NBA power rankings: Time for Houston Rockets to panic?

The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and that will certainly alter the balance of power within the league.

But, right now, teams appear to be mostly in holding patterns, though we already saw the Hawks and Wizards make a deal by swapping Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. More trades are sure to follow, but look for teams who are expected to compete to leverage any assets they may have to make up for weaknesses on the roster.

One team worth watching is the Houston Rockets, who have lost three consecutive games and who have been called out for their effort and toughness. They are this week’s biggest fallers.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 11 of the 2025-26 regular season:

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note: Records and stats through Jan. 11. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.

NBA Week 12 power rankings: Top 10

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 33-7 (—)

2. Detroit Pistons, 28-10 (—)

3. San Antonio Spurs, 27-12 (—)

4. Denver Nuggets, 26-13 (+1)

5. Boston Celtics, 24-14 (-1)

6. New York Knicks, 23-12 (—)

7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 26-14 (—)

8. Phoenix Suns, 24-15 (+2)

9. Toronto Raptors, 24-16 (+2)

10. Los Angeles Lakers, 23-13 (-2)

The Thunder aren’t all the way back to their previous levels of dominance from the beginning of the season, but Oklahoma City has course corrected on a three-game winning streak. The big movers are the Suns, who have the NBA’s third best defensive rating (102.9) over the last six games, which include wins over teams like the Knicks and Thunder.

And the Nuggets are in an interesting spot: star Nikola Jokić remains sidelined with a knee injury and Denver is still banged up. Some recent losses have pushed the Nuggets a touch down the West, but Aaron Gordon is back, Christian Braun is nearing a return and Denver has shown it remains an incredibly tough team to beat, even in the face of these injuries.

NBA Week 12 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11. Philadelphia 76ers, 21-16 (+1)

12. Orlando Magic, 22-18 (+2)

13. Cleveland Cavaliers, 22-18 (+2)

14. Atlanta Hawks, 20-21 (+6)

15. Houston Rockets, 21-11 (-6)

16. Golden State Warriors, 21-19 (—)

17. Miami Heat, 20-19 (-4)

18. Portland Trail Blazers, 19-21 (+1)

19. Milwaukee Bucks, 17-22 (-1)

20. Chicago Bulls, 17-18 (-3)

Philadelphia continues its quiet march toward contention in the East, and the Sixers are particularly dangerous when all three of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George play. The Hawks, on a three-game winning streak, have more stability and direction after the Trae Young trade. Atlanta was playing better without him, anyway, highlighted by an improved defense.

The Heat are on a three-game losing streak and their offense has lost its momentum. The struggles of captain Bam Adebayo, who’s averaging just 10.9 points per game over his last eight, are a big reason why. But it’s the Rockets, losers of three in a row, who are this week’s biggest sliders. Houston’s skid has come against the Trail Blazers (twice) and the Kings, and coach Ime Udoka has challenged his team’s effort and toughness.

NBA Week 12 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21. Los Angeles Clippers, 15-23 (—)

22. Memphis Grizzlies, 17-22 (—)

23. Charlotte Hornets, 14-25 (+2)

24. Utah Jazz, 13-25 (-2)

25. Dallas Mavericks, 14-25 (-2)

26. Washington Wizards, 10-28 (+1)

27. Brooklyn Nets, 11-25 (-1)

28. Indiana Pacers, 8-31 (+2)

29. Sacramento Kings, 9-30 (—)

30. New Orleans Pelicans, 9-32 (-2)

The Clippers are starting to make their push up the standings, but they still have a long way to go. Kawhi Leonard is on a heater and James Harden is playing better, but the biggest thing is L.A. is limiting turnovers; after starting the season committing 15.6 turnovers in November, the Clippers have averaged just 13.0 turnovers per game over their last 10, tied for best in the NBA.

The Pacers climb out of the cellar after consecutive wins over the Hornets and Heat.