NBA teams have completed 13 weeks of the 2025-2026 season. The season’s biggest surprise is the Detroit Pistons. Detroit leads the Eastern Conference and owns the league’s 2nd–best record, with the best record owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was expected for Indianapolis to struggle this season, but it’s shocking seeing Milwaukee struggle for consistency. Here are the NBA team power rankings heading into Week 14.
30. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers continue to struggle without their best playmaker. Indiana has been one of the league’s worst teams throughout the season. The team has suffered two different losing streaks of at least eight games, with the longest reaching 13 games.
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29. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans struggles at home and on the road, but only Indiana has fewer wins in away games. Defense continues to be an issue for the Pelicans. New Orleans ranks 28th in points allowed per game.
28. Washington Wizards
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) dribbles the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Washington’s roster is full of young players working on development. Alex Sarr, the 2024 2nd overall pick, is showing improvements and averaging 16.9 points per game. The team acquired Trae Young on January 7th, but the All-Star guard last played on December 27th. Young’s knee issue will be re-evaluated in mid-February.
27. Sacramento Kings
Last Friday, Domantas Sabonis returned from a meniscus injury and played his first game since November 16th. Sacramento receives an immediate boost with its best player back on the court. The Kings have time to chase the Western Conference’s last play-in tournament spot.
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26. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn’s roster lacks overall talent. The Nets rank 10th in points allowed per game, but rank last in points scored per game. Brooklyn has one 1st round pick in 2026, but owns two in 2027, 2028, and 2029. It’s crucial that the front office hits on upcoming 1st round draft picks.
25. Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen’s 27.9 PPG is the highest of his nine-year career. Now is the time to trade him and build around the young core of Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Ace Bailey, Walker Kessler, and Kyle Filipowski. On the season, Utah ranks 6th in points scored per game and 30th in points allowed per game.
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24. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte can reach the Eastern Conference play-in tournament this season. The team’s best story of the season is the health of LaMelo Ball. Ball is on pace to play in the second-most games in his six seasons.
23. Dallas Mavericks
1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Mavericks’ improved play has the team close to the play-in tournament. However, the team won’t make a deep push if Anthony Davis doesn’t return and Kyrie Irving fails to debut this season. Rookie Cooper Flagg continues to improve and finished December averaging 23.5 PPG.
22. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee has yet to accomplish a winning streak of more than two games. Giannis Antetokounmpo is on pace to finish the season with the lowest number of games played in his career. If the front office doesn’t add pieces before the February 5th trade deadline, its 31-year-old superstar may force his way out of Milwaukee this offseason.
21. Memphis Grizzlies
Unless drastic changes happen to the offense and defense, the Grizzlies will be lucky to make the play-in tournament. Ja Morant has dealt with a calf injury and will finish the season with the second-lowest total of games played in his seven seasons. If the front office is serious about trading Morant, now is the time to do it.
20. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have pushed past early-season struggles. The team has won 12 of their last 14 games. The Clippers rank 9th in points allowed per game but rank 26th in points scored per game.
19. Chicago Bulls
Inconsistency continues to haunt the Bulls. The team continues to struggle while Josh Giddey and Colby While deal with injuries. If Chicago makes it past the play-in tournament, they are headed for another early exit from the playoffs.
18. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s roster possesses the talent to reach the play-in tournament, but its youth lacks the experience for a deep push in the playoffs. The Hawks rank 8th in points scored per game, but 25th in points allowed per game. Atlanta’s future is bright for the upcoming seasons.
17. Portland Trail Blazers
Jan 17, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) gives center Robert Williams III (35) a pat on the chest during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Portland has fared well over its last 10 games. The team isn’t far behind from the Western Conference’s sixth seed. This week features tough tests against Miami and Toronto.
16. Miami Heat
Miami has yet to win consecutive games in January. The team’s offense has been one of the league’s best, ranking 5th in points scored per game. However, the league’s 22nd–ranked defense enters the week on a West Coast trip against Golden State, Sacramento, Portland, Utah, and Phoenix.
15. Golden State Warriors
Since December 20th, Golden State hasn’t suffered consecutive losses. In that time frame, the Warriors are 11-4. The team is within striking distance of the Western Conference’s sixth seed.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland has gone through three consecutive weeks without back-to-back losses. The team is playing great basketball. The Cavaliers start the week hosting Oklahoma City before games against Charlotte, Sacramento, and Orlando.
13. Orlando Magic
Orlando has played consistently through the first half of the season. Only twice has the team lost consecutive games. The Magic rank 17th in points scored per game and 12th in points allowed per game.
12. Philadelphia 76ers
Jan 16, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Philadelphia’s played well this season and can finish in above the play-in tournament. Guard Tyrese Maxey is continuing his monster season and ranks 3rd in scoring. Defensive improvements will help the team’s pursuit of finishing as a top-six team in the Eastern Conference.
11. Houston Rockets
Houston’s playing .500 basketball over its last 10 games and needs to get over the hump in a stacked Western Conference. Kevin Durant is leading the Rockets in scoring during his first season with the team. This week, Houston has tough matchups against San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
10. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix continues to flirt with the Western Conference’s 6th seed and the play-in tournament. The Suns have yet to finish a month with more than five losses. The rest of January’s schedule can see Phoenix again make it out of a month with no more than five losses.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
From October 21st to December 18th, the Lakers went 19-7. Since then, the team has suffered nine losses in 14 games. Los Angeles needs to improve defensively as its schedule doesn’t get easier in a stacked Western Conference.
8. Toronto Raptors
Toronto is continuing its magical season. The team continues to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors’ 6th–ranked defense heads to Golden State, Sacramento, Portland, and Oklahoma City this week.
7. New York Knicks
Jan 7, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) look on during the second half against the LA Clippers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Knicks are having their biggest issues of the season. Since December 31st, New York has twice suffered 3+ game losing streaks. Over the last 10 games, the Knicks have allowed five more points per game than their season average of 115.1.
6. Boston Celtics
Boston’s heating up and will push Detroit for the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard are having the best seasons of their careers. This week, Boston gets a chance to tie the season series against Detroit before taking on Indiana, Brooklyn, and Chicago.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City is running away with the Western Conference, but Minnesota is battling San Antonio and Denver for the conference’s 2nd seed. Anthony Edwards is leading the team and having the best season of his career. The Timberwolves rank 4th in points scored per game and 11th in points allowed per game.
4. Denver Nuggets
Denver has played well while the team awaits the return of Nikola Jokic. They managed to beat six teams that are currently positioned in playoff spots. Guard Peyton Watson continues to excel while playing increased minutes. This month, Watson is averaging 23.9 PPG, 6.5 REB, and 3.5 AST.
3. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio has the 3rd–best record in the league and shows no signs of slowing down. The Spurs rank 9th in points scored per game and 7th in points allowed per game. If he can stay healthy, Victor Wembanyama will finish with the 2nd–best season of his career and reach the playoffs for the first time in his three seasons.
2. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have sat atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season. Owning the league’s 2nd–best record, the team has suffered consecutive losses only twice. In five seasons, Cade Cunningham is on pace for career highs in PPG, AST, and STL.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jan 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after an official call following a play against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Thunder continue to be the NBA’s best team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is headed for a fourth consecutive season reaching 2,000+ points, 350+ assists, and 100+ steals. Oklahoma City’s success has seen Chet Holmgren produce the best numbers in three seasons. The Thunder rank 2nd in points scored per game and 1st in points allowed per game.