The first quarter of the 2025–26 NBA season has delivered decisive trends across the league. Some teams have emerged as early powerhouses, others are clinging to competitive hope, and a handful are staring down the long arc of a rebuild. With injuries, new roles, surprising developments, and shifting chemistry shaping the standings, the league hierarchy is beginning to stabilize — at least for now.
This Dec. 5 edition of the power rankings runs No. 30 through No. 1, reflecting both performance and sustainable indicators moving forward.
30. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are searching for answers on both ends of the floor. Their defensive structure breaks down too often, their offensive rhythm disappears for long stretches, and they haven’t found a consistent footing in crunch time. Without reliable creation or lineup balance, New Orleans has struggled to keep games competitive. The big question isn’t how they salvage this season — it’s what direction they choose next. Zion Williamson is now sidelined and has once again become a focus of NBA trade rumors.
29. Washington Wizards
Washington’s young players continue to flash potential, but the team lacks the defensive presence and physicality needed to stay in games. Despite intermittent scoring bursts, the Wizards frequently fall behind early and can’t recover. Development and long-term positioning remain the priorities as they navigate another season of growing pains. This team is focused on getting the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft more than making a run at the play-in.
28. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been derailed by injuries and instability, forcing young players into oversized roles. Their defense gives up high-quality looks, their offense stalls without reliable spacing, and the identity they built around Tyrese Haliburton hasn’t survived the early-season turbulence. This NBA season is clearly about evaluation rather than contention.
27. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento has lost its grip on the progress made in recent seasons. Defensive inconsistencies, stagnant offense, and late-game breakdowns have defined their start. Unless they find a strong pivot point or make meaningful roster changes, this could become one of their more disappointing seasons in recent memory.
26. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is firmly in rebuild mode, still sorting through young talent to identify long-term pieces. Their offense struggles to produce efficient looks, and their defensive resistance fades under pressure. Without a foundational star or established identity, the Nets remain reliant on internal growth and favorable draft positioning.
25. LA Clippers
The Clippers’ structural issues have only grown more glaring. Their once-elite defense has evaporated, their offensive cohesion comes in short bursts, and star availability hasn’t improved their trajectory. Without draft control or clear roster fixes, they are left searching for lineups that can simply keep them competitive. After sending Chris Paul home, the team has made more headlines than won games.
24. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte continues to show inconsistency across the board. The Hornets haven’t found dependable scoring outside of isolated stretches, and defensive lapses erase competitive starts. Their youth movement has produced encouraging moments, but the roster still lacks the experience and execution needed to climb. LaMelo Ball’s future remains a fixture, but Kon Knueppel has stolen the show.
23. Utah Jazz
Utah’s effort level keeps them competitive, but their defensive shortcomings and lack of late-game clarity prevent them from stringing together wins. With their draft pick protections looming large, the Jazz face a delicate balance between competing and managing long-term assets. The flashes are real; the consistency is not. This team will likely fade as the tank button gets hit.
22. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has responded with better energy recently, but the long-term outlook remains tied to Cooper Flagg’s development and major roster decisions ahead. They struggle with spacing, rim pressure, and defensive communication — issues that will take time and roster reshaping to solve. This season is about positioning the franchise for the next phase. The Mavericks are trying to win and have seemingly finally found a formula with Anthony Davis at center while Ryan Nembhard runs point.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers play fast and freely, generating offense through tempo and opportunistic scoring. But without reliable defense — especially around the rim — they struggle to protect leads or respond to opponent runs. Their youth and injuries contribute to volatility, but there’s enough talent to keep them in most games. Deni Avdija continues to play at an All-Star level, but the rest has been a struggle.
20. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is once again dealing with volatility tied to availability and lineup flux. They work hard, but the lack of continuity has produced uneven results on both ends. The Grizzlies haven’t found stable secondary scoring, and their defense suffers when their primary creators miss time. Improvement should come — but the road is long. Zach Edey has dominated the paint, and Cedric Coward looks like a strong candidate for All-Rookie First Team. How will this look when Ja Morant is back? That’s the question.
19. Chicago Bulls
Chicago’s promising start has given way to a difficult stretch marked by defensive breakdowns and inconsistent offensive execution. They’re competitive for stretches but struggle to finish games. The roster has talent, yet the Bulls haven’t found the cohesion necessary to stop their skid. Josh Giddey continues to put up numbers, but there is a need to get back on track collectively.
18. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are still working through major adjustments. Their offense has been erratic, their defense less connected, and their rotations fluid as they search for combinations that work. Milwaukee remains dangerous on paper, but the collective identity that defined their peak years hasn’t returned. Giannis Antetokounmpo very well could have played his last game with the team after suffering a calf injury, taking precedence over the short-term potential of this group.
17. Golden State Warriors
Golden State continues to straddle eras. Stephen Curry still delivers brilliant performances, but the Warriors don’t generate enough efficient offense or consistent defense to support him nightly. Their bench production and athletic gap have become increasingly difficult to mask. This team needs to figure it out fast in a loaded Western Conference.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta has been competitive but inconsistent. Injuries have disrupted their rhythm, defensive connectivity fluctuates, and offensive balance shifts game to game. Jalen Johnson’s growth has been a bright spot, but the Hawks need steadier perimeter shooting and late-game reliability to climb.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have hovered around average while dealing with injuries, shooting swings, and lineup shuffling. Their defensive ceiling remains high, but offensive stretches without their top creators are a challenge. Cleveland remains solid — but far from its projected peak.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is trending upward as Tyrese Maxey continues his ascent into near-superstar territory. They’ve shown structure despite injury interruptions, and role players are providing meaningful contributions. If their shooting stabilizes and health cooperates, the Sixers could rise quickly. Joel Embiid has been unable to stay healthy.
13. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has exceeded expectations with improved defensive effort and balanced scoring. Under a more cohesive system, their role players have flourished. The Suns don’t overwhelm opponents with star power, but they compete with discipline and consistency — a notable shift from a season ago.
12. Orlando Magic
Orlando’s defense remains one of the most punishing in the NBA, and the offense has made strides thanks to better spacing and guard play. Franz Wagner continues to anchor their stability. Shooting remains the team’s biggest swing factor, but their identity is strong enough to withstand droughts.
11. Boston Celtics
Boston has leaned on its depth and discipline to weather injuries and lineup changes. The offense has improved through shot distribution and movement, while the defense remains stout when fully locked in. The Celtics haven’t peaked — which could be an encouraging sign. Jaylen Brown has played at a very high level.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota isn’t firing on all cylinders yet, but its core strengths remain intact. Anthony Edwards’ expanded scoring range and Rudy Gobert’s defensive stability give them a potent floor. Once their shooting normalizes and their bench gains rhythm, they can challenge the West’s upper tier again.
9. Miami Heat
The Heat have completely reshaped their offensive identity, embracing a faster pace and simpler structure. Norman Powell has added much-needed scoring punch, and Erik Spoelstra continues to maximize every role player. With their defense holding strong, Miami looks like a genuine riser. Tyler Herro recently made his season debut and has suffered another injury. If this team can hold it together, the momentum is there right now.
8. Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s defensive pressure has made it one of the most difficult teams to play against. Scottie Barnes looks refreshed, Brandon Ingram has stabilized their half-court scoring, and their positional size allows them to dictate pace and physicality. Their offense can still stagnate, but their base is real.
7. New York Knicks
The Knicks continue to grind teams down with rebounding, physicality, and consistency. Jalen Brunson remains one of the NBA’s top closers, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby provide two-way versatility that overwhelms opponents. Few teams execute their identity as cleanly as New York.
6. Denver Nuggets
Denver’s offense has reached staggering levels again thanks to Nikola Jokić’s brilliance. Jamal Murray’s scoring surge and strong bench play have given them a powerful rhythm. Their defense wavers, but their offensive ceiling keeps them in every matchup. When they control pace, they’re nearly unstoppable.
5. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio’s backcourt upgrade has transformed their structure. De’Aaron Fox has brought speed, playmaking, and crunch-time reliability, while the rotation bigs have covered minutes admirably in Victor Wembanyama’s absence. Their improved communication and clarity make them a legitimate problem in the West.
4. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have carved out a bruising identity that few teams can match. They dominate the possession game, punish teams on the offensive glass, and rely on Alperen Şengün’s expanded game and Kevin Durant’s efficiency for half-court control. Houston plays playoff basketball in the regular season — and it travels.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Dončić has unlocked a new offensive ceiling for the Lakers, but Los Angeles is working to get by without him while he’s awaiting the birth of his child. With Austin Reaves playing the best basketball of his career, the Lakers have become one of the NBA’s most lethal scoring teams. Defensive consistency will dictate how far they can go, but the firepower is undeniable.
2. Detroit Pistons
Detroit’s rise is no fluke. Their defensive presence is overwhelming, their depth is among the best in the NBA, and Cade Cunningham has emerged as one of the East’s most reliable closers. Jalen Duren continues to dominate the paint, and the Pistons’ physical style wears teams down. This is a contender — not a novelty.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending champions look even better. Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure, turnover creation, and lineup flexibility overwhelm opponents night after night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is performing at an MVP level, Chet Holmgren has taken a significant leap, and their bench answers every question. With the Clippers’ draft pick likely to land in the lottery, OKC’s present dominance and future surplus make them the NBA’s most complete organization.
