The 2025–26 NBA season opened with fast power-ranking swings and a few clear trendsetters. Early ladders have the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Warriors setting the pace, while rebuilding groups are focused on development. Circle the trade deadline (Feb 5, 2026) and All-Star Weekend (Feb 13–15) as inflection points that can reshape rotations and playoff seeding.

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics: Still title-tier—expect a similar win pace with minor seeding swings driven by health and late-game offense in the NBA standings.

New York Knicks: Deeper shot creation and defense point to a small bump in the power rankings and a stronger playoff picture.

Cleveland Cavaliers: If the half-court offense holds, their top-10 defense should translate into a better seed than last season.

Milwaukee Bucks: Ceiling unchanged, but week-to-week availability likely keeps them hovering around last year’s win band.

Orlando Magic: Rising young core and elite size suggest a step forward from last year with clearer play-in to playoff credibility.

Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder: Continuity and two-way efficiency make them a favorite to outperform last season’s already elite baseline.

Denver Nuggets: Similar regular-season profile; depth around the core will decide whether they edge past last year’s seed.

Dallas Mavericks: Star shot-making keeps a high ceiling, but depth/health determine if they climb the NBA power rankings.

Los Angeles Lakers: Expect a comparable record to last year unless injuries bite, in which case seeding volatility spikes.

Golden State Warriors: If the vets stay healthy, late-season momentum from last year can nudge them up a tier in the Western Conference.

Here are 3 teams to keep an eye on this season

Oklahoma City Thunder: With elite two-way efficiency and continuity, OKC look poised to sit near the top of the Western Conference; expect constant movement in NBA power rankings, MVP buzz, and a strong playoff picture.

Boston Celtics: Depth, spacing, and switchable defense keep Boston in every NBA Finals conversation; health will decide whether they control the Eastern Conference and the NBA standings late.

Denver Nuggets: A title-tested core and high late-game execution make Denver a weekly barometer for contenders, with seeding and net rating hinting at another deep playoff run.

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