The second month of the 2025-26 NBA season is in the books.
The reigning champion OKC Thunder boasts the best record in the league at 25-3, and it’s still viewed as the favorite to win a second straight title.
But there are multiple teams on the rise that are worth monitoring.
Here are updated NBA power rankings (records entering play Monday):
2025-26 NBA power rankingsRecord: 5-22 (15th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 30 (Same)
Alexandre Sarr and Kyshawn George look like real building blocks, but there’s still a lot of construction that needs to be done in Washington. The Wizards rank 29th in the NBA in offensive rating (108.8) and 30th in defensive rating (122.7). It’s hard to imagine them moving up a few spots, if at all, on this list as the rest of the season unfolds.
Record: 7-21 (13th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 22 (Down seven)
The Clippers looked to have had one of the best rosters in the league entering this season. But injuries and regression have hit the oldest team in NBA history hard, and there isn’t much shot creation outside of James Harden. Now Chris Paul has also been dismissed from the team, making an embarrassing campaign even more of a bad look.
Record: 7-22 (14th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 26 (Down two)
Sacramento snapped a five-game losing streak with an impressive overtime win over Houston on Sunday. But there’s still a low ceiling on this team, and I’d be shocked if it didn’t have a fire sale at the deadline. Players such as Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan should all be made available so the Kings can hit a hard reset.
Record: 6-22 (14th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 27 (Same)
Indiana’s offense was expected to struggle without Tyrese Haliburton, but it’s still surprising to see that it has the worst offensive rating (108.1) in the NBA. The Pacers also rank last in field goal percentage (43.1%) and 3-point percentage (32.3%). That makes it pretty hard to win games, to say the least.
Record: 7-22 (15th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 28 (Up two)
After seemingly hitting rock bottom, New Orleans has won its last four games. Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are two of the best rookies in their class, and Trey Murphy III is a dynamic scorer. And considering they don’t have their own first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, there’s nothing stopping the Pelicans from entering the mix in a wide-open battle for the West’s play-in tournament.
Record: 8-19 (13th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 29 (Up four)
Michael Porter Jr. is thriving in an expanded role with a career-high average of 25.7 points per game on 49.3% shooting from the field (39.6% from deep). And he’s been so good that he could fetch multiple first-round picks if Brooklyn opts to flip him at the trade deadline. But for now, Porter is helping the Nets play some decent basketball with five wins in their last eight games.
Record: 10-17 (12th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 23 (Down one)
The Jazz will likely finish with a losing record for the fourth straight season, but there’s some reason for optimism. Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George are playing great basketball, and Utah could retain its first-round pick in the upcoming draft. It’s top-eight protected, with it set to go to OKC if it conveys.
Record: 9-19 (12th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 25 (Up two)
Health continues to be an issue for Charlotte, but it has plenty of promising young players on the roster. LaMelo Ball is still a talented guard, Brandon Miller has the potential to become a dynamic scorer and the Hornets have a strong group of rookies that’s led by Kon Knueppel. It’s a solid group with some good recent wins against Toronto, Cleveland and Atlanta.
Record: 12-16 (10th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 20 (Down two)
Deni Avdija is playing at an All-Star level, and Shaedon Sharpe is averaging a career-high 21.9 points. But Portland’s offense continues to stall in the half-court setting, plus it’s averaging a league-high 17.1 turnovers. Those struggles have prevented it from climbing the Western Conference standings despite having a pretty talented roster.
Record: 13-15 (10th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 14 (Down seven)
Chicago started the season 6-1 but has gone 7-14 since then. The Bulls have ranked 19th in offensive rating (112.8) and 27th in defensive rating (119.4) during that stretch, as they’ve struggled on both ends of the floor. Maybe a recent pair of wins against Cleveland and one over Atlanta will help Josh Giddey and company get back on track.
Record: 11-18 (11th in the West)Previous ranking: No. 24 (Up four)
Dallas is recovering from its darkest period in franchise history after trading away Luka Dončić, but Cooper Flagg has been a beacon of light. The top pick in this past year’s draft has been special this month, averaging 24 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks throughout eight games. It’s still unclear if Dallas will hit the reset button at the deadline by trading away Anthony Davis and Co., but the Mavericks clearly have their face of the future.
Record: 11-18 (11th in the East)Previous ranking: No. 19 (Same)
The Bucks have gone 1-5 since Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with a right calf strain. And with rumors circulating that the superstar forward could ask out of Milwaukee, there’s a chance this team could plummet in the standings. Or Antetokounmpo could remain loyal to the Bucks, and they could continue to be a solid Eastern Conference team.
Record: 14-15 (Eighth in the West)Previous ranking: No. 17 (Down one)
Golden State is only 3-5 in games when Stephen Curry has scored at least 30 points. The 37-year-old superstar clearly needs more help, and he hasn’t gotten it on a consistent basis from co-star Jimmy Butler. It’s tough to count out a team led by future Hall of Famers, but its play so far hasn’t created much optimism for a deep playoff push.
Record: 15-13 (Seventh in the West)Previous ranking: No. 18 (Up one)
Phoenix appears to have adopted the mindset of Dillon Brooks, who was a part of the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston in February. The Suns are tough, and they don’t back down from taking on the heavyweights of this league. Even though I can’t see them knocking out one of those teams in the playoffs, I can definitely see them putting up a good fight.
Record: 15-14 (Eighth in the East)Previous ranking: No. 12 (Down four)
Miami is 2-8 in its last 10 games, and it’s struggling to replace the scoring production of Tyler Herro. He has missed six of the Heat’s last seven games due to a toe injury. Once Herro returns, the Heat should return to being one of the better teams in the East.
Record: 13-15 (Ninth in the West)Previous ranking: No. 21 (Up six)
After a rough start to the season, Memphis has won seven of its last 10 games. It’s worth noting that Ja Morant has only suited up in two of those contests, which the Grizzlies split. There’s a real chance Memphis will trade its star point guard this season, and it’d be interesting to see what it can get in return.
Record: 15-15 (Ninth in the East)Previous ranking: No. 11 (Down three)
Trae Young missed 22 straight games this season due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, and you can make a good case that Atlanta was better in his absence. The Hawks ranked 22nd in defensive rating (117.6) through the first five games of the season when Young played, but they ranked 11th (113.2) while he was out. Jalen Johnson also looks like he can lead a franchise, making it unclear what Young’s future looks like in Atlanta.
Record: 17-13 (Sixth in the East)Previous ranking: No. 10 (Down three)
Toronto has cooled off after a 14-5 start to the season, but it isn’t all bad news. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes are still playing at an All-Star level, and RJ Barrett was cleared to participate in on-court activities Saturday after being sidelined for the past 13 games due to a right knee sprain. I expect the Raptors to return to their winning ways once he returns.
Record: 16-11 (Fourth in the East)Previous ranking: No. 15 (Up three)
Philadelphia has won seven of its last 10 games. Tyrese Maxey is building a case to make an All-NBA team, and role players such as Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond have stepped up during the absences of Paul George and Joel Embiid. If Philadelphia can stay healthy, it has the talent to crack the top 10 of this list.
Record: 15-14 (Seventh in the East)Previous ranking: No. 7 (Down four)
Cleveland has lost seven of its last 10 games, and it has struggled to stay healthy. Evan Mobley (calf strain) missed three of those games, Jarrett Allen (finger strain) missed six, Darius Garland (turf toe) missed two and Donovan Mitchell (illness) missed one. Still, more is expected of a team that many people picked to come out of the East this season.
Record: 16-12 (Sixth in the East)Previous ranking: No. 13 (Up three)
Orlando hasn’t ranked in the top 20 in offensive rating since the 2011-12 season, but it ranks 10th as of now (115.6). A lot of credit has to go to Desmond Bane, who’s finally starting to provide some much-needed floor spacing. He’s shooting 41.3% from deep through eight games this month compared to 34.3% in November.
Record: 17-11 (Third in the East)Previous ranking: No. 16 (Up seven)
Despite not having Jayson Tatum and holding a fire sale this past offseason to shed $300 million, Boston is still looking like one of the best teams in the East. Jaylen Brown is averaging a career-high 29.3 points, Derrick White is shining on both ends of the floor and role players such as Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh have emerged as viable contributors. If Tatum does return at some point this season from his torn Achilles, this could be a dangerous postseason team.
Record: 19-10 (Fifth in the West)Previous ranking: No. 9 (Up one)
Minnesota is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. The Timberwolves have won eight of their last 10 games, and they recently made a statement by defeating the reigning champion Thunder. Minnesota was only 2-8 against teams with a winning record before that, but Anthony Edwards and company are commanding some respect.
Record: 19-8 (Fourth in the West)Previous ranking: No. 5 (Down two)
Austin Reaves has missed Los Angeles’ last three games due to a Grade 1 left calf strain, and yet the team has gone 2-1 during that stretch. It has also gone 10-5 without LeBron James and 4-2 without Luka Dončić. The Lakers just keep finding ways to win games, and they deserve credit for their improved depth.
Record: 17-9 (Sixth in the West)Previous ranking: No. 3 (Down three)
Houston has hit a bit of a road bump with four losses in its last six games, but I wouldn’t say there’s a big problem. The Rockets still have a lethal scoring duo of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, enough size to cause problems for any opponent and a wealth of defensive weapons with Amen Thompson topping that list. And Houston still ranks second in net rating (9.3), only trailing OKC.
Record: 21-7 (Second in the West)Previous ranking: No. 8 (Up three)
Similar to Minnesota, San Antonio showed it means business when it beat OKC in the NBA Cup semifinals. Victor Wembanyama is a dominant force on both ends of the floor, and the Spurs have an elite backcourt duo of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. San Antonio is clearly ahead of schedule, as it already looks like a team that could win a few rounds in the playoffs.
Record: 20-8 (Second in the East)Previous ranking: No. 6 (Up two)
New York has won eight of its last 10 games, including an NBA Cup championship win over San Antonio. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns continue to light up the scoreboard, and the Knicks have also gotten good production out of wings such as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. I have New York slightly below Detroit in these power rankings, but it wouldn’t be hard to argue that this is the best team in the East.
Record: 22-6 (First in the East)Previous ranking: No. 4 (Up one)
Detroit has a bonafide superstar in Cade Cunningham, a walking double-double in Jalen Duren and enough floor spacing thanks to Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. This is a complete team that ranks top 10 in both offensive rating (ninth) and defensive rating (second). And while it doesn’t have a ton of playoff experience, it has enough weapons to come out of the East.
Record: 20-7 (Third in the West)Previous ranking: No. 2 (Same)
A lot of people viewed Denver as the biggest threat to OKC entering this season, and that hasn’t changed with two months in the books. Nikola Jokic still looks like the best player in the world, Jamal Murray is building a case to earn his first All-Star selection and Cam Johnson has found a shooting rhythm after a slow start. The Nuggets are definitely capable of beating the Thunder in a seven-game series.
Record: 25-3 (First in the West)Previous ranking: No. 1 (Same)
After becoming just the second team in NBA history to start a season 24-1, OKC has lost two of its last three games. Most of that can be chalked up to the growing pains that come from re-integrating guys such as Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, but it’s worth noting that the Thunder’s half-court offense has stalled at times. Still, the champs have earned some leniency and should still be viewed as the favorites to win it all again.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.