Power Rankings, Week 3: Cavs and Thunder Maintain Perfect Records as They Rise in Standings

We were only able to make it to Week 2 of the season before being faced with the harsh reality that injuries are a significant factor every year.

Have Cavaliers or Thunder had more impressive start to season?

The good news is that Paul George is expected to make his Philadelphia 76ers’ debut on Monday, though teammate Joel Embiid remains out. But before either of those guys suited up, other players around the league were lost to long-term injuries.

Two days after he scored 50 points against the Pacers, Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero suffered a torn oblique muscle. Two days earlier, the Toronto Raptors lost their best player — Scottie Barnes — to an orbital fracture.

The New Orleans Pelicans, already missing Trey Murphy III, are without Herb Jones and CJ McCollum for at least two weeks, while the Atlanta Hawks are also missing multiple guards and wings.

The Utah Jazz are playing for the future but lost second-year forward Taylor Hendricks (the No. 9 pick in 2023) to a devastating leg fracture. They’ve also been without their best player — Lauri Markkanen — for the last 2 1/2 games.

Not to be outdone, the Indiana Pacers have already lost two bigs — James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson — to torn Achilles tendons. Kawhi Leonard, Khris Middleton and Kristaps Porzingis meanwhile, remain out for the Clippers, Bucks and Celtics, respectively.

Sometimes, this league is just about making it to the next game in decent health. But some teams are doing a lot more than just surviving. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers remain undefeated and have risen to the top of this week’s Power Rankings.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Caris LeVert (CLE) was a plus-57 in three games last week.Wrong Way: Walker Kessler (UTA) was a minus-61 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Cleveland (4-0) — The Cavs passed their first real tests.Something Just Ain’t Right: Milwaukee (0-3) — The Week 2 losses were to better teams than the Week 1 losses, but a 1-5 start is rough no matter the competition.

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East vs. West

The West is 13-6 (.684) against the East in interconference games after going 8-5 last week.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Golden State (+8), Houston (+5), Brooklyn (+5), Sacramento (+5)Free falls of the week: Philadelphia (-13), LA Clippers (-8), Milwaukee (-7)

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Week 3 Team to Watch

Golden State — The Warriors are 5-1 with the league’s best point differential, despite losing Stephen Curry for the last three games. They’re one game into five-game trip that includes visits to Boston (Wednesday on ESPN), Cleveland (Friday) and Oklahoma City (Sunday), basically the toughest three-game gauntlet any team could possibly face right now.

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Previously…

Last week: Surging Lakers, Cavs climb into Top 5The 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 has averaged 112.1 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.4 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, contact him via Bluesky.