The calendar yr is about to shut and NBA motion is about to warmth up.
Not solely is the commerce deadline slightly greater than a month away, however we lastly have a new No. 1 atop these power rankings.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have dominated basketball for a full season after which some, however they’ve hit a latest skid, shedding 4 of their final seven — which got here after a 16-game profitable streak.
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The Thunder nonetheless have reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the younger core stays intact, so it’s not time to sound the alarms.
It’s clear, nevertheless, that there are not less than some challengers able to enjoying with OKC.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 9 of the 2025-26 common season:
USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
Note: Records and stats by Dec. 28. Parentheses present motion from last week’s rankings
NBA Week 10 power rankings: Top 5
1. San Antonio Spurs, 23-8 (+2)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 27-5 (-1)
3. Detroit Pistons, 24-8 (-1)
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4. New York Knicks, 22-9 (—)
5. Denver Nuggets, 22-9 (—)
You don’t defeat the highest group and defending champions three times in the span of 13 days with out taking an edge over them. The Spurs is probably not all the best way full, however with Victor Wembanyama all the best way again and their trio of speedy guards pushing tempo, San Antonio could also be breaking out as an extremely harmful group. The Spurs, not less than proper now, are simply that. The Nuggets obtained a large day from Nikola Jokić on Christmas Day, however three losses in 5 video games is a little bit of a priority.
NBA Week 10 power rankings: Nos. 6-10
6. Boston Celtics, 19-12 (+3)
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7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 20-12 (—)
8. Houston Rockets, 19-10 (—)
9. Los Angeles Lakers, 20-10 (-3)
10. Phoenix Suns, 18-13 (+2)
Boston is quietly lurking, although its schedule has been comparatively mild with no video games performed but in opposition to Western Conference powers: the Spurs, Thunder or Nuggets. The Timberwolves will kick themselves for making a gift of a nine-point lead in extra time to the Nuggets Christmas Day, a sport that would carry seeding implications down the street. The large concern for the Lakers is that they nonetheless haven’t found out find out how to play cohesively with each Luka Dončić and LeBron James each on the ground; shedding Austin Reaves (calf) for prolonged time doesn’t assist, both.
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NBA Week 10 power rankings: Nos. 11-15
11. Orlando Magic, 18-14 (—)
12. Toronto Raptors, 19-14 (+1)
13. Miami Heat, 17-15 (+5)
14. Cleveland Cavaliers, 17-16 (—)
15. Philadelphia 76ers, 16-14 (-5)
Every group on this center pack suffers from lack of consistency; the Magic have seemingly alternated between wins and losses all December. The Cavaliers clearly want to remodel their roster, so count on them to be lively earlier than the buying and selling deadline. After leaping up the rankings final week, the Sixers have dropped three consecutive and wish improved perimeter capturing from position gamers.
NBA Week 10 power rankings: Nos. 16-20
16. Golden State Warriors, 16-16 (+3)
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17. Memphis Grizzlies, 15-17 (—)
18. Chicago Bulls, 15-16 (-2)
19. Milwaukee Bucks, 13-19 (+4)
20. Atlanta Hawks, 15-18 (-5)
The Bulls have truly received 5 of their final six and are enjoying far faster (rating second in tempo at 103.64), however they’re victims of motion above them. Getting Giannis Antetokounmpo again and wholesome is the increase the Bucks wanted, although commerce rumors is not going to go away. And the Hawks have misplaced six consecutive and are 0-5 in video games Trae Young has performed in since his return, averaging 133 factors per sport in these contests. Atlanta is perhaps greatest served to ship him off.
NBA Week 10 power rankings: Nos. 21-25
21. Portland Trail Blazers, 13-19 (—)
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22. Utah Jazz, 12-19 (—)
23. Los Angeles Clippers, 10-21 (+5)
24. Dallas Mavericks, 12-21 (-4)
25. Charlotte Hornets, 11-20 (-1)
Have the Clippers lastly turned the nook? Winners of 4 consecutive, three of these have come in opposition to strong opponents (Pistons, Rockets, Lakers). Anthony Davis is harm as soon as once more, and the Mavericks have misplaced 4 of 5. And the Hornets have some markers of an bettering group; they’re tied for first in defensive rebounding share (71.6%) and rank fifth in 3-pointers made per sport (14.9).
NBA Week 10 power rankings: Nos. 26-30
26. Brooklyn Nets, 10-19 (-1)
27. New Orleans Pelicans, 8-25 (-1)
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28. Sacramento Kings, 8-24 (+1)
29. Washington Wizards, 7-23 (+1)
30. Indiana Pacers, 6-26 (-3)
The Nets are on slightly tear, profitable three in a row in opposition to the Raptors, 76ers and Timberwolves. The Pelicans desperately want capturing, rating lifeless final within the NBA in 3s made per sport (10.6), and the Pacers are the worst offensive group in basketball, rating final in score (107.7). The return of Aaron Nesmith will assist, however it received’t repair all their points.
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs unseat Thunder, take over top spot in NBA power rankings