The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves have seized the top three spots in the Week 4 NBA Power Rankings.
- Memphis Grizzlies assets take a value hit following their recent 0-3 skid.
The Western Conference has established a fierce 23-6 advantage (.793) against the East in interconference games after going 13-4 last week, according to NBA.com reporting. Preseason expectations favored a deeply competitive Eastern Conference featuring the additions of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis alongside returning stars. Yet, the early interconference numbers tell a starkly different story.
The Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors currently sit as a combined 11-2 within their own conference while managing just a 1-6 record against the West. Only 6% of the total interconference schedule has been completed, leaving plenty of room for correction. However, a 23-6 disparity remains an unexpected opening statement as Week 4 unfolds.
The San Antonio vaulted to the number one position in the rankings on an eight-game winning streak. During this run, the squad maintained top-three ratings on both ends of the floor. Victor Wembanyama spearheaded this surge just a week after becoming the first player in 50 years to tally 50-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, and 5-plus blocks in a single contest against the Dallas Mavericks.
Wembanyama accomplished that historic feat despite struggling early from mid-range and beyond the arc. Over the weekend, however, he found his shooting rhythm by converting seven of his 12 three-point attempts across matchups in Sacramento and Portland. The San Antonio starting lineup continues to limit opposing offenses efficiently, allowing just 85.8 points per 100 possessions.
The Thunder dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards by a combined 70 points over the weekend. That defensive clampdown propelled OKC from 12th to third in defensive rating across a mere 27-hour window.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves captured the third position after rattling off four consecutive victories without Anthony Edwards. The Wolves erased the sting of an early three-game skid—which came during a grueling stretch of five games in seven days—by handing the Houston Rockets their first home loss of the season on Wednesday. Minnesota now embarks on a lengthy eight-game homestand.
| Rank | Team | Record | OffRtg (Rank) | DefRtg (Rank) | NetRtg (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio Spurs | 8-2 | 117.2 (5) | 107.1 (5) | +10.1 (3) |
| 2 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 8-2 | 113.4 (17) | 105.5 (3) | +8.0 (5) |
| 3 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 8-3 | 116.2 (8) | 105.1 (1) | +11.1 (2) |
| 4 | Houston Rockets | 7-3 | 118.6 (2) | 109.4 (10) | +9.2 (4) |
| 5 | Philadelphia 76ers | 9-2 | 110.3 (20) | 107.6 (6) | +2.7 (15) |
While the top of the league is dominated by Western Conference juggernauts, the Eastern Conference features tightly contested battles at the top tier. The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics prepare to clash on Tuesday with first place in the Eastern Conference on the line.
For the Toronto Raptors, designated as the Week 4 team to watch by NBA.com, a difficult schedule looms. The Raptors have yet to face any of the other six Eastern Conference teams currently sitting at or above the .500 mark. Following a Monday fixture against the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto faces a brutal stretch featuring matchups against the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and a double-header against the New York Knicks.
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