NBA Power Rankings: New No. 1 claims top spot from Thunder
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're taking stock of where things stand after a busy stretch of transactions leading up to the trade deadline.
Jump to:
ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Detroit Pistons (39-13)
Previous: 3
Winners of five of their last six games, the Pistons grab top spot despite a slightly underwhelming deadline. Kevin Huerter will certainly help their floor spacing, but it feels like Detroit could've gotten more in return for former top-five pick Jaden Ivey to help capitalize on a wide-open Eastern Conference.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (41-13)
Previous: 1
The league's best record will come under threat with an abdominal strain set to keep reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out until after the All-Star break. On the bright side, Jalen Williams just returned from a 10-game absence.
3. San Antonio Spurs (37-16)
Previous: 4
The Spurs continue to put faith in an emerging young core whose successes are ahead of schedule, which explains why they were one of four teams that did nothing at the deadline (Heat, Suns, Rockets). Boring? Yes. Sensible? Quite possibly.
4. New York Knicks (34-20)
Previous: 10
The Knicks are 9-2 since Jalen Brunson spearheaded a players-only meeting, a stretch in which New York boasts the league's best defensive (102.8) and net ratings (14.9).
5. Boston Celtics (34-19)
Previous: 6
The Celtics can now effectively play an offensively skilled small-ball lineup with Nikola Vucevic at the five or as a floor-spacing power forward next to Neemias Queta. The East is in trouble if Jayson Tatum returns at any point in the season.
6. Denver Nuggets (34-20)
Previous: 2
Denver prioritized converting two-way center Spencer Jones to a standard deal at the deadline, and it's understandable why. The undrafted wing is having a breakout second year and is a large reason why Aaron Gordon's injury hasn't derailed the Nuggets' campaign.
7. Houston Rockets (33-19)
Previous: 5
Houston's decision to forgo any moves is curious considering the season-ending injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. The starting core has proven trustworthy, but the bench posted a middle-of-the-road net rating in January after ranking in the top five prior.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-21)
Previous: 9
The Cavs are going all-in with Donovan Mitchell's extension decision looming. Darius Garland has a bright future ahead despite recurring injuries, but James Harden gives Cleveland a better shot to win a title this season.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (32-21)
Previous: 8
With all due respect to Luke Kennard's 49.4% rate from deep, the Lakers' real deadline acquisition was the return of Austin Reaves following a five-week absence with a calf strain. Los Angeles promptly won three straight with Reaves back in the lineup after going 10-9 without him.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-22)
Previous: 12
Minnesota's attempt to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks was unsuccessful. But give the T-Wolves' front office credit for pivoting to Ayo Dosunmu, who'll give them some much-needed depth and bench scoring.
11. Toronto Raptors (32-22)
Previous: 7
Jakob Poeltl's contract kept the Raptors from making a major move. Toronto will now focus on getting Poeltl healthy for the stretch run so he can alleviate some pressure off rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. Bah gawd, that's Trayce Jackson-Davis' music.
12. Philadelphia 76ers (30-23)
Previous: 13
Sixers exec Daryl Morey said he's "quite confident we were selling high on Jared McCain" after shipping the talented guard to OKC. Why even say this publicly? Thunder virtuoso Sam Presti must be cackling in his underground lair at this.
13. Phoenix Suns (32-22)
Previous: 11
The Suns' quiet deadline suggests the franchise trusts this revamped core around a Collin Gillespie-Devin Booker backcourt. If Jalen Green's hamstring allows him to stay on the floor from now on, that faith could be validated.
14. Charlotte Hornets (25-29)
Previous: 21
Charlotte was the league's hottest team until Monday's game against Detroit, which not only ended in a loss but also devolved into a brawl that led to multiple ejections. Though the Hornets have the talent to compete in the East, their decision-making may hold them back.
15. Orlando Magic (28-24)
Previous: 17
Since trading Tyus Jones at the deadline, the Magic have won three straight. They now sit 1.5 games behind the sixth-seeded 76ers. This has many people asking: Was the backup guard the problem? Okay, nobody is actually asking that. On top of Desmond Bane's efficient scoring and Anthony Black's continued development in his third season, the return of Franz Wagner should benefit Orlando in its push to climb out of the play-in.
16. Golden State Warriors (29-25)
Previous: 15
Golden State finally put an end to the Jonathan Kuminga saga, trading the disgruntled forward to the Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis. Although the Latvian might not raise the Warriors' ceiling much, it'll give the club an extended look at the pending unrestricted free agent.
17. Miami Heat (28-27)
Previous: 14
Another year of trade chatter linking the Heat to a star comes and goes unceremoniously as Miami again languishes in play-in range. Unless another play-in matchup against Chicago is the goal, it's time for a different plan of attack in South Beach.
18. Los Angeles Clippers (25-28)
Previous: 19
The Clippers have a shot at a play-in spot but have effectively abandoned the season after trading away two of their top three players - Harden and Ivica Zubac. Garland could yield long-term returns, though his lingering toe injury persists.
19. Atlanta Hawks (26-29)
Previous: 20
Atlanta hasn't gained any traction in the East's top-six race since trading Trae Young on Jan. 9. If a fresh start for Kuminga can revitalize their bench, the Hawks could be a problem in the second half - but that's a big if.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (26-28)
Previous: 18
Portland is getting some reinforcements as they pursue their first playoff berth in five years. Vit Krejci's addition bolsters the NBA's 29th-ranked team in 3-point efficiency, while Scoot Henderson's long-awaited return strengthens the Blazers' backcourt.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (21-30)
Previous: 24
Milwaukee's decision to keep Antetokounmpo through the deadline might work out in the long run. His current suitors will have more assets to offer in the summer, and new teams could join the sweepstakes after falling short in their title pursuits.
22. Chicago Bulls (24-30)
Previous: 16
Better late than never for the Bulls and top exec Arturas Karnisovas, who finally realized that finishing between ninth and 11th in five of the last six seasons wasn't a recipe for success. There's still plenty of time to improve those lottery odds, too.
23. Dallas Mavericks (19-34)
Previous: 22
The Mavs were never going to find the next Luka Doncic in any Anthony Davis trade. But cutting bait with the oft-injured star gives Dallas some draft compensation and the financial flexibility to help build around Cooper Flagg.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (20-32)
Previous: 23
Nobody wanted Ja Morant at the deadline, or at least nobody was willing to meet the Grizzlies' demands. Still, he likely won't be in Memphis in 2026-27. And with 13 first-round picks in the next seven years, the rebuild is in full swing.
25. Washington Wizards (14-38)
Previous: 30
Washington's front office deserves credit for buying low on Young and not mortgaging their future to acquire Davis. If the Wizards can hang onto their 2026 first-rounder and add a promising prospect, things could turn around sooner than later.
26. Utah Jazz (17-37)
Previous: 25
Jaren Jackson Jr.'s addition gives the Jazz something tangible to build toward, but in the interim, the paramount goal is to ensure they keep their top-eight protected pick in what's expected to be a deep draft. Cue the series of Lauri Markkanen (DNP - indifference).
27. New Orleans Pelicans (15-40)
Previous: 27
Dejounte Murray's return appears to be inching closer, but the Pelicans are otherwise fully healthy and still losing plenty. Absolutely nothing suggests the second half will be better, and this summer needs to be one of substantial change in New Orleans.
28. Indiana Pacers (14-40)
Previous: 28
Indiana's poised for a bounce-back season. Not only will Tyrese Haliburton be back, but they've now added Zubac via trade on a team-friendly deal. The Pacers also have a shot at landing a blue-chip prospect depending on how the draft lottery unfolds.
29. Brooklyn Nets (15-37)
Previous: 26
The Nets took on some salaries, received a slew of second-round picks as a reward, and can now focus on bottoming out in hopes of a top-three pick. Losing 10 of their last 13 games is a great start to that strategy, but recent back-to-back wins over the Wizards and Bulls don't help.
30. Sacramento Kings (12-43)
Previous: 29
The Kings were ostensibly constructed with the playoffs in mind, yet they're out-tanking even the most brazen tankers. Either the most clairvoyant geniuses in NBA history occupy Sacramento's front office, or this is truly one of the most poorly built squads of all time.