G League Power Rankings: Week 2

With just about every team having four or more games under their belts, it’s time to roll out the first iteration of this year’s power rankings featuring the league’s ten best squads so far.

Small, early sample sizes are always intriguing. After the first two full weeks of action, just one team can say it doesn’t have a loss to its name: the Maine Celtics. Meanwhile, the league’s worst team last season, the Cleveland Charge, has gotten off to as good a start as it could’ve hoped for. Some of last year’s playoff teams, including the Capital City Go-Go, College Park Skyhawks, Ontario Clippers, and Raptors 905, have also hit the ground running out of the gate.

Take a look at who has cracked the initial top ten.

1. Maine Celtics

Record: 5-0
2021-22 record: 16-16

The lone undefeated team in the league takes the top spot in the inaugural rankings. Six Celtics are posting more than 11 points per game so far this season, with former NBA first-rounder Luka Samanic leading the way posting 20.4 points to go along with 12.4 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, his frontcourt mate in Mfiondu Kabengele is also averaging a double-double of his own with 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Along with the immediate impact rookie JD Davison (16.6 PTS, 5.2 REB, 5.8 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.2 BLK) has provided, Maine is seriously clicking at the moment.

2. Ontario Clippers

Record: 6-1
2021-22 record: 22-11

After dropping their season opener against Santa Cruz by just one point, Ontario has since reeled off six straight wins. Xavier Moon and Nate Darling have gotten off to especially hot starts, the latter of which is logging 22.4 points per game while shooting 37.7% from three-point range on over eight attempts per outing. Big men Moussa Diabate (18.2 PTS, 9.3 REB) and Juwan Morgan (9.3 PTS, 7.3 REB, 1.0 STL, 1.7 BLK) have also helped these Clippers find their stride of late.

3. Cleveland Charge

Record: 5-1
2021-22 record: 6-26

The Charge have nearly matched their win total from the 2021-22 regular season after just five games this year. Contributions have come from up and down the roster, namely the league’s second-leading scorer Sharife Cooper (31.2 PTS, 6.7 AST), who has dropped 40+ points in back-to-back games. Jamorko Pickett (20.0 PTS, 14.0 REB, 1.5 STL, 1.8 BLK) and top-overall G League Draft pick Sam Merrill (16.7 PTS, 4.0 REB, 3.3 AST) have also been massive. It’s early, but the Charge appear to have a good thing going.

4. Raptors 905

Record: 4-1
2021-22 record: 24-8

The Eastern Conference’s best team based on record last year has looked like its usual winning self. They have a pair of 20-point-per-game scorers in Saben Lee (20.2 PTS, 4.4 AST, 2.6 STL) and Jeff Dowtin Jr. (21.3 PTS, 5.8 AST, 1.3 STL). In addition, rookie Ron Harper Jr. (18.0 PTS, 7.3 REB, 1.5 STL, 1.0 BLK) has already made an immediate two-way impact for this squad. They will be lurking all throughout the year.

5. Capital City Go-Go

Record: 4-2
2021-22 record: 21-10

Boasting the league’s second-best net rating to this point in the season, Capital City has started their season with some strong all-around play. Former first-rounder Kris Dunn (14.8 PTS, 7.6 REB, 5.2 AST, 2.0 STL) has been a force on both ends of the court, most recently coming just two rebounds shy of a triple-double against Delaware. Along with Vernon Carey Jr. (20.3 PTS, 10.0 REB) and Jordan Schakel (17.4 PTS), expect this team to continue making noise.

6. Windy City Bulls

Record: 4-1
2021-22 record: 15-19

So far, the immediate returns on Windy City’s new backcourt duo of Carlik Jones and Chris Clemons have been nothing but positive. Both are putting up more than 16 points per game, with Jones also averaging over eight assists and five rebounds per game. They’ve paired very nicely with big men Marko Simonovic (16.4 PTS, 9.6 REB) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (11.4 PTS, 5.4 REB, 1.4 STL, 1.4 BLK) as the Bulls have gotten off to a strong start to their season.

7. Mexico City Capitanes

Record: 3-2 
2021-22 record: N/A

Mexico City has shown signs of real promise thanks to its slew of notable NBA veterans on the roster. Chief among them is Gary Clark, who so far is averaging a double-double with 17.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as well as 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Additional contributions from Mason Jones (21.2 PTS, 6.2 REB, 4.2 AST, 1.6 STL), Jahlil Okafor (16.8 PTS, 7.0 REB), and Shabazz Napier (13.3 PTS, 4.8 AST) have the Capitanes in a good spot at the moment while boasting the best defensive rating in the G League (99.8) and a case for the best home court advantage in the league with a packed Arena CDMX.

8. College Park Skyhawks

Record: 3-2
2021-22 record: 20-13

A bevy of roster turnover this past offseason has so far led to College Park boasting a top-five offense. Brandon Williams, in particular, has proven to be an extremely valuable pickup, as he’s currently the only eligible player in the league to log at least 22 points and 10 assists per game. Add in NBA veteran Armoni Brooks, who is shooting 38.3% from three-point range on over nine attempts per game, as well as additional production from Chris Silva (15.6 PTS, 8.8 REB, 1.8 STL, 1.2 BLK), and the Skyhawks have plenty of useful players at their disposal.

9. Oklahoma City Blue

Record: 3-2
2021-22 record: 15-20

A top-three defense highlights the start to this season for Oklahoma City. New addition Jahmi’us Ramsey (23.8 PTS, 5.8 AST, 4.8 REB, 1.2 STL) has provided a nice scoring punch alongside two-way wing Eugene Omoruyi (21.0 PTS, 4.3 REB, 1.5 STL). Additionally, big man D.J. Wilson (15.4 PTS, 6.6 REB, 1.6 BLK) has offered more than enough rim protection for this team as they look to maintain their winning ways.

10. Lakeland Magic

Record: 3-2
2021-22 record: 11-21

The league’s second-ranked offense so far, this Lakeland team certainly doesn’t lack juice on that end of the court. Jay Scrubb (23.4 PTS, 4.2 REB, 1.6 STL) has been leading the way in that department, most recently setting a new career high with his 38-point effort in a win against Birmingham. Add that to a hot start by his backcourt partner Zavier Simpson (17.4 PTS, 8.4 AST, 6.2 REB, 1.4 STL) and Lakeland will be a team worthy of staying on the league’s radar.