Victor Wembanyama #1 has led the San Antonio Spurs to the top of the NBA power rankings.
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Victor Wembanyama #1 has led the San Antonio Spurs to the top of the NBA power rankings.
It’s been a long, long time since we saw the Spurs and the Pistons at the top of the NBA power rankings, and though few outside San Antonio and Detroit might remember this, the two teams put on a barn-burner of a series when they faced each other back in 2005. Many of the folks who were with the Pistons in that era frustratingly remember that the team could have been back-to-back champs if not for an inbounds play that wound up in the hands of Spurs clutch shooter Robert Horry, who knocked down a 3-pointer with five seconds to play in Game 5.
But that was a different time. The Spurs won the first two games of what would be a seven-game series, and did so by holding the Pistons to 69 and 76 points in Games 1 and 2. The Pistons returned the favor by holding San Antonio to 79 and 71 points in Games 3 and 4 to even the series, setting up Horry’s shot, which tipped the series firmly in the Spurs’ favor.
It was hard not to think of that series when the Spurs beat the Pistons last week, with both teams now looking like Finals contenders in their respective conferences. The big difference was that some of those games back in 2005 would make your eyes bleed because they were so physical defensively and inept offensively. In the Spurs’ big win, San Antonio scored 83 points … in three quarters.
Here in 2026, Spurs-Pistons would be a fascinating NBA Finals series–and a much more aesthetically pleasing one.
NBA Power Rankings: Knicks Finding Defensive Footing
Any time something goes wrong with the Knicks this season, there is no doubt where the hammer of blame is going to fall: either on star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, or on coach Mike Brown for mismanaging Karl-Anthony Towns. But with Sunday’s win over the Spurs, the Knicks have shown that no matter what Towns does, they can win if they bring their elite defense–which has not always been the case.
It has lately, though. The Knicks are 14-4 in their last 18 games, and are the No. 1 defensive team in the league (103.1 rating) in that span.
Spurs, 43-17.
Pistons, 45-14.
Thunder, 47-15.
Knicks, 39-22.
Celtics, 40-20.
Timberwolves, 38-23.
Rockets, 37-22.
Nuggets, 37-24.
Cavaliers, 38-24.
Lakers, 36-24.
NBA Part II Rankings: Warriors Free Falling
The last month has gone about as poorly as possible for the Warriors. They went into February having lost Jimmy Butler on January 19 to an ACL tear, then saw star Stephen Curry go out with a persistent injury to his kneecap. They traded Jonathan Kuminga away for Kristaps Porzingis and, to no one’s surprise, have been unable to get Porzingis healthy as he is out with an illness.
Meanwhile, Kuminga is thriving in Atlanta, Curry will be re-evaluated in 10 days and the Dubs have gone 6-10 in their last 16.
11. Raptors, 35-25.
12. Suns, 34-26.
13. Sixers, 33-27.
14. Magic, 31-28.
15. Hornets, 30-31.
16. Clippers, 28-31.
17. Hawks, 31-31
18. Heat, 32-29.
19. Warriors, 31-29.
Trail Blazers, 29-33.
Jonathan Kuminga
GettyJonathan Kuminga played his first game for the Atlanta Hawks against the Washington Wizards last week.
NBA Power Rankings Part III: Witness the Tank-a-thon
It’s a race to the bottom for a handful of teams these days, and as much hand-wringing as there has been over tanking–those offended by it and a newly vocal group of tanking apologists–the league is not making much progress on stopping it.
21. Bucks, 26-33.
22. Bulls, 25-36.
23. Grizzlies, 23-36.
24. Mavericks, 21-39.
25. Pelicans, 19-43.
26. Wizards, 16-43.
27. Jazz, 18-42.
28. Nets, 15-45.
29. Pacers, 15-46.
30. Kings, 14-48.