NBA power rankings: Celtics make big jump amid winning streak

The NBA Cup knockout rounds have arrived, presenting an opportunity for one team to claim some early supremacy in the 2025-26 season.

And the field is fascinating, particularly in the West, where three of the Top 5 teams in the conference – including the top two in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers – will try to win some hardware.

And it is those Thunder, winners of 15 consecutive games, who remain on historic pace and have a very real chance to challenge the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors’ NBA record for most wins in a season (74).

Not every top team is still competing for the NBA Cup, however, including the best team in the Eastern Conference – both in the standings and in USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 7 of the 2025-26 regular season.

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note: Records and stats through Dec. 8. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Top 5

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 23-1 (—)
2. Denver Nuggets, 17-6 (+3)
3. Detroit Pistons, 19-5 (—)
4. Los Angeles Lakers, 17-6 (-2)
5. Houston Rockets, 15-6 (—)

With Luka Dončić missing a pair of games due to the birth of his second daughter, the Lakers had to scramble a bit and are 2-2 over their last four. The schedule has been softer as of late, but the Nuggets are getting massive games out of Jamal Murray, who’s averaging 36.3 points over his last three games. And the Rockets suffered a pair of disappointing losses recently (to the Mavericks and Jazz), but they’re second in defensive rating (110.7) and net rating (10.8).

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Nos. 6-10

6. New York Knicks, 16-7 (—)
7. Boston Celtics, 15-9 (+8)
8. Minnesota Timberwolves, 15-8 (+1)
9. San Antonio Spurs, 15-7 (-2)
10. Toronto Raptors, 15-10 (—)

The Celtics have won five in a row, including games against the Cavaliers, Knicks, Lakers and Raptors. With Boston protecting the ball and ranking first in turnover rate (12.3%), the offense is rolling; the Celtics trail only the Nuggets in rating (122.0). Minnesota is plugging along with its five-game winning streak and the best thing the Timberwolves are doing is sharing the ball; three different players – Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels – have led the team in scoring during the winning streak. Victor Wembanyama (calf) is approaching a full month of being sidelined, but De’Aaron Fox has taken over the San Antonio offense.

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Nos. 11-15

11. Phoenix Suns, 13-10 (+1)
12. Orlando Magic, 14-10 (+2)
13. Miami Heat, 14-10 (-5)
14. Atlanta Hawks, 14-11 (-3)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers, 14-11 (-2)

The Suns have been aggressive on defense, leading the NBA in steals per game (10.9), which has fueled their offense. Opposing defenses have thrown a ton of zone at the Heat, slowing down their pace and efficiency, leading to the current three-game losing streak. And the Cavaliers are tumbling, losing five of their last seven games.

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Nos. 16-20

16. Golden State Warriors, 13-12 (+1)
17. Philadelphia 76ers, 13-10 (-1)
18. Memphis Grizzlies, 11-13 (—)
19. Dallas Mavericks, 9-16 (+3)
20. Milwaukee Bucks, 10-15 (-1)

In the face of injuries, Warriors two-way player Pat Spencer has been electric and has helped stabilize the team’s offense. The Mavericks are far more competitive now with Anthony Davis back on the floor, with recent victories over the Nuggets, Heat and Rockets. And the Bucks, in the face of the swirling rumors about the future of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, have lost 10 of their last 12 games.

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Nos. 21-25

21. Portland Trail Blazers, 9-15 (—)
22. Utah Jazz, 8-15 (+2)
23. Chicago Bulls, 9-14 (-3)
24. Charlotte Hornets, 7-17 (-1)
25. Sacramento Kings, 6-17 (+2)

The Bulls are in total fee fall, owners of the NBA’s longest active losing streak (seven games), and some of those defeats have come against some of the weaker teams in the league. Keyonte George (22.2 points and 6.7 assists per game) has shined for the Jazz, and the Trail Blazers need to limit their turnovers, giving the ball away a league-high 17.0 times per game.

NBA Week 7 power rankings: Nos. 26-30

26. Indiana Pacers, 5-18 (-1)
27. Brooklyn Nets, 6-17 (+2)
28. Los Angeles Clippers, 6-18 (-2)
29. Washington Wizards, 3-19 (+1)
30. New Orleans Pelicans, 3-21 (-2)

The Pacers are finally trending closer to being healthy, and the Clippers continue to have a subpar defense, ranking 25th in rating (118.6). The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson for the near future, and a full rebuild may be the only move.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY