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NBA Power Rankings Week of Jan 21: Thunder Set Pace, Pistons Surge

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8)
Power Score: 88.24

L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +13.4 | Quality Win Bonus: +5.0

Top Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.2 APG)

Oklahoma City remains the gold standard of the NBA, boasting a massive 13.4 point differential that dwarfs the rest of the field. They have won seven of their last ten games, including a dominant victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 31.8 points per game with elite efficiency. With the team fully healthy and firing on all cylinders, the Thunder look nearly untouchable.
NBA Power Rankings Formula
The NBA season has entered a pivotal stretch, and the league's hierarchy is beginning to crystallize. These power rankings are not a simple reflection of the standings; they are generated from a composite power score that weights overall record, recent form (last 10 games), point differential, conference standing, and momentum.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to set the pace for the league, boasting a dominant point differential that suggests their record is no fluke. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as the primary challenger in the Eastern Conference, riding a wave of momentum to the second spot. Further down the list, the Portland Trail Blazers are making a surprising surge, proving that recent form can dramatically alter a team's trajectory.

Here is how the league stacks up for the week of January 21, 2026.
30. Washington Wizards (10-32)
Washington sits at the bottom of the rankings, currently suffering through a seven-game losing streak. After trading CJ McCollum, the offense has sputtered, relying on rookies like Alex Sarr to carry the load.

All stats, records and rankings as of Jan. 21.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (10-35)
The Pelicans are tied for the fewest wins in the league. Zion Williamson is active and productive with 22.5 points per game, but the team has lost eight of its last ten contests.
28. Brooklyn Nets (12-29)
Brooklyn has lost eight of their last ten games. Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 25.7 points per game, but the team's overall lack of depth is evident in their -5.3 point differential.
27. Indiana Pacers (10-34)
Indiana has the worst win percentage in the league at .227. Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.6 points per game, but the team has lost two straight and shows few signs of turning the season around.
26. Utah Jazz (15-29)
Utah continues to rebuild, though Lauri Markkanen remains a bright spot with 27.9 points per game. They have lost seven of their last 10, struggling mightily on defense.
25. Sacramento Kings (12-32)
The Kings are enduring a brutal season, having already lost 32 games. Zach LaVine is averaging 19.8 points per game, but the team's defense is allowing over 120 points per night, resulting in a massive negative point differential.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (18-23)
Memphis has lost seven of its last ten games, struggling to generate offense. Jaren Jackson Jr. is anchoring the defense, and the recent return of Ja Morant should help, but they have significant ground to make up.
23. Atlanta Hawks (20-25)
Atlanta has lost four consecutive games and is sliding out of the playoff picture. After trading Trae Young, Jalen Johnson has carried the load, averaging a double-double with 23.0 points per game.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (18-24)
Milwaukee is struggling to find consistency, sitting six games under .500. Ryan Rollins has been a nice surprise, putting up 16.2 points per game, but the team lacks the firepower to compete with the conference's elite.
21. New York Knicks (25-18)
The Knicks are in freefall, having lost four straight games and eight of their last ten. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.1 points, but the team's defense has collapsed, allowing nearly 116 points per game recently.
20. Charlotte Hornets (16-27)
Charlotte remains inconsistent, sitting 11 games under .500. LaMelo Ball is putting up big numbers with 19.9 points and 7.6 assists per game, and the team has split its last 10 games.
19. Chicago Bulls (21-22)
The Bulls have won two straight games to pull near .500. With Josh Giddey out since late December, Nikola Vucevic has stepped up to keep the offense afloat.
18. Dallas Mavericks (18-26)
Dallas is showing signs of life with a three-game winning streak. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg is leading the way with 18.8 points per game, and the team has posted a massive point differential over its last five contests.
17. Miami Heat (23-21)
Miami has struggled recently, losing six of its last ten games despite a positive point differential. Norman Powell has been a bright spot, averaging 23.7 points per game, but the defense has been uncharacteristically porous lately.
16. Orlando Magic (23-19)
Orlando has split its last 10 games. Franz Wagner recently returned to action and is averaging 22.2 points per game, forming a dangerous duo with Paolo Banchero, though their recent loss indicates they are still finding their rhythm.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (23-19)
Philadelphia is treading water with a 5-5 record in its last ten games. Tyrese Maxey has been spectacular, averaging 30.0 points per game, but the team needs more consistency from the supporting cast to climb back into the top tier.
14. Los Angeles Clippers (19-24)
The Clippers are playing better than their record suggests, winning seven of their last ten games. Kawhi Leonard is active and efficient, posting 28.2 points per game, while James Harden continues to facilitate the offense effectively.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (26-16)
The Lakers have won two straight, driven by the brilliance of Luka Doncic, who is averaging a staggering 33.5 points and 8.7 assists per game. However, with Austin Reaves sidelined since Christmas, the team lacks secondary scoring punch against top-tier defenses.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-17)
Despite a strong overall record, Minnesota has lost three straight games and is sliding in the rankings. Anthony Edwards is doing his part with 29.9 points per game, but the defense has slipped recently, allowing 116.4 points per game over their last ten.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20)
Cleveland boasts a potent offense led by Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 29.0 points per game. They have won six of their last ten games and hold a positive point differential, but a recent loss has stalled their momentum slightly.
10. Toronto Raptors (26-19)
Power Score: 61.93

L10: 6-4 | Point Differential: +1.6 | Quality Win Bonus: +2.0

Top Player: Brandon Ingram (21.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.8 APG)

The Toronto Raptors round out the top ten, anchored by the versatile scoring of Brandon Ingram and the all-around play of Scottie Barnes. They have won six of their last ten, including a massive blowout victory over Golden State. While RJ Barrett has been sidelined since early January, the team has maintained its playoff positioning in a competitive East.
9. Portland Trail Blazers (22-22)
Power Score: 63.48

L10: 8-2 | Point Differential: -1.9 | Quality Win Bonus: +4.0

Top Player: Deni Avdija (26.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.9 APG)

Portland is the hottest team outside the top tier, having won eight of its last 10 games and riding a three-game winning streak. Deni Avdija has been a revelation, averaging 29.8 points over his last five contests. With Jerami Grant recently returning to the lineup, the Trail Blazers are rapidly climbing the power rankings despite a neutral point differential.
8. Golden State Warriors (25-20)
Power Score: 64.63

L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +2.9 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0

Top Player: Stephen Curry (27.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.1 APG)

The Golden State Warriors are heating up, having won seven of their last ten games. Stephen Curry continues to defy age, shooting 92.7 percent from the free-throw line and leading the offense. Jimmy Butler has been a steadying presence, providing two-way impact and efficiency with a 64.6 percent true shooting percentage.
7. Boston Celtics (26-16)
Power Score: 66.85

L10: 6-4 | Point Differential: +6.7 | Quality Win Bonus: +2.0

Top Player: Jaylen Brown (29.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.7 APG)

Boston remains a powerhouse in the East, backed by a robust +6.7 point differential. Jaylen Brown has been explosive, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. The Celtics have won six of their last ten, and with Derrick White contributing on both ends of the floor, they remain a threat to capture the top seed.
6. Denver Nuggets (29-15)
Power Score: 67.33

L10: 6-4 | Point Differential: +4.4 | Quality Win Bonus: +2.0

Top Player: Jamal Murray (26.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.4 APG)

The Denver Nuggets are navigating a difficult stretch while Nikola Jokic has been sidelined since late December. In his absence, Jamal Murray has stepped up, averaging 30.8 points over his last five games. While they have lost two straight, the recent return of Aaron Gordon should help stabilize their defense as they wait for their MVP center to return to the court.
5. San Antonio Spurs (30-14)
Power Score: 67.94

L10: 5-5 | Point Differential: +5.1 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0

Top Player: De'Aaron Fox (20.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)

San Antonio holds a strong overall record, though they have cooled off slightly with a 5-5 record in their last ten games. De'Aaron Fox provides dynamic scoring from the guard position, while rookie Stephon Castle has impressed with 7.0 assists per game. The Spurs have quality wins against Boston and the Lakers, proving they can handle elite competition when focused.
4. Houston Rockets (26-15)
Power Score: 69.06

L10: 5-5 | Point Differential: +6.5 | Quality Win Bonus: +3.0

Top Player: Kevin Durant (25.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.6 APG)

The Houston Rockets are surging with a three-game winning streak, including quality wins over San Antonio and Minnesota. Kevin Durant remains an offensive force, while Alperen Sengun is dominating the interior with 21.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Despite a .500 record over their last ten games, their strong point differential suggests they are a legitimate contender in the West.
3. Phoenix Suns (27-17)
Power Score: 69.51

L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +2.9 | Quality Win Bonus: +4.0

Top Player: Devin Booker (25.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.3 APG)

Phoenix has found its rhythm, winning seven of its last ten games to climb the Western Conference standings. Devin Booker is leading the charge, while Mark Williams has provided incredible efficiency in the paint with a 70.1 percent true shooting percentage. The recent return of Grayson Allen, who missed three weeks, adds another layer of spacing to an offense that is clicking at the right time.
2. Detroit Pistons (31-10)
Power Score: 84.28

L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +7.2 | Quality Win Bonus: +5.0

Top Player: Cade Cunningham (25.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 9.8 APG)

The Detroit Pistons have solidified themselves as the team to beat in the East, currently riding a three-game winning streak. Their recent form includes impressive wins over the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns. Cade Cunningham recently returned to the lineup and has immediately impacted the game, averaging nearly a double-double. Jalen Duren has also been spectacular, recently returning to action and shooting an absurd 63.0 percent from the field.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8)
Power Score: 88.24

L10: 7-3 | Point Differential: +13.4 | Quality Win Bonus: +5.0

Top Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.2 APG)

Oklahoma City remains the gold standard of the NBA, boasting a massive 13.4 point differential that dwarfs the rest of the field. They have won seven of their last ten games, including a dominant victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 31.8 points per game with elite efficiency. With the team fully healthy and firing on all cylinders, the Thunder look nearly untouchable.
NBA Power Rankings Formula
The NBA season has entered a pivotal stretch, and the league's hierarchy is beginning to crystallize. These power rankings are not a simple reflection of the standings; they are generated from a composite power score that weights overall record, recent form (last 10 games), point differential, conference standing, and momentum.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to set the pace for the league, boasting a dominant point differential that suggests their record is no fluke. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as the primary challenger in the Eastern Conference, riding a wave of momentum to the second spot. Further down the list, the Portland Trail Blazers are making a surprising surge, proving that recent form can dramatically alter a team's trajectory.

Here is how the league stacks up for the week of January 21, 2026.