With the Super Bowl behind us, we can now turn our attention to college basketball and the NBA. Most people claim that Christmas Day marks the unofficial beginning of the NBA season, but people really start paying attention to the league after the NFL season concludes. With that in mind, we want to give you an idea of what the landscape of the NBA currently looks like. Without further ado, these are our power rankings at the NBA All-Star Break.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-14)

There's no question that this is the best team in the league at the moment. They're the defending champs, the number-one seed in the West, and are only a half-game back from the best record in the NBA. OKC is first in defense (108 ppg allowed) and fourth in offense (119.7 ppg), giving them the best point differential in the league (+11.9). If they hadn't gone 5-5 in their last ten games, they would have the league's best record. And, if that wasn't enough, their 2024 first-round draft pick just made his NBA debut yesterday, so the rich are getting even richer.

2. Detroit Pistons (40-13)

They enter the NBA All-Star Break with the best record in the league, thanks to an impressive 8-2 run over their last ten games. Since the beginning of January, the Pistons are 15-5, which puts them in a tie with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best winning percentage in the NBA during that stretch (.750). They have recently given their opponents a lot of problems, leading the league in steals per game (11.6) and blocks per game (6.5) since the start of the new year. Over the course of the entire season, Detroit is second in field goal percentage allowed (44.1%) and third in defensive scoring (109.3 points per game allowed).

3. San Antonio Spurs (38-16)

The Spurs are just a well-balanced team. They rank seventh in both scoring (118.1 points per game) and defense (112.2 points per game allowed). Victor Wembanyama is the star of the show, but we also have to give credit to De'Aaron Fox, who is on pace to record the second-highest single-season field goal percentage of his career (48.4%). The Spurs are a nightmare defensively, ranking second in defensive rating since January 1st (108.9), which is why they have the sixth-best winning percentage during that stretch. They're also the hottest team in the NBA right now, riding a league-best six-game winning streak into the break.

4. New York Knicks (35-20)

The Knickerbockers were my preseason favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, and I still feel that way today. They're one of the best teams in the league right now with an 8-2 record over their last ten games. Since the beginning of 2026, they have the third-best defensive rating in the league (110.4). They’re also equipped with arguably the best one-two punch in the NBA with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who average 46.8 points per game combined this season. They've been an elite team from deep this season, too, with a 37.8 three-point percentage, which ranks third in the league.

5. Denver Nuggets (35-20)

As we have come to expect, superstar center Nikola Jokić is once again having an MVP-caliber season. He leads the league in both rebounds (12.3 per game) and assists (10.7 per game) while ranking seventh in scoring amongst qualifying players (28.7 points per game). The Nuggets are the best offensive team in the NBA, leading the league in points per game (120.4) and three-point percentage (39.5), while ranking second in field goal percentage (49.5) and tied for second in turnovers per game (11.9). Fourth-year guard Peyton Watson has also stepped up his game tremendously. He's on pace to set new career highs in points per game, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game, and steals per game.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21)

They might be eighth in winning percentage, but they are one of the best offensive teams in the league. Considering the name of the sport is BASKETball, I think it's fair to rank them sixth on our list since they excel at getting the ball to go through the hoop. They're second in the league in scoring (120 points per game) and lead all NBA teams in offensive rating since the start of January (120.4). They also rank first in true shooting percentage (60.8), first in passing (30.2 assists per game), second in field goal percentage (49.9), and fifth in three-point percentage (37.6) during that stretch. If they can keep up the defensive rating they've posted since the new year began (113.6, eighth in the NBA), they will seriously threaten the Knicks and Pistons as the best team in the East.

7. Boston Celtics (35-19)

Even in a down year where they have been without their best player, the Celtics still find a way to be competitive because they are a well-run franchise. They always have been and always will be. Boston has the second-best defense in the NBA (108.4 points per game allowed) and the third-highest point differential in the league (+6.9), which are both signs of good coaching. They've also been playing some of their best ball as of late, ranking third in offensive rating since January 1st (119.1). Now that Jayson Tatum has begun practicing, it's only a matter of time before he returns to the lineup. When he does, this team will be arguably the best in the NBA.

8. Houston Rockets (33-20)

Once again, like last season, they have been one of the league's best defensive teams. People thought they might take a step back in that area, but they are actually allowing fewer points per game this season than last year (109.6 vs. 109.8). The Rockets are the best rebounding team in the NBA (48.6 rpg), so they're great at generating extra possessions. Their three-point shooting has also improved, going from 35.3% last season to 37% this year. Their biggest problem during the 2025 NBA Playoffs was offense, since they ranked 11th out of 16 teams in postseason scoring (104 ppg). With Kevin Durant leading the charge and Alperen Şengün on pace to see improvements in his scoring, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and assist totals, the Rockets should be looked at as a serious contender to make some noise in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22)

The T-wolves have taken a noticeable step forward offensively, but also have regressed on defense. They're allowing opponents to score 5.5 more points per game this season, while their offensive output has increased by 5.4 points per game. The good news is that they have been playing some of their best ball as of late, with a .611 winning percentage since the beginning of December, which is tied with the Knicks for the seventh-best mark in the NBA during that stretch. Their offense has been tremendous over that period, averaging the second-most points per game since December 1st (120). They just need to make sure their fourth-ranked three-point percentage doesn't experience a major dropoff like it did last postseason, when it fell by 1.9%. If they can keep that decline to 1% or less, they'll once again make a deep playoff run.

10. Los Angeles Lakers (33-21)

This group has been gelling offensively this season, making a league-high 50% of their field goal attempts. Since December 1st, nobody has been better at making their shots than the Lakers, who are 49.3% from the field. Unfortunately, they have had issues when facing some of the best teams in the NBA. Their four most recent losses came against the Spurs, Thunder, Knicks, and Cavaliers, who are all playoff teams and championship contenders. They're defensively inept (21st in defensive rating since January 1st), which would explain their issues against elite competition. In those four aforementioned losses, they gave up 124 points per game. By comparison, the Utah Jazz, who have the worst scoring defense in the NBA, are allowing 125.9 points per game this season.

11. Toronto Raptors (32-23)

After being mired in mediocrity for the last two seasons with the ninth-lowest winning percentage in the league (.453), the Raptors' resurgence has been an unexpected and pleasant surprise. They have been riding their eighth-ranked defense to victories, which has given them the NBA’s seventh-best winning percentage since the beginning of January. They find themselves in this position because they have beaten up on teams in the East. Their 24 wins against conference opponents are tied with the Celtics and Knicks for the best mark in the East. They've also done an excellent job of distributing the ball lately by averaging the fourth-most assists per game in the NBA since the New Year began (29.4). They're not going to win any championships, but this is a feisty squad that could win a playoff series.

12. Phoenix Suns (32-23)

Like me, I'm sure everybody expected this team to be a bottom-feeder following the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. After all, they failed to make the 2025 Playoffs with both of those guys on the roster. However, the Suns are playing with much more effort, especially on defense. After allowing opponents to average 116.6 points per game last season, that number has dropped to 111.9 points per game this year, which is the fifth-best mark in the NBA. Devin Booker will deservedly get a lot of credit for Phoenix’s success, but Dillon Brooks is also having a career year. He’s on pace for career highs in scoring (21.2 points per game), free throw percentage (85.6), rebounds per game (3.7), and field goal percentage (44.1).

13. Philadelphia 76ers (30-24)

After playing in just 19 games last season, it appears that superstar center Joel Embiid is on the mend and trending in the right direction. His numbers for the entire season are pretty good, but he has been playing his best basketball recently, averaging the third most points per game in the NBA since the beginning of 2026 (29.9). Up-and-coming All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has also been sensational, ranking ninth in points per game during that stretch (26.5). In fact, the only people who have scored more points than him in February are Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Brunson. Paul George's 25-game suspension will hurt this team, but when he returns for the playoffs, they’ll have a formidable starting five.

14. Orlando Magic (28-25)

The Magic are still struggling to take that next step. After having the best defense in the NBA last season, they're allowing almost ten more points per game this season. Though the offense has seen noticeable improvement, it's still not good enough to make this team one of the best in the NBA. Their biggest issue is playing on the road. Their ten road wins are the fewest amongst teams entering the All-Star Break with an above .500 record. Another problem is that Orlando has been trending downward lately. After going 19-15 from October to the end of December, their .474 winning percentage since January 1st is the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. Hopefully, the All-Star Break can be the reset this team needs.

15. Miami Heat (29-27)

They've managed to stay above water so far, even though guard Tyler Herro has only played in 11 games this season. Amazingly, they've been an elite offensive team without Herro, ranking fifth in points per game (119.6). A lot of the credit has to go to guard Norman Powell, who leads the team in scoring (23 points per game). Since January 1st, Powell is sixth in points per game (21.6) and eighth in field goal percentage (46.4). As a team, they're third in points per game since the beginning of 2026 (117.6). They need to get better defensively, though, since they rank 20th in that category this season (117.2 points per game allowed).

16. Golden State Warriors (29-26)

This team has been on the decline for the last few weeks. First, they lost Jimmy Butler for the season to a torn ACL. Then, they parted ways with former seventh-overall draft pick Jonathan Kuminga after contentious contract negotiations. Their 4-7 since Butler went down, and Stephen Curry hasn't played since suffering a knee injury against the Detroit Pistons on January 30th. Without Butler and Curry, this team is as good as dead. Maybe the All-Star Break will give Steph the rest he desperately needs. If he can't come back soon after the break, then the Warriors will likely fall below .500, which is a problem considering they're a fringe play-in team at the moment.

17. Charlotte Hornets (26-29)

I know, I don't ever think about the Charlotte Hornets either, but they have quietly been one of the best teams in the NBA as of late. Their 9-1 record in their last ten games is the best mark in the NBA. Since the beginning of January, they have the second-highest winning percentage in the league (.682). The Hornets' efficient offense is a huge reason for their recent turnaround. They are second in three-point percentage (38.4) and rebounds per game (48.3) since January 1st, while averaging 115.5 points per game.

18. Los Angeles Clippers (26-28)

It looks like the old Kawhi Leonard that we remember from the Spurs and the Raptors is back. He has played in 41 of LA's 54 games and is averaging a team-high 27.9 points per game, which is good for eighth in the NBA. Since 2026 began, he’s sixth in points per game (28). They're below .500 right now, but are 3-2 since parting with James Harden in a trade that landed them former All-Star Darius Garland. Once Garland enters the lineup, this squad should see its scoring improve from 26th in the league (111.9 points per game).

19. Portland Trail Blazers (27-29)

Considering their former head coach was arrested just one day after Portland’s season began, it's pretty amazing that this team is competitive at the moment. Forward Deni Avidja was named an All-Star after ranking 16th in points per game during the first half of the season (25.2). Third-year guard Shaedon Sharpe has also been good, averaging a career-high 21.4 points per game. Ultimately, their defense will be their downfall since they allow the eighth-most points per game (118.3) in the league this season. Still, this team is competing on a nightly basis.

20. Atlanta Hawks (26-30)

The complexion of this team is very different from when the season began. They have parted ways with stars Trae Young and Kristaps Prozingis, but have managed to add Buddy Hield, CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, and Jonathan Kuminga. We don't really know how this group will fare after the All-Star break, with two of their top contributors no longer on the roster. They're only four games under .500, though, so I don't expect them to start tanking since they're currently slated to be a play-in team.

21. Milwaukee Bucks (23-30)

This has been a season from hell with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing 23 of the Bucks' 53 games. They're 8-15 when he's not on the court, but only 15-15 when he does play. Adding Cam Thomas will provide a good spark to their 27th-ranked scoring offense (111.8). After all, he had 34 against the Magic, and the Bucks somehow beat the Thunder in Oklahoma City yesterday. Things are bleak record-wise at the moment, but maybe the future doesn't look as dull as it used to with the addition of Thomas.

22. Chicago Bulls (24-31)

They're one of the worst-run franchises in the NBA. In fact, I would say that they are the worst team in the league that has at least 20 wins. They traded away three of their best players in Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu. The problem is that they were already bad before those moves. The Bulls are in the middle of a six-game losing streak and have just one win in their last ten games. The sad part is that they haven't even begun to bottom out yet. Things are going to get much uglier for Chicago.

23. Indiana Pacers (15-40)

As soon as we realized that Tyrese Haliburton would miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season, this is kind of how we expected things to go. To be fair, I thought they had enough camaraderie to be a threat to make the postseason as a play-in team, but clearly, I was wrong. Their offense has taken a huge step back from last season, going from seventh in scoring to 28th. Meanwhile, the defense is 24th in scoring (118.6 points per game allowed). This team will suck this year, but be back in contention for an NBA Championship when Haliburton returns, which should be next season because this one is a lost cause.

24. Brooklyn Nets (15-38)

A record like this felt like what was to be expected for the 2025-26 Nets. They dumped Cam Thomas, their second-leading scorer, for essentially no reason, which is an obvious sign that this team is tanking. Their biggest issue is offense. They're dead last in the league in scoring, with 2.4 points per game fewer than the next closest team. They need an influx of offensive talent in the off-season. Maybe they'll get lucky and win the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.

25. Utah Jazz (18-38)

Just when it looked like there was a glimmer of hope for this team to put out a good product, they were slapped with a $500,000 fine from the NBA for reportedly sitting healthy players. Two of the players riding the bench were leading scorer Lauri Markkanen and newly acquired big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who came to Utah in a blockbuster trade with the Grizzlies. The Jazz know they're nowhere close to being competitive and appear to be actively tanking.

26. Memphis Grizzlies (20-33)

Since the start of January, they're tied with the Jazz for the third-lowest winning percentage in the NBA (.250). Memphis is 2-8 in its last ten games and is in the middle of the fourth-longest losing streak in the league (four games). The worst part of all this is that Ja Morant has only played in 20 games. They can't even rely on their superstar player to show up on a nightly basis.

27. Dallas Mavericks (19-35)

They have lost nine games in a row and have one win in their last ten outings. Since the start of January, they have the seventh-lowest winning percentage in the league. They don't do anything well, ranking 21st in defense (117.4 points per game) and 22nd in offense (113.9 points per game). Their lone bright spot is Cooper Flagg, who is already cementing himself as a bona fide star in this league. He's 32nd in the NBA in scoring and leads all rookies in points per game (20.4). Flagg is the only reason to watch the Mavericks.

28. Washington Wizards (14-39)

This team is obviously terrible, but they could improve drastically once they get healthy. They're not going to make the playoffs or anything like that, but they have Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and former number-two overall pick Alex Sarr all recovering from injuries. They'll be much more competitive after the All-Star Break. The fact that they're 4-6 in their last ten games with all of these injuries is not terrible. I wouldn't be surprised if they finish the season with a better record than the Pacers, Wizards, Grizzlies, and Mavericks.

29. New Orleans Pelicans (15-41)

We can't even use the Zion Williamson injury excuse to explain why the Pelicans' record is what it is. He has played in 40 of New Orleans' 56 games this season. To his credit, 12 of the Pels' 15 wins have come in games that he has played in, but he's on pace to finish the season with the lowest point-per-game total of his career (21.6). At least rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears look decent. Even though the Pelicans will be in contention for the number-one overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it's a moot point since they don't even have a 2026 first-round draft pick. There is very little to be excited about in New Orleans when it comes to professional basketball.

30. Sacramento Kings (12-44)

Similar to the Thunder obviously being the best team in the league, the Kings are clearly the worst team in the NBA. They have the lowest winning percentage in the league (.214) and are in the middle of a 14-game losing streak. Sacramento's last win came on January 16th. Since then, they're losing by 12.1 points per game on average. So they haven't even been competitive during this winless stretch. They're 28th in defense and 29th in offense. There’s no justifiable reason to watch this team, even if you're a Sacramento Kings fan.