Last Thursday, the NBA finished Week 17 and headed into the All-Star festivities. Leading up to All-Star Weekend, this season has been full of storylines and conversations. The feisty Detroit Pistons lead the Eastern Conference and are playing their best basketball in over a decade. The Boston Celtics have surprised those who thought the team would take a step back while missing Jayson Tatum. In the Western Conference, the defending NBA Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, have cruised through their first 56 games. The young San Antonio Spurs team has played themselves into the conversation of being able to dethrone the Thunder atop the Western Conference. Here are the 2026-2026 NBA Team Power Rankings at the All-Star Break.
30. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have endured a letdown season. Their roster is older, and the team has dealt with many injuries. The front office must hit on their first round and two second-round picks in the upcoming draft.
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29. Washington Wizards
Washington has a future to look forward to. They acquired Trae Young in January and Anthony Davis at the trade deadline. Davis is done for the season, and Young has yet to debut for the Wizards, but the team can add in the upcoming draft with two first-round picks.
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28. New Orleans Pelicans
Feb 11, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens (11) brings the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Another season of sitting at the bottom of the league. New Orleans continues to have issues rostering a competent, healthy roster. It’s time for the Pelicans to tear down the current roster, enter a full rebuild, and successfully hit on draft picks.
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27. Indiana Pacers
It wasn’t unexpected to see Indiana struggle after Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury during last year’s finals. However, the Pacers dealt for center Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline and received the NBA’s most underrated big man. Next season, the Pacers can closely resemble last season’s highly competitive team.
26. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn’s roster is young but lacks a true superstar. The Nets have been in purgatory since the failed Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving experiment in 2021. Until the team lands a superstar, Brooklyn’s lack of success will continue.
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25. Utah Jazz
Utah has dealt with a young roster that isn’t competitive. At the trade deadline, the Jazz acquired center Jaren Jackson Jr. Unfortunately, Jackson Jr. won’t make his team debut until next season, but Utah is heading in the right direction following the trade deadline deal.
24. Dallas Mavericks
1. Cooper Flagg
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts to a missed shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas has struggled after trading one of the league’s best players a season ago. The return package for Luka Doncic didn’t work out, and the team traded away the biggest name it received. The team will build around Cooper Flagg after Kyrie Irving returns from his ACL injury and his contract is moved elsewhere.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant is the final piece to move before Memphis enters full rebuild mode. An offseason move is likely, and the team needs as many future draft assets as possible. If they hit in the upcoming drafts, the Grizzlies can be competitive within two seasons.
22. Milwaukee Bucks
It’s time for the front office to make a tough decision. Either make the necessary offseason moves to help Giannis Antetokounmpo or trade the superstar for a king’s ransom. At 31 years old, Giannis has a few seasons left to bring another championship to Milwaukee or be the key piece for another organization.
21. Chicago Bulls
Chicago’s front office ripped the Band-Aid off and tore down the roster at the trade deadline. They received younger talent in Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Rob Dillingham, and Collin Sexton. The Bulls see a first-round pick in return, but have a plethora of second-round picks to use in future deals.
20. Atlanta Hawks
Feb 11, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) takes a jump shot guarded by Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during second quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Trae Young wanted out of Atlanta, and the team made it happen. The move was best for both sides, and Atlanta’s return included veteran CJ McCollum. After receiving Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield at the trade deadline, the Hawks have a capable roster for the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
19. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte flipped a switch in late January and are now competing on a nightly basis. The team’s trade deadline deal for Coby White gives them a much-needed veteran who can score at will. If the Hornets can continue their hot stretch for the remainder of the season, they will be a favorite to make it out of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
18. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers added a talented, young guard when they received Darius Garland in exchange for James Harden. This was the right move as they were unwilling to give Harden another extension. Los Angeles has a tough road to survive the Western Conference play-in tournament, but if they survive, the season will end in the first round of the playoffs.
17. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are playing in to the play-in tournament and have a realistic chance of making it into the playoffs. Portland’s offense has been a strength, but the defense is one of the league’s worst. After the season, the biggest issue is the lack of a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
16. Miami Heat
Miami’s had impressive success without the roster, including a superstar. Head coach Erik Spoelstra gets the best out of his roster on a yearly basis. Miami is a favorite to make it out of the play-in tournament, but lacks the talent to contend for the Eastern Conference Finals.
15. Golden State Warriors
Jan 30, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after committing a turnover against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
This is the twilight of Golden State’s golden era. The Warriors’ core has a few seasons left before they announce their retirements. If they survive the play-in tournament, the team won’t be able to contend with any Western Conference teams in the playoffs.
14. Orlando Magic
The Magic are right where they need to be. Currently in a play-in tournament spot, a hot streak can catapult them into one of the six Eastern Conference playoff seeds. The key to Orlando’s young team is getting into the playoffs and making life difficult for any opposing teams.
13. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia continues to right the ship after last season’s disappointment. They’ve managed to keep Joel Embiid healthy, and the big man is on pace to play the most games since the 2022-2023 season. The 76ers have a consistent team, ranking 13th in offense and 16th in defense.
12. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has played well for the better part of the season. They’ve hovered between the play-in tournament and a guaranteed playoff spot. The Suns’ issue is a lack of depth that the league’s dominant teams possess.
11. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have been one of the season’s biggest surprises. Injuries plagued the roster last year, but the team’s core has stayed healthy. Toronto’s improved defense has positively impacted the team’s success.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Feb 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) smiles against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards continues to lead Minnesota but must stay healthy in the final leg of the season. The Timberwolves have taken a step back in defensive productivity compared to last season, and this can be an issue in the playoffs. Of the six top-seeded Western Conference teams, the Timberwolves have the worst record against the division.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers continue to compete, but the question is how much LeBron James has left in the tank. The all-time great would love nothing more than to win one more championship. For that to happen, Los Angeles will need to increase its defensive efficiency and take the playoffs by storm.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
It took a while, but Cleveland is starting to resemble the dominant force of last season. The Cavaliers have gone 10-1 since January 21st and have propelled into the Eastern Conference’s 4th seed. The team wants nothing more than to prove last year’s first-round playoff exit was a fluke.
7. Houston Rockets
Houston’s great season has been overlooked, and they continue to be one of the NBA’s top teams. The Rockets have gotten their money’s worth in Kevin Durant’s first season with the team. His numbers are below his career averages, but he can rely on others more than he has in years.
6. New York Knicks
Feb 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Knicks are one of the league’s most well-rounded teams, ranking 8th in offense and 5th in defense. New York came up short last season, losing to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals. They have the talent to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
5. Denver Nuggets
Denver’s improved defense has made a positive impact on the roster. When Nikola Jokic missed a month of the season, the team continued forward, going 10-6. The Nuggets must play stout defense to reach the Western Conference Finals.
4. Boston Celtics
Boston’s strong run couldn’t have been predicted after losing Jayson Tatum during last season’s playoffs. The team has been nothing short of spectacular and continues to rank 2nd in defense. The Celtics will have to grind in the postseason, but have positioned themselves as one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Improved defense is the main factor in San Antonio’s outstanding season. Last season, the Spurs ranked 23rd in points allowed per game, and defensive improvements have them currently ranked 7th. A healthy Victor Wembanyama and lockdown defense are the two things San Antonio needs to have a shot at dethroning Oklahoma City.
2. Detroit Pistons
Detroit gained experience after reaching the playoffs last season. Cade Cunningham has become a star, and the team is riding high on the league’s 3rd–ranked defense. As of today, the Eastern Conference goes through Detroit.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) — -230
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Paycom Center. Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City is young, outstanding, and the defending NBA champions. The best part is the team owns three first-round draft picks in the next two drafts. If they can stay healthy, the Thunder can be not only the Western Conference’s best, but the league’s best team for the next decade.
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