Power Rankings, Week 8: Wolves take control of No. 1 spot – NBA.com

Minnesota stays hot to rise to the top while the Lakers and Pacers climb into the Top 10.
John Schuhmann
Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and the NBA-best Timberwolves face a daunting schedule ahead.
The Los Angeles Lakers now have one up on the Boston Celtics.
Both franchises have 17 NBA championships, but the Lakers also have an NBA Cup, having dominated the paint in the first-ever In-Season Tournament Championship.
They got to celebrate in Vegas, but there’s no time for a parade because the season is still going. And after a week in which every team but the Pacers and Lakers had just two games, it’s time to get busy. There will be 57 games over the next seven days, making this the busiest week of the season until April.
Reminder: The In-Season Tournament championship game doesn’t count toward regular season records or stats.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Teams of the Week
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East vs. West
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Movement in the Rankings
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Week 8 Team to Watch
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Previously…
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 has averaged 113.8 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.9 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

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, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.
Record: 17-4
OffRtg: 113.5 (17) DefRtg: 106.2 (1) NetRtg: +7.3 (2) Pace: 98.8 (21)
Anthony Edwards re-aggravated his hip injury early on Friday, but the Wolves have still won six straight games and 16 of their last 18. With the Celtics losing last week, Minnesota has the league’s best record.
Three takeaways
After four straight games against bad teams, the Wolves will now play their next 16 against teams that are currently over .500. That stretch includes three of their four games against Dallas, who they’ll visit on Thursday.
Week 8: @ NOP, @ DAL, vs. IND
Record: 16-5
OffRtg: 117.5 (6) DefRtg: 109.0 (3) NetRtg: +8.5 (1) Pace: 98.8 (20)
The Celtics are still undefeated at home (they’ve won 17 straight regular-season games at TD Garden going back to March), but they needed to win on the road to make it to Las Vegas, and they couldn’t get it done.
Three takeaways
The Celtics won’t play another top-10 offense (as the rankings currently stand) this month, and their win over the Knicks on Friday was the start of a five-game homestand. But the Cavs arrive for two games with a 7-3 road record and they’ll be followed by the second-place Magic, who beat the Celtics in Orlando less than three weeks ago.
The second game against Cleveland (Thursday) is the start of the Celtics first set of five games in seven days.
Week 8: vs. CLE, vs. CLE, vs. ORL, vs. ORL
Record: 14-9
OffRtg: 116.3 (9) DefRtg: 112.7 (11) NetRtg: +3.6 (8) Pace: 97.9 (26)
On Wednesday, the Nuggets saw the end of their eight-game winning streak against the Clippers. Two nights later, they saw the end of their 10-game winning streak (going back to Game 5 of The Finals) at home. They now have their first three-game losing streak since April.
Three takeaways
Having suffered their first loss at home, the champs will now play a back-to-back in Atlanta and Chicago. They’re 1-2 in Eastern Conference arenas, with the win having come in Detroit by four points.
Week 8: @ ATL, @ CHI, vs. BKN, vs. OKC
Record: 14-7
OffRtg: 117.3 (8) DefRtg: 110.1 (6) NetRtg: +7.2 (3) Pace: 101.6 (6)
The league’s second-ranked 3-point shooting team had a couple of off nights (13-for-58 combined) from beyond the arc last week. But the Thunder managed to split the two games and win their season series (3-1) against the Warriors.
Three takeaways
The Thunder are 2-3 within the top six in the West, and the only two times they’ve scored less than a point per possession this season were games against the Kings and Nuggets. They’ll visit both this week.
Week 8: vs. UTA, @ SAC, @ DEN
Record: 14-7
OffRtg: 120.4 (2) DefRtg: 113.2 (15) NetRtg: +7.2 (4) Pace: 100.0 (15)
Joel Embiid returned from a two-game absence and dropped 50 in Washington on Wednesday. The Sixers won both of their games, though they faced fourth-quarter deficits against both the Wizards and the Hawks without Trae Young.
Three takeaways
The two wins last week began a stretch of seven straight games against teams that currently have losing records, with the Sixers one of five teams that haven’t lost to the bottom 11. They’re 8-0 against that group, with last week’s wins being the only ones that were within five points in the last five minutes.
Week 8: vs. WAS, @ DET, vs. DET, @ CHA
Record: 15-7
OffRtg: 118.8 (3) DefRtg: 115.6 (22) NetRtg: +3.2 (11) Pace: 102.2 (5)
The Bucks had the most efficient offense (127.4 points scored per 100 possessions) in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the In-Season Tournament. But their defense wasn’t good enough against the Pacers on Thursday.
Three takeaways
When the schedule was released in August, the six-game homestand that starts Monday looked like one of the easiest stretches of schedule for any team. But half of the games are against three of the league’s most improved teams, with the Pacers and Rockets in town this week and the homestand (the Bucks’ longest of the season) concluding with a visit from the Magic.
Week 8: vs. CHI, vs. IND, vs. DET, vs. HOU
Record: 14-9
OffRtg: 111.4 (22) DefRtg: 110.3 (7) NetRtg: +1.1 (15) Pace: 100.6 (9)
The Lakers’ seven In-Season Tournament games weren’t the toughest slate of games in regard to the strength of the opponents. But they did beat three good teams on the way to the NBA Cup, and they’ve certainly found a formula for continued success.
Three takeaways
The question is if the Lakers can remain healthy and engaged, and maybe make a few 3-pointers once in a while.
They’ll play six of their next seven games on the road, though they’ll have a rest advantage (just their second of the season) when they visit the Mavs on Tuesday.
Week 8: @ DAL, @ SAS, vs. SAS
Record: 15-7
OffRtg: 113.9 (16) DefRtg: 108.9 (2) NetRtg: +4.9 (5) Pace: 100.6 (11)
The Magic have played the fewest games (6) within the top nine in the Eastern Conference, and they’ve lost the last two of those games, with their loss in Cleveland on Wednesday (despite a career-high 42 points from Paolo Banchero) being their first wire-to-wire defeat of the season.
Three takeaways
The Magic are still in second place in the East, having a head-to-head advantage (1-0) over the similarly 15-7 Bucks. They’re also 1-0 against the first-place Celtics, who they’ll play twice this week. First, they’ll get another shot at the Cavs.
Week 8: vs. CLE, @ BOS, @ BOS
Record: 12-8
OffRtg: 114.5 (12) DefRtg: 114.8 (20) NetRtg: -0.3 (19) Pace: 100.6 (10)
The Pelicans remain the kryptonite. Having beat Phoenix on Friday, the Kings are 8-0 against the other 15 teams that are at least two games over .500. But they’re 0-3 against New Orleans after losing (at home) in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals last week.
Three takeaways
The Kings are 0-2 in the second game of back-to-backs, with the second of those losses (a 14-point defeat in which the Kings lost the second quarter by 14) having come to the Clippers 12 days ago. Both the Kings and the Clippers will be playing the second game of a back-to-back on Tuesday in L.A.
Week 8: vs. BKN, @ LAC, vs. OKC, vs. UTA
Record: 12-8
OffRtg: 123.5 (1) DefRtg: 119.8 (28) NetRtg: +3.8 (7) Pace: 104.1 (1)
The Pacers lost the In-Season Tournament finale, but they were 6-0 in the Tournament games that counted toward the regular-season standings, beating the two Eastern Conference favorites (Boston and Milwaukee) to get to the championship game.
Three takeaways
The Pacers remain on the road, and they’ll face the Bucks again this week. A game in Detroit on Monday offers an opportunity to ease back into the regular schedule, but also a chance for a big post-Tournament letdown.
FOUR-POINT PLAY 🥶
Tyrese Haliburton with a huge play down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/gTHEzWj6Sn
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 5, 2023

Week 8: @ DET, @ MIL, @ WAS, @ MIN
Record: 13-8
OffRtg: 118.8 (4) DefRtg: 115.7 (23) NetRtg: +3.1 (12) Pace: 100.9 (8)
The Mavs have had Maxi Kleber for just five games and they’ve been without Grant Williams for the last two. Now, Kyrie Irving is out with a heel contusion suffered when Dwight Powell landed on him on Friday. But they got to play the Jazz and Blazers last week, they picked up their first two wire-to-wire victories of the season, and they climbed from sixth to third place in the Western Conference.
Three takeaways
Irving is out for at least the Mavs’ game in Memphis on Monday. They’re 3-1 without him this season, with one of the three wins having come (with 35, 12 and 12 from Doncic) in Memphis in Week 2.
Week 8: @ MEM, vs. LAL, vs. MIN, @ POR
Record: 13-9
OffRtg: 111.2 (24) DefRtg: 110.5 (8) NetRtg: +0.6 (17) Pace: 99.6 (17)
The Cavs played two big games last week and got two big wins, holding the Magic and Heat to just 103.4 points per 100 possessions. They’ve won five of their last six to climb into the top six in the East.
Three takeaways
The big games continue this week, and the Cavs will be without both Mobley and Caris LeVert (who’s missed the last three games) in Orlando on Monday. They were 3-1 against the Celtics last season, with all four games within five points in the last five minutes, and their first two ’23-24 meetings are in Boston on Tuesday and Thursday.
Week 8: @ ORL, @ BOS, @ BOS, vs. ATL
Record: 12-9
OffRtg: 115.5 (11) DefRtg: 111.9 (9) NetRtg: +3.6 (10) Pace: 97.1 (28)
The Knicks have been one of the best at taking care of business against bad teams. But they’re now 1-7 (with six straight losses) against teams that have a better record than they do, including 0-5 against the Celtics and Bucks.
Three takeaways
The Knicks will face the Bucks two more times this month (including their Christmas game at Madison Square Garden), but they’ll face a pair of bottom-10 offenses this week, hosting the Raptors on Monday and beginning a four-game trip out West in Utah.
Week 8: vs. TOR, @ UTA, @ PHX, @ LAC
Record: 12-10
OffRtg: 116.3 (10) DefRtg: 113.9 (19) NetRtg: +2.4 (14) Pace: 97.7 (27)
The Suns fumbled away a chance at a trip to Las Vegas and they’ve lost four of their last five games overall, having scored just 110.4 points per 100 possessions over that stretch. But help may be on the way.
Three takeaways
Bradley Beal is reportedly ready to return after missing the last 12 games. So Tuesday could be the first time that the Suns have all three of their stars in the lineup. It’s their third meeting with the Warriors (Phoenix won the first two) and Game 2 of a five-game homestand. The Suns are one of 10 teams with a better record on the road (7-4) than they have at home (5-6).
Week 8: vs. GSW, vs. BKN, vs. NYK, vs. WAS
Record: 11-10
OffRtg: 113.9 (14) DefRtg: 110.0 (5) NetRtg: +3.9 (6) Pace: 98.7 (23)
The Clippers are now 8-3 since that 0-5 start with James Harden, and they’ve climbed back above .500 for the first time since they were 3-2 (right before Harden played his first game).
Three takeaways
The Clippers’ two longest homestands of the season are just four games long. The first begins Monday with the league’s 30th-ranked offense (that of the Blazers), which they haven’t seen since opening night. It also includes big games against two teams — Sacramento and Golden State — they’ve beaten recently.
Week 8: vs. POR, vs. SAC, vs. GSW, vs. NYK
Record: 10-9
OffRtg: 112.8 (20) DefRtg: 109.7 (4) NetRtg: +3.0 (13) Pace: 97.1 (29)
Amazingly, the Rockets’ first road win was the Nuggets’ first home loss. It came just nine days after the Rockets got clobbered in the very same building and with the champs healthier (Jamal Murray played) this time.
Three takeaways
The Rockets are the only team that hasn’t played 20 games, but they’re also the only team that hasn’t yet had a rest-advantage game. The first of their five (fewest in the league) is Sunday in Milwaukee, with the Bucks hosting the Pistons 25 hours earlier. Before that, they’ll have three chances to improve on their 2-3 record against the 11 teams that currently have losing records.
Week 8: vs. SAS, vs. MEM, @ MEM, @ MIL
Record: 12-11
OffRtg: 113.0 (18) DefRtg: 113.5 (16) NetRtg: -0.5 (21) Pace: 100.5 (12)
The Pelicans got another quality win in Sacramento, and are now one of three teams — the Celtics and Lakers are the others — with at least nine wins against teams that enter Week 8 with winning records. But they got clobbered by the aforementioned Lakers in Las Vegas, scoring just 89 points on 103 possessions, the third least-efficient offensive performance for any team this season.
Three takeaways
The Pelicans have the potential to be a top-five team in the West, but they’re now in 10th place. They had a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead at home against the first-place Wolves a few weeks ago, but lost in the final seconds. Their second meeting is Monday (also in New Orleans), and it’s followed by a three-game trip in which the Pelicans will visit three teams with a combined record of 13-49.
HERBERT!!! pic.twitter.com/wyDSQ8Kb4P
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 5, 2023

Week 8: vs. MIN, @ WAS, @ CHA, @ SAS
Record: 12-9
OffRtg: 117.4 (7) DefRtg: 113.8 (18) NetRtg: +3.6 (9) Pace: 99.0 (18)
After winning just six of their first 14 games, the Nets have won six of their last seven, taking advantage of a home-heavy and relatively weak stretch of schedule.
Three takeaways
The Nets have played the league’s most home-heavy schedule to date, with 13 of their 21 games at Barclays Center. They’re 4-4 on the road (six of the eight games have been determined by seven points or less) and now begin a tough, five-game trip out West that will test their defensive improvement. The first three opponents (the Kings, Suns and Nuggets) have been a little disappointing offensively this season, but all have the potential to rank in the top five on that end of the floor.
“He is cold.”
Another look at that @mikal_bridges game-winner 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WjqR9QYG2R
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 7, 2023

Week 8: @ SAC, @ PHX, @ DEN, @ GSW
Record: 12-10
OffRtg: 114.1 (13) DefRtg: 113.0 (13) NetRtg: +1.0 (16) Pace: 98.6 (24)
The Heat are a resilient group, but everybody’s resilience can only go so far. They’ve been without Bam Adebayo for the last three games and are now 2-4 without their starting center, having lost a big game against the Cavs on Friday.
Three takeaways
Adebayo remains out for the Heat’s game in Charlotte on Monday, but that’s start of a stretch where they’re playing seven of 10 against teams that currently have losing records. They’re 8-1 against that group thus far, though the one loss came to the Bulls, who’ll be in town for two games this week.
Week 8: @ CHA, vs. CHA, vs. CHI, vs. CHI
Record: 10-12
OffRtg: 113.9 (15) DefRtg: 113.6 (17) NetRtg: +0.3 (18) Pace: 100.5 (13)
The Warriors have played only three games against the other 10 teams that currently have losing records, while every other team has played at least five games against the bottom 11. But to be a good team, you’ve got to beat good teams, and the Warriors haven’t won two straight games since Nov. 1 and 3.
Three takeaways
The Warriors have three more games against teams with winning records this week, and they’re currently 1-3 against the Suns and Clippers, who they’ll visit on Tuesday and Thursday. Their schedule will get a little easier (and more home-heavy) after that.
Week 8: @ PHX, @ LAC, vs. BKN, @ POR
Record: 9-12
OffRtg: 118.0 (5) DefRtg: 118.3 (26) NetRtg: -0.3 (20) Pace: 103.1 (3)
The Hawks remain confounding. They’ve lost five of their last six games, with the only win coming by two points over a team (the Spurs) that’s lost 16 straight.
Three takeaways
The Hawks are only seven games into a stretch where they’re playing 15 of 21 on the road. They enter Week 8 just a half-game ahead of the 12th-place Raptors, who they’ll visit for a two-game series on Wednesday and Friday.
Week 8: vs. DEN, @ TOR, @ TOR, @ CLE
Record: 9-14
OffRtg: 110.5 (25) DefRtg: 115.0 (21) NetRtg: -4.5 (23) Pace: 96.6 (30)
The 5-14 Bulls are now the 9-14 Bulls, with their longest winning streak of the last two seasons. They got an easy Week 7 schedule and they took advantage, using a couple of big third quarters to beat the Hornets and Spurs.
Three takeaways
If the Bulls can continue this winning streak against this week’s schedule, it’ll be time to take notice. But the streak did begin with a win over the Bucks in which they held the league’s third-ranked offense to its second least efficient performance of the season. The third of four meetings is Monday in Milwaukee.
Week 8: @ MIL, vs. DEN, @ MIA, @ MIA
Record: 7-13
OffRtg: 112.9 (19) DefRtg: 120.7 (29) NetRtg: -7.8 (26) Pace: 100.0 (16)
Three of the five times the Hornets have scored more than 120 points per 100 possessions have come in these last five games without LaMelo Ball. But there have also been a couple of ugly nights on that end of the floor, and the defense hasn’t been good, to put it lightly.
Three takeaways
The Hornets are just 3-10 against the 19 teams that currently have winning records. They’ll play 11 of their next 12 games against that group, with a home-and-home series against Miami this week. They were without Rozier, Miller and Gordon Hayward when they lost a close game to the Heat about a month ago.
Week 8: vs. MIA, @ MIA, vs. NOP, vs. PHI
Record: 9-13
OffRtg: 111.3 (23) DefRtg: 113.1 (14) NetRtg: -1.8 (22) Pace: 98.8 (22)
If there’s a winning formula here, the Raptors haven’t found it yet. They’ve lost five of their last six games, with a bottom-five offense over that stretch.
Three takeaways
The Raptors rank 23rd offensively even though they’ve played more games against bottom-10 defenses (10) than they have against top-10 offenses (7). One of the two other times they shot worse than 20% from 3 was against the Knicks’ ninth-ranked defense 10 days ago, and they’ll be at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Week 8: @ NYK, vs. ATL, vs. ATL
Record: 6-15
OffRtg: 105.5 (30) DefRtg: 112.5 (10) NetRtg: -7.0 (25) Pace: 98.5 (25)
Anfernee Simons made his return last week, having not played since tearing a ligament in his right thumb on opening night. But the Blazers were without Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton for both of their games, also losing Malcolm Brogdon for the last game and a half. So those four guys have played a total of 3.1 minutes together through the team’s first 21 games.
Three takeaways
One of their two better-than-average offensive games and the only time the Blazers outscored their opponent in the paint was Nov. 22, at home against Utah. The Jazz are back in Portland on Thursday for the start of a five-game homestand, with Games 2 and 3 being a weekend back-to-back against the same two teams — Dallas and Golden State — the Blazers lost to last week. Portland is 3-1 in the second games of back-to-backs and 3-14 with rest.
Week 8: @ LAC, vs. UTA, vs. DAL, vs. GSW
Record: 6-15
OffRtg: 106.8 (29) DefRtg: 112.7 (12) NetRtg: -5.9 (24) Pace: 99.0 (19)
The Grizzlies took advantage of their extra game against the Pistons, outscoring Detroit, 34-18 in the fourth quarter to improve to 5-6 on the road. But despite a career-high 49 points from Desmond Bane against a bottom-10 defense, the Grizzlies have scored less efficiently than the league average in each of their last nine games.
Three takeaways
Smart should be getting close to a return (he’s out vs. Dallas on Monday) and Ja Morant has just four games left on his suspension, but it won’t be an easy climb back to relevancy. The Grizzlies’ loss to Minnesota was the start of seven straight games against teams that currently have winning records.
Week 8: vs. DAL, @ HOU, vs. HOU
Record: 7-15
OffRtg: 109.4 (26) DefRtg: 118.0 (25) NetRtg: -8.6 (27) Pace: 100.0 (14)
The Jazz have two wins against the Grizzlies, two against the Pelicans and two against the Blazers. Against everybody else, they’re 1-13, and they lost by 50 in Dallas on Wednesday.
Three takeaways
Markkanen will be out again when the Jazz play in Oklahoma City on Monday. Walker Kessler was back in the starting lineup (after six games of coming off the bench) on Friday, but he’s now back on the injured list (with a sore foot). The visit to OKC is the fifth game in a stretch where the Jazz are playing six of seven against top-10 defenses.
Week 8: @ OKC, vs. NYK, @ POR, @ SAC
Record: 3-18
OffRtg: 112.1 (21) DefRtg: 120.7 (30) NetRtg: -8.7 (28) Pace: 103.8 (2)
The Wizards’ only win in the last 32 days remains that losing streak vs. losing streak victory in Detroit in Week 6. They’ve since dropped four straight games, allowing almost 127 points per 100 possessions.
Three takeaways
The Wizards are four games into a stretch of nine straight against teams that currently have winning records. They’re now 0-13 against that group, and they’ll face the Sixers for the third time on Monday.
Week 8: @ PHI, vs. NOP, vs. IND, @ PHX
Record: 3-18
OffRtg: 107.1 (27) DefRtg: 118.9 (27) NetRtg: -11.8 (30) Pace: 102.3 (4)
By the numbers, the Spurs had their best defensive game and their third best offensive game of the season last week. They lost ’em both, and their losing streak has hit 16 games.
Three takeaways
One of the Spurs’ three wins came against the Rockets, a Week 1 victory in which Houston shot just 1-for-13 on shots that Wembanyama defended. Meeting No. 2 is Monday in Houston, the start of a stretch of five straight games against teams that have winning records.
Week 8: @ HOU, vs. LAL, vs. LAL, vs. NOP
Record: 2-20
OffRtg: 107.1 (28) DefRtg: 117.1 (24) NetRtg: -10.0 (29) Pace: 100.9 (7)
The Pistons were given an extra home game against Memphis, they had a lead going into the fourth quarter, and … welp. They’ve now lost 19 straight games, tied for the ninth-longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.
Three takeaways
The Detroit defense has been at its best (111.7 points allowed per 100 possessions) with Jalen Duren on the floor, but the second-year center (who’s recorded three straight double-doubles) is out a couple of weeks with a sprained ankle.
The Orlando loss began a stretch of five straight games against the top five in the East. But maybe the Pacers (who will be in Detroit on Monday) will be weary after playing an extra game in Las Vegas.
Week 8: vs. IND, vs. PHI, @ PHI, @ MIL
Anthony Davis dominates, Tyrese Haliburton proves his worth as a franchise player and the league scores a win as L.A. caps off a successful tournament.
Talented big men swap spots while Tyrese Haliburton delivers again on the big stage at the In-Season Tournament.
The 19-year-old rookie became the youngest player to log a 20/20 game and filmed his 1st commercial in the same week.
Dallas' star guard begins treatment for a right heel contusion after teammate Dwight Powell inadvertently stepped on his foot.
Anthony Davis dominates, Tyrese Haliburton proves his worth as a franchise player and the league scores a win as L.A. caps off a successful tournament.
Talented big men swap spots while Tyrese Haliburton delivers again on the big stage at the In-Season Tournament.
The 19-year-old rookie became the youngest player to log a 20/20 game and filmed his 1st commercial in the same week.
Dallas' star guard begins treatment for a right heel contusion after teammate Dwight Powell inadvertently stepped on his foot.
Lillard’s 3-pointer in the 3rd quarter was the 2,451st of his career, moving him past Korver for fifth in NBA history.
Antetokounmpo shatters the previous mark of 57 points, set by Michael Redd in 2006.
The veteran forward returns to New York, where he played from 2019 to 2022.
Warriors star Draymond Green will miss an undetermined number of games following the 18th ejection of his career.
Green's suspension takes into account his 'repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts' and he'll be required to meet certain league and team conditions before returning.
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