All 30 NBA teams have hit the midpoint of their regular seasons, with the Charlotte Hornets becoming the last team to play their 41st game. So now we return with grades for the second quarter of the NBA season!
In the Week 7 Power Rankings, I handed out first-quarter grades, which are included here. But these grades are not cumulative for the entire first half of the season. Did teams get better? Did they maintain a certain level of play? Did teams slip up somewhere?
Hornets finally played 41st game last night, the last NBA team to do so
So here is the second quarter split (games 21-41) for every team
Trendlines based on first quarter of season
— Law Murray 📘 (@lawmurraythenu.bsky.social) January 25, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I am assigning a letter grade for each team considering the context of how that team performed after the second week of December. I’ll also highlight an item that conveys what each team has done well or struggled with over the most recent 25 percent of the season. Only 45 percent of the regular season left!
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
Let’s dive into Week 14 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records are through Monday’s games; statistics are through Monday.
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs. UTA, L vs. DAL, W at POR
Offensive rating: 116.2 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 103.9 (first)
First quarter: A-
Second quarter: A
The Thunder were even more well-rounded in the second quarter of the season, as they have complemented their top-ranked defense with a top-five offense. It’s aggravating enough to deal with the Thunder’s pressure defensively, but even when opponents get up 3-pointers, they have only made 32 percent of those 3s since Dec. 6, the lowest accuracy rate in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just as valuable to Oklahoma City defensively as he is offensively.
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: L at HOU, L at PHI, L vs. HOU, W vs. DET
Offensive rating: 121.1 (first)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (10th)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: A
The Cavaliers’ offense got even better over the second quarter of the season. No team has made more 3s per game since Dec. 6 than Cleveland (16.9), which is making them at a 38.6 percent clip. Point guard Darius Garland in particular has been lethal, shooting 41.2 percent from 3 over the last seven weeks while making 3.0 per game.
GO DEEPER
It’s clear now: Cavs, Pistons got what they needed with Kenny Atkinson, J.B. Bickerstaff
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs. CLE, W at CLE, W at BOS
Offensive rating: 114.6 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 108.6 (fourth)
First quarter: A
Second quarter: B
Houston has slipped some defensively, going from the second-best defense over the first seven weeks of the season to the sixth-best. But the Rockets have still been a chore to play against while forcing turnovers and dominating the possession battle. Point guard Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 1.8 steals per game in the second quarter of the season. Houston just had the kind of week that gives reason to believe in it as a real contender, beating the two best teams in the Eastern Conference three times, including two road wins.
GO DEEPER
With game-winner over Celtics, Amen Thompson announces himself as a star
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at LAC, L at LAL, W at DAL, L vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 118.6 (third)
Defensive rating: 109.8 (fifth)
First quarter: A-
Second quarter: B-
The Celtics have slipped offensively, going from the second-best offense in the first quarter of the season to the eighth-best in the second quarter. Boston did tighten up its defense in that span, going from 10th-best in the first quarter to third-best in the second quarter while continuing to keep opponents off the free-throw line. None of the Celtics average three personal fouls per game, while minute leader Jayson Tatum averages only 2.1 personal fouls in 36.4 minutes per game over the last seven weeks.
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W at BRK, W vs. SAC, W vs. MEM
Offensive rating: 119.6 (second)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (14th)
First quarter: B-
Second quarter: B+
New York has improved defensively throughout the season, but it is still led by the offense. And while the Knicks haven’t been as powerful scoring the ball as they were to begin the season, the offense has still been quite efficient. Center Karl-Anthony Towns was selected as a starter in the All-Star Game for the first time in his 10-year career, and his 55 percent shooting from the field over the last seven weeks is a major reason why.
GO DEEPER
How good can the Knicks’ defense be? We just found out
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs. CHA, W vs. NO, W vs. UTA, L at NY
Offensive rating: 117.5 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 110.5 (seventh)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: B
The Grizzlies have improved offensively, maintaining a top-five offense throughout the entire season while continuing to dominate the offensive glass. Only the Rockets have averaged more offensive rebounds per game over the last seven weeks than the Grizzlies. Rookie center Zach Edey’s greatest contribution to the Memphis offense has been offensive rebounding, as he grabbed 3.3 of his teammates’ missed shots per game since returning from injury last month.
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs. PHI, W vs. SAC, L at MIN, L at CHI
Offensive rating: 118.0 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (19th)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B+
Denver has been better defensively over the second quarter of the season, but it has also improved to become the best offense in the Western Conference in that time. Reigning MVP center Nikola Jokić consistently gets great shots for his teammates and himself. Since Dec. 6, Denver is the only NBA team to make at least half of its total field goal attempts (51.7 percent), while Jokić is averaging 30.0 points on 57.9 percent shooting.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.
The story of the greatest plays in NBA history.
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs. MIA, L at LAC, W at UTA
Offensive rating: 114.1 (11th)
Defensive rating: 110.8 (eighth)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B+
The Milwaukee offense has been stable through the first half of the season, but the defense was a top-five unit in the second quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo has cleaned up on the defensive glass, where 10.5 of his 12.7 rebounds per game have come from over the last seven weeks. No team has been better at prohibiting offensive rebounds than the Bucks since Dec. 6.
GO DEEPER
Khris Middleton’s lackluster game against the Clippers: Rust, regression or third wheel?
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L at SA, W at SA
Offensive rating: 114.2 (10th)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (20th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: B+
The Pacers were bad on both ends of the floor to start the season. Now, the defense has been more than respectable while the offense ranked sixth in the second quarter of the season, with only the Nuggets putting the ball in the basket at a more efficient rate. Power forward Pascal Siakam has led Indiana with 20.2 points per game on 52.1 percent shooting from the field over the last seven weeks.
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L vs. BOS, W vs. WAS, W vs. MIL, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 110.8 (21st)
Defensive rating: 107.4 (second)
First quarter: B
Second quarter: B
LA hasn’t figured out the offense just yet, but the goal for this team was a top-five defense. The Clippers were fifth defensively in the first quarter of the season, then improved to be the second-best defense in the second quarter of the season. Center Ivica Zubac has been the linchpin of the defense while averaging 1.4 blocks per game over the last seven weeks; no team has allowed fewer points in the paint (43.7) than the Clippers in that span.
GO DEEPER
Clippers trade tiers: What to watch with LA before the Feb. 6 deadline
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs. WAS, W vs. BOS, W at GS, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (13th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (22nd)
First quarter: C+
Second quarter: C
The Lakers offense remains inconsistent, but the defense went from one of the worst in the NBA in the first quarter of the season to a top-10 performance in the second quarter. All five of the Lakers’ 30-minute players average no more than two personal fouls per game, and only the San Antonio Spurs have allowed a lower free-throw-attempt rate over the last seven weeks. Anthony Davis has averaged more blocks (2.6) than fouls in that span.
GO DEEPER
Jarred Vanderbilt gives Lakers defensive versatility as they weigh options ahead of trade deadline
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W at DAL, W vs. DEN, W vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 112.4 (14th)
Defensive rating: 109.9 (sixth)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: B
Minnesota’s biggest issue is that no team plays more clutch-time games, and only the Hornets have lost more of them this season than the Timberwolves. The other side of this is that Minnesota is much more likely to blow out its opponent than the other way around. Can the Wolves get center Rudy Gobert to be more active in rim protection? Minnesota is 6-2 this season when Gobert has more than two blocks in a game. But last season, the Timberwolves were 22-3 when Gobert had more than two blocks in a game.
GO DEEPER
Rudy Gobert shows what the Timberwolves can be when he is at his best
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs. GS, L at DEN, L at NY, W at BRK
Offensive rating: 115.6 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (15th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: B
The Kings were one of six teams that had a top-10 offense and defense in the second quarter of the season, and the offense improved to a top-five performance over the last seven weeks. Only Boston turns the ball over less often, even though the Kings start four players who average at least three assists per game. Forward DeMar DeRozan has been particularly careful with the basketball, averaging only 1.1 turnovers per game against 3.1 assists in the second quarter of the season.
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L vs. POR, L at MIL, W at BRK, W vs. ORL
Offensive rating: 111.9 (16th)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (ninth)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: C
The Heat have sleepwalked through most of this regular season on the court, while dealing with the saga of thrice-suspended star Jimmy Butler. Even without Butler, the Heat prioritize defending without fouling. The issue for Miami is that the Heat haven’t been as dynamic without Butler.
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L vs. MIN, W at OKC, L vs. BOS, W vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 115.0 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (12th)
First quarter: B-
Second quarter: C-
Dallas looked like one of the best teams in the league at times in the first quarter of the season. But Luka Dončić’s injury has been crippling to the Mavericks on both ends of the floor. Dončić’s rebounding acumen was a major edge for Dallas, but without him, the Mavs haven’t shown a consistent nose for the ball.
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W at BRK, W vs. WAS, W vs. LAC
Offensive rating: 114.0 (12th)
Defensive rating: 114.7 (23rd)
First quarter: C+
Second quarter: C-
The Suns were a bottom-five defensive rebounding team in the second quarter of the season, with the defense slipping to bottom-10 levels in that span. But their fortunes this season simply come down to whether Kevin Durant is playing. Durant’s rebounding isn’t impressive. But the Suns are 23-12 with Durant playing and 1-9 without him. It’s the difference between a team that matters in the West and one that doesn’t.
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at TOR, L vs. POR, W vs. DET, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 107.3 (29th)
Defensive rating: 108.1 (third)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: C-
Orlando maintained a top-five defense over the first half of the season, but it has the NBA’s worst offense over the second quarter of the season. Since Dec. 6, the Magic are the only team that makes fewer than 11 3s per game and the only team failing to make at least 32 percent of its 3s. None of Orlando’s healthy players have made even 35 percent of their 3s over the last seven weeks.
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at ATL, L at ORL, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 111.5 (19th)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (13th)
First quarter: C-
Second quarter: B+
Detroit started the season with a bad offense and an average defense. Now, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has fostered a Pistons squad that is slightly above average offensively while playing top-10 defense over the second quarter of the season. Only the Bucks have been better on the defensive glass since Dec. 6, with center Jalen Duren grabbing 6.8 of his 10.6 rebounds on the defensive end in that span.
GO DEEPER
Pistons’ lack of a secondary creator next to Cade Cunningham is a glaring problem
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at SAC, W vs. CHI, L vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 111.7 (18th)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (11th)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: D
It’s been a total collapse for the Warriors in the second quarter of the season. What was a top-five defense is now a bottom-10 defense, while the Golden State offense went from good enough to simply bad. Only the Chicago Bulls have a worse free-throw-attempt rate than the Warriors over the last seven weeks, and among the 34 players who average at least 16 field goal attempts a game, no one averages fewer free-throw attempts than Stephen Curry’s 3.2. Curry and the Warriors need more help with shot creation than Dennis Schröder has provided.
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W at IND, L at IND
Offensive rating: 111.7 (17th)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (18th)
First quarter: B+
Second quarter: D
San Antonio’s defense was above average to begin the season. Despite the presence of phenom Victor Wembanyama, the defense has slipped considerably. No team was worse at forcing turnovers in the last seven weeks of the season, with forward Harrison Barnes averaging only 0.4 steals per game since Dec. 6.
GO DEEPER
Spurs’ Wembanyama gets emotional following France homecoming loss to Pacers
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L vs. DET, L vs. TOR, L vs. TOR, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 110.3 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (16th)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: B
Atlanta had a terrible week, dropping under .500 once again. The Hawks are 5-3 this season when point guard Trae Young attempts at least 10 free throws. It’s a tricky balance for the Hawks, as only Cade Cunningham averages more turnovers per game than Young this season.
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at DEN, W vs. CLE, W at CHI
Offensive rating: 110.2 (24th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (21st)
First quarter: D-
Second quarter: C
Philadelphia began the season with an average defense and a terrible offense. The second quarter of the season went better, but now it’s the offense that is average while the defense struggles. The Sixers miss the rim protection Joel Embiid would provide, and it’s leaving Philadelphia as the worst defense at the rim in the league.
GO DEEPER
Hollinger’s Week That Was: What’s next in Philly? Plus, scouting Jase Richardson
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L at GS, L vs. PHI, W vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 112.0 (15th)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (24th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: C
The Bulls have not been good on defense all season, though they have been a little bit better on that end of the floor. Unfortunately, the Bulls average the fewest free-throw attempts in the league over the last seven weeks, and center Nikola Vučević in particular struggles to get to the stripe (15.3 field goal attempts, only 1.9 free-throw attempts since Dec. 6).
GO DEEPER
Vecenie: 5 deals I’d love to see this NBA trade season
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs. ORL, W at ATL, W at ATL, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 110.3 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 115.9 (25th)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: D
The Raptors are reeling off victories lately, but they had the worst defense in the NBA in the second quarter of the season while allowing the most free-throw attempts in the league. Center Jakob Poeltl has struggled with fouls in particular over the last seven weeks.
GO DEEPER
Scottie Barnes was a winner long before the Raptors started winning
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W at MIA, W at ORL, W at CHA, L vs. OKC
Offensive rating: 108.8 (26th)
Defensive rating: 116.1 (26th)
First quarter: D+
Second quarter: D-
Portland has actually outperformed its point differential this season, but that speaks to how terribly the Trail Blazers have been outscored. Only the Grizzlies, Jazz and Nets have turned the ball over more often than Portland has over the second quarter of the season.
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L at MEM, L vs. POR, W vs. NO, L vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 108.4 (28th)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (17th)
First quarter: D
Second quarter: D-
My apologies to the Hornets fans last week, as I put Brandon Miller in the Rising Stars contest right before Miller underwent season-ending wrist surgery. Before that, Miller showed that he had real work to do to be an efficient second option offensively, averaging only 3.4 free-throw attempts per game in his last nine games before getting injured. It’s going to likely be LaMelo Ball or bust for next month as far as All-Star Weekend representation goes, and Ball leads one of the worst offenses in basketball.
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at OKC, L at MEM, L vs. MIL
Offensive rating: 110.8 (20th)
Defensive rating: 118.1 (29th)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
The Jazz have actually had a league-average offense over the last seven weeks. But this is a bottom-five defense, with an inability to force turnovers being the biggest problem. The Jazz were the only team in the league in the second quarter of the season that failed to average seven steals per game.
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs. NY, L vs. PHO, L vs. MIA, L vs. SAC
Offensive rating: 108.5 (27th)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (27th)
First quarter: C
Second quarter: D-
The Nets were at least average offensively to begin the season, but they have devolved into the second-worst offense in the league in the second quarter. Only the Grizzlies and Jazz average more turnovers per game. While point guard Ben Simmons has led the team with 3.2 turnovers since Dec. 6, small forward Cameron Johnson has averaged more turnovers (3.1) than assists (3.0) over that same span.
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at MEM, L at CHA, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 109.0 (25th)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (28th)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: D
The Pelicans have looked fine offensively once their talent returned to the lineup. But this has consistently been one of the very worst defenses in the league, no matter who is available. No team was worse on the boards in the second quarter of the season than New Orleans.
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at LAL, L at LAC, L at PHO, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 104.8 (30th)
Defensive rating: 118.6 (30th)
First quarter: F
Second quarter: F
At least the Wizards can say that they had more wins than the 2024 Pistons did through 45 games last season, but that’s about it. This is a rancid basketball team that can only take solace in the fact that it isn’t on pace to be the worst team ever. No team has allowed more second-chance points over the last seven weeks.
Sign up to get The Bounce, the essential NBA newsletter from Zach Harper and The Athletic staff, delivered free to your inbox.
(Top photo of Trae Young and Quin Snyder: Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images)
:quality(70):focal(252x250:262x260)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/TZLBRT2PBTROP4ZO4Y43CLTOQQ.jpg "Bureau County girls basketball top 25 all-time scoring leaders")