Power Rankings, Week 23: Pistons, Knicks and Celtics jostle in Top 5

Luka Dončić has the Lakers looking sharp as we head into the final weeks of 2025-26.

Three more weeks to go.

For some teams, it’s about moving up in the standings, securing home-court advantage in the playoffs, an automatic playoff spot, or at least the easiest possible path through the SoFi Play-In Tournament.

For others, it’s about getting healthy. Possibly the most important player in that regard, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams, will return from a 16-game absence on Monday. The Denver Nuggets have their whole roster now after Peyton Watson returned from extended time on the shelf.

However, Jarrett Allen, Dillon Brooks, Cade Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Franz Wagner are all still out. So we’ll need to be patient and hope the top 20 teams in the league are a little healthier after the next three weeks.

Note: With their results not mattering much, it’s time to start recapping the season for the bottom 10 teams in the league. This week’s notes for those teams will be focused on their offense, with defense notes coming next week.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way:

Brandon Miller (CHA) was

a plus-72 in three games last week

.

Wrong Way:

Bub Carrington (WAS) was

a minus-93 in five games last week

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever:

L.A. Lakers (4-0) — The stars are aligning.

Something Just Ain’t Right:

Orlando (0-4) — It’s been a roller-coaster ride in Orlando.

* * *

East vs. West

The West is

203-190

(.517) against the East in interconference games after going

17-12

last week.

Schedule strength through Week 22

Toughest:

1. Brooklyn, 2. Sacramento, 3. Golden State

Easiest:

1. Detroit, 2. Boston, 3. New York

Schedule strength = cumulative opponent record.

Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week:

Charlotte (+5), Atlanta (+3)

Free fall of the week:

Orlando (-4)

Week 23 Team to Watch

Cleveland

—

The Cavs have won three straight games, but they were unconvincing wins against bottom-10 teams. The competition gets tougher this week, with their three games against the Magic and Heat (x 2) being potential playoff previews.

Previously…

Last week:

Sizzling Thunder heads back to No. 1

The archive:

NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg

:

Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)

DefRtg

Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)

NetRtg

Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)

Pace

Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 114.5 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.2 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann,

contact him via Bluesky