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NBA Power Rankings Right Now (February 9): There’s a New No. 1

Sportsgrid Staff

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30. Sacramento Kings (12-42)
Sacramento is in the league's worst current spiral. They have lost ten straight and are 0-10 in the last ten, with a -9.5 point differential in that span. Zach LaVine leads at 19.2 points per game, but nothing is sticking on either end.
NBA Power Rankings: February 9
The New York Knicks are playing like a team that's tired of waiting for the playoffs. They are 9-1 in their last ten games with a +16.4 point differential, and they just added another statement win on Sunday. The Charlotte Hornets are the other headline. Nine straight wins have turned them from a fringe team into a real weekly mover.

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These rankings come from a composite Power Score (0-100) that weighs overall record (30%), last ten games (30%), point differential (15%), conference standing (15%), last five games momentum (10%), and a streak modifier (plus/minus five percent), with bonuses for quality wins. That's why a team like Oklahoma City can lead the West in record and still sit outside the top five right now.
1. New York Knicks (34-19)
- Power Score: 83.94
- L10: 9-1 | Point Differential: +16.4 | Quality Win Bonus: +5.0
- Top Player: Jalen Brunson (27.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.1 APG)
New York isn't just winning. They are holding teams to 98.6 points per game over the last ten. That's how you build a weekly number one. The Knicks also stacked five quality wins, including wins over the Boston Celtics (111-89) and Denver Nuggets (134-127). Brunson drives everything, and the defense has carried the ceiling.
2. Detroit Pistons (38-13)
- Power Score: 82.25
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +10.0 | Quality Win Bonus: +4.0
- Top Player: Cade Cunningham (25.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 9.7 APG)
Detroit still holds the East's top seed, and its profile remains elite. They are 4-1 in their last five with a +18.4 point differential, which is as loud as it gets. The Pistons also have four quality wins, highlighted by a 118-80 blowout of the Knicks. Cunningham's 9.7 assists per game keep their offense humming.
3. San Antonio Spurs (36-16)
- Power Score: 78.89
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +6.7 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0
- Top Player: Victor Wembanyama (23.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.7 APG)
San Antonio is peaking at the right time. They are on a four-game winning streak, and the quality win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (116-106) anchors it. Stephon Castle has been the recent spark with 20.8 points per game over his last five. Wembanyama remains the steady engine, and the Spurs' balance is why they keep surviving tough stretches.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (32-21)
- Power Score: 75.81
- L10: 8-2 | Point Differential: +8.5 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0
- Top Player: Donovan Mitchell (28.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.9 APG)
Cleveland has been one of the league's best recent teams. They are 8-2 in the last ten and 4-1 in the last five, with the offense jumping to 125.6 points per game in that five-game sample. Evan Mobley (17.9 points per game) hasn't played since January 26, and the Cavaliers shipped Darius Garland off for James Harden last week to add veteran leadership, so Mitchell's shot creation has mattered even more. The quality wins include a 129-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
5. Boston Celtics (34-19)
- Power Score: 73.47
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +5.6 | Quality Win Bonus: +2.0
- Top Player: Jaylen Brown (29.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.7 APG)
Boston's spot is a classic "good, not scorching" ranking. They are 7-3 in the last ten, but they are also coming off a loss, and their last-ten scoring is just 107.9 points per game. The Celtics still banked quality wins over the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, and the defense has stayed sharp at 102.3 points allowed per game in the last ten. Brown's 29.4 points per game keeps their floor high.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13)
- Power Score: 72.15
- L10: 5-5 | Point Differential: +7.4 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0
- Top Player: Shai Gilgeous Alexander (31.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.4 APG)
Oklahoma City has the West's best record, but the recent form is the drag. They are 5-5 in the last ten and on a two-game slide, which is exactly what this model punishes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has missed the last two games for the team, both of which were losses, and he still leads the league's top-end production at 31.8 points per game. Jalen Williams (16.8 points per game) hasn't played since January 17. The Thunder still owns quality wins over the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers, so the ceiling is obvious.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (32-19)
- Power Score: 71.75
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +3.2 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0
- Top Player: Luka Doncic (32.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.6 APG)
Los Angeles is trending up. They are on a three-game winning streak and 4-1 in the last five with a +9.0 point differential. Luka Doncic's stat line is the loudest in the league, and Deandre Ayton has been a finishing machine at 67.6% field goal percentage. Austin Reaves (26.1 points per game) is back after missing forty days, which raises the Lakers' offensive ceiling.
8. Charlotte Hornets (25-28)
- Power Score: 71.52
- L10: 9-1 | Point Differential: +10.7 | Quality Win Bonus: +4.0
- Top Player: LaMelo Ball (19.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.5 APG)
Charlotte is the week's biggest heater. Nine straight wins plus a 5-0 last five is how a sub-.500 team crashes the top ten. The Hornets also have four quality wins, including wins over the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Ball's playmaking drives the pace, and Kon Knueppel's 18.9 points per game have given them a second reliable scorer.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (30-22)
- Power Score: 67.75
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +3.1 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0
- Top Player: Tyrese Maxey (28.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.9 APG)
Philadelphia keeps stacking wins even without one of its main wings. Paul George (16.0 points per game) was suspended for 25 games starting on January 29, and the offense has leaned harder on Maxey's 28.8 points per game and 6.9 assists per game. The 76ers have three quality wins in the last ten, including road wins over the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. The defense remains a concern at 114.0 points allowed per game over the last ten.
10. Toronto Raptors (32-22)
- Power Score: 66.95
- L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +4.7 | Quality Win Bonus: +2.0
- Top Player: Brandon Ingram (22.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Toronto's case is steady, not flashy. They are 7-3 over the last 10 and on a two-game winning streak, with the offense averaging 117.0 points per game in that span. Scottie Barnes, who was just named an All-Star, fills the box score at 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. RJ Barrett (18.6 points per game) is back after missing fourteen days, which helps the rotation stabilize.
11. Houston Rockets (32-19)
Houston's overall profile is strong, but the recent margins are thin. They are 6-4 in the last ten with a -0.1 point differential, even with quality wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons. Kevin Durant leads at 25.9 points per game, but the last-five defense has slipped to 110.0 points allowed per game.
12. Denver Nuggets (34-19)
Denver's ranking is driven by a dip in form. They are 5-5 in the last ten and only 2-3 in the last five, with zero quality wins in that ten-game sample. Nikola Jokic is back after an absence and still posts 28.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, but Aaron Gordon (17.7 points per game) hasn't played since January 23.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (32-22)
Minnesota is stuck in neutral. They are 5-5 in the last ten and on a two-game slide, with the last five turning negative at a -2.6 point differential. Anthony Edwards is still producing at 29.6 points per game, but the team has not defended well enough to turn that into wins.
14. Los Angeles Clippers (25-27)
The Los Angeles Clippers are climbing back toward .500 on recent results. They are 6-4 in the last ten and on a two-game winning streak, with three quality wins, including one over the Los Angeles Lakers. Kawhi Leonard leads at 28.0 points per game, and James Harden was traded mid-season yet again, this time getting shipped out to Cleveland in return for Garland, which makes Leonard's recent 30.2 points per game over the last five even more important.
15. Phoenix Suns (31-22)
Phoenix has the record of a top-six team, but the recent play is flat. They are 5-5 in the last ten and on a two-game slide, with a -0.4 point differential. Devin Booker is back after an absence and still leads at 25.3 points and 6.3 assists per game. The Suns do have three quality wins in the last ten, but they have not carried that momentum forward.
16. Orlando Magic (27-24)
Orlando's last ten is the problem. They are 4-6 with a -7.7 point differential, even though they are on a two-game winning streak right now. Paolo Banchero leads at 21.7 points per game, but Franz Wagner (22.2 points per game) hasn't played since January 18. That missing secondary scoring shows up in the defensive numbers too, with 118.2 points allowed per game over the last ten.
17. Atlanta Hawks (26-28)
Atlanta is competitive, but not consistent. They are 6-4 in the last ten, yet 2-3 in the last five, and coming off a loss. Jalen Johnson has been the engine at 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, and the Hawks own quality wins over the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
18. Miami Heat (28-26)
Miami is the definition of middle. They are 5-5 in the last ten, but the point differential is strong at +7.0, suggesting they have played better than the record. Norman Powell leads the scoring at 23.0 points per game, and Davion Mitchell is back after an absence and averages 7.1 assists per game. Tyler Herro (21.9 points per game) hasn't played since January 15, and that missing perimeter punch still shows up.
19. Golden State Warriors (28-25)
Golden State is sliding. They are 4-6 over the last 10 with a negative point differential, and their scoring is down to 112.9 points per game in that span. Stephen Curry (27.2 points per game) hasn't played since January 30, and Jimmy Butler (20.0 points per game) is out for the season. Draymond Green's playmaking is still there at 5.2 assists per game, but the roster has been stretched.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (25-28)
Portland is on a small upswing with a two-game winning streak, but the broader trend is still negative. They are 4-6 in the last ten and allow 118.0 points per game on the season. Deni Avdija (25.5 points per game) hasn't played since January 30, so Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant have had to carry more of the scoring load.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (21-29)
Milwaukee has won three straight, but the season-long profile is still rough at a -3.7 point differential. Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.0 points per game) hasn't played since January 23, and Ryan Rollins leads the current scoring (among qualified players) at 16.9 points per game. The Giannis trade saga looks like it will extend into this summer.
22. Chicago Bulls (24-29)
Chicago is in a freefall. They are on a four-game losing streak and have been outscored by 16.8 points per game over the last five. Josh Giddey (18.6 points per game) hasn't played since January 28, which makes the recent defensive collapse even harder to survive.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (20-31)
Memphis is 2-8 in the last ten and on a two-game slide, with the defense giving up 123.2 points per game in that span. Ja Morant (19.4 points per game) hasn't played since January 21, and Ty Jerome has only played four games all season. Adding insult to injury, Jaren Jackson was traded to Utah, marking a full rebuild.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (14-40)
New Orleans is bad overall, but at least competitive lately. They are 4-6 in the last ten with two quality wins, including one over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Trey Murphy leads at 22.2 points per game, and Zion Williamson adds 21.6 points per game.
25. Dallas Mavericks (19-33)
Dallas is spiraling. They are on a seven-game losing streak and 0-5 in the last five, with the defense allowing 123.4 points per game in that stretch. Cooper Flagg is the bright spot at 20.2 points per game, and Anthony Davis was traded to the Wizards at the deadline.
26. Washington Wizards (14-38)
Washington's defense is the anchor, dragging everything down at 122.8 points allowed per game on the season. Alex Sarr has become the focal point at 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. The Wizards do have a quality win over the Detroit Pistons in the last ten.
27. Brooklyn Nets (14-37)
Brooklyn's last ten has been brutal. They are 2-8 with a -16.8 point differential, and the offense is down to 100.6 points per game. Michael Porter leads at 25.0 points per game, but the team has not found enough creation around him.
28. Utah Jazz (16-37)
Utah can score, but they cannot stop anyone. They are 2-8 over the last 10, and the season-long defense is allowing 126.7 points per game. Lauri Markkanen is back after an absence and leads at 27.1 points per game, but the margins stay ugly.
29. Indiana Pacers (13-40)
Indiana is 3-7 in the last ten and on a four-game losing streak. Pascal Siakam is still producing at 23.6 points per game, and Bennedict Mathurin is back after missing twenty-four days. The defense remains the issue at 118.5 points allowed per game on the season.
30. Sacramento Kings (12-42)
Sacramento is in the league's worst current spiral. They have lost ten straight and are 0-10 in the last ten, with a -9.5 point differential in that span. Zach LaVine leads at 19.2 points per game, but nothing is sticking on either end.
NBA Power Rankings: February 9
The New York Knicks are playing like a team that's tired of waiting for the playoffs. They are 9-1 in their last ten games with a +16.4 point differential, and they just added another statement win on Sunday. The Charlotte Hornets are the other headline. Nine straight wins have turned them from a fringe team into a real weekly mover.

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These rankings come from a composite Power Score (0-100) that weighs overall record (30%), last ten games (30%), point differential (15%), conference standing (15%), last five games momentum (10%), and a streak modifier (plus/minus five percent), with bonuses for quality wins. That's why a team like Oklahoma City can lead the West in record and still sit outside the top five right now.