It seemed like forever that the top three teams in this weekly ranking were the same week after week after week: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics. But, as 2024 is about the give way to 2025, we finally have a new entrant to that rarefied tier, with the defending champs knocked off a peg due to back-to-back losses. We also have a new bottom-feeder worst, as if that matters.
Without further ado, here are the last Rebanse NBA Weekly Rankings for 2024 spanning the final week of the year (December 23 thru December 30:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-4)
Cavs tied for third in best 30-game start (26-4) to the season in NBA history.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (25-5)
Explosive offense + stingy defense are a recipe for success.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (22-10)
Balanced attack has Grizz leading the league in scoring—and winning.
4. Boston Celtics (23-8)
Defense leaked last week, but Cs continue to be formidable.
5. New York Knicks (22-10)
Knicks finally playing true to form: as potential title contenders.
6. Houston Rockets (21-10)
Just missed out on a perfect week.
7. Dallas Mavericks (20-12)
Slow starts dooming Luka Doncic-less Mavs.
8. Orlando Magic (19-14)
Magic still grinding it out, but injuries might be taking a toll.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13)
Kings-heavy schedule has the Lakers looking right again.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (18-13)
Clips looking good, getting contributions from everyone.
11. Atlanta Hawks (17-15)
Young wings—Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and De’Andre Hunter—making a difference.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (16-14)
Bucks unsteady after NBA Emirates Cup title run.
13. San Antonio Spurs (16-16)
Growing pains for the Spurs’ young core, but trajectory is up.
14. Indiana Pacers (15-17)
On cue, Pacers struggling again as Tyrese Haliburton continues to be inconsistent.
15. Denver Nuggets (17-13)
Nuggets doing all right, but remains middle of the pack in every sense.
16. Miami Heat (15-14)
Jimmy Butler trade rumors might finally be affecting Heat.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (12-17)
Sixers starting to get healthy as strong play as of late continues.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-14)
Up-and-down season continues for no-identity Wolves.
19. Golden State Warriors (16-15)
Time to get Steph Curry the superstar help he needs.
20. Phoenix Suns (15-16)
Suns still a mess, this time with Devin Booker out.
21. Chicago Bulls (14-18)
Win over the Bucks keeps Bulls above ground for the time being.
22. Sacramento Kings (13-19)
Mike Brown fired, but he wasn’t at fault for players’ poor on-court decisions.
23. Portland Trailblazers (11-20)
Young core playing well as of late, nets second win streak this season.
24. Detroit Pistons (14-18)
Pistons keep grinding, but the wins aren’t coming.
25. Brooklyn Nets (12-19)
Fire sale continuing at Brooklyn.
26. Utah Jazz (7-23)
Walker Kessler (10.5 points, 10.7 rebounds) a bright spot for the downtrodden Jazz.
27. Charlotte Hornets (7-24)
Dark clouds over at Charlotte.
28. Toronto Raptors (7-24)
Ditto.
29. Washington Wizards (5-24)
Wizards finally won a game but still a bottom-feeder.
30. New Orleans Pelicans (5-27)
Nothing going right for the Pels.
