The NBA has been an incredibly fun place lately. A great NBA Cup, multiple end-to-end thrillers, no clear favorites on any given night, real beef and drama, just nonstop, entertaining basketball. Today, December 19, let’s start a new tradition: every Friday, we’ll come here to break down how the competition is performing in these NBA Power Rankings.
NBA Power Rankings: December 19, 2025
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
@ Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesIt should come as no surprise to see the reigning champions sitting at No. 1 in the NBA Power Rankings after losing just two games all season. Boasting the highest net rating in NBA history, the Thunder win games quickly and convincingly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP case is almost hurt by how dominant this team is; he often doesn’t even need to play in the fourth quarter, a problem every franchise would love to have. Despite a rare loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals, their dominant win over the Clippers keeps them on the top step and reinforces why they remain the league’s gold standard.
2. Denver Nuggets
@ Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesWhat better way to highlight a great NBA season than the fact that the two leading MVP candidates also play on the league’s two best teams? Denver is currently tied for the longest active winning streak at six games and is slowly separating itself from the rest of the pack. With Nikola Jokić performing at his usual MVP level and Jamal Murray on track for a potential first All-Star appearance, it’s no surprise the Nuggets boast the best offense in the NBA. Their win over the Orlando Magic last night was yet another reminder that this team means business.
3. New York Knicks
@ Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesYou may not see a banner hanging at Madison Square Garden for winning the NBA Cup, but the standings and the NBA power rankings don’t lie. In a competition designed to crown the last and best team standing, the New York Knicks did exactly that in Las Vegas. They’re now riding a six-game winning streak, tied for the longest active in the league, and even picked up a win over the Indiana Pacers last night, despite likely celebrating their Cup victory in Vegas less than 48 hours earlier. With a taste of silverware now in hand, the Knicks are in a prime position to make a real run at the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as long as they keep this momentum rolling.
4. Detroit Pistons
@ Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesTalk about a glow-up. Just two years ago, the Detroit Pistons were bottom feeders. Last season, they made the jump to a perennial playoff team. Now, they sit as the No. 1 seed in the East and look like legitimate contenders to win the conference. Cade Cunningham has been an offensive machine, but the leap taken by 22-year-old Jalen Duren has been just as crucial to this rise. The Pistons hang their hat on defense, currently third in the NBA, while still holding their own offensively at ninth in the league. It’s only 27 games into the season, yet Detroit has already rattled off a 13-game winning streak, a clear showcase of their dominance. Their tough overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks last night will hopefully be a rare slip-up rather than the start of a troubling trend.
5. San Antonio Spurs
@ Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe Victor Wembanyama era is well and truly upon us. His sheer value in their win against the reigning NBA Champions, the OKC Thunder, in limited minutes, is just a sign of what this young team has in its destiny. They also did lose in the NBA Cup Finals against the Knicks, but the last two teams to do so both have made the NBA Finals since. If that is the cost for a rapid climb to contend, then that is a price the Spurs would be willing to pay. Last night, they continued their four-game win streak against the Washington Wizards and are now in the top five of my NBA power rankings.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
@ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesThe Los Angeles Lakers might be the only team this season with three NBA All-Stars. Luka Dončić continues to lead the league with an absurd 35 points per game, while also dishing out nine assists and pulling down nine rebounds a night. He tops the NBA in field goals attempted, three-pointers attempted, and free throws both attempted and made, proof that he’s been given the ultimate green light, and the Lakers are winning because of it. And it doesn’t stop there. Austin Reaves has emerged as a legitimate star in his own right, averaging 28 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, with LeBron James operating as a devastating third option. This Lakers team has been highly efficient and quietly very strong on the defensive end. Their hard-fought win over the Utah Jazz last night, powered by Luka’s 45-point triple-double, keeps them firmly on the right side of the NBA Power Rankings.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
@ Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesYou may not have noticed, but Anthony Edwards has missed the Timberwolves’ last three games—and yet, this team has continued to stay the course. Julius Randle knows how to shoulder the responsibility of being ‘the guy’, and his current supporting cast has only amplified that production and translated it into wins. They did take a tough loss to a resurgent Memphis Grizzlies team, but context matters; Minnesota has been without their 28-points-per-game superstar.
8. Houston Rockets
@ Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThree losses in their last four games—including back-to-back defeats—have raised some doubts about the Houston Rockets. Still, any team with Kevin Durant at the helm can never be overlooked. With a top-two offense in the NBA, Houston has the firepower to win games convincingly when needed. They also boast an arsenal of defenders and aren’t afraid to grind out tough wins. Losing their starting point guard just before the season tipped off could have spelled disaster, but so far, the Rockets have found ways to adjust and keep things on track.
9. Boston Celtics
@ Paul Rutherford-Imagn ImagesIf you thought the Boston Celtics would write off this season due to Jayson Tatum’s unavailability and a complete roster overhaul, you’d be highly mistaken. The Celtics remain very competitive and currently sit as the No. 4 seed in the East. Former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is averaging career highs in both points and assists, leaving his mark on games and on the jerseys of other players (iykyk). Head coach Joe Mazzulla has also leaned on role players like Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta, and Josh Minott to step up and keep the team afloat. With rumors of a Jayson Tatum return beginning to circulate, Boston may just be the dark horse team of the season.
10. Toronto Raptors
© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesHave you heard the phrase “put your money where your mouth is”? The Toronto Raptors are living it. With 83% of their $188 million payroll tied up in just five players, you’d assume there are multiple stars on the roster. Instead, those five players combined for just two All-Star appearances, one of the main reasons expectations for this team were so low entering the season. But the Raptors have blown past those expectations. Brandon Ingram has fit this group like a glove, and the team up north can feel it. Toronto has become a strong defensive unit, led by the efforts of Scottie Barnes, and currently sits as the No. 3 seed in the East, comfortably in playoff contention.
11. Philadelphia 76ers
@ Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesTyrese Maxey has officially stepped into superstardom this season. Leading the league with 39.9 minutes played per night, his averages of 32 points, seven assists, and nearly two steals have propelled him past former MVP Joel Embiid as the team’s No. 1 option. The energy injected by rookie VJ Edgecombe, along with impactful play from Quentin Grimes, Paul George, and Dominick Barlow, has complemented Maxey’s production perfectly. The team hasn’t been fully healthy at any point this season, but in the rare moments they are, the picture looks beautiful.
12. Orlando Magic
@ Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesThe Orlando Magic made a major offseason move, trading a haul for Desmond Bane to address their three-point shooting. Early returns were shaky, as they opened the season with a 1–4 record through their first five games. However, when Paolo Banchero was sidelined with a groin injury, things unexpectedly began to click. Paolo eventually returned—only for Franz Wagner to go down with an injury of his own. Since then, the Magic have done their best to play the hand they’ve been dealt. Now on a two-game losing streak, the margin for error has grown thinner, making it even more important for Orlando to find ways to push forward despite these crucial injuries.
13. Phoenix Suns
@ Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesLast season, the Phoenix Suns rolled out a star-studded roster featuring Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, yet still missed the Play-In Tournament. This offseason, they pivoted, trading star power for depth and youth, and the early results suggest it was the right move. Booker continues to perform at his expected elite level, but now he’s supported by a much deeper cast: Dillon Brooks is contributing 22 points per game, Grayson Allen adds 16, while Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams chip in 13 apiece, production from players who weren’t on the roster a year ago. The Suns would be riding a two-game winning streak if not for some controversial moments in their matchup against the Lakers, but even so, sitting seventh keeps them in a strong position to continue climbing as the season unfolds.
14. Memphis Grizzlies
@ Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesIf I had made these rankings at the beginning of December, this team would’ve been much closer to the bottom. Instead, a 9–3 record over their last 12 games, paired with strong production from Jaren Jackson Jr., and the return of Ja Morant has fueled a rapid climb up the standings. Key additions like Cedric Coward, Santi Aldama, Jaylen Wells, Jock Landale, and Cam Spencer have allowed this group to win by committee. Now sitting just above average in my NBA Power Rankings, the Grizzlies have plenty of room to keep rising.
15. Miami Heat
@ David Banks-Imagn ImagesThings have started to look rough in Miami. With just one win in their last six games, it has flipped over all of their early success. This team still ranks as the 2nd-best defense in the NBA, but an absence of Tyler Herro keeps their offense under league average. Their next six games don’t promise any signs of easy wins, making it a need to flip things around quick or watch their team live another year in NBA purgatory and low on my NBA Power Rankings.
16. Atlanta Hawks
It’s hard to imagine a team like the Atlanta Hawks remaining this competitive while missing Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, and while also dealing with a dip in production from reigning Most Improved Player, steals champion, and All-Defensive First Team selection Dyson Daniels. Yet here they are.Jalen Johnson has turned into a stat machine, seemingly on triple-double watch every night. Add in Nickeil Alexander-Walker living up to the Alexander name and Onyeka Okongwu continuing to solidify his role, and this group has stayed afloat. With Young back in the lineup last night, the teams ahead of Atlanta in the NBA Power Rankings may need to start working a little harder to prepare for what’s coming.
17. Cleveland Cavaliers
The injury bug has completely flipped the NBA on its head, and no team has felt it more than last season’s winningest team in the East. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Sam Merrill have all missed significant time, with no clear timeline for when Cleveland will be fully healthy. The Cavaliers are coming off a loss to the struggling Chicago Bulls, and made them look good doing it, and have now won just three of their last seven games. Earlier this season, Donovan Mitchell suggested that some losses could be beneficial, arguing that last year’s success never truly tested the team in tough situations. If asked again now, though, he might feel very differently.
18. Portland Trail Blazers
Yes, this is the same team that lost its head coach to a gambling scandal earlier this season. Yet despite all the chaos and instability, the Portland Trail Blazers haven’t been rattled. Deni Avdija has been on an incredible run and, at this point, is my early pick for Most Improved Player. His game-winning effort against the Sacramento Kings last night wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. This team thrives in transition, and with athletes like Shaedon Sharpe, it’s easy to see why. Even Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant have been clear positives. Still, the Jrue Holiday–shaped hole in the lineup continues to cost them wins and a few spots in the NBA Power Rankings.
19. Chicago BullsYes, your eyes don’t deceive you, the Chicago Bulls are not in the bottom ten of my NBA Power Rankings. Despite enduring the worst stretch in the entire league, just four wins in 18 games, one dominant victory over the Cavaliers, who were nearly fully healthy, combined with Billy Donovan actually making adjustments, has deluded me that the Bulls might be trending upward. That said, this could just as easily be a flash in the pan. And if history is any indication, we may unfortunately see Chicago tumbling back down these NBA Power Rankings as early as next week.
20. Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry is putting up numbers at 37 years old that rival and in some ways overshadow Michael Jordan, yet his team has struggled to capitalize on it. Head coach Steve Kerr has made more declarations about roster changes than the Warriors have wins over their last three games. Even the fan base has reached a boiling point, with supporters reportedly emailing ownership in search of answers.It’s unfortunate that this is where the Warriors find themselves in the twilight years of three Hall of Famers, but the game isn’t getting any easier.
21. Dallas MavericksAnother team that has been forced to bear the weight of injuries. Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and even P.J. Washington have all missed significant time this season, leaving much of the responsibility in the hands of rookie Cooper Flagg. And Flagg has been exceptional. He’s building his legacy early and fast and has already shown he’s worthy of the hype that comes with being a No. 1 overall pick. With so many big names waiting in the wings, it’s easy to see how dangerous the Mavericks could become in the near future. If Cooper Flagg continues to carry this team to wins, don’t be surprised if Dallas starts climbing the NBA Power Rankings before long.
22. Utah JazzThis team is built around offensive firepower, with little to no defensive identity. They can score in bunches and still find ways to lose games. Last night’s 143 – 135 loss to the Lakers was a perfect example. But this is a young team that isn’t trying to win it all this season. So when you see Lauri Markkanen boosting his trade value, Keyonte George playing like an All-Star, and the losses piling up just enough to keep them in position for a high draft pick, it’s hard to know whether, as a Jazz fan, you should be happy or frustrated.
23. Milwaukee Bucks The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga has completely dominated the Milwaukee Bucks’ headlines. With constant attention on how Giannis is feeling and what he might do next, the overall health of the team has taken a back seat. In his absence, Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. have tried to hold things together, but a seven-game losing streak earlier this season, followed by another two-game skid now, has dug Milwaukee into a difficult hole. If the Bucks are searching for a convincing pitch to keep Giannis in town, they’ll need more than just money, because on-court success has been hard to find.
24. Charlotte HornetsThis Charlotte Hornets team has an incredible amount of potential. Rookie Kon Knueppel is giving his former college teammate a real run for Rookie of the Year, and Ryan Kalkbrenner has been especially impressive, looking like he could follow the long lineage of solid centers in Hornets history. Charlotte has missed both Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball at various points, but since their return, the team has looked noticeably better. Over their last five games, the Hornets have beaten the Raptors, Cavaliers, and Hawks, all teams ranked above them. Another squad slowed by injuries early, Charlotte may be starting to build something that looks like a winning culture as the season goes on.
25. Indiana PacersLess than half a year ago, the Indiana Pacers were in the NBA Finals, just one win away from a championship. Now, the brutal injury to Tyrese Haliburton, the departure of Myles Turner, and a wave of injuries to Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin—along with a revolving door of ten-day contracts have left the Pacers battling near the bottom of the standings. Their games have been more competitive than their record suggests, but in a season where Indiana controls its own draft pick, tanking may not be the worst option. And with another three-game losing streak, they’re doing just enough to quietly improve their lottery odds.
26. Brooklyn NetsThe Brooklyn Nets opened the season 0–7 but have since managed to win seven of their next 19 games. Michael Porter Jr. has been putting up video-game numbers, pushing his trade value to its peak. They’ve also been without Cam Thomas, which may quietly work in Brooklyn’s favor—keeping them low in the standings while limiting the leverage Thomas and his camp could have heading into the offseason. There have been encouraging signs from 21-year-old Noah Clowney, rookie Egor Demin, and Danny Wolf, but it doesn’t feel like the Nets have any real interest in climbing the NBA Power Rankings this season.
27. New Orleans Pelicans It’s impossible to talk about injury luck without mentioning the New Orleans Pelicans. A team that doesn’t own its own draft pick this season has no incentive to tank, yet injuries have once again piled up, as Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, and Herb Jones have all spent time on the injury report.Trey Murphy has caught fire in an expanded role, while rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears have made strong cases for All-Rookie honors. Riding a three-game winning streak, New Orleans is doing everything it can to make Atlanta regret trading for their draft pick.
28. Washington Wizards This is as bottom-of-the-barrel as it gets in the NBA. Washington has done exactly what was expected of them—very little. They rank dead last in defense and 27th in offense, with few positives to point to. The lone bright spot has been Alex Sarr, though even he has missed time this season. At this point, the Wizards’ agenda seems clear: secure a top-three pick and move whatever remaining assets they have.
29. Sacramento KingsThere’s no excuse for how bad the Sacramento Kings have been. As Bulls fans, we’ve seen firsthand how poor roster construction can cap a team’s ceiling, and the Kings are living that reality. In their pursuit of mediocrity, they’ve failed to even reach that bar. While there are a couple of promising young pieces in Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford, nearly everything else on this roster should be on the trade block. Sacramento owns the worst offense in the NBA and has won just one of its last nine games. Last night’s loss was a tough one, I’ll give them that—but even a win wouldn’t have changed much.
30. Los Angeles ClippersThis feels like a year the Los Angeles Clippers would rather delete entirely. From the Steve Ballmer aspiration scandal to owning the league’s worst record, a five-game losing streak, and trading Norman Powell to make room for Bradley Beal, only for Beal to get injured, the hits just keep coming. Add in the fact that they don’t even own their own draft pick, courtesy of one of the worst trades in NBA history, and it’s hard to find any silver lining. There’s no real saving grace here, no bright side to point to, except the brutal honesty of being firmly planted at the bottom of my NBA Power Rankings.
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