2024-25 FTN NBA Power Rankings: Is It the Playoffs Yet?

Welcome back to FTN Fantasy’s NBA Power Rankings!

We’ve officially hit the dog days of the NBA season. With March Madness in full swing, the NBA has taken a bit of a backseat in the spotlight — and honestly, that feels fitting. In the East, most teams know where they stand. The playoff picture is nearly locked in, and the focus now is staying healthy or improving lottery odds. Out West, the standings are tighter, but the mindset is similar: just get to the playoffs in one piece.

At the top of our model, the Celtics and Thunder continue their neck-and-neck battle for the No. 1 spot. This week, it’s OKC who takes the crown. The Lakers were one of the week’s biggest risers with LeBron’s return, jumping four spots into the top six, while the Pelicans took a seven-spot dive after a rough stretch that included losing Trey Murphy III for the season.

Let’s dive into the full rankings and break down what the model is telling us heading into the final weeks of the season.

How Our NBA Power Rankings Work

Every Monday, we provide an up-to-the-minute snapshot of the league using our exclusive power rankings, powered by the FTN NBA Betting Model. These rankings adjust for recent results, injuries, and key news, offering a dynamic, data-driven view of the NBA’s shifting landscape. We also track which teams are trending up and which are sliding down.

But this isn’t just about rankings – it’s about giving you the edge. Whether you’re betting on the NBA or simply keeping tabs on your favorite team’s performance, our rankings provide key insights to help you make smarter decisions. Curious to see how we evaluate a specific matchup? Our NBA Betting Model is constantly updated with the latest data, and we highlight the best value picks in our NBA Bet Tracker.

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Key Takeaways

The Thunder Keep Dominating – Even With Nothing to Play For

At 59-12, the Thunder continue to steamroll the league, and FTN’s model has taken notice. They’ve overtaken the Celtics for the No. 1 spot in our power rankings this week, backed by elite efficiency on both ends. Our model gives them a +4.6 offensive rating and a league-best -5.9 defensive rating — good for a staggering +10.5 adjusted net rating, the highest in the NBA.

What sets OKC apart is how they blend pace with discipline. Despite averaging just 13.9 seconds per possession, one of the fastest tempos in the league, they turn the ball over only 11 times per game and rank top five in assist-to-turnover ratio. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play like an MVP, averaging 32.8 points and 6.3 assists on elite efficiency. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren round out one of the most versatile, balanced cores in the league. Most teams would coast in their position, but the Thunder are still pressing the gas.

Knicks Sliding Without Jalen Brunson

The Knicks have taken a hit in our power rankings since Jalen Brunson went down, falling to No. 9 this week. It’s a notable drop for a team that was ranked in the top five of our model earlier this month, and it’s no coincidence that the slide has aligned with Brunson’s absence.

Before the injury, Brunson was averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists per game, carrying a heavy offensive burden and posting a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. His ability to create in the halfcourt and generate quality shots for others was central to the Knicks’ offensive success. Without him, they’ve struggled to maintain the same efficiency, and the model has reacted accordingly. That said, New York is still holding on to the No. 3 seed in the East. Their defense, anchored by OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges on the perimeter and Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart on the glass, has helped them stay afloat, but it’s clear they won’t be at full strength until Brunson is back.

The Lakers are Surging, and Welcoming LeBron Back at the Right Time

The Lakers moved up four spots in our power rankings this week, landing at No. 6 overall despite losing six of their last nine games. That might seem like a surprising climb, but with LeBron James back in the lineup and the roster finally locked in post-trade deadline, the model is projecting better days ahead.

LeBron’s return gives the team a much-needed stabilizing force, as he’s averaging 24.9 points and 8.5 assists, and still bends defenses like few others in the league. Austin Reaves has emerged as a strong secondary creator, and the team is playing faster and more efficiently on offense. Despite the recent skid, the Lakers are still fourth in the West and just two games back of the No. 2 seed. The model sees them as a high-variance team with a dangerous ceiling, especially now that the rotation is set.

The Rockets Are Healthy and Ready to Go

The Rockets saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end Sunday, but don’t let that loss fool you — our model remains bullish on Houston. They’ve jumped two more spots this week and now sit at No. 7 overall, continuing their steady climb since getting key pieces back in the rotation.

The return of Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson has been a game-changer. VanVleet brings structure to the offense, as he’s averaging 14.5 points and 5.6 assists with just 1.5 turnovers per game, while Thompson has added athleticism, rebounding and versatility on both ends. The model gives Houston a +4.5 net rating, and their balance has become a real strength. With Alperen Şengün continuing his breakout season and Jalen Green finally finding some consistency, the Rockets suddenly look like a legitimate threat in the West, not just a fun young team. They’re currently holding the No. 2 seed and are just two games up on the Lakers, but trending as if they belong.

Check out some more interesting NBA Information on ftnfantasy.com:

• NBA Betting Model
• NBA Prop Tool
• NBA Same Game Parlay Tool
• NBA Bet Tracker & Expert Picks
• NBA Player Ratings
• NBA Team Ratings 
• NBA Player Projections