NBA Power Rankings, Week 6: Thunder Take the Throne as Contenders Separate from the Pack
We’re about a quarter of the way through the NBA season, and the standings are starting to take shape. At this point, 20 games in, trends start to feel real.
Teams sitting with 11 or more wins are typically on track for the postseason, while those with 12 losses are staring at some serious early-season soul-searching. Some squads are surging, others are slipping, and the league’s landscape is shifting fast.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 teams in the NBA Power Rankings for Week 6 - and why each one is making noise (or raising eyebrows) heading into December.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Best record? Check.
Best defense? Check.
Best net rating? Also check.
And now they’ve added the league’s most efficient clutch offense to the mix. The Thunder aren’t just winning - they’re dominating on both ends.
Jalen Williams is still working his way back into rhythm, and they’re already steamrolling opponents. When you're flirting with historic defensive efficiency and closing games like seasoned playoff vets, the No. 1 spot isn’t up for debate.
This team is for real.
2. Denver Nuggets
The champs have hit a bit of a defensive lull without Aaron Gordon, but the offense is still absurd. Nikola Jokic is doing Nikola Jokic things, orchestrating a top-tier attack even with rotating lineups.
They're raining threes, getting big nights from role players, and staying in cruise control offensively. Once the defense tightens back up and they get healthy, expect Denver to be right back in the top spot conversation.
3. Houston Rockets
Don’t let the early-season surprise tag fool you - Houston is built like a contender. They’re one of the rare teams sitting top-five in both offensive and defensive rating, and that balance is no fluke.
The defense keeps improving, and even with Kevin Durant sidelined, Reed Sheppard has stepped in like a seasoned pro. This group has depth, cohesion, and grit - and they’re not just beating teams, they’re outplaying them on both ends.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Seven straight wins is impressive, even if the competition hasn’t been elite. What’s more telling is how they’re winning.
Luka Doncic has taken over as the offensive engine, while Austin Reaves has gone full flamethrower mode. If this version of the Lakers - aggressive, efficient, and confident - sticks around, the Western Conference playoff picture is going to get very crowded at the top.
5. Detroit Pistons
After a red-hot start, Detroit finally hit a little turbulence. Turnovers have crept in, especially in crunch time, but they’re still dominating the paint and defending at a high level.
What stands out is their ability to win even when the three-ball isn’t falling. If they can clean up their late-game execution, this team has the tools to be a top-tier force all season.
6. New York Knicks
Quietly, the Knicks are bullying teams again - and that’s a good thing. Even without OG Anunoby and with Mitchell Robinson coming off the bench, Josh Hart’s move to the starting lineup has unlocked a tough, undersized unit that’s scoring at a torrid pace.
Add in their best stretch of defense this season, and suddenly New York looks like a real problem in the East.
7. Phoenix Suns
On paper, the Suns remain one of the league’s most improved defensive teams. But their recent stretch against top-tier opponents exposed some cracks.
Denver’s video-game shooting night against them was especially telling. Depth is still an issue, and getting Ryan Dunn healthy - along with a full reintegration of Grayson Allen - will be key if they want to stay in the contender conversation.
8. San Antonio Spurs
No Victor Wembanyama? No problem - at least for now.
The defense has taken a hit without their rookie phenom, but De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell are keeping the offense rolling. That comeback win in Denver was a statement.
Once Wemby returns and the chemistry resets, this team could be a serious threat in the West.
9. Orlando Magic
Orlando’s defense with Jalen Suggs on the floor has been flat-out nasty. They’re winning gritty games even when their shooting goes ice cold - like that win in Philly while shooting just 17% from deep.
That’s the kind of resilience that travels in the postseason. And with the league’s best bench stepping up during Paolo Banchero’s absence, this rise is anything but a fluke.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves finally notched some quality wins over Boston and San Antonio, but they’re still playing with fire in crunch time. Double-digit fourth-quarter leads keep slipping away before they remember how to close.
The talent and advanced metrics say this is a legit team. But until they tighten up late-game execution, there's reason to be cautious.
Around the League
The Raptors are red-hot, and the Magic are making believers out of skeptics.
On the flip side, traditional powers like the Bucks and Clippers are stumbling out of the gate. Meanwhile, the West holds a slight edge over the East in overall depth, and strength of schedule is beginning to separate the real contenders from the early-season pretenders.
With 75% of the season still to go, there’s plenty of time for things to change. But if the first quarter of the year is any indication, the NBA’s hierarchy is already taking shape - and the Thunder are leading the charge.