NBA Power Rankings: Injury outlook for all 30 teams

The end of the NBA regular season is a month away and one team (the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers) has already clinched a playoff spot with several more on the brink.

As is usually the case, the teams with the best chances in the playoffs are those that can stay healthy. We’ve seen teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks stumble down the standings due to mounting injuries.

For this week’s Power Rankings, we’re taking stock of each team’s health and how each should approach the final weeks of the season. Is it worth prioritizing player development (and potential draft positioning) by sitting starters? Or try to keep up in the standings and get a healthy roster for the playoffs?

Let’s dive into this week’s updated Power Rankings for all 30 NBA teams.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | Feb. 26 | Mar. 5

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are so healthy that coach Kenny Atkinson was able to play 14 players against Milwaukee on Sunday as Cleveland ran its win streak to 14 straight games. With an eight-game lead for No. 1 in the East with 17 games left to play, the Cavs will have the luxury of being extra cautious with potential injury risks without risking playoff seeding. — Dave McMenamin

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren struggled in Monday’s loss to the Nuggets, but the fact that he played is an encouraging sign of progress. It marked the first time Holmgren has played both ends of a back-to-back since recovering from the fractured pelvis that sidelined him for three months. The Thunder are 8-2 when Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein play together and have a plus-12.3 net rating with both of their 7-footers on the floor. — Tim MacMahon

3. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 47-18

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. OKC (Mar. 12), @ MIA (Mar. 14), @ BKN (Mar. 15), vs. BKN (Mar. 18)

Kristaps Porzingis‘ announcement Monday saying that he and the Celtics haven’t found an explanation for the viral illness that’s caused him to miss the past six games was quite concerning. On a positive front, Jrue Holiday returned from a pinky finger injury that caused him to miss 10 days for Saturday’s win over the Lakers. — Tim Bontemps

4. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 42-23

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. MIN (Mar. 12), vs. LAL (Mar. 14), vs. WAS (Mar. 15), @ GS (Mar. 17)

Nikola Jokic says he’s playing “the best basketball of my life,” and doing so while banged up. Jokic is dealing with elbow and ankle injuries yet has logged at least 40 minutes in his past three games, which includes his historic 31-point, 22-assist, 21-rebound performance in Friday’s win over Phoenix. Jokic is determined to help his team climb higher in the seeding and play at a level that is somehow even better than his previous MVP seasons. The Nuggets must go into the postseason with a healthy cast to support Jokic and need Jamal Murray to keep producing if they want to make a deep run. Aaron Gordon, the team’s glue, has battled injuries, including a calf injury. He has missed over 20 games this season. — Ohm Youngmisuk

5. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 40-23

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: @ MIL (Mar. 13), @ DEN (Mar. 14), vs. PHX (Mar. 16), vs. SA (Mar. 17)

LeBron James‘ left groin strain preventing him from closing L.A.’s game in Boston on Saturday was certainly the most high-profile injury affecting the team recently, but hardly the only one. In the Lakers’ past five games, Austin Reaves (calf) has missed two, Jaxson Hayes (knee) has missed two, Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) has missed one, Jordan Goodwin (ankle) has missed three and Rui Hachimura (knee) has missed five. James, sources told ESPN, is expected to be out at least another week as well as Hachimura, according to coach JJ Redick. — McMenamin

6. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 41-24

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. UTAH (Mar. 12), vs. CLE (Mar. 14), vs. MIA (Mar. 15), @ SAC (Mar. 17)

Despite a slew of injuries, most notably to Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis has won three straight games going into Wednesday’s matchup with the Jazz largely due to the returns of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. The Grizzlies own a 3-1 record since Morant rejoined the lineup, and he’s starting to find a rhythm. But coach Taylor Jenkins expressed concern regarding the contributions of the supporting cast. Finally, healthy and thriving, Morant and Bane are talented enough to keep Memphis afloat. But with bigs Jackson and Zach Edey out, players such as Jay Huff and GG Jackson need to step up. — Michael Wright

7. New York Knicks

As New York closes in on securing home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, it is without floor general Jalen Brunson, who’s slated to miss at least two weeks with an injured ankle. Brunson’s absence undoubtedly stifles the team’s ballhandling — he possesses the rock for an NBA-high 8.7 minutes per game — but it also gives the Knicks a chance to develop a better attack for the postseason when he’s not on the floor. — Chris Herring

8. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 37-28

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: vs. SAC (Mar. 13), vs. NYK (Mar. 15), vs. DEN (Mar. 17), vs. MIL (Mar. 18)

The Warriors are surging and working toward full strength. Jonathan Kuminga is expected to return this week for the first time since spraining his ankle on Jan. 4. Kuminga will provide the Warriors with an explosive element off the bench, which could be the X factor in the playoffs. But coach Steve Kerr also doesn’t want to mess with the budding chemistry that’s working now and will play Kuminga in short bursts to bring him along slowly. Kerr said he will continue playing role players like Gui Santos and Moses Moody, who have shined while Kuminga has been out. Kerr also expects Brandin Podziemski (back) to return this week. — Youngmisuk

9. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 40-25

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: vs. PHX (Mar. 12), vs. DAL (Mar. 14), vs. CHI (Mar. 15), vs. PHI (Mar. 17)

Fred VanVleet is close to returning from an ankle injury that has kept him out since the beginning of March. But just when it seemed the Rockets were finally getting back to full health, Amen Thompson sprained his left ankle Saturday. Thompson is set to miss approximately two weeks as Houston finds itself within striking distance for the second or third seed in the West. The Rockets need to take care of business during a six-game homestand that started Saturday with a win over New Orleans. Look for the club to lean more on its two-big lineup featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams these next few games. — Wright

10. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 36-28

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. LAL (Mar. 13), vs. IND (Mar. 15), vs. OKC (Mar. 16), 2 GS (Mar. 18)

Health may be the most crucial factor for Milwaukee’s championship hopes over the final month of the season. Injuries to star Giannis Antetokounmpo have derailed the past two postseasons for the Bucks, but Antetokounmpo told ESPN his body feels fresher at this point, thanks to his commitment to shooting more midrange shots. By cutting down on drives to the basket and reducing contact on a nightly basis, Antetokounmpo hopes to give a healthy Bucks team — which has been finding its stride since the All-Star break — a shot at a long playoff run. — Jamal Collier

11. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 37-29

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: @ DEN (Mar. 12), vs. ORL (Mar. 14), vs. UTAH (Mar. 16), vs. IND (Mar. 17)

The Wolves’ consistency struggles have been partially due to staying healthy. But since Julius Randle‘s return on March 2, the Wolves are on a five-game winning streak. They have won the past 10 games with Randle in the lineup, dating to Jan. 22. Minnesota has Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert all healthy after missing time and the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, a prime chance to move up in the standings in the West. — Collier

12. Indiana Pacers

As Tyrese Haliburton‘s health goes, so do the Pacers. He’s missed three straight games with a left hip flexor strain, the latest in a series of injury issues plaguing Indiana this season. However, the Pacers need Haliburton back on the court and playing at the level he was in his first seven games after the All-Star break. For a team looking to repeat a deep playoff run after making the conference finals last year, it will rely on the guard, who was putting up 23.9 points and 12.0 assists while shooting 60% before the injury. — Collier

13. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 35-30

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: @ MIA (Mar. 12), @ ATL (Mar. 14), vs. CHA (Mar. 16), vs. CLE (Mar. 18)

There has to be no better feeling this season for the Clippers than seeing Kawhi Leonard sink a buzzer-beating game winner as he did in overtime against Sacramento on Sunday. Considering how many injuries he has sustained and how cautious the team and Leonard were with the inflammation in his knee, his ability to play 40 minutes twice so far this month is a big win in itself. The Clippers hope they can get Norman Powell (right hamstring strain) and Ben Simmons (left knee injury management) healthy and on the court in the last month of the season to make a push for the sixth spot and out of the play-in. — Youngmisuk

14. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons’ surge into the East’s top six has benefited from near-perfect health. Since Ausar Thompson was cleared to return in November, only one Detroit rotation player has missed more than a handful of games. The exception is starting guard Jaden Ivey, who was sidelined after a fibula fracture on New Year’s Day. When Ivey underwent surgery, a return this season wasn’t ruled out, but there’s been no update on his rehab recently. However, the Pistons have gotten strong play from sixth man Malik Beasley and upgraded their backcourt rotation by adding Dennis Schroder at the trade deadline. — Kevin Pelton

15. Sacramento Kings

Get well soon, Domantas Sabonis. With their star sidelined by a hamstring strain, the Kings started with a pair of lopsided wins, including De’Aaron Fox‘s return to Sacramento on Friday, sandwiched around a narrow loss in Denver last week. But they ran into trouble in a back-to-back set Sunday and Monday, losing a crucial game to the Clippers in overtime and then getting blown out by the Knicks at home. The Clippers are two games up in the standings at eighth and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, suggesting the Kings will likely enter the play-in tournament at ninth just like last year. — Pelton

16. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 30-35

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: @ HOU (Mar. 12), vs. SAC (Mar. 14), vs. SAC (Mar. 16), vs. TOR (Mar. 17)

Phoenix sat Bradley Beal in its loss against the Grizzlies on Monday for what it called left calf injury management. It was Beal’s 20th missed game of the season — with seven of those coming in the Suns’ past 15 games. Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer explained it was a preventative measure to try to have Beal as healthy as possible down the stretch as the Suns try to fight their way for at least a play-in tournament spot in the West. — McMenamin

17. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record: 31-34

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: vs. CHA (Mar. 12), vs. LAC (Mar. 14), @ BKN (Mar. 16), @ CHA (Mar. 18)

The biggest injury hit for Atlanta was losing Jalen Johnson in January for the season. The fourth-year forward was having a career season in points (18.9), rebounds (10.0) and assists (5.0). The main motivation for the Hawks — aside from managing day-to-day injuries to Trae Young‘s quad and Caris LeVert‘s sprained finger — will be finishing in the top two spots for the play-in. They’re unlikely to clinch a top-six spot (less than a 5% chance, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index). Falling to ninth or 10th will require Atlanta, which has the second-easiest remaining schedule, to win two play-in games instead of one to reach the playoffs. — Herring

18. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs snapped a five-game slide against the Suns on Monday while barely able to suit up the league minimum eight active players. However, they remain too close to the salary cap’s first apron to add another player via a 10-day contract. Anthony Davis (left adductor strain) and Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture) are progressing toward a return, although the Mavs brass must discuss whether it makes sense to bring them back this season. — MacMahon

19. Orlando Magic

Finding a way to score without injured point guard Jalen Suggs, who underwent season-ending surgery to remove a cartilage fragment in his left knee last week, remains the challenge for the Magic (10-21 without him). Orlando won Saturday in Milwaukee, snapping a five-game losing streak, but managed a measly 84 points in Monday’s loss at Houston. That was the fifth time this season the Magic have scored 85 points or fewer. No other team has had more than two games scoring so low. — Pelton

20. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 29-35

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: vs. LAC (Mar. 12), vs. BOS (Mar. 14), @ MEM (Mar. 15), @ NYK (Mar. 17)

The Heat have struggled mightily since the trade deadline, going 4-10 over that stretch. Midseason addition Andrew Wiggins has been in and out of the lineup and has been shooting 40% overall and 31% from 3-point range. Miami is 11.4 points per 100 possessions worse with Wiggins on the court compared to when he’s on the bench. — Bontemps

21. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers’ push for a play-in spot stalled with four consecutive losses as the team’s schedule stiffened. All four were games against clubs in the top six in their respective conferences. It’s possible having centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III healthy could have helped Portland, which has utilized a committee approach behind rookie Donovan Clingan. Clingan’s conditioning and foul trouble often limit him to fewer than 25 minutes. On the plus side, wing Matisse Thybulle could return soon after missing all season, first due to knee inflammation and then a severe ankle sprain suffered during rehab. — Pelton

22. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 26-37

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: vs. DAL (Mar. 12), vs. CHA (Mar. 14), vs. NO (Mar. 15), @ LAL (Mar. 17)

San Antonio hasn’t given up hope on fighting for a berth in the play-in tournament, but that goal could become more difficult if the club shuts down new addition De’Aaron Fox for the rest of the regular season. Fox said he plans to have an injured left pinky finger evaluated during a March 17 trip to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Lakers, adding “surgery may or may not happen that day.” If Fox goes that route, San Antonio will start rookie Stephon Castle next to veteran Chris Paul for the rest of the season. — Wright

23. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls took a hit this week when guard Josh Giddey injured his right ankle in Monday’s win over the Pacers. Giddey limped off the floor and was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot. Giddey, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, has been playing some of his best basketball, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists since the All-Star break. — Collier

24. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 22-42

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: @ TOR (Mar. 12), vs. IND (Mar. 14), @ DAL (Mar. 16), @ HOU (Mar. 17)

At this point, the 76ers are playing out the string and trying to keep their top-six protected first-round pick in this year’s loaded NBA draft. To that end, Joel Embiid has already been ruled out for the season, and it remains unclear when Tyrese Maxey (back) and Paul George (groin) will play again. — Bontemps

25. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 22-43

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: @ CHI (Mar. 13), vs. BOS (Mar. 15), vs. ATL (Mar. 16), @ BOS (Mar. 18)

By and large, Brooklyn is healthy as it begins its final month of the season. (Guard Cam Thomas, who returned to the lineup late last month, is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.) Under first-year coach Jordi Fernandez, the Nets have been surprisingly competitive all season despite dealing away some of their best talent. They are within striking distance of the league’s fifth-worst mark, which carries a 10.5% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. — Herring

26. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 22-43

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: vs. PHI (Mar. 12), @ UTAH (Mar. 14), @ POR (Mar. 16), @ PHX (Mar. 17)

The Raptors have been liberally resting players over the past week as they’ve gone through a very soft stretch in their schedule against teams battling for lottery position, including Wednesday’s showdown with the 76ers in Toronto. One player who could use playing time is rookie Ja’Kobe Walter but the guard is out with a hip strain. — Bontemps

27. New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans players have collectively missed over 200 games due to injuries this season and will start next season in the hole as point guard Dejounte Murray recovers from a ruptured right Achilles. So, look for the Pels to use the rest of this season to evaluate current roster construction to plan accordingly for the offseason. Given the emergence of Trey Murphy III, it’s also important to find out just how deep his growing bag is — which in turn will give New Orleans a better idea of how to build for the future around him and Zion Williamson. — Wright

28. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 16-48

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: @ ATL (Mar. 12), @ SA (Mar. 14), @ LAC (Mar. 16), vs. ATL (Mar. 18)

Earlier in the campaign, the Hornets lost starting wing Brandon Miller, Tre Mann and forward Grant Williams to season-ending injuries. It wouldn’t be surprising if Charlotte sits starters LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams to keep the team among the league’s bottom three in the coming weeks — which would ensure the Hornets have the best possible odds for the No. 1 pick. — Herring

29. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 15-50

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: @ MEM (Mar. 12), vs. TOR (Mar. 14), @ MIN (Mar. 16), vs. CHI (Mar. 17)

Utah will continue to have one of the league’s longest injury reports, as has been the case all season. Most recently, Lauri Markkanen has been out since Feb. 22 and Jordan Clarkson hasn’t played since Feb. 26. The good news? The Jazz have the second-best lottery odds behind the Wizards. — MacMahon

30. Washington Wizards

Bilal Coulibaly was ruled out for Tuesday’s game at Detroit after taking a terrifying fall while being undercut on a dunk at Toronto. Coulibaly has a right hip contusion, and the Wizards will likely be overly cautious with one of their key young players. At this point, the Wizards are trying to develop the likes of Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George while keeping them healthy. With just over a month left in the season, Washington won’t want to risk anything that could jeopardize the team’s future. — Youngmisuk