The New Year is bringing some parity to the NBA.
No team is flashing the dominance that we had seen over recent stretches, as the longest active winning streak going in the league is just three games, currently held by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s interesting because the Celtics suddenly are creeping up the standings and are making a case for the second spot in the East – and with star player Jayson Tatum yet to play a game and possibly out all season. All of this begs the question: if Boston remains competitive deep into the season, and if Tatum is eventually cleared to return, how should the Celtics handle that?
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 10 of the 2025-26 regular season:
USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
Note: Records and stats through Jan. 4. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.
NBA Week 11 power rankings: Top 10
1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 30-6 (+1)
2. Detroit Pistons, 26-9 (+1)
3. San Antonio Spurs, 25-10 (-2)
4. Boston Celtics, 22-12 (+2)
5. Denver Nuggets, 23-12 (—)
6. New York Knicks, 23-12 (-2)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 23-13 (—)
8. Los Angeles Lakers, 22-11 (+1)
9. Houston Rockets, 21-11 (-1)
10. Phoenix Suns, 21-14 (—)
After prying away the top spot from the Thunder last week, the Spurs have lost three of their last five as Victor Wembanyama suffered another injury scare. So, even though the Thunder have been vulnerable, and even though they have struggled against teams with defensive length and athleticism at the wing, OKC regains No. 1 status.
The Celtics, though, have been quiet risers behind Jaylen Brown, who is having an MVP-caliber season without Jayson Tatum (Achilles); Boston suddenly has the NBA’s second-ranked offensive rating. The Lakers are seemingly dealing with internal tension amid lingering questions about their subpar defense and offensive fit issues with Luka Dončić and LeBron James, but L.A. keeps on winning.
NBA Week 11 power rankings: Nos. 11-20
11. Toronto Raptors, 21-15 (+1)
12. Philadelphia 76ers, 19-14 (+3)
13. Miami Heat, 20-16 (—)
14. Orlando Magic, 20-16 (-3)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers, 20-17 (-1)
16. Golden State Warriors, 19-17 (—)
17. Chicago Bulls, 17-18 (+1)
18. Milwaukee Bucks, 16-20 (+1)
19. Portland Trail Blazers, 16-20 (+2)
20. Atlanta Hawks, 15-18 (-5)
Joel Embiid is playing more minutes for the Sixers and is averaging 28.7 points per game over his last seven. The Heat, after losing nine of 11 throughout December, have course corrected and have returned to their offensive pace with Norman Powell making an All-Star push. Miami has won five of its last six, including one against the top seed in the East, the Pistons.
The Magic have to figure out how to incorporate Paolo Banchero into the offense more efficiently, as his on-off numbers remain relatively underwhelming. And the Hawks are simply out of sorts – whether Trae Young is on the floor or not – losing 12 of their last 16 games.
NBA Week 11 power rankings: Nos. 21-30
21. Los Angeles Clippers, 12-22 (+2)
22. Memphis Grizzlies, 15-20 (-5)
23. Dallas Mavericks, 13-23 (+1)
24. Utah Jazz, 12-22 (-2)
25. Charlotte Hornets, 12-23 (—)
26. Brooklyn Nets, 11-22 (—)
27. Washington Wizards, 9-25 (+2)
28. New Orleans Pelicans, 8-29 (-1)
29. Sacramento Kings, 8-28 (-1)
30. Indiana Pacers, 6-30 (—)
Are the Clippers all the way back? Over their last 10 games, no team has posted a higher offensive rating than Los Angeles (123.0), and Kawhi Leonard has been on an absolute heater, averaging 36.6 points per game over his last seven. The Mavericks got Anthony Davis back and upset the Rockets on Jan. 3, but Dallas will need the big man healthy to climb into the playoff picture.
The Nets have been more competitive on defense, but that hasn’t led to consistency with victories. Winners of four of their last six, the Wizards are getting decent contributions from young starters and from Justin Champagnie and Bub Carrington off the bench.