The Oklahoma City Thunder top the latest NBA power rankings as the 2025-2026 season progresses with several surprises. Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets follow closely, while Eastern Conference teams like Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks emerge as strong contenders. The rankings reflect early season performances and championship chances for all 30 teams.
As the 2025-2026 NBA season hits December, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit at No. 1 in power rankings, surpassing last year's championship team with a dominant defense that blurs fouling and physicality. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots nearly 44 percent from three, Chet Holmgren plays like an All-NBA talent, and Jalen Williams contributes post-injury. The Thunder's steal-to-layup conversions stand out, positioning them for a potential 70-win season and another top draft pick from the struggling Los Angeles Clippers.
Denver Nuggets rank second, boasting the best offensive rating in league history. Nikola Jokic leads in assists and rebounds while scoring nearly 30 points per game, supported by Jamal Murray's All-Star-caliber play and Aaron Gordon's forward prowess. Houston Rockets come in third, excelling in offensive rebounding at 40 percent of misses despite low three-point volume, with Reed Sheppard emerging and Alperen Sengun making a predicted leap.
In the East, New York Knicks hold fourth, favored to lead the conference with Jalen Brunson driving the offense and elite rebounding. Detroit Pistons rank seventh, ascending with Cade Cunningham's clutch play and Jalen Duren's monster rebounding on an elite defense. Surprises include the Pistons topping the East over expected Knicks-Cavaliers rivalry, Toronto Raptors at 12th with Brandon Ingram's addition boosting defense, and Miami Heat at ninth after revamping their iso-heavy offense.
Bottom teams face challenges: Brooklyn Nets at 30th seek lottery luck, Indiana Pacers at 28th deal with injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and others, and Los Angeles Clippers at 22nd suffer from poor defense and Kawhi Leonard's unreliability. Milwaukee Bucks at 19th grapple with Giannis Antetokounmpo seeking a trade. These rankings highlight a league full of unexpected starts and rebuilds.