NBA Power Rankings: Ranking all 30 teams after the All-Star Break
The Thunder and Spurs dominate the Western Conference. With less than two months until the end of the regular season, the playoff race intensifies in both conferences.
Photo Credit : © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City keeps first place despite injuries
Oklahoma City(45–14) is still sitting on top, but it’s not exactly business as usual. The Thunder are missing a chunk of their core—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, a few other key pieces from that contender-level group—all sidelined with injuries. They’ve held the line so far, but you start to wonder how sustainable that is, and what it might mean down the road.
Even with all that missing firepower, Sunday’s win over Cleveland stood out. Oklahoma City handled a legit Cavs team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, or Ajay Mitchell—no small thing. It was one of those games that makes you take a second look at their depth and think, yeah, there’s something real here beyond just the headliners.
San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons create surprise
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have regained their Bad Boys reputation, particularly after their recent confrontation with the San Antonio Spurs last Monday. Could this matchup be a preview of the NBA Finals?
San Antonio’s first order of business is navigating the West, where they’re locked in a real fight with the defending champion Thunder. The Spurs have climbed all the way up to No. 2 in the power rankings—another sign of just how quickly this thing has taken off.
History isn’t exactly subtle here: 78 of 79 champions finished top four in their conference, with the 1994–95 Rockets as the lone exception at No. 6. That frame matters right now, because you can make a case for about a dozen real contenders—basically the top six in each conference.
Which sets up a stretch run with some real edge to it. Every game starts to carry a little more weight as teams jockey for position before the playoffs tighten everything up.
Jalen Williams
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Ajay Mitchell
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Alex Caruso
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Oklahoma City Thunder
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Detroit Pistons
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Houston Rockets
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Cleveland Cavaliers
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San Antonio Spurs
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NBA
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With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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