challenges in the upcoming week, putting their undefeated status to the test.

One of those tests is the only Week 2 game between those four undefeated teams. The Cavs will host the Lakers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, League Pass).

There will be two games between the five teams that have yet to win a game. Both of those involve the 0-2 Utah Jazz, who will host the 0-2 Sacramento Kings on Tuesday and visit the 0-2 Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

It’s the time of year when we must remember that teams are better or worse than we thought they’d be. It’s also the time of year when the Power Rankings will change pretty dramatically from week to week.

Of course, the top two spots remain the same. It’s Boston and Oklahoma City, and then it’s everybody else.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Derrick White (BOS) was a plus-61 in three games last week.Wrong Way: Keyonte George (UTA) was a minus-48 in two games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: L.A. Lakers (3-0) — Though all three wins came at home, all three were impressive. The first two were over the Wolves and Suns, while the third came with a rest disadvantage against the Kings.Something Just Ain’t Right: Milwaukee (1-2) — It’s a critical year for the Bucks and it’s off to a rough start. Khris Middleton is out, but they still shouldn’t be losing to Chicago and Brooklyn.

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East vs. West

The West was 5-1 (.833) against the East in interconference games in Week 1.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: L.A. Lakers (+16), LA Clippers (+11), Memphis (+6)Free falls of the week: Milwaukee (-8), Philadelphia (-6)

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Week 2 Team to Watch

Cleveland — The Cavs take their 3-0 record into a much tougher week than the one they just had. They’ll visit the Knicks on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass), head back home for games against the Lakers and Magic, and finish the week in Milwaukee.

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Previously…

Last week: Celtics lead the way as 2024-25 beginsThe archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league averaged 111.5 points scored per 100 possessions and 101.4 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes in Week 1.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.