Week 1 Power Rankings: Celtics Dominate as 2024-25 Season Kicks Off

Considering the impressive performance of the Boston Celtics last season, with their entire rotation returning, they are undeniably the frontrunners to clinch the championship title once again in 2025.

Not only do they have incredible talent in their starting lineup, they had the league’s best bench last season. Not only are they relentless in attacking weak defenders, they don’t have any weak defenders themselves.

So this is one of those years where you can legitimately ask, “Team X or the field?”.

In other words, if you had to predict a winner of the 2025 Finals, would you take the Celtics or anybody else?

The better answer is probably “anybody else,” because it’s hard to repeat. Stuff happens. Talent is abundant in this league and many great coaches have had four months to game plan for the defending champs.

But, as we get set to tip off the 2024-25 season on Tuesday, there’s no doubt about who should be No. 1 in the Power Rankings.

Teams of the Preseason

Make It Last Forever: Golden State (6-0) — Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield might be the greatest shooting backcourt… Too soon?Something Just Ain’t Right: Cleveland (0-4) — The minutes with all four of the Cavs’ best players on the floor were not good.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the preseason: New York (+3), Cleveland (+2), Phoenix (+2)Free falls of the preseason: Dallas (-3), LA Clippers (-3), Denver (-2)

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Week 1 Team to Watch

New York — With some depth issues as they begin the season, we’re going to see a lot of the Knicks’ new starting lineup as they visit the Celtics on opening night and host the Pacers on Friday.

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Previously…

Mid-summer rankings: Celtics continue to lead the way in East | Thunder, Nuggets earn top spots in deep WestThe archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league averaged 106.3 points scored per 100 possessions and 103.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes in the preseason (not including games against non-NBA teams). The stats below are for games against NBA teams only.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.