NBA Power Rankings: Mavericks are red hot, and so are these first-quarter grades

School is cool and all, but of all the things we took away from our primary education, why did grades stick to the point where they are such a big part of our sports media consumption?

I went to a Quaker school just outside of Philadelphia, Friends’ Central School. (Shout-outs to De’Andre Hunter, Amile Jefferson, Mustafa Shakur and Hakim Warrick.) I had some good years, and I had some other years. Grades were just kind of a thing. We didn’t have a valedictorian, and GPA wasn’t really something we calculated. The process was more important, and the effort and participation counted as much as the achievement.

A letter grade is peculiar to me, but I love evaluation and analysis. For this week’s Power Rankings, we’re going to acknowledge the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season with all of the above.

During Week 7, every NBA team reached the 20-game mark of their season. The small sample size is over; this is the point of the season when I completely cut off a team’s performance from the previous campaign. I have assigned each team a letter grade that incorporates expectations, achievement and the context of the season so far. And I’ve pinpointed one item that speaks to what a team has done well or has not done well through the first 25 percent of the season. Please do not use this report card to influence holiday season wish lists.

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

With all that said, let’s dive into Week 7 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records are through Monday’s games; statistics are through Monday.

Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-4)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs. WAS, W vs. DEN, W at CHA, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 120.4 (second)
Defensive rating: 110.7 (ninth)

First-quarter grade: A

I’m putting the Cavaliers back on top, as they are the first team to reach 20 wins and the only team in the league winning 80 percent of its games or better. The Cavs have a better record through 25 games than last year’s Celtics (20-5). And Cleveland is doing it while making 50.7 percent of its shots from the field and 40.4 percent from 3. No team puts the ball in the basket more often, and power forward Evan Mobley has made 55.8 percent of his field goals and 40 percent of his 3s (2.3 attempts per game) while off to a career-best 18.3 points per game to begin the season.

2. Boston Celtics (19-5)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs. DET, W vs. MIL, L vs. MEM
Offensive rating: 120.2 (third)
Defensive rating: 110.8 (10th)

First-quarter grade: A-minus

The attention the Celtics get for the latest version of the league’s 3-point boom is tired. Yes, the Celtics attempt nearly eight more 3s per game than the next most frequent distance-shooting team in the league. Boston’s not even terribly impressive with its accuracy on 3s. What doesn’t get nearly as much attention is the fact that Boston can attempt so many more 3s than its opponents in part because it doesn’t turn the ball over, ranking second (behind the Oklahoma City Thunder) in the league in turnover percentage and assist-turnover ratio. The Celtics understand that a missed 3 is better than a live-ball miscue, and Derrick White in particular is doing a great job with his decision-making (3.32 assists per turnover this season).

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3. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-5)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs. UTA, W at TOR, W at NO
Offensive rating: 115.2 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 103.3 (first)

First-quarter grade: A-minus

You rarely see a team average more steals than turnovers. That is what the pressure of Oklahoma City does to you, as the Thunder lead the NBA in both opponent turnovers (19.2) and steals (12.1) per game. Jalen Williams is up to 2.1 steals per game; he’s like the Scottie Pippen to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Michael Jordan, circa 1989.

4. Dallas Mavericks (16-8)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs. MEM, W at WAS, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 117.2 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 109.9 (eighth)

First-quarter grade: B-minus

The grade isn’t great, but the Mavericks are off to a blistering pace into the second quarter, that’s for sure. At seven games, Dallas enters Tuesday with the only win streak in the league longer than three games. Overall, the Mavericks rank fifth in field goal percentage (48.7 percent). That figure is aided significantly by Kyrie Irving shooting 50.4 percent from the field, a four-year high, and a career-best 47 percent from 3. Irving’s durability and efficiency have made the Mavericks a powerful and consistent offensive team.

Brandon Clarke and the Grizzlies have a rejuvenated offense. (Geoff Burke / Imagn Images)

5. Memphis Grizzlies (17-8)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L at DAL, W vs. SAC, W at BOS, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 116.5 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 108.5 (seventh)

First-quarter grade: B-plus

The Grizzlies were dead last in points scored last season, averaging only 105.8 points per game. This year, the Grizzlies lead all teams with 122.1 points per game. And even though the shots are going in a lot more often, that does not stop Memphis from crashing the glass. The Grizzlies rank fourth in offensive rebound percentage, and it could get even better once rookie behemoth Zach Edey (3.1 offensive rebounds per game) returns from a sprained ankle.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Houston Rockets (16-8)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L at SAC, L at GS, W at LAC
Offensive rating: 112.4 (16th)
Defensive rating: 105.4 (second)

First-quarter grade: A

Going to a Rockets game is signing up for clanks. While Houston is 27th in field goal percentage at 43.9 percent, its defense holds teams to an even nastier 43.3 percent mark. Only the Thunder hold teams to a lower field goal percentage. Center Alperen Şengün has improved as a rim protector, averaging a career-best 1.1 blocks per game and holding foes to a 58.4 percent mark at the rim, compared to 61.1 percent last season.

7. New York Knicks (15-9)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. ORL, W vs. CHA, L vs. DET, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 121.0 (first)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (18th)

First-quarter grade: B-minus

Just when you think it’s safe to consider the Knicks contenders, they throw in their weekly letdown to teams like the Pistons or the Jazz or the Bulls. There’s no doubt the Knicks are a good team. Their defense just isn’t good enough not to get shocked regularly. Offensively, New York is powerful, though. The Knicks are making 50.1 percent of their field goals and 39.9 percent of their 3s, both marks that trail only Cleveland. Karl-Anthony Towns is having arguably his best season, making a seven-year best 53.1 percent from the field and a career-best 44.7 percent from 3 on his way to 25.1 points per game.

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8. Golden State Warriors (14-9)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at DEN, W vs. HOU, L vs. MIN, W vs. MIN
Offensive rating: 112.4 (15th)
Defensive rating: 107.6 (fourth)

First-quarter grade: B-plus

The Warriors failed to survive the Play-In Tournament last season, so their status as a .600 team is an improvement at this point. When Golden State has been good, it’s been because its defense is great. Only the Thunder and Rockets allow a lower field goal percentage (43.8). Draymond Green has 21 blocks in 21 games this season.

GO DEEPER

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9. Orlando Magic (17-9)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L at NY, W at PHI, L at PHI, W vs. PHO
Offensive rating: 110.5 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 105.7 (third)

First-quarter grade: B-plus

Just as All-Star power forward Paolo Banchero gets closer to returning from a torn oblique, small forward Franz Wagner suffered the same injury. Horrible fortune, but the Magic are an example of a team that still competes and finds ways to win despite availability concerns to primary offensive players. No team allows fewer offensive rebounds per game than the Magic, and no team allows fewer field goal attempts or total points. Wendell Carter Jr. has been starting next to center Goga Bitadze and averaging 7.5 rebounds per game.

GO DEEPER

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10. Minnesota Timberwolves (12-11)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W at LAC, W at GS, L at GS
Offensive rating: 111.8 (17th)
Defensive rating: 108.2 (fifth)

First-quarter grade: C-minus

The Timberwolves are in the middle of a stretch where they play against the California teams for seven straight games. So far, so good, as they have won four of those games while getting their defense back on track. Minnesota is a top-five defense at the moment, and no team is allowing fewer 3s per game (11.7). Few guards are capable of impacting both ends of the floor like Anthony Edwards.

GO DEEPER

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Bam Adebayo and the Heat appear to be right on schedule. (Rhona Wise / Imagn Images)

11. Miami Heat (12-10)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W vs. LAL, W vs. PHO, W vs. CLE
Offensive rating: 114.1 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (11th)

First-quarter grade: C-minus

The Heat sleepwalked through the first quarter of the season, which they are wont to do. If you take the first 20 games of every Heat season since the 2020 NBA Finals, you will see that the Heat have a 50-50 record. If they were a football team, Jeff Fisher would be coaching them until Christmas. But Miami has one of the smartest defenses in the NBA, as it allows the lowest free-throw attempt rate in the league even though it is top-10 in forcing turnovers. Bam Adebayo is averaging a career-low 2.0 personal fouls per game despite being a center who averages 34.8 minutes and 10.1 rebounds as well.

12. LA Clippers (14-11)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs. POR, L vs. MIN, L vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 110.4 (24th)
Defensive rating: 108.5 (sixth)

First-quarter grade: B

The Clippers have certainly exceeded expectations to begin the season, considering the loss of star power they have undergone with Paul George’s free agency, the Russell Westbrook trade, Kawhi Leonard’s health and James Harden’s age. LA has been one of the better defenses in the league, in large part because the Clippers are focused on finishing possessions with rebounds consistently. No team has allowed a lower offensive rebounding percentage than the Clippers, a major turnaround from last year’s team that ranked 24th in defensive rebounding percentage. Center Ivica Zubac is averaging a career-best 12.2 rebounds per game.

Tier 3: The Bubble

13. Denver Nuggets (12-10)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs. GS, L at CLE, L at WAS, W at ATL
Offensive rating: 115.4 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (16th)

First-quarter grade: C

The Nuggets are a lot like the Knicks — they employ a center who has been dominant, and the offense is good as a result, but there is a lack of depth to go with a defense that opens them up to outrageous performances. This week, center Nikola Jokić scored a career-best 56 points in a losing effort in Washington. Including playoffs, Jokić has gone over the 50-point mark three times in his career, and the Nuggets have lost each time. Denver being closer to average may make this season Jokić ’s magnum opus individually, as he is averaging career-bests in points (32.3), assists (10.6), steals (1.8), 3s (2.2), offensive rebounds (4.1) and free-throw attempts (6.8). Denver also leads the league in free-throw attempts (25.2).

GO DEEPER

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14. Milwaukee Bucks (12-11)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at DET, L vs. ATL, L at BOS, W at BRK
Offensive rating: 113.9 (10th)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (14th)

First-quarter grade: C

The Bucks are off to a shaky start, but they’ll take shaky after losing six straight games following a season-opening win. Milwaukee is back in the top 10 offensively, and that’s off the strength of Giannis Antetokounmpo doing more than ever now that he has reached his 30th birthday. Antetokounmpo is matching his career-high 61.1 percent field goals that he set last season, but he is averaging a career-high 21.0 field goal attempts and translating that output into a league-leading 32.5 points per game.

15. Atlanta Hawks (13-12)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W at MIL, W vs. LAL, L vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 111.4 (20th)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (19th)

First-quarter grade: C

The Hawks, like the Heat, are exactly 50-50 through the first 20 games of the last five seasons. Also like the Heat, the Hawks are playing better lately, as they just had a six-game win streak snapped. What the Hawks will be looking to improve is their turnovers, as only four teams average more live-ball turnovers per game than Atlanta. Point guard Trae Young leads the NBA with 12.2 assists per game, but he is also up to 4.6 turnovers per game, a five-year high.

16. Phoenix Suns (12-11)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs. SA, L at NO, L at MIA, L at ORL
Offensive rating: 113.3 (12th)
Defensive rating: 114.4 (20th)

First-quarter grade: C-plus

Is Kevin Durant playing? Peak Suns looks like a good enough team, as Phoenix is 11-2 when Durant and Devin Booker share the floor. Booker in particular is averaging 7.2 free-throw attempts per game, a five-year high, while the Suns rank fifth in free-throw attempt rate. But the Suns are 1-9 without Durant, and the lone win came against Utah.

17. Los Angeles Lakers (13-11)

Last ranking: 15th
In the last week: L at MIA, L at ATL, W vs. POR
Offensive rating: 113.0 (14th)
Defensive rating: 117.0 (26th)

First-quarter grade: C-plus

Anthony Davis and LeBron James have only missed one game each so far this season, and while James is attempting a career-low 4.6 free throws per game, Davis is up to a career-high 8.8 free-throw attempts per game. The Lakers aren’t winning many math battles this season, getting outscored in the paint, on the fast break and from 3. But they remain the only team in the league in the top five in both their free-throw attempt rate as well as limiting opponent free-throw attempt rate.

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18. Sacramento Kings (12-13)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W vs. HOU, L at MEM, W at SA, W vs. UTA
Offensive rating: 116.3 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (13th)

First-quarter grade: D

The Sacramento Kings should be better. Only the Hawks allow more 3s, and only the Hornets have lost more games in clutch time. They just need to be methodical by stacking or playing the right way possession, after possession, after possession, after possession, after possession, after possession …

Mike Brown really gets his point across after the @SacramentoKings big win! 😅 pic.twitter.com/0dpggHdojN

— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2024

19. San Antonio Spurs (12-12)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at PHO, L vs. CHI, L vs. SAC, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 111.7 (18th)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (17th)

First-quarter grade: B-plus

The Spurs started 5-30 en route to a 60-loss season last year. Adding Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes was like Houston adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks a year ago. The added professionalism and experience at key positions has turned San Antonio from an awful team to an improved, albeit average, outfit. It all starts with center Victor Wembanyama, who is once again leading the NBA in blocked shots while averaging 10.4 rebounds and only 2.1 personal fouls. Only the Heat and Celtics have a lower opponent free-throw attempt rate than San Antonio.

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Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

20. Detroit Pistons (10-15)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L vs. MIL, L at BOS, W at NY
Offensive rating: 110.9 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (15th)

First-quarter grade: C-minus

Detroit has 10 wins, and it is still autumn. The Pistons didn’t get their 10th win last season until March 7. I don’t need to go in on overstating the progress there. That said, only three teams turn the ball over more than Detroit. And no player averages more turnovers per game than point guard Cade Cunningham, who is at 4.7 per game.

GO DEEPER

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21. Brooklyn Nets (10-14)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: W vs. IND, L vs. MIL
Offensive rating: 113.1 (13th)
Defensive rating: 116.6 (25th)

First-quarter grade: C

No one expects much of anything from the Nets, and there they are representing the median of the Eastern Conference. That doesn’t make them good, mind you. No team hacks worse than the Nets, as they have the worst opponent free-throw attempt rate in the league. Dorian Finney-Smith is averaging a seven-year low 4.3 rebounds per game and a career-worst 3.1 personal fouls per game.

22. Indiana Pacers (10-15)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at TOR, L at BRK, W at CHI, L vs. CHA
Offensive rating: 111.7 (19th)
Defensive rating: 116.0 (24th)

First-quarter grade: D

The Pacers gave us a fun season last year, especially offensively. They upset New York in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. They brought everyone back. And all of that momentum is gone. Their offense isn’t special anymore, but the bigger problem remains the fact that the defense is bad. Only the Pelicans and Nets allow a higher field goal percentage than Indiana.

Joel Embiid and Paul George shared an actual NBA basketball court on Sunday. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Imagn Images)

23. Philadelphia 76ers (7-15)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W at CHA, L vs. ORL, W vs. ORL, W at CHI
Offensive rating: 106.7 (27th)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (12th)

First-quarter grade: D-minus

Philadelphia got 26 minutes out of the star trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey on Sunday in Chicago. That was after that three-man lineup played only six minutes together all season. The lack of star player availability has a lot to do with Philadelphia’s rotten start. Only five teams have a worse field goal percentage, only the Pelicans average fewer points per game, and no team makes fewer shots per game than the Sixers. Maxey’s field goal percentage has dropped all the way down to 40.6 percent as he has struggled to finish at the rim.

24. Chicago Bulls (10-15)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W at SA, L vs. IND, L vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 113.7 (11th)
Defensive rating: 117.4 (27th)

First-quarter grade: D

This may be the worst Bulls defense in franchise history. Chicago has already allowed at least 130 points in eight games, all losses. The Bulls allowed 130 or more points in only three games all of last season. No team forces turnovers at a lower rate than Chicago. Small forward Zach LaVine leads Chicago with 33.3 minutes per game, but he averages only 0.8 steals.

25. Toronto Raptors (7-18)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs. IND, L vs. OKC, L vs. DAL, L vs. NY
Offensive rating: 111.0 (21st)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (22nd)

First-quarter grade: D-plus

Toronto plays a lot of close games, but it can’t win them. Raptors opponents attempt 27.0 free-throw attempts per game, the most in the NBA. Center Jakob Poeltl has 90 personal fouls this season, 10 more than anyone else in the league.

GO DEEPER

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Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Portland Trail Blazers (8-16)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at LAC, L vs. UTA, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 106.4 (28th)
Defensive rating: 115.9 (23rd)

First-quarter grade: D-plus

The Trail Blazers have lost three games this season by at least 30 points. That’s the most in the league, and they have a league-worst 27 losses by at least 30 points in Chauncey Billups’ four seasons as coach. When they lose, they tend to get obliterated. No team suffers live-ball turnovers more than Portland does, and second-year point guard Scoot Henderson averages 3.1 turnovers per game despite coming off the bench.

27. Charlotte Hornets (7-17)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs. PHI, L at NY, L vs. CLE, W at IND
Offensive rating: 109.1 (26th)
Defensive rating: 114.7 (21st)

First-quarter grade: D

No team attempts fewer free throws per game than the Charlotte Hornets, who are down to 18.5 attempts. Only 37 teams in NBA history have attempted fewer than 20 free throws per game, and the Hornets were dead last in this category last season as well. Shooting guard Brandon Miller averages 18.8 field goal attempts per game but only 3.1 free throws.

28. Utah Jazz (5-18)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at OKC, W at POR, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 109.5 (25th)
Defensive rating: 119.0 (29th)

First-quarter grade: F

The Jazz are going to challenge for one of the worst turnover margins ever this season. They lead the league in turnovers, averaging 18.4 giveaways a game. That’s 1.5 more than any other team. But they only force 12.0 turnovers per game as well, the fewest in the league. On turnovers alone, the Jazz are minus-6.4 in the possession battle. Neither of the Jazz’s 30-minute players, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, average more than 0.8 steals per game.

29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-20)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: W vs. PHO, L vs. OKC, L at SA
Offensive rating: 106.2 (29th)
Defensive rating: 118.0 (28th)

First-quarter grade: F

I thought the Pelicans could challenge to be the best team in the West with their combination of offensive weapons and the defensive mindset the team showed most of last season. Trusting this team to retain a modicum of player availability consistency was a mistake, and we may never see the group the Pelicans intended to showcase this season. Only the Trail Blazers and Hornets have a worse field goal percentage, and no team scores fewer points. Two-way contract Brandon Boston Jr. leads New Orleans with 608 minutes played, which is already more than he played in his previous two seasons with the Clippers combined. That probably sums up a lost campaign.

GO DEEPER

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30. Washington Wizards (3-19)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at CLE, L vs. DAL, W vs. DEN, L vs. MEM
Offensive rating: 104.0 (30th)
Defensive rating: 119.2 (30th)

First-quarter grade: F

As bad as this franchise has been, and as on purpose as the tank is now, Washington has never lost 18 of its first 20 games. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the team Washington was finally able to beat was the Nuggets, who rank dead last in 3-point attempts per game. Only four teams allow more 3s than the Wizards, and no team allows more total points.

GO DEEPER

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(Top photo of Kyrie Irving: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)