We are over a month into the 2025-26 NBA season, and fans are starting to get a clearer idea about who the contenders and pretenders are this year. So who are the best of the best to begin the final month of 2025? We look to answer that question as we run down the best and worst teams right now with our updated NBA power rankings for Dec. 4, 2025.
30. New Orleans Pelicans (LW: 28)
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Injuries absolutely decimated the New Orleans Pelicans last season. In response, they decided to remake the roster by trading Brandon Ingram and moved on from CJ McCollum this summer. But as always, any chance of being competitive this year will rest on the injury-prone body of Zion Williamson.
Unfortunately, Williamson has played just 0 games and is expected to be sidelined for a while with a new injury. While Trey Murphy III has played well, it has made no difference for a team that is rock bottom in the NBA standings to begin December.
29. Washington Wizards (LW: 30)
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Despite a new head coach, the Washington Wizards and prospects Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly were terrible last season. In the summer, DC shipped out Jordan Poole for an aging but still good CJ McCollum, and they also added former Bucks star Khris Middleton.
It has made no difference, and if not for the Pelicans, the Wizards would again own the worst record in the NBA. While Sarr has been rock-solid in his sophomore season, the Wizards are not good on offense and are giving up the most points per game (127.3) in the NBA entering December.
28. Indiana Pacers (LW: 27)
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The Indiana Pacers had a year to remember in 2024-25 as they reached the Finals for the first time in over two decades. Top star Tyrese Haliburton also shut up all his doubters and played like a superstar in the playoffs. However, they won’t have him all year after suffering a torn Achilles in the Finals, and they lost Myles Turner to the Bucks in free agency.
The Pacers were expected to struggle this year, and the pundits have been right. Even at their best, they were a back-15 defensive team. However, with no second scorer after Pascal Siakim, even their vaunted offense is mediocre at best. Unlike the other teams at the bottom of the standings, Indiana has a good reason for an awful season.
27. Brooklyn Nets (LW: 29)
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In June’s draft, the Brooklyn Nets had four first-round picks and chose to use all of them instead of packaging them in trades for veteran players. They also had the most available cap space in the offseason but held off on splurging in a weak free agent market. Unfortunately, the cautious approach has not delivered results in the new season.
While new addition Michael Porter Jr. has been a great addition for the team, there isn’t much else on this team besides him and Cam Thomas. Their rookies aren’t giving the team reason for hope, and there is already early speculation that head coach Jordi Fernandez is in a seat that is heating up fast.
26. Sacramento Kings (LW: 24)
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On paper, the Sacramento Kings have a pretty good roster. They have two multi-time All-Star guards, a top-notch big man in Domantas Sabonis, and impact veteran guards like Dennis Schroder and Malik Monk. But heading into the season, some around the game felt Sactown could be a big disappointment.
Those analysts are looking very right. Despite an impressive array of talent, Doug Christie is overseeing one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. They have been terrible on defense, but surprisingly worse on offense. The Kings are likely to be the first sellers before the trade deadline.
25. Los Angeles Clippers (LW: 22)
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The Los Angeles Clippers aimed to quiet the off-court noise after a scandal about how they originally acquired Kawhi Leonard emerged this summer. However, they have been an absolute mess this season, and the drama continued in December when the team surprisingly banished franchise great Chris Paul.
Even at 36, James Harden is still playing at an All-Star level, and Kawhi Leonard has been good when on the court. However, that has only been half the time this season. It also hasn’t helped that LA’s defense has been one of the worst in the league this season (120.0 defensive rating).
24. Charlotte Hornets (LW: 26)
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While LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges have been reliable to get buckets this season, and rookie Kon Knueppel is looking like a serious rookie of the year candidate, it has not helped turn the Charlotte Hornets into a competitive team this year. They are a bottom-10 offense that is even worse on defense. It’s no surprise that there have been recent trade rumors surrounding Ball.
23. Utah Jazz (LW: 23)
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Last year, Will Hardy and his team took another step back as the Jazz finished dead last in the 2024-25 NBA standings. Making matters worse, they didn’t land the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, and President Danny Ainge still hasn’t used his horde of draft picks to make a blockbuster trade.
Hopes are not high in Salt Lake City, and a season-ending injury to talented big man Walker Kessler hasn’t helped. However, they aren’t an easy out most nights because of the fantastic play of Lauri Markkanen and 2023 first-round pick Keyonte George.
22. Dallas Mavericks (LW: 25)
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On paper, the Dallas Mavericks have a rock-solid team. Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson are future Hall of Famers who can still play at a high level, and Cooper Flagg is one of the most hyped rookies of the last 20 years. However, the absence of Kyrie Irving has been noticeable, and a terrible start to the season cost general manager Nico Harrison his job in November.
It hasn’t helped that Davis has missed a bunch of games as well. But there is renewed hope with AD back on the court and Flagg with his NBA legs under him. Recent wins over the Heat and Nuggets were obvious signs of much better play of late.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (LW: 19)
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The Portland Trail Blazers have a roster with some rock-solid, respectable veterans and youngsters with high upside, including Shaedon Sharpe. However, a dark cloud was immediately placed over their season from the start when head coach Chauncey Billups was implicated in a wild poker game rigging scheme.
Portland got off to a better-than-expected start because of Deni Avdija and Sharpe having what seem like breakthrough seasons. However, bad defense and a weak bench are why the Blazers have reverted to being a losing team to begin December.
20. Chicago Bulls (LW: 15)
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Late last season, the Chicago Bulls surprised many around the league by actually getting better after moving Zach LaVine. Josh Giddy flourished under head coach Billy Donovan, and Coby White had a breakout season. The big question is whether it was a hot streak or proof that they are a team on the rise in the East?
To begin the season, Chicago looked like it could be the breakout team of 2025-26. However, over the last couple of weeks, they have fallen back to earth and are looking like a team that will struggle to get a play-in spot this season. It’s a major reason why they have been linked to risky trade for Anthony Davis recently.
19. Memphis Grizzlies (LW: 21)
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The Memphis Grizzlies were always going to be a bit different after firing Taylor Jenkins late last season and replacing him with assistant Tuomas Iisalo. They also began their offseason with the summer’s first blockbuster trade as they sent veteran guard Desmond Bane to the Magic.
But few expected a team with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant to struggle this much. A major reason is more injuries to the star guard, but also unexpected locker room drama between him and Iisalo. Memphis has the talent to be good, but the lack of unity could make this a lost season.
18. Milwaukee Bucks (LW: 20)
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The Milwaukee Bucks made some big changes in the summer. They moved on from future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard, but, in an attempt to keep top star Giannis Antetokounmpo happy, they made one of the boldest moves of the offseason by luring Myles Turner away from Indiana.
Unfortunately, Milwaukee has been worse for it. Despite Antetokounmpo’s great start, they are an under .500 team to begin December. It’s why it can’t come as a shock that the superstar forward and the team are set to soon meet about his “future” with the only franchise he has ever played for.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (LW: 14)
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The Philadelphia 76ers were the biggest disappointment in the NBA last season as injuries to their top two players destroyed any plans to be an NBA Finals contender. The only positive from the lost campaign was that Tyrese Maxey confirmed he is a legitimate star in the league and is the new face of the franchise.
That has continued in 2025-26, and the sixth-year talent is among the league’s top scorers to begin the final month of the year. Plus, Quentin Grimes has continued his strong finish to last season. However, Joel Embiid and Paul George have played in a combined 13 games, and the lack of a nightly stud second scorer is why the Sixers are a team hovering around .500.
16. Golden State Warriors (LW: 18)
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Entering last season’s playoffs, the Golden State Warriors were seen as a serious dark horse to go all the way. However, Stephen Curry’s first-ever hamstring injury came at the worst possible time, and they were ousted early in the postseason.
The Warriors got off to a strong start. However, they have slumped of late, and veterans Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler have questioned their defense and heart. However, statistically, they have been a good defensive team. It is their offense that has surprisingly struggled, and they are bottom-10 in offensive rating (112.9) this season.
15. Atlanta Hawks (LW: 12)
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Led by the face of the franchise, Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks were a handful for opposing defenses last season. Unfortunately, they were terrible on defense. To start 2025-26, there was reason for hope due to the emergence of youngsters Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels last season. Plus the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this summer.
There was reason for concern with Young going down with a serious injury that has sidelined him for weeks. However, their young athletic core — led by Johnson — has helped Atlanta stay afloat and in the top six race with their top star away.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (LW: 9)
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The Cleveland Cavaliers were a dominant team in the East last season. Coach Kenny Atkinson was given one of the league’s better defenses and added the offensive efficiency they lacked.
In the new season, the Cavs have been an inconsistent group. They have shown moments of brilliance, and Donovan Mitchell is off to a stellar start. But they have hit a recent slump that is sure to fire up speculation of a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo again.
13. Boston Celtics (LW: 16)
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Jayson Tatum’s season-ending injury in Game 5 of the semifinals completely altered the trajectory of the Boston Celtics this season. Plus, trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and letting Al Horford walk to cut costs, was always going to mean 2025-26 would be a fight to be a play-in team.
Yet, coach Joe Mazzulla continues to show why he is one of the best coaches in the NBA right now as he has Boston among the top six in the East. They are giving up the third fewest points in the league and are fourth in offensive rating.
12. Phoenix Suns (LW: 13)
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Outside of the 76ers, the Phoenix Suns were the league’s biggest letdown in 2024-25. Their awful performance got head coach Mike Budenholzer fired, and it is why trading Kevin Durant was a must to begin the offseason. In the deal that sent him to Houston, they got back talented young scorer Jalen Green and glue-guy Dillon Brooks.
To the surprise of many, Phoenix has been one of the feel-good stories of the new season. They have played well under new head coach Jordan Ott, and they have unexpectedly been one of the better defensive units in the conference — giving up just 113.7 PPG. Suns fans have a new reason for hope.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (LW: 11)
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Although it took longer than many expected, the Minnesota Timberwolves maintained their place as a top team out West last season. Unfortunately, the eventual champion Thunder ended their campaign in the conference finals for a second straight year. Nevertheless, expectations remain high for the Wolves.
Unlike last year, Julius Randle has played like an All-Star from the start. It’s why they are a top-five scoring unit to start December. Yet, their defense has not been as elite as it was in the previous two seasons. It’s why they are struggling to be a top-six squad in the West right now.
10. Miami Heat (LW: 7)
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The Miami Heat will be drama-free this year, with the Jimmy Butler drama far behind them. In this offseason, they looked to fill that scoring void when they made a trade for All-Star Norman Powell, and he has been outstanding to begin his career in South Beach.
While their usually tough defense has struggled this year, the Heat have evolved into one of the best offensive teams in the league despite Tyler Herro having missed much of the season. Now, with the skilled scorer back in the fold, Miami can make a run at the top spot in the conference in the weeks ahead.
9. Denver Nuggets (LW: 3)
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When you have the best player on the planet, the Denver Nuggets will always be a very competitive squad. Yet this season is different than recent years after shockingly firing Michael Malone late in the campaign last year and replacing him with David Adelman.
So far, Adelman has been able to maintain the high standard set by Malone, and Denver has been the NBA’s best team on offense. A major reason why is more amazing play from superstar Nikola Jokic and a strong start from his wingman, Jamal Murray. However, their defense is a weakness and is why they have traded wins and losses of late.
8. Orlando Magic (LW: 17)
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The Orlando Magic dealt with major injuries to key players throughout last season, but battled through with their elite defense. They badly lacked another playmaker and three-point shooting. That’s why they made a blockbuster trade for Desmond Bane in the summer.
Yet, despite the addition of Bane, Orlando struggled to begin the season. However, over the last couple of weeks, the Magic have caught fire and are a top 10 group on offense and defense right now. What’s most impressive is that their recent hot streak has been without top star Paolo Banchero.
7. Toronto Raptors (LW: 6)
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If the Toronto Raptors can stay healthy, they have a team that can be a force on offense, especially with Brandon Ingram on the roster. Nevertheless, if head coach Darko Rajaković couldn’t get them to play solid defense, they won’t be able to make much noise out East this year.
Well, after the first month of the season, the Raptors are playing outstanding defense (113.1 PPG). It has made a huge difference for a team that is still a handful on offense this season. It is the main reason why they are the biggest surprise of 2025-26 and are in striking distance of the top spot in the conference.
6. San Antonio Spurs (LW: 8)
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The assumption at the start of the season was that the San Antonio Spurs were a team primed for a breakout season. Victor Wembanyama was back healthy from his blood clot scare — and taller. Plus, he has the best team he has ever had around him in the NBA. But no one expected him and his teammates to be this good.
Wemby is playing like a sure-fire All-Star game starter, and De’Aaron Fox has been the player they hoped for when they acquired him in a trade last season. They could use more on offense, but they are a top-tier defensive team that is among the six best units in a stacked Western Conference.
5. New York Knicks (LW: 10)
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The New York Knicks took another big step closer to a title last season. They were tested early in the playoffs, but went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, they couldn’t overcome the Pacers for a second straight year, and it likely cost coach Tom Thibodeau his job.
There were always going to be early-season bumps for the Knicks with a new head coach. However, they have started to develop some real momentum. Their offense has been a top unit for some time, but their defense has been lacking. Especially with OG Anunoby out injured. But Josh Hart’s return to the starting five is a big reason behind their improved D and current hot streak.
4. Houston Rockets (LW: 5)
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The Houston Rockets were one of the best stories in the NBA last season, as they evolved into an elite team in the West with strong defense and the emergence of Alperen Sengun as a new star in the league. In the summer, the Rockets landed league legend Kevin Durant in a trade, but lost floor general Fred VanVleet to a season-ending injury.
Despite being without their floor leader, the Rockets are one of the best scoring teams in the game (121,8 PPG) because of the dynamic combo of Durant and Sengun. However, while Durant was meant to improve their offense, they haven’t lost a step on defense and are holding opponents to just 111.2 points a game.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (LW: 4)
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There are big expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. They got a full training camp with young superstar Luka Doncic, and head coach JJ Redick was better than expected in a big learning curve rookie season. Plus, they still have one of the greatest players of all time in LeBron James.
Interestingly, LA is one of the best teams in the league right now because of Austin Reaves. He and Doncic have formed a dynamic duo that James is fine playing second fiddle to. They can play with any team in the league. The big question is, will their defense hold up against the elites of the NBA in the spring?
2. Detroit Pistons (LW: 2)
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The Detroit Pistons were the top feel-good story in the league last season as they went from the worst team in the league to a formidable playoff squad. Well, they have now become one of the best in the NBA in year two for veteran head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Led by some high-level defense and All-NBA play from Cade Cunningham, Detroit owns the best record in the East (17-5) to begin December. However, the top story for the Pistons in 2025-26 is the emergence of Jalen Duren. The big man is posting 19 points and 11 rebounds a game, and has been one of the best centers in the NBA to begin the season.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (LW: 1)
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The Oklahoma City Thunder were the best team in the NBA throughout last season. Posting 68 wins with elite defense and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. Things haven’t changed one bit in the new season.
Nearly 22 games into the new season, OKC has posted an outstanding 21-1 record, and they are again doing it with, you guessed it, the best defense in the league. They are on pace to surpass the Warriors’ record-breaking 73 wins in a season, and they haven’t even had All-Star Jalen Williams for most of the year.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos