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NBA Power Rankings

As the 2025–26 NBA season crosses the Week 11 mark, the league is no longer defined by early-season volatility. Instead, clear power tiers are forming, exposing which teams are built to contend — and which are surviving on reputation rather than results.

Unlike the standings, which reward volume wins, power rankings reflect reality: recent performance, quality of opponents, efficiency margins, health, and playoff translation. When those factors are weighed together, the NBA’s current landscape becomes far sharper — and far less forgiving.

A New Gold Standard at the Top

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs enter Week 11 as the NBA’s most convincing all-around team — not because of hype, but because of proof against elite competition. Their recent victories over top-tier opponents were not flukes or hot-shooting anomalies. They were system wins.

San Antonio controls pace, limits transition damage, and consistently wins late-game possessions. Their defensive rotations are disciplined, their half-court offense is efficient, and their composure under pressure mirrors that of a veteran contender rather than a young riser.

Projection: If current trends hold, the Spurs are not merely a top seed — they are a legitimate Finals favorite.

Oklahoma City Thunder

A slight drop in ranking does not diminish Oklahoma City’s status. The Thunder remain one of the league’s most structurally sound teams, boasting elite guard play, switchable defenders, and a mature offensive identity.

Their recent losses highlight a matchup challenge, not a systemic flaw. Against most of the league, OKC still dictates tempo and forces opponents into uncomfortable shots.

Projection: Expect the Thunder to finish with one of the NBA’s best records. Their postseason fate may hinge on avoiding specific matchups — not on overall quality.

The Proven Contenders Waiting for an Opening

Boston Celtics

Boston’s strength lies in repeatability. They do not rely on miracle runs or extreme variance. Their rotation depth, defensive communication, and late-game execution make them one of the safest bets to reach the conference finals.

Concern: Occasional stagnation against elite defenses.
Upside: One of the league’s highest playoff floors.

Denver Nuggets

Denver remains a matchup nightmare. Their offensive chemistry, spacing, and interior dominance give them a ceiling few teams can match. The question is consistency from the supporting cast across an 82-game grind.

Projection: Dangerous if healthy. No contender wants a seven-game series with Denver.

Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee’s power ranking reflects volatility. At their best, they overwhelm teams physically and defensively. At their worst, spacing issues and transition defense resurface.

Key variable: Health and defensive focus.
Reality: Still capable of a deep playoff run if timing aligns.

The Dark Horses That Could Flip the Bracket

Minnesota Timberwolves

Defense travels in the postseason, and Minnesota owns one of the league’s most suffocating defensive identities. Their ceiling depends on half-court shot creation, but their floor is playoff-proof.

New York Knicks

The Knicks are relentless. They rebound, defend, and outwork opponents nightly. While they lack explosive scoring bursts, their physicality and conditioning make them a brutal playoff draw.

Phoenix Suns

No team carries a wider gap between floor and ceiling. When healthy, Phoenix can dismantle elite defenses. When compromised, they struggle to sustain rhythm.

Projection: A postseason wild card capable of either an early exit or a deep run.

The Reality Check Tier

Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers remain competitive but incomplete. Each has a clear strength — star power, coaching, or depth — yet none consistently demonstrate the balance required to threaten the league’s elite.

Legacy franchises such as the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers now live in a fragile space: capable of marquee wins, but vulnerable over long stretches.

Week 11 Really Reveals

The NBA’s middle class is shrinking. True contenders are separating, while reputation alone no longer guarantees relevance.

Key takeaways:

• San Antonio and Oklahoma City are setting the standard.

• Boston and Denver are best positioned to capitalize if the top tier falters.

• The 2026 postseason will reward defensive versatility, depth, and execution, not star names alone.

At Week 11, the championship picture is sharper — and the margin for error is disappearing fast.