This is Part 3 of this year’s bi-weekly NBA power rankings.
The criteria of these rankings include, in no particular order:
- Team Record
- Net Rating (Point Differential Per 100 Possessions)
- SRS (Combination of Strength of Schedule and Net Rating
- Sprinkle of where teams are trending
With that said, since we are so early in the season, I emphasized team records slightly more than advanced stats, since they fluctuate so much at the start.
Editor’s Note: Stats are accurate as of December 1.
Honorable Mentions
Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks
10. Orlando Magic
We’ll start with one of the weirdest teams in the league. Last year, the Magic were a defensive powerhouse but below league average on offense. This season, they are just inside the top 10 in both. This is with their franchise player, Paolo Banchero, missing the last eight games. The Magic have been 6-2 in that stretch. I am not sure if Banchero’s missing time is the main reason for them playing so well, but it has been a common trend the past few seasons that when he is off the floor, the Magic play better. It will be interesting to see how they play when he returns.
9. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have lost their last two games, but before that, they were one of the hottest teams in the league, winning their previous nine. Even though Scottie Barnes has probably been their best player this season, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley have had great seasons, as well. I would still say this team has a pretty low ceiling, but they have surpassed expectations, for sure.
Scottie Barnes is one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
The Raptors are on a nine-game winning streak and are 2nd in the East.
There’s a good chance he makes the All-Star team and an All-Defensive team if he keeps this up 👀
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 29, 2025
8. Miami Heat
Speaking of teams that have surpassed expectations, the Heat come in at No. 8. They do not have any superstar players on their team, but their defense has been awesome (third in defensive rating). Even though Jimmy Butler has been off the team since last trade deadline, they will always have a puncher’s chance against anyone in the East because of Erik Spoelstra’s scheme.
7. San Antonio Spurs
I, along with many others, expected the Spurs to take a steep decline with Victor Wembanyama missing time. However, they have not missed him too much yet. They are 5-2 in their last seven games without him. In this span, De’Aaron Fox has averaged 24 points per game and seven assists per game on 58.6% True Shooting. Wembanyama and Fox have not played together much since Fox was traded to them, but they will be a ton of fun to watch when they are both healthy.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
I was wrong about this team. Even with LeBron James only playing four games this season and not even close to looking like himself in those games, the Lakers have been an absolute tear. They have won seven in a row and are fifth in offensive rating. Their defense (17th in defensive rating) is what prevents me from believing they are true contenders, but Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves deserve their flowers for keeping this team afloat.
Luka and Austin are averaging 10 more points per game than any other duo 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JGR0iBNdaH
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 1, 2025
5. New York Knicks
Another team I have been wrong about in the past just cracks the top five. After a slowish start, the Knicks are finding their groove. They have won four in a row, are top three in offense, and are fourth in net rating. Similar to the Lakers, their defense concerns me, but I think they have as good a shot as anyone to come out of the East. Their ceiling is winning the NBA Finals.
4. Detroit Pistons
Speaking of red-hot teams in the East, the Pistons come in at No. 4. They are coming off a 14-game win streak, lost two, but won their last one. Even though they cannot control who they play, what concerns me is that they are only eighth in SRS and have had the sixth-easiest schedule in the NBA. I am not sure what this team’s ceiling is, but for now, they can hang with anyone in the league.
3. Denver Nuggets
Up next, we have the obvious top three. The Nuggets, to date, have had the best offense in the league. However, they are only 15th in net rating. The Nuggets were my pick to win the NBA Finals because they now have a better team around Nikola Jokic, but they are still nearly as dependent on him as they have been in years past. When he is on the floor, they outscore their opponents by over 13 points per 100 possessions, but are outscored when he is off the floor. That is over a 14-point swing. I’m sure some things will get better for them, but they need to learn how to play without Jokic.
2020-2025 is called the Jokic Era for a reason pic.twitter.com/j0sXs3vwRM
— The Lakers Daddy (@NugsGetBuckets) November 28, 2025
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets might be the most under-the-radar 13-4 team in a while. Their record is even more impressive considering two of the losses came in their first two games to the two teams at the top of their conference. One of those games went into double overtime, and they lost the other by two points. When you really think about it, the Rockets could easily be 15-2 if a couple more bounces had gone their way. Since their losses have been so razor-thin, they are actually first in SRS. This team’s ceiling is tough to predict, given that they do not have many players with a lot of playoff experience. However, at their best, they can compete with anyone.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Any questions or complaints? No? I can’t imagine there being many in the near future.
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