NBA Power Rankings: Pistons Pull Ahead in the East as Thunder Dominate Overall
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One month into the 2025-26 NBA season—and with NBA Cup group play set to wrap up this week—the Detroit Pistons hold a 2.5-game cushion atop the Eastern Conference, edging the surging Toronto Raptors. Detroit’s 15-2 record trails only the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, who have stormed to a 17-1 start.
The Pistons, winless in November 2023, may finish this November unbeaten. Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.2 points, 10.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds over his past 10 outings, while Jaden Ivey has just returned from injury on a minutes limit. Detroit visits Boston on Nov. 26 before hosting Orlando on Nov. 28, traveling to Miami on Nov. 29 and facing Atlanta on Dec. 1.
Toronto sits at 13-5 following an eight-game winning streak that includes two victories over Cleveland. The Raptors host Indiana on Nov. 26, then play road games at Charlotte (Nov. 29) and New York (Nov. 30) before returning home to meet Portland on Dec. 2.
Out West, Oklahoma City’s only loss came early; the club has since rattled off 12 straight double-digit wins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 32.2 points per game and has missed 11 fourth quarters because of large leads. Upcoming dates include Minnesota (Nov. 26) and Phoenix (Nov. 28) at home, followed by trips to Portland (Nov. 30) and Golden State (Dec. 2).
Other contenders made notable moves this week:
- Denver Nuggets (13-4): Peyton Watson, starting while Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon heal, is averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over six starts.
- Houston Rockets (11-4): Amen Thompson matched his season high with 28 points against Phoenix; Alperen Şengün has logged at least 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in every game.
- Los Angeles Lakers (13-4): Despite ranking last in made three-pointers, LeBron James and coach JJ Redick say no changes are needed. L.A. hosts Dallas on Nov. 28.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7): Donovan Mitchell earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 31.8 points as the Cavs went 3-1.
Injury updates continue to influence the rankings. Miami welcomed back Tyler Herro, who scored 24 points in his return, while Philadelphia still awaits Joel Embiid’s clearance after right knee soreness sidelined him for eight games. San Antonio is monitoring Victor Wembanyama’s left calf strain, and Milwaukee hopes to have Giannis Antetokounmpo back soon after dropping five straight without him.
At the opposite end of the table, Washington snapped a 14-game skid but remains 2-15, matching Indiana for the league’s worst record. Brooklyn, Dallas and New Orleans are also positioning themselves near the bottom of the standings as early attention shifts toward the 2026 draft.
The complete rankings, compiled by a panel of 10 ESPN writers, reflect where each team is projected to belong this season based on current play, injuries and schedule outlook.
Source: ESPN
