NBA Power Rankings: Golden State Warriors Rise as Stephen Curry Returns from Injury
The Oklahoma City Thunder (surprise!), San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic are headed to Las Vegas for the semifinals of the NBA Cup, but they're far from the only teams making waves of late.
The Golden State Warriors are primed to get Stephen Curry back this week, and they've stumbled into a better rotation just in time for his return. The Milwaukee Bucks could feasibly trade Giannis Antetokounmpo in the next few weeks. And the NBA Cup slowing the schedule a bit for everyone else has given us more time to analyze what each team has done and where they might go from here.
Using the same criteria that has guided us for years—team and individual numbers, recent performance, championship chances and plenty of subjectivity—here is where all 30 organizations stand right now.
30. Washington Wizards (3-19)
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Previous Rank: 30
Net Rating: -15.6
Someone has to give the Washington Wizards a little value for CJ McCollum.
Yes, he's 34, struggling to keep up with younger players as a defender and sort of stuck between the guard positions. But his contract expires after this season, and he's averaging 18.6 points and 3.0 threes, while shooting 40.2 percent from three.
He could be a very real boon to some team's second-unit offense.
And if Washington gets something real in return for him, it will be one of the very few wins it'll have all season.
This team has some interesting young talents, but it's borderline hopeless in individual games right now.
29. Sacramento Kings (6-19)
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Previous Rank: 28
Net Rating: -11.0
The Sacramento Kings somehow snuck in a road win against the Miami Heat this week, but that was nowhere near enough to inspire any hope in this team.
The Kings have dropped six of their last seven, are without Domantas Sabonis for at least a few more weeks and are the second team to prove that DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine aren't a playoff-caliber top two.
Thirty-seven-year-old Russell Westbrook is smashing individual expectations (he had his fourth triple-double of the season this week), but having him, at this point in his career, as arguably your best player certainly doesn't bode well for playoff prospects.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (4-22)
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Previous Rank: 29
Net Rating: -8.9
As difficult as it may be, try to set the potentially catastrophic trade that landed Derik Queen with the New Orleans Pelicans aside. With each passing week, it looks more and more like the unprotected first New Orleans sent to the Atlanta Hawks could wind up at the very top of the 2026 draft.
But if you can ignore that fact and just look at Queen (and his fellow rookie, Jeremiah Fears) in a vacuum, it's easy to find intrigue in the Pelicans' future.
Queen has had at least five assists in each of his last five games. This week, in a down-to-the-wire loss to the red-hot San Antonio Spurs, he had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. In Thursday's blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers, he had 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting, to go with seven assists.
Queen looks like another spiritual successor to Nikola Jokić, as a highly skilled big man whose passing could more than make up for what might've been described as plodding athleticism in earlier eras.
27. Brooklyn Nets (6-17)
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Previous Rank: 27
Net Rating: -7.6
Michael Porter Jr. has obviously been the biggest story for the Brooklyn Nets this season. He's averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists (all career highs), while shooting 39.2 percent from deep and ranking in the 97th percentile in offensive estimated plus-minus (one of the most trusted catch-all metrics in NBA front offices).
But he's gotten some help during this current 3-1 stretch, with Noah Clowney (19.3 points), Nic Claxton (13.3), Ziaire Williams (10.8) and Danny Wolf (10.5) all averaging double-figures in these four games.
The team may have also unlocked a new level on offense, thanks to the playmaking ability of Claxton, who's averaging 7.3 assists during this run. With the big man facilitating from unconventional spots on the floor, MPJ, Clowney and others have been free to fly around the perimeter in search of open spots.
The recent success probably isn't going to translate to some unexpected run to the play-in or anything, but it may change our expectations on a few fronts, including Porter's potential trade value between now and February.
26. Los Angeles Clippers (6-19)
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Previous Rank: 23
Net Rating: -5.1
The Los Angeles Clippers are a disaster. And to no one's surprise, the surprising release of Chris Paul didn't fix anything.
L.A. went 0-3 this week. The team is already more than halfway to its loss total from 2024-25. And seemingly every other game, the Clippers are committing blunders that go viral or showing off body language to suggest they've already quit on the season.
Thursday night's example, with the game still in the balance late, was inexcusable.
To make matters worse, L.A. doesn't even have its first-round pick in 2026 (that is, of course, going to the Oklahoma City Thunder). So, there's really no point in unloading the veterans and leaning into a tank.
Even still, something has to give. Whether that's a coaching change or trades aimed at improving the situation a ways down the road, the Clippers simply can't continue as is.
25. Indiana Pacers (6-18)
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Previous Rank: 26
Net Rating: -7.4
The Indiana Pacers are slowly getting a little healthier, and a handful of wins have followed.
Indiana is 4-2 in its last six games, and it's now just 3.5 games back of 10th place and a spot in the play-in tournament.
If the Pacers can keep Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin upright, they might just be able to squeeze in. On the season, the team is outscoring opponents when those three share the floor with Jay Huff.
24. Chicago Bulls (9-14)
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Previous Rank: 22
Net Rating: -5.5
The Chicago Bulls' 5-0 start has given way to a 4-14 stretch that includes their current seven-game losing streak.
And while it's obviously too early to doom them to the lottery, it's probably safe to assume some of the early-season takes were off.
Chicago gets plenty of threes up, but they're not hitting enough of them to fully take advantage of Josh Giddey's playmaking or overcome a defense anchored by Nikola Vučević.
And as another campaign slips toward mediocrity, it's time to start talking about possible Vučević trades (again).
23. Portland Trail Blazers (9-16)
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Previous Rank: 20
Net Rating: -3.6
If you've watched the Portland Trail Blazers of the last few weeks, it's hard to imagine the team that started 5-3 and looked like one of the league's feistier defensive squads.
After getting pummeled by the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, Portland has now lost three straight and six of its last seven.
And after the hot start sort of shifted expectations, it's probably time for the Blazers to start thinking about 2026 lottery odds again.
Portland only keeps its upcoming first-rounder if it misses the playoffs. And every loss obviously improves the chances of that pick being in or around the top four.
That means trading (or at least shopping) Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III should be on the table.
22. Charlotte Hornets (7-17)
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Previous Rank: 25
Net Rating: -4.0
Kon Knueppel continues to cruise toward a potential Rookie of the Year nod, with averages of 18.0 points, 3.4 threes and 3.3 assists (plus a 40.3 three-point percentage), but he's not the only rookie having a positive impact on the Charlotte Hornets.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is tied with Miles Bridges for the team lead in wins over replacement player (while Knueppel is third). He's averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in just 25.5 minutes, while shooting 79.8 percent from the floor.
And, as if two first-year players genuinely helping wasn't enough, even Sion James is coming off the bench with an above-average three-point percentage and a positive impact on the team's plus-minus.
All of the above isn't translating to a ton of winning right now, but it should certainly kindle a little more hope in the fan base.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (11-15)
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Previous Rank: 24
Net Rating: -2.0
With apologies to Milwaukee Bucks fans, even after an encouraging win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday, it's going to be hard to write in this space without mentioning the possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade until that situation is resolved.
The list of potential landing spots seemingly expanded this week, as Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer discussed the possibility of the Miami Heat or Golden State Warriors getting in the mix.
Wherever he goes, that team will obviously vault up the list of potential Oklahoma City Thunder spoilers, while the Bucks will almost certainly free fall toward the bottom of the East.
Of course, a trade isn't guaranteed. There may be a chance Giannis is still a Buck after the trade deadline. And if that's the case, we'll have to change our outlook on the team.
But right now, it's looking like this season will be remembered as the one in which Antetokounmpo left Milwaukee.
20. Utah Jazz (8-15)
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Previous Rank: 21
Net Rating: -7.9
The Utah Jazz have been spunkier than expected for most of the season, but this week, they lost their two games by a combined 64 points.
Those contests were against the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, both of whom could be in the Finals, but they were still pretty vivid reminders of how far this team might be from relevancy. And they may be evidence for the fans who wish Utah would lean a little harder into the rebuild.
The Jazz still haven't landed a single young player who looks like a surefire foundational piece since the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell trades. Moving veterans and playing the prospects already on the roster would lead to more losses, better lottery odds and a shot at AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson.
19. Memphis Grizzlies (11-13)
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Previous Rank: 18
Net Rating: -1.9
Thanks in part to his own dreadful play this season, the Memphis Grizzlies were nearing the point where they could maybe consider a Ja Morant trade, and not for purposes of leaning into a rebuild.
Because of Zach Edey and a scrappy supporting cast, Memphis was significantly better without Ja. But unfortunately, all the momentum the Grizzlies were brewing may be gone.
This week, we learned that Edey will be out for at least four weeks with a stress reaction in his left ankle. And while the bottom of the West looks pretty weak right now, it could be hard to hold off teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers while Edey is out.
18. Dallas Mavericks (9-16)
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Previous Rank: 19
Net Rating: -3.7
The Dallas Mavericks are 4-1 in their last five games, with the only loss coming to the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder.
And while Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and other veterans certainly have a hand in the midseason turnaround, it's a pair of rookies who are generating the most excitement.
During these five games, Cooper Flagg is averaging 23.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.5 minutes, while Ryan Nembhard is putting up 14.4 points and 7.4 assists, while shooting 70.6(!) percent from deep.
17. Phoenix Suns (14-11)
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Previous Rank: 15
Net Rating: 0.1
The good vibes shouldn't be completely snuffed out. The Phoenix Suns are still outperforming expectations, and Devin Booker has been out for the last three games, but a 49-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal had to be at least a little discouraging.
Being 3-5 in their last eight games has to be a little humbling, too.
But again, no one could've realistically predicted Phoenix being over .500 through their first 25 games. And they've proven deep enough, cohesive enough, and perhaps most importantly, intense enough to stay in the mix for a play-in spot.
It didn't show on Wednesday, but Dillon Brooks has undoubtedly changed the demeanor of this team with his competitiveness. It's filtered through the rest of the roster, and the Suns are a tougher out than they were at just about any point last season.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (13-10)
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Previous Rank: 16
Net Rating: 0.8
This season has made it seem wildly unlikely that the All-NBA version of Joel Embiid will ever return to the floor for the Philadelphia 76ers, but they already have another bona fide superstar in his place.
Tyrese Maxey's 31.5 points is the fifth-highest average in the Sixers' storied history. Only Embiid (twice), Wilt Chamberlain (in 1965-66) and Allen Iverson (2005-06) finished campaigns with a higher number. Iverson is the only one of the bunch with a higher assist average, and he's only 0.2 clear of Maxey there.
There may be a little short-term frustration for fans waiting out the contracts of Embiid and Paul George, but Maxey is good enough to keep them above .500 now while providing hope for real contention in the future.
15. Miami Heat (14-11)
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Previous Rank: 11
Net Rating: 3.0
Right when it looked like the Miami Heat might be able to crack into the top 10, they've suddenly dropped four straight, including two games to the Orlando Magic and two others to sub-.500 teams (the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings).
And while they're certainly better on the offensive end than they were last season, this little skid, which includes their loss in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, is a reminder that this roster might still need a bit more firepower (at least if they want to join the bona fide contenders).
14. Toronto Raptors (15-11)
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Previous Rank: 10
Net Rating: 1.9
If one thing has become clear about the Toronto Raptors over the last couple weeks, it's that RJ Barrett was pretty important to their early success.
Their loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday was their fourth in a row. And during the nine games Toronto has played since Barrett left the rotation with a PRP injection in his knee, the Raptors are 3-6.
Fortunately, he could be back before Christmas, giving the Raptors the dynamic, three-pronged attack with Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram that made them one of the biggest surprises of the early portion of the season.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11)
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Previous Rank: 14
Net Rating: 3.0
For a team that won 64 games in 2024-25 and brought back most of its key contributors, a 14-11 start is, at the very least, underwhelming.
And while it's easy to chalk it up to injuries (Jarrett Allen has missed 10 games, while Darius Garland has missed 16), it also feels a bit like things may just be getting stale.
This core has now been together since 2022 (and hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs). That's a long time in basketball years (think about how many years these players are with their high school or college teammates).
Trading one of the big names may not fix everything right away, but it might be time for the front office to at least contemplate the possibility.
12. Atlanta Hawks (14-11)
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Previous Rank: 13
Net Rating: 1.5
It might be time to start talking about the All-NBA candidacy of Jalen Johnson.
Beyond his season-long averages of 23.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists, he's been putting up Nikola Jokić-like numbers of late.
Over his last five appearances (which happened to include a matchup with Jokić's Denver Nuggets), Johnson has averaged an eye-popping 30.0 points, 13.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists.
The chances of Johnson maintaining this much longer are slim (because the chances of anyone doing that for even a single game are slim), but this extended stretch without Trae Young has allowed Johnson to assert himself as the face of the Atlanta Hawks, and again, essentially announce his All-NBA candidacy.
11. Orlando Magic (15-10)
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Previous Rank: 9
Net Rating: 4.2
The Orlando Magic got some good news and bad this week.
First, Franz Wagner went down with an ugly fall after attempting to finish a stray lob from a teammate. The awkwardness of his landing suggested a longterm injury, but an MRI revealed a high ankle sprain, something Wagner could return from in a matter of weeks (as opposed to months).
Still, not having Wagner, even for a short period, could be a big problem for Orlando. Over the course of his career, the team is plus-1.4 points per 100 possessions with Wagner on the floor and minus-6.9 when he's off.
The Magic got off to a good start in this stretch without their star, winning their NBA Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday, but they're going to need dramatic improvements from Paolo Banchero to stay in the East's top six while Wagner is out.
10. Golden State Warriors (13-12)
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Previous Rank: 17
Net Rating: 2.0
The Golden State Warriors are having a mini surge, and pairing that with the impending return of Stephen Curry sends them flying up the power rankings.
Over his last four games, former lacrosse star (yes, lacrosse) Pat Spencer is averaging 16.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 25.3 minutes. And for the entire season, Golden State is plus-12.6 points per 100 possessions with Spencer on the floor (compared to minus-1.0 when he's off).
With a feel for the game that was clearly developed outside of it and hyper-competitiveness behind every possession, Spencer is proving himself capable of piloting the Warriors' second unit when Curry comes back. And he's good enough off the ball to play with him too.
Suddenly, the Warriors are one of the more interesting stories in the league again.
9. Boston Celtics (15-10)
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Previous Rank: 12
Net Rating: 6.3
The Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, but that shouldn't erase the gains they've made in recent weeks.
It certainly didn't on the net rating leaderboard, where Boston is all the way up to fifth in the league, ahead of multiple teams with fewer losses.
Behind a stellar campaign from Jaylen Brown (29.1 points, 4.8 assists and 2.1 threes) and warming three-point percentages from his supporting cast, the Celtics are redefining expectations for their campaign, to the point we have to start wondering if they might be title contenders again.
And no, that's not really a reference to the rotation, as is. But it looks like this team, despite the losses of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, could make a deep playoff run in the East if Jayson Tatum returns. And that could motivate him to do just that.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-9)
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Previous Rank: 8
Net Rating: 4.5
The Minnesota Timberwolves are quietly in the West's top six again, but they may have a problem brewing in the backcourt rotation.
The team's offensive rating takes a significant hit when either of Anthony Edwards or Donte DiVincenzo are off the floor, and no one has really seized the third guard's spot.
Mike Conley is 38 and averaging 5.3 points. Rob Dillingham is at 3.7 points, while shooting 34.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from deep. Bones Hyland has been more efficient than both, but he might be the spaciest on defense. And all three are undersized.
It may not be a huge deal in the playoffs, when rotations tighten and the T'Wolves can keep at least one of Edwards or DiVincenzo on the floor at all times, but Minnesota could sure use an innings-eater right now.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (17-7)
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Previous Rank: 7
Net Rating: 1.3
For a month and change, it felt like Father Time had finally caught up to LeBron James. He missed the Los Angeles Lakers' first 14 games with sciatica. And in his first six appearances back in the rotation, he averaged 14.0 points on 13.3 shot attempts.
But his last two performances proved that LeBron still has something to give the Lakers. He had 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting on Sunday. He hit a game-sealing jumper and felt comfortable enough to crown himself four times.
In his next game, he went for 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists and threw back the clock with a contested dunk in the halfcourt.
But the latter performance came in an NBA Cup loss to the San Antonio Spurs. And that game was a pretty good indication that L.A. still has some balancing to do on offense.
Regardless of who's available, Luka Dončić is going to eat on that end of the floor. Even on an off shooting night, he can will his way to 30-plus points. But figuring out when and how LeBron and Austin Reaves will be able to bring their own on-ball contributions is going to take some time.
6. Detroit Pistons (19-5)
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Previous Rank: 5
Net Rating: 5.4
Even as Cade Cunningham continues to produce at an All-NBA level (he's putting up 27.5 points and 9.3 assists), it's easy to see avenues for potential improvement.
His 29.9 three-point percentage is way below the league average of 36.0. And there are only seven qualified players currently averaging more turnovers per 100 possessions.
All those extra opportunities (whether from a takeaway or rebound) are helping Detroit's opponents, which might actually be cause for their concern.
Cade's still just 24. He can get better. He can clean up those particular categories. If the Pistons are already playing at a 65-win pace with those shortcomings, just imagine how much better they can be.
5. San Antonio Spurs (17-7)
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Previous Rank: 6
Net Rating: 4.2
It's time to start taking the San Antonio Spurs seriously as a potential Tier 2 contender.
After handling the Los Angeles Lakers in their NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday, San Antonio is now 9-3 during Victor Wembanyama's calf injury-induced absence. And the Spurs' wealth of speed and playmaking from the perimeter is clearly a weapon.
Against L.A., reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle had 30 points in 27 minutes. De'Aaron Fox had 20, and Dylan Harper had 13. When any two of the three are on the floor, San Antonio can get to the paint, almost at will. And that pulls defenders away from sharpshooters like Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes.
Whenever Wemby is dropped back into the mix, this team could be terrifying.
4. New York Knicks (17-7)
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Previous Rank: 4
Net Rating: 8.6
The New York Knicks are on pace for 58 wins and into the semifinals of the NBA Cup after beating the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
And they have their undersized, superstar point guard, in large part, to thank for both.
On the season, Brunson is putting up 28.3 points, 6.3 assists and 2.8 threes, while shooting 37.6 percent from deep. He's supercharged the team's net rating throughout 2025-26.
And on Tuesday alone, he dropped 35 on 13-of-19 shooting.
3. Houston Rockets (16-6)
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Previous Rank: 3
Net Rating: 10.3
The Houston Rockets dropped a road game to the Dallas Mavericks this week, but their formula for success is hardly in danger.
They're 16-4 since their 0-2 start and continue to dominate just about everyone on the glass (including when they miss their own shots).
But this team isn't winning games entirely on the back of its physicality, athleticism and size. There's plenty of skill here, too.
After Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Aaron Holiday and Reed Sheppard all hit multiple threes in Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston has a whopping eight rotation players with an above-average three-point percentage.
2. Denver Nuggets (18-6)
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Previous Rank: 2
Net Rating: 9.6
The Denver Nuggets' 6-4 home record is mildly concerning, but their road winning streak is up to 11 games. And the offseason moves that bolstered the team's depth have given them their best net rating in the "non-Nikola Jokić minutes" in half a decade.
For the first time in years, things don't feel borderline hopeless for Denver when Jokić goes to the bench, and each of the three major acquisitions is contributing.
When the three-time MVP is off the floor, Jonas Valančiūnas is averaging 25.8 points per 75 possessions, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cameron Johnson are both shooting over 40 percent from deep.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-1)
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Previous Rank: 1
Net Rating: 17.2
There isn't much left to be said about the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Yes, it's still fair to raise the "easiest schedule in the league, by far" caveat, but they're just absolutely crushing opponents.
The Phoenix Suns (without Devin Booker, to be fair) lost by 49 in the NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday. That pushed OKC into a tie with the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best start through 25 games in NBA history. It stretched their average point differential to plus-17.4, a number that's almost five full points clear of the record set just last season... by the Thunder.
This is genuinely absurd, regardless of who their opponents are.
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through the last active player on the bench, everyone approaches every game like it has the single-elimination stakes they faced on Wednesday. The execution in every possession, on both ends of the floor, and from everyone, is always on point. No one's selfish. Everyone approaches the game with the savvy of a 10-year vet, while still having their pre-prime athleticism.
We don't have to say we've never seen anything like this. We've literally never seen this. And with every record that's fallen over the last 12 months or so, it gets harder and harder to imagine anyone else in the league slowing this down.
