NBA power rankings: LA Lakers crash Top 5 ahead of rematch with Suns

Posted by Admin October 28, 2024 NBA

The 2024-25 season isn’t even a week old, but there’s some early movement in The Republic’s NBA Top 5 power rankings through Saturday’s games.

They’ve averaged 126 points a game to rank third in the NBA in scoring and leading the league in 3-point makes (22.7), attempts (51.3) and percentage (44.2%). Not as dominant defensively early as they were 13^th in defensive rating after ranking second last season, but are clearly the NBA’s best team.

Huge win at Denver in the opener followed by blasting Chicago, 114-95. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is their guy, but Chet Holmgren is balling out of the gate. Averaging 23 points and 15 boards, Holmgren leads the league in rebounding. Did work against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Have won the last two games after falling in the opener at the Los Angeles Lakers. Julius Randle has shaken off the rust of sitting for months due to injury and averaged 28.5 points on 22-of-33 shooting (6-of-10 from 3). His aggressiveness is necessary to take some offensive burden off Anthony Edwards.

4. New York Knicks (1-1)

The Knicks responded after Boston’s ambush on ring night to take down Indiana by 25 points. The Villanova crew of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for 67 points while Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 21 points and 15 boards. Big test on Monday versus Cleveland.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (3-0)

Tough call between a pair of 3-0 teams — the Cavaliers and Lakers — to crack the top five. Hard to deny the Lakers with wins over Minnesota, Phoenix and Sacramento. JJ Redick is looking and sounding like the real deal early. The Suns-Lakers rematch Monday should be wild after Phoenix blew a 22-point lead in a loss in L.A.

Teams 6-10

Phoenix Suns (2-1) – Kevin Durant reached 29,000 career points in a win over Dallas after a meltdown defeat at the Lakers.

Dallas Mavericks (1-1) – As Jason Kidd said after Saturday’s loss in Phoenix, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint right now.”

Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0) – Three wins are against Toronto, Detroit and Washington. Unbeaten, but need to see them against tougher competition.

Memphis Grizzlies (2-1) – Nice win over Orlando after Houston blasted them by 20.

Orlando Magic (2-1) – Looking to see Paolo Banchero take his game to the next level.

Fell out of 6-10: Philadelphia 76ers (0-2), Denver Nuggets (0-2), Indiana Pacers (1-1) and Milwaukee Bucks (1-1).

Unbeaten teams lurking

The Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks are all 2-0 but haven’t really played anyone.

Out of the three, Golden State has been the most impressive in winning two games over Portland and Utah by a stunning average margin of 38.5 points.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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