The New York Knicks lifted the NBA Cup in Las Vegas last night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs to close the league’s third mid-season tournament. Hours later, ESPN’s weekly panel released its latest NBA Power Rankings, offering a snapshot of where all 30 clubs stand as the calendar approaches 2026.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2) kept the No. 1 spot despite seeing their 16-game winning streak snapped by San Antonio in the Cup semifinals. In the East, the Detroit Pistons (21-5) sit second overall and first in their conference after a four-game surge, while the Knicks’ Cup title adds momentum to their 18-7 start.
Rankings are based on votes from Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 24-2 Previous rank: 1
Oklahoma City’s pursuit of an unprecedented treble—NBA Cup, regular-season wins record and league title—took a hit with the Spurs’ Cup upset. The Thunder shot 9-for-37 from deep in that loss but will see San Antonio twice next week, including Christmas Day in OKC. Upcoming: vs. LAC (Dec 18), @ MIN (Dec 19), vs. MEM (Dec 22), @ SA (Dec 23).
2. Detroit Pistons
Record: 21-5 Previous rank: 3
Cade Cunningham scored nine of his 32 points in the fourth quarter of Monday’s comeback at Boston, pushing Detroit within one win of matching the franchise’s best start (22-3 in 2005-06). Opponents shoot below 41 percent when guarded by Cunningham, while Isaiah Stewart anchors a defense ranked No. 2. Upcoming: @ DAL (Dec 18), vs. CHA (Dec 20), @ POR (Dec 22), @ SAC (Dec 23).
3. Denver Nuggets
Record: 19-6 Previous rank: 2
Nikola Jokić is averaging a triple-double (29.8 ppg, 10.8 apg) and career-best .676 effective field-goal rate. Jamal Murray is on pace for his first All-Star nod with highs of 24.9 points and 6.8 assists. Denver’s 124.4 points per 100 possessions is the most efficient offense ever, climbing to 129.0 when the duo shares the floor. Upcoming: vs. ORL (Dec 18), vs. HOU (Dec 20), vs. UTA (Dec 22), @ DAL (Dec 23).
4. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 18-7 Previous rank: 8
The Spurs went 9-3 without Victor Wembanyama and now welcome him back. Guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper continue to fuel the offense. Upcoming: vs. WAS (Dec 18), @ ATL (Dec 19), @ WAS (Dec 21), vs. OKC (Dec 23).
5. Houston Rockets
Record: 16-7 Previous rank: 4
Alperen Şengün logged a 30-point triple-double in Denver, joining James Harden, Hakeem Olajuwon, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Porter Jr. as the only Rockets to do so. Six of Houston’s seven defeats have come in clutch situations. Upcoming: @ NO (Dec 18), @ DEN (Dec 20), @ SAC (Dec 21), @ LAC (Dec 23).
6. New York Knicks
Record: 18-7 Previous rank: 5
The newly crowned NBA Cup champions are third in the East. Karl-Anthony Towns earned a “defensive player of the game” chain in the semifinal versus Orlando, and teammates say his rim protection has improved markedly. Upcoming: @ IND (Dec 18), vs. PHI (Dec 19), vs. MIA (Dec 21), @ MIN (Dec 23).
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 18-7 Previous rank: 6
An NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to San Antonio exposed defensive issues, prompting coach JJ Redick to re-insert Jarred Vanderbilt, who responded with seven boards, two steals, a block and a corner three in Sunday’s win at Phoenix. Upcoming: @ UTA (Dec 18), @ LAC (Dec 20), @ PHX (Dec 23).
8. Orlando Magic
Record: 15-11 Previous rank: 10
Injury luck finally turned positive: Jalen Suggs’ MRI showed only a hip contusion. He had scored 25 of his 26 points before the break in the Cup semifinal. Rookie Jase Richardson may see extra time during Suggs’ absence. Upcoming: @ DEN (Dec 18), @ UTA (Dec 20), @ GS (Dec 22), @ POR (Dec 23).
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 17-9 Previous rank: 9
The Wolves survived a brief Anthony Edwards absence but are 2-8 versus teams at or above .500, raising concerns in a stacked West. Upcoming: vs. MEM (Dec 17), vs. OKC (Dec 19), vs. MIL (Dec 21), vs. NYK (Dec 23).
10. Boston Celtics
Record: 15-11 Previous rank: 7
Despite recent losses, Jaylen Brown is delivering career highs in points (29.3), rebounds (6.2) and assists (4.9) while Jayson Tatum remains out with an Achilles tear. Upcoming: vs. MIA (Dec 19), @ TOR (Dec 20), vs. IND (Dec 22).
11. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 14-11 Previous rank: 16
With Tyrese Maxey sidelined by illness, Joel Embiid poured in 39 points against Indiana and Paul George added 35 in Atlanta. The Sixers believe consistent support for Maxey can elevate their ceiling. Upcoming: @ NYK (Dec 19), vs. DAL (Dec 20), vs. BKN (Dec 23).
12. Miami Heat
Record: 14-12 Previous rank: 11
Tyler Herro has missed three of four games during Miami’s five-game skid, a stretch in which the offense averaged only 105.6 points. Four of the next five are on the road. Upcoming: @ BKN (Dec 18), @ BOS (Dec 19), @ NYK (Dec 21), vs. TOR (Dec 23).
13. Toronto Raptors
Record: 16-11 Previous rank: 12
A win over Miami halted a four-game slide, and RJ Barrett is beginning return-to-play activities after a knee injury. The club was 12-5 before he went down. Upcoming: @ MIL (Dec 18), vs. BOS (Dec 20), @ BKN (Dec 21), @ MIA (Dec 23).
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 15-12 Previous rank: 13
Injuries and inconsistency have the Cavs alternating wins and losses over the past seven games. Donovan Mitchell said of Sunday’s home defeat, “I would boo us, too.” Upcoming: @ CHI (Dec 17), vs. CHI (Dec 19), vs. CHA (Dec 22), vs. NO (Dec 23).
15. Phoenix Suns
Record: 14-12 Previous rank: 14
Devin Booker returned from a groin strain ahead of three straight Western showdowns before a softer post-Christmas run. Upcoming: vs. GS (Dec 18), @ GS (Dec 20), vs. LAL (Dec 23).
16. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 15-12 Previous rank: 17
Kristaps Porziņģis remains out at least two more weeks, and Trae Young was assigned to the G League for practice as he nears a comeback. Jalen Johnson seeks a fifth straight triple-double Thursday. Upcoming: @ CHA (Dec 18), vs. SA (Dec 19), vs. CHI (Dec 21 & 23).
17. Golden State Warriors
Record: 13-14 Previous rank: 15
Stephen Curry’s 12 threes in Sunday’s loss sparked organizational frustration. Coach Steve Kerr criticized his own performance, and owner Joe Lacob’s email response to a fan leaked publicly. Upcoming: @ PHX (Dec 18), vs. PHX (Dec 20), vs. ORL (Dec 22).
18. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 12-14 Previous rank: 18
Memphis has won six of eight under Tuomas Iisalo, but Ja Morant rolled his right ankle late Monday, three games after returning from a calf strain. Upcoming: @ MIN (Dec 17), vs. WAS (Dec 20), @ OKC (Dec 22), @ UTA (Dec 23).
19. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 10-17 Previous rank: 19
Rookie Cooper Flagg, who turns 19 Sunday, is averaging 24.1 points over his past eight contests, including 40 against Utah. Undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard has steadied the backcourt since joining the starting five. Upcoming: vs. DET (Dec 18), @ PHI (Dec 18), @ NO (Dec 22), vs. DEN (Dec 23).
20. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 10-16 Previous rank: 20
Portland moved to 3-0 versus Golden State with Sunday’s 136-131 victory. Centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III returned, but consistent winning will require Jrue Holiday’s presence. Upcoming: vs. SAC (Dec 18), @ SAC (Dec 20), vs. DET (Dec 22), vs. ORL (Dec 23).
21. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 11-16 Previous rank: 21
The Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks have lost three of four, including a 45-point rout by Brooklyn. A five-game trip begins after Thursday. Upcoming: vs. TOR (Dec 18), @ MIN (Dec 21), @ IND (Dec 23).
22. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 8-18 Previous rank: 24
Sunday’s OT win in Cleveland equaled last season’s total victories without LaMelo Ball (three) in far fewer games. Rookie Kon Knueppel averages 22.1 points when Ball is out. Upcoming: vs. ATL (Dec 18), @ DET (Dec 20), @ CLE (Dec 22), vs. WAS (Dec 23).
23. Utah Jazz
Record: 10-15 Previous rank: 23
Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have posted three games with 30 points each, tied for the league lead among teammate duos. Upcoming: vs. LAL (Dec 18), vs. ORL (Dec 20), @ DEN (Dec 22), vs. MEM (Dec 23).
24. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 7-18 Previous rank: 28
Brooklyn owns three wins in its past five outings and just hammered Milwaukee by 45. Opponents are shooting 34 percent from deep this month, down from 45 percent in October, while Michael Porter Jr. averages 34.3 points on 54 percent from three in December. Upcoming: vs. MIA (Dec 18), vs. TOR (Dec 21), @ PHI (Dec 23).
25. Chicago Bulls
Record: 10-15 Previous rank: 22
Chicago has dropped eight of nine—eight of them against sub-.500 teams—and owns the NBA’s sixth-worst net rating (-5.3). Upcoming: vs. CLE (Dec 17), @ CLE (Dec 19), @ ATL (Dec 21 & 23).
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 5-22 Previous rank: 30
Consecutive wins coincide with improved health: Herbert Jones and Jordan Poole are back, and Zion Williamson returned in a reserve role for the first time as a pro. Saddiq Bey averages 14.2 points and 6.2 rebounds since re-entering the lineup. Upcoming: vs. HOU (Dec 18), vs. IND (Dec 20), vs. DAL (Dec 22), @ CLE (Dec 23).
27. LA Clippers
Record: 6-20 Previous rank: 25
The Clippers have lost nine of ten and now face three of the West’s top five teams in the next five games. Upcoming: @ OKC (Dec 18), vs. LAL (Dec 20), vs. HOU (Dec 23).
28. Indiana Pacers
Record: 6-20 Previous rank: 27
A 19-point defeat to Washington opened a rugged stretch featuring the Knicks, Celtics (twice), Cavaliers, Magic (twice), Rockets and Spurs. Upcoming: vs. NYK (Dec 18), @ NO (Dec 20), @ BOS (Dec 22), vs. MIL (Dec 23).
29. Sacramento Kings
Record: 6-20 Previous rank: 26
Mike Brown coached the Knicks to the Cup title while De’Aaron Fox started for San Antonio, a painful tableau for Sacramento fans after last season’s coaching change and Fox-for-LaVine trade. Upcoming: @ POR (Dec 18), vs. POR (Dec 20), vs. HOU (Dec 21), vs. DET (Dec 23).
30. Washington Wizards
Record: 4-20 Previous rank: 29
Washington nearly stunned Cleveland before holding Indiana to 89 points—its best defensive showing this season. Upcoming: @ SA (Dec 18), @ MEM (Dec 20), vs. SA (Dec 21), @ CHA (Dec 23).
The next edition of the rankings will arrive after the Christmas slate, with the league’s contenders eager to solidify their positions heading into the new year.
Source: ESPN
