ESPN’s weekly NBA Power Rankings, published December 24, 2025, place the Oklahoma City Thunder on top and spotlight one up-and-coming player for every franchise. The survey was compiled by a panel of 10 ESPN writers and reflects regular-season results through Sunday night.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (26-4)
Young riser: Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell continues to log rotation minutes even after Jalen Williams’ return, averaging 11.3 points on 25 December minutes per game. Upcoming: vs. San Antonio (Dec. 25), vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 28), vs. Atlanta (Dec. 29).
2. Detroit Pistons (24-6)
Young riser: Center Jalen Duren, now 22, is third league-wide in offensive rebounds and grabbed 10 on that end against Dallas last Thursday. Upcoming: at Utah (Dec. 26), at L.A. Clippers (Dec. 28), at L.A. Lakers (Dec. 30).
3. New York Knicks (20-8)
Young riser: Rookie guard Tyler Kolek recorded season highs of 16 points and 11 assists versus Indiana and has earned late-game minutes alongside Jalen Brunson. Upcoming: vs. Cleveland (Dec. 25), at Atlanta (Dec. 27), at New Orleans (Dec. 29).
4. Denver Nuggets (21-8)
Young riser: Forward Peyton Watson is averaging 14.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16 starts while shooting 45.0 percent from three. Upcoming: vs. Minnesota (Dec. 25), at Orlando (Dec. 27), at Miami (Dec. 29).
5. San Antonio Spurs (22-7)
Young riser: Nineteen-year-old guard Dylan Harper joins Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle in the Spurs’ youth movement, though he is still finding consistency from deep (27.7 percent). Upcoming: at Oklahoma City (Dec. 25), vs. Utah (Dec. 27), vs. Cleveland (Dec. 29).
6. Houston Rockets (17-10)
Young riser: Reed Sheppard became the first Rocket since 2017 to post 25 points and five assists off the bench, drilling six threes in Denver on Saturday. Upcoming: at L.A. Lakers (Dec. 25), vs. Cleveland (Dec. 27), vs. Indiana (Dec. 29).
7. Los Angeles Lakers (19-9)
Young riser: Second-round rookie Adou Thiero (6-foot-8) has impressed coaches with his work ethic while rehabbing a left-knee procedure. Upcoming: vs. Houston (Dec. 25), vs. Sacramento (Dec. 28), vs. Detroit (Dec. 30).
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-10)
Young risers: Wings Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. are vying for regular roles, while top-10 pick Rob Dillingham has fallen out of the rotation. Upcoming: at Denver (Dec. 25), vs. Brooklyn (Dec. 27), at Chicago (Dec. 29).
9. Boston Celtics (18-11)
Young riser: Second-year forward Jordan Walsh has moved into the starting lineup, shooting above 40 percent from long range on limited attempts. Upcoming: at Indiana (Dec. 26), at Portland (Dec. 28), at Utah (Dec. 30).
10. Orlando Magic (17-13)
Young riser: Guard Anthony Black has scored double figures in 15 of his last 16 outings while Orlando battles injuries to Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Upcoming: vs. Charlotte (Dec. 26), vs. Denver (Dec. 27), at Toronto (Dec. 29).
11. Philadelphia 76ers (16-12)
Young riser: Rookie VJ Edgecombe leads the team in plus-minus and has handled extra playmaking when Tyrese Maxey sits. Upcoming: at Chicago (Dec. 26), at Oklahoma City (Dec. 28), at Memphis (Dec. 30).
12. Toronto Raptors (18-13)
Young riser: Reserve guard Jamal Shead dishes 9.6 assists per 36 minutes despite shooting 35.5 percent overall. Upcoming: at Washington (Dec. 26), vs. Golden State (Dec. 28), vs. Orlando (Dec. 29).
13. Phoenix Suns (16-13)
Young riser: Recently acquired center Mark Williams is averaging 12.6 points on 66.5 percent shooting and nine rebounds. Upcoming: at New Orleans (Dec. 26 and 27 back-to-back), at Washington (Dec. 29).
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-14)
Young riser: Second-year wing Jaylon Tyson posts 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 44.9 percent from three for a team searching for traction. Upcoming: at New York (Dec. 25), at Houston (Dec. 27), at San Antonio (Dec. 29).
15. Miami Heat (15-15)
Young riser: Center Kel’el Ware, 21, recorded three straight double-doubles capped by a 28-point, 19-rebound effort versus New York. Upcoming: at Atlanta (Dec. 26), vs. Indiana (Dec. 27), vs. Denver (Dec. 29).
16. Golden State Warriors (15-15)
Young riser: Center Quinten Post now starts beside Draymond Green, taking 8.6 threes per 36 minutes and anchoring a 103.4 defensive rating when on the court. Upcoming: vs. Dallas (Dec. 25), at Toronto (Dec. 28), at Brooklyn (Dec. 29).
17. Atlanta Hawks (15-16)
Young riser: Forward Jalen Johnson averages 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists, already registering six triple-doubles this season. Upcoming: vs. Miami (Dec. 26), vs. New York (Dec. 27), at Oklahoma City (Dec. 29).
18. Memphis Grizzlies (14-16)
Young riser: Rookie guard Cedric Coward has reached double-figures in 16 straight starts, shooting 32.1 percent from three on 4.5 attempts. Upcoming: vs. Milwaukee (Dec. 26), at Washington (Dec. 28), vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 30).
19. Chicago Bulls (14-15)
Young riser: Second-year forward Matas Buzelis sparks a four-game win streak with 19.0 points and 2.8 blocks per contest. Upcoming: vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 26), vs. Milwaukee (Dec. 27), vs. Minnesota (Dec. 29).
20. Portland Trail Blazers (12-18)
Young riser: Guard Shaedon Sharpe scores 23.5 points per game since November 1 while maintaining 55 percent effective shooting. Upcoming: vs. L.A. Clippers (Dec. 26), vs. Boston (Dec. 28), vs. Dallas (Dec. 29).
21. Dallas Mavericks (12-19)
Young riser: Top pick Cooper Flagg averages 20.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists after shifting from point guard back to forward. Upcoming: at Golden State (Dec. 25), at Sacramento (Dec. 27), at Portland (Dec. 29).
22. Milwaukee Bucks (12-18)
Young riser: Guard Ryan Rollins provides 17 points and 5.9 assists on 47.2 percent shooting but has recently seen minutes cut to 25.8 per game. Upcoming: at Memphis (Dec. 26), at Chicago (Dec. 27), at Charlotte (Dec. 29).
23. Charlotte Hornets (10-20)
Young riser: No. 4 selection Kon Knueppel became the fastest player to 100 career threes, hitting the milestone in his 29th game while shooting 41.4 percent from deep. Upcoming: at Orlando (Dec. 26), vs. Milwaukee (Dec. 29).
24. Utah Jazz (10-19)
Young riser: Third-year guard Keyonte George lifts his scoring average from 7.1 to 23.9 points and dishes 6.9 assists. Upcoming: vs. Detroit (Dec. 26), at San Antonio (Dec. 27), vs. Boston (Dec. 30).
25. New Orleans Pelicans (8-23)
Young riser: Rookie big man Derik Queen has paced a five-game winning streak with 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and five assists on 59.1 percent shooting. Upcoming: vs. Phoenix (Dec. 26 and 27), vs. New York (Dec. 29).
26. Brooklyn Nets (9-19)
Young riser: Forward Noah Clowney posts 17.3 points while shooting 37 percent from three during the past month as injuries open opportunities. Upcoming: at Minnesota (Dec. 27), vs. Golden State (Dec. 29).
27. L.A. Clippers (8-21)
Young riser: Second-round rookie Kobe Sanders averages 6.2 points in 19.4 minutes and delivered 17 points and four assists in a win at Atlanta. Upcoming: at Portland (Dec. 26), vs. Detroit (Dec. 28), vs. Sacramento (Dec. 30).
28. Sacramento Kings (7-23)
Young riser: Rookie center Maxime Raynaud fills in for Domantas Sabonis, averaging 14.3 points and 9.6 rebounds across eight straight starts. Upcoming: vs. Dallas (Dec. 27), at L.A. Lakers (Dec. 28), at L.A. Clippers (Dec. 30).
29. Indiana Pacers (6-24)
Young riser: Bennedict Mathurin scores a career-best 18.7 points but remains turnover-prone as he approaches restricted free agency. Upcoming: vs. Boston (Dec. 26), at Miami (Dec. 27), at Houston (Dec. 29).
30. Washington Wizards (5-23)
Young riser: Sophomore center Alex Sarr raises his effective field-goal rate from 45.7 to 54.9 percent while contributing 18.9 points and 1.9 blocks. Upcoming: vs. Toronto (Dec. 26), vs. Memphis (Dec. 28), vs. Phoenix (Dec. 29).
The full rankings illustrate how every NBA team is leaning on at least one emerging player as the league approaches its Christmas Day showcase.
Source: ESPN.com
