![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28131542_168396005_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Jan 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\nThe NBA is back in action following the All-Star break. With each team having around 25 games left, now is the time for playoff contenders to solidify their division standings or fight to stay out of their respective conference\u2019s play-in tournament. On the other hand, bottom feeders are in full tank mode to better their odds for the top pick in the upcoming draft. Here are the updated NBA team power rankings as the month of February ends.<\/p>\n
30. Sacramento Kings<\/p>\n
Sacramento will do its best to end the season with the best odds in the draft lottery. The franchise needs youth, and the upcoming draft\u2019s top pick would be a great start. Leading up to the draft, the Kings\u2019 front office will try to move players for future draft assets.<\/p>\n
29. New Orleans Pelicans<\/p>\n
Jan 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
It\u2019s only a matter of time before the front office decides to tear it down. Another season with no playoffs and another season at the bottom of the league standings. If the Pelicans run it back next season, Sigmund Freud would be eager to apply his definition of insanity \u2013 doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.<\/p>\n
MORE: Charlotte Hornets share update after LaMelo Ball\u2019s car crash<\/a><\/p>\n 28. Washington Wizards<\/p>\n The Wizards are looking to enter next season with in-season acquisitions Trae Young and Anthony Davis at full health. Washington\u2019s front office can add supporting pieces with two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. If Young and Davis can stay healthy, the duo can lead the Wizards\u2019 playoff push during the 2026-2027 season.<\/p>\n 27. Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n The Nets need to do their best to have the best odds to land the number one pick in the upcoming draft. The franchise desperately needs a young superstar to lead them in the right direction. Having a top-three pick can jump-start the process.<\/p>\n 26. Indiana Pacers<\/p>\n The Pacers\u2019 front office trade deadline deal for Ivica Zubac sets the team up for success when Tyrese Haliburton returns to full health. The Clippers received the team\u2019s 2026 first-round pick, but it is protected for picks 1-4 and 10-30. If the Pacers end up with a top-four pick, they can add an outstanding player to the trio of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac.<\/p>\n 25. Utah Jazz<\/p>\n Utah is the most obvious franchise to tank the rest of the season. The team\u2019s 2026 first-round draft pick is protected for picks 1-8, or it will head to Oklahoma City. The Jazz want nothing more than to add a high-profile rookie to join the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.<\/p>\n 24. Dallas Mavericks<\/p>\n Dallas\u2019 season ended months ago. The team doesn\u2019t need to win, and they can allow Cooper Flagg to end the season with the best odds for Rookie of the Year. The Mavericks\u2019 front office has a rough road ahead to turn the team into a playoff contender.<\/p>\n 23. Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n The Grizzlies looked to the future when they traded Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline. Ja Morant is expected to miss two more weeks, and there is an increased likelihood that he will be traded in the offseason. Memphis is another team that will take the necessary steps to improve its draft lottery odds.<\/p>\n 22. Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n After the team\u2019s trade deadline teardown, the worst thing the Bulls can do is sneak into the play-in tournament. Chicago needs to improve its draft lottery odds while planning on having two first-round picks if Portland lands outside of the top fourteen. The team\u2019s trade deadline moves returned young, high-upside players, and the front office can quickly steer the organization in the right direction.<\/p>\n 21. Milwaukee Bucks<\/p>\n Giannis Antetokounmpo will do his best to push the team into the play-in tournament. However, Milwaukee will be lucky to make it into the playoffs. The upcoming offseason will be big for the franchise\u2019s future as Giannis will be adamant on playing elsewhere at the start of next season.<\/p>\n 20. Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n Charlotte is a team to watch as the regular season plays out. They added at the trade deadline and are headed for the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The Hornets have played well the past few months and are an intriguing team if they reach the playoffs.<\/p>\n 19. Portland Trail Blazers<\/p>\n The Trail Blazers are heading to the Western Conference play-in tournament. They fell short last season, but it is unlikely they will end the season behind Memphis, Dallas, Utah, New Orleans, and Sacramento. Portland\u2019s defense will be the reason they fail to make it through the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n 18. Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n Atlanta is sitting in a play-in tournament spot, but can easily be passed by Charlotte and Milwaukee. This is the best-case scenario for a franchise needing to build in the draft. After moving Trae Young, the team will search for the next face of the franchise.<\/p>\n 17. Los Angeles Clippers<\/p>\n Los Angeles\u2019 objective is to stay healthy. They are likely headed to the play-in tournament and will reach the playoffs with a healthy starting five of Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, and Brook Lopez. The team has the veterans to upset Western Conference opponents in the playoffs.<\/p>\n 16. Golden State Warriors<\/p>\n The Warriors are looking to make one last push should they reach the playoffs. A first-round upset had great odds before Jimmy Butler\u2019s season-ending injury. If Golden State survives the play-in tournament, this can be the last time the team reaches the playoffs in the Steph Curry era.<\/p>\n 15. Orlando Magic<\/p>\n Orlando needs to end the season strong and enter the play-in tournament with a healthy Franz Wagner. This season hasn\u2019t gone as planned, and the team\u2019s defensive decline hasn\u2019t helped. The Magic must figure it out to have a chance in the playoffs.<\/p>\n 14. Miami Heat<\/p>\n Miami is good but not great. The roster has the talent to survive the play-in tournament. It\u2019s unlikely the Heat will upset a team in the first round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n 13. Philadelphia 76ers<\/p>\n Philadelphia has rebounded from last season\u2019s letdown. The team is situated in the Eastern Conference\u2019s 6th seed. If the 76ers enter the playoffs with Joel Embiid healthy, the team can win their first-round playoff series.<\/p>\n 12. Toronto Raptors<\/p>\n The Raptors need to continue playing strong defense and add wins to the standings. They\u2019ve been one of the season\u2019s best stories and aren\u2019t slowing down. However, it is unlikely they make a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n 11. Phoenix Suns<\/p>\n Regardless of whether it\u2019s the 6th seed or surviving the play-in tournament, Phoenix is heading to the playoffs. The team\u2019s defense has greatly impacted their overall success. The Suns\u2019 offense isn\u2019t as potent as the top Western Conference teams, and they will rely on defense in the playoffs.<\/p>\n 10. Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n The Lakers\u2019 offense has been ahead of the defense throughout the season. Defense has cost the team wins, and this cannot happen in the playoffs. A playoff berth is likely, but the team isn\u2019t talented enough to get past the best teams in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n 9. Houston Rockets<\/p>\n Houston is underrated and overshadowed by Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Rockets\u2019 defense is one of the NBA\u2019s best and will be their secret weapon in the playoffs. Opposing playoff opponents can\u2019t afford to be off in a playoff series against Houston.<\/p>\n 8. Minnesota Timberwolves<\/p>\n Minnesota is doing its best to end the season as the Western Conference\u2019s 6th seed. If they are destined for the play-in tournament, the Timberwolves will survive and head to the playoffs. A team with Anthony Edwards will always have a chance to dethrone the top teams in the conference.<\/p>\n 7. Cleveland Cavaliers<\/p>\n Cleveland continues to play well, and everything is clicking. The Cavaliers need the momentum to carry throughout the rest of the regular season. As the playoffs start, Cleveland is ready to rid itself of last season\u2019s first-round playoff disappointment.<\/p>\n 6. Denver Nuggets<\/p>\n Denver is one of the league\u2019s best at offensive efficiency. On the other hand, the team needs to use the rest of the season to iron out defensive issues. The only way the Nuggets can reach the Western Conference Finals is by playing lockdown defense.<\/p>\n 5. New York Knicks<\/p>\n New York is where it needs to be at this point in the season. The team is heading for the playoffs and needs to end the regular season healthy. The Knicks have their eyes set on another run to the Eastern Conference Finals.<\/p>\n 4. Boston Celtics<\/p>\n Boston continues to dominate, and head coach Joe Mazzulla is a favorite to win Coach of the Year. The Celtics are looking to end the season strong while having Jayson Tatum potentially return in the postseason. There is no reason to believe the Celtics can\u2019t reach the Eastern Conference Finals.<\/p>\n 3. San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n San Antonio is one of a handful of teams that ranks top ten in offensive and defensive efficiency. Victor Wembanyama\u2019s health is the most important thing as the regular season ends. The sky is the limit for a fully healthy team in the playoffs.<\/p>\n 2. Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n Detroit isn\u2019t only the best Eastern Conference team, but one of the best in the NBA. Strong defense continues to propel the team on a nightly basis. The Pistons are the overall favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n 1. Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n The Thunder are being careful with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he works his way back from an abdominal injury. Oklahoma City needs a fully healthy roster to begin its journey to repeat as NBA champions. Until proven otherwise, the Thunder are still the best team in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n \u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n OLYMPICS: Team USA flag bearers revealed for 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony<\/a><\/p>\n NFL: Predicting the 2026 NFL free agent signings<\/a><\/p>\n MLB: Detroit Tigers drop unreal alternate jerseys for 2026 MLB season<\/a><\/p>\n NHL: 2026 Winter Olympics men\u2019s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28310095-1024x683.jpg\")
Feb 21, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) goes for the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"Steph](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/default-684-1024x683.jpg\")
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks at the scoreboard during a game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28147981_168396005_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures after scoring in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28205714_168396005_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Feb 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n