NBA Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2025-26 Season

The calendar has flipped to January, providing an opportunity to assess the NBA’s current standing at this point in the 2025-26 season.

Although the Oklahoma City Thunder have cooled off from their record-setting pace to start the year, they remain the team to beat as the NBA championship odds favorites. I’ll need more convincing before I don’t view the Thunder as the top team.

Read on for my updated NBA power rankings:

NBA Power Rankings 2025-26

Best NBA Teams, 2025-26

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

My power rankings don’t overreact throughout the year. The Thunder remain the best team in the sport and the championship favorites for a reason.

2. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons continue to lead the Eastern Conference, making J.B. Bickerstaff the NBA Coach of the Year odds favorite after his runner-up finish last season.

3. New York Knicks

After winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks have their sights set on an NBA Finals run this year. They haven’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999.

4. San Antonio Spurs

The future is now for the Spurs, who have shattered preseason expectations and emerged as the second-best team in the Western Conference.

5. Houston Rockets

Houston has been better than its overall record suggests, posting the second-best point differential in the league.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota has been stuck at the No. 6 spot in the West for much of the year, but the profile of this team remains strong after consecutive trips to the conference finals.

7. Boston Celtics

Despite being without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are second in offensive rating. They are for real.

8. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets will climb back up these ranks with improved health, particularly once Nikola Jokić returns to the floor.

9. Los Angeles Lakers

All signs point to regression for the Lakers, who are third in the West with a negative net rating. An undefeated clutch record is propping them up a bit.

10. Phoenix Suns

Nobody saw this season coming from the Suns, who recently knocked off the Thunder on a step-back triple from Devin Booker.

11. Miami Heat

Miami revamped its offensive system, focusing on transition and isolation plays rather than ball screens. It has made the Heat an intriguing sleeper in the East.

12. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have underwhelmed after being the No. 1 seed in the East last year. Can they get back on track?

13. Toronto Raptors

Thanks to some improved health compared to last year, the Raptors are on pace for their first postseason berth since 2022.

14. Philadelphia 76ers

Although they can’t seem to have everyone healthy at the same time, the 76ers find themselves in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

15. Orlando Magic

Orlando has rebounded from its slow start and ranks 13th in offensive rating. The Magic haven’t ranked in the top 15 in that metric since 2012.

16. Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry has been playing out of his mind, but the Warriors can’t seem to escape the play-in picture.

17. Atlanta Hawks

Don’t be surprised if the Hawks shake things up near the trade deadline after underwhelming thus far.

18. Portland Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija continues to lead the way as the NBA Most Improved Player odds favorite.

19. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis is back to ranking in the top 10 in pace with Ja Morant running the show.

20. Chicago Bulls

Same as they ever were, the Bulls find themselves firmly in the play-in picture.

21. Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the trade block, or the Bucks might make one final effort to contend with him at the deadline. Either way, they have to do something.

22. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have been playing much better of late, but they might have dug themselves too big a hole to start the year.

23. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg is starting to create some cushion in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds race.

24. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte rookies Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James have all made an impact in their debut campaigns.

25. Utah Jazz

The Jazz owe their first-round pick to the Thunder if it’s outside the top eight, so they’d be wise to start losing a bit more in the coming months.

26. Brooklyn Nets

Michael Porter Jr. has turned into a nice potential trade target with the way he’s been playing for the Nets this year.

27. New Orleans Pelicans

It’s possible to believe in Derik Queen and think the Pelicans made a horrible trade (an unprotected 2026 first) to land him.

28. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers could benefit from this gap year, as they own their pick in the 2026 class, which features multiple difference-makers.

29. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento ranks 30th in net rating, which seems impossible when you look at the names on this roster.

30. Washington Wizards

Here’s hoping this is the year the Wizards can land their franchise cornerstone in the draft.

Who is the Best NBA Team this Season?

According to these power rankings, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best NBA team in the 2025-26 season. The Pistons are ranked No. 2, while the Knicks are No. 3.

Who is the Worst NBA Team this Season?

The Washington Wizards are rated No. 30 in the league based on these updated power rankings.