2018-19 NBA Power Rankings: Nuggets, Clippers rise in Week 24

In Week 24 of NBA Power Rankings for 2018-19, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets are on the rise in a brutal, ever-changing Western Conference.

As the postseason creeps closer, the playoff picture in both conferences is as jumbled as ever. Out West, seeds 5-8 are separated by just one game. In the East, sixth place is only three games ahead of 10th.

Every night, one win or one loss can dramatically shift the current playoff picture. Just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have rapidly dropped to eighth in the West, the Orlando Magic, who are suddenly in control of their destiny for a playoff spot, or the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, who swapped fifth and sixth place just like that on Monday night.

The Clippers, who have shocked the world as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises this season, are within striking distance of home-court advantage, while the Denver Nuggets, an equally large surprise, are just half a game behind the Golden State Warriors for the 1-seed.

With so many teams in the West revving up at the right time and the top of the Eastern Conference looking as formidable as ever, the bottom of each playoff picture will be fascinating to watch unfold. To sort it all out, here are the latest NBA Power Rankings.