When checking NBA power rankings, a weekly snapshot that orders NBA teams based on recent performance, injuries and schedule difficulty. Also known as basketball rankings, they help fans and analysts spot trends and predict playoff spots.
The NBA, the professional basketball league with 30 teams competing across the United States and Canada. Also called the National Basketball Association, it runs an 82‑game regular season, a play‑in tournament and a multi‑round playoff that crowns the champion.
Understanding team performance, a measure that includes win‑loss record, margin of victory and efficiency metrics is the backbone of any ranking. Pair that with solid player statistics, individual data such as points, rebounds, assists and advanced metrics like PER and you have the ingredients that drive the weekly shifts you see in the table.
The season schedule, the sequence of games each team faces, including back‑to‑back trips, road stretches and marquee matchups adds another layer of complexity. A tough road swing can knock a hot team down the list, while a lighter stretch lets a struggling club climb a few spots. Injuries, coaching changes and even travel fatigue are all variables that the rankings try to weigh, giving readers a clearer picture of where a franchise truly stands.
Below you’ll find the most up‑to‑date NBA power rankings along with brief analysis of why each team moved, which players are making a difference, and what the upcoming schedule could mean for their fortunes. Dive in to see how the numbers translate into real‑world expectations and where the next surprise might come from.
CBS Sports ranks the Trail Blazers, Bulls and Kings near the bottom as the NBA 2025‑26 season opens, highlighting youth pipelines, key trades and early playoff odds.