NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Take the Top, But the Magic Are Rising Fast
We’re a quarter of the way into the 2025-26 NBA season, and the league’s power dynamics are starting to take shape. While the top spot remains in familiar hands, the real intrigue lies in the teams making unexpected noise - and none more so than the Orlando Magic. Let’s break down this week’s top 10, from surging squads to title favorites.
10. Orlando Magic - Gaining Ground
The Magic are finally starting to look like the team many hoped they’d be after adding Desmond Bane in the offseason. It wasn’t the smoothest start, but Orlando is beginning to find its identity.
Even with health issues still lingering, the chemistry is improving, and the pieces are starting to fit. Once Paolo Banchero returns to the lineup, this team has the potential to make a serious leap.
For now, they crack the top 10 - and it feels like just the beginning.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - Searching for Answers
Cleveland’s drop from the top tier to number nine is one of the more surprising developments of the early season. On paper, the Cavs have the depth and talent to contend with anyone.
But something’s been off lately - whether it’s injuries, fatigue, or a lack of cohesion, the results haven’t matched the roster. That said, this is still a team built for postseason success.
If they can get healthy and rediscover their rhythm, they won’t stay down for long.
8. New York Knicks - Staying Afloat Through Adversity
The Knicks have been in survival mode since opening night, with injuries and absences hitting nearly every part of the rotation. But credit where it’s due - they’ve stayed competitive.
Depth was a major question mark heading into the season, but this group has responded with grit and adaptability. The fact that they’re still in the top 10 despite the chaos speaks volumes about their resilience.
7. Toronto Raptors - Quietly Climbing
Toronto isn’t making a ton of headlines, but they’re winning games - and doing it the right way. Without a single superstar dominating the spotlight, the Raptors are leaning into balance, chemistry, and execution.
At 14-6 and second in the East, they’re proving that team-first basketball still works. If they keep this up, they won’t be flying under the radar much longer.
6. San Antonio Spurs - Depth and Development Paying Off
The Spurs are back - and not just because of Victor Wembanyama. Even when their generational big man isn’t on the floor, San Antonio has found ways to win.
That’s a credit to the roster construction and the emergence of young leaders like Stephon Castle, along with the steady hand of De’Aaron Fox. This team blends athleticism, creativity, and depth in a way that’s tough to game-plan against.
Don’t sleep on them.
5. Denver Nuggets - Jokic Still the Engine
As long as Nikola Jokic is in a Nuggets jersey, Denver’s going to be in the mix. The two-time MVP continues to put up video game numbers, but the real story might be Jamal Murray.
He’s playing with the confidence and rhythm we haven’t seen since the bubble, and it’s elevating the entire team. With their stars clicking, the Nuggets are firmly entrenched in the top five - and they’re not going anywhere.
4. Los Angeles Lakers - Luka’s Team Now
LeBron James is back and still making an impact, but make no mistake - this is Luka Doncic’s show now. His presence has reshaped the Lakers’ offense into something smoother, more unselfish, and frankly, more dangerous.
There’s a calm confidence around this team that feels familiar - like the kind of vibe you see from a group that knows what it takes to win it all. If they stay healthy, the Lakers are a real problem.
3. Houston Rockets - Built to Win Now
The Rockets are playing like a team that’s been together for years, not months. After an 0-2 start, they’ve rattled off 12 wins in 14 games, and it’s not a fluke.
Kevin Durant’s addition has been even better than advertised, but it’s the overall cohesion that’s really setting Houston apart. Everyone knows their role, and everyone’s bought in.
This is one of the most dangerous teams in the league - and they’re only getting better.
2. Detroit Pistons - The East’s Elite
The Pistons are no longer a feel-good story - they’re a legitimate powerhouse. At 16-4 and sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Detroit is winning with versatility.
They can grind you down defensively, outrun you in transition, or pick you apart in the halfcourt. That kind of flexibility is rare, and it’s why they’re one of the toughest outs in the league right now.
If they keep this up, the road to the Finals might run through Detroit.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder - The Team to Beat
No surprises here. The Thunder are playing like a team on a mission.
Their defense is suffocating, their offense still has room to grow, and they’ve got the kind of depth that wears opponents down. Right now, they’re not just winning - they’re controlling games.
With the league’s best defense and a young core that’s only getting better, Oklahoma City looks every bit like the 2026 title favorite.
Final Takeaway:
From the Thunder’s dominance to the Magic’s rise, this week’s power rankings showcase a league where young cores, smart roster moves, and chemistry are paying off.
We’re seeing a shift - not just in who’s winning, but how they’re doing it. And if this early-season form holds, we’re in for a wild ride come spring.