NBA standings ordered by record in 2024: Are the Cavs and Thunder sleeping giants?

Western Conference standings ordered by record in 2024. 

1) LA Clippers: 18-7 
2) Oklahoma City Thunder: 18-8 
3) Denver Nuggets: 16-8
4) Phoenix Suns: 16-9
5) Minnesota Timberwolves: 16-10 
6) New Orleans Pelicans: 15-10 
7) Golden State Warriors: 14-10
8) Dallas Mavericks: 14-10
9) Los Angeles Lakers: 14-10 
10) Sacramento Kings: 14-11
11) Utah Jazz: 13-12
12) Memphis Grizzlies: 10–15
13) Houston Rockets: 10-17
14) Portland Trail Blazers: 6-19
15) San Antonio Spurs: 6-20

After losing their first six games of the James Harden era, the Clippers have been on an absolute tear. They had the third-best record in the NBA in 2024 and the best record in the West during that span. That should guarantee them home court advantage in the playoffs and give them a real shot at a deep playoff run.

The surging Thunder are now tied for the best record in the West and are the second-hottest team in the NBA behind the Celtics. After winning just 40 games last season and being a play-in team, they have already matched their win total from last season and could very well be the number one seed.

Although the Suns have one of the toughest schedules remaining, they have begun to figure things out, and their offense appears to be as good as we thought it could be with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Nevertheless, they are one of four teams—including the Kings, Pelicans, and Mavericks—that are within a game of each other. They could finish as high as five or as low as eight and be forced to take part in the play-in tournament.

Ultimately, the Cavs, Celtics, and Thunder are the hottest teams in the NBA this year. With the playoffs just seven weeks away, we'll see if they can maintain their strong play.