Offensive Rating and Defensive Rating: Teams and Key Players in the NBA

When analyzing NBA performance, offensive rating and defensive rating are among the most reliable metrics for going beyond a team’s simple win-loss record. Offensive rating measures points scored per 100 possessions, while defensive rating indicates points allowed. The higher the first and the lower the second, the greater a team’s overall effectiveness.

Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to clarify that the player data includes only those who have surpassed a minimum threshold of minutes and games played. Injured players and sporadic appearances are excluded, ensuring fair and meaningful comparisons across teams.

OKC’s elite defense

From a defensive standpoint, this season has a clear ruler: the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a defensive rating of 106.6, OKC sits comfortably ahead of the rest of the league. The Detroit Pistons, second on the list, already trail by about three points, while the San Antonio Spurs, third at 112.4, mark another significant step down. This gap highlights just how dominant the Thunder’s defense has been. When combined with their 119.9 offensive rating, OKC stands out as one of the league’s most complete teams on both ends of the floor.

Nobody like the Nuggets on offense

On the offensive side, the Denver Nuggets lead the league with an offensive rating of 122.7, followed closely by the Boston Celtics (122.1). Next come the Houston Rockets (120.0) and the New York Knicks (119.9), tied with the Thunder. This ranking shows which teams are best at maximizing points per possession.

Balance is the key word

The Houston Rockets emerge as the most statistically cohesive team, with players showing similar impact on both offense and defense. The only real outlier is Steven Adams, whose influence is significantly greater on the defensive end than on offense – yet he remains perfectly integrated within the team system.

Not all teams show this kind of balance. The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets display highly skewed profiles, heavily favoring one side of the ball. The opposite is true for the Spurs, largely thanks to Victor Wembanyama, a defensive anchor averaging 2.5 blocks and nearly 11 rebounds per game.

By cross-referencing offensive and defensive ratings, the league’s most struggling teams also become clear. The Pacers, Kings, and Wizards rank among the worst overall, landing near the bottom in both efficiency metrics and the NBA standings.

A Giannis–Bucks curiosity

One final interesting note comes from the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks ninth in the league in offensive rating and is by far the best on his team in that category. The Bucks’ second-best player by offensive rating sits all the way down at 100th overall. That gap underscores just how heavily Milwaukee’s offense depends on its superstar.