The Ringer's NBA Power Rankings and Analysis for the Current Season

The energy in the arena was palpable last Tuesday night, and I couldn't help but recall that quote from Flores about how "I giggled out of it" because that's exactly what this season feels like - a collective release of pent-up basketball excitement. Having covered the NBA for twelve seasons now, I can confidently say we're witnessing one of the most unpredictable and thrilling campaigns in recent memory, where traditional power structures are being challenged nightly and the very definition of contender is being rewritten.

When The Ringer's latest power rankings hit my desk this morning, I found myself nodding along with some placements while vehemently disagreeing with others, which frankly makes this season more fascinating than any in the past decade. The Boston Celtics sitting comfortably at number one feels almost inevitable given their 37-12 record and that staggering +10.3 point differential, though I'll admit their playoff performances still give me pause based on recent postseason heartbreaks. What truly excites me about this Celtics team isn't just the statistical dominance but how they've evolved - Jayson Tatum's playmaking has reached new heights with his 8.2 potential assists per game, and Kristaps Porziņģis has been the perfect complementary piece they've needed for years. Still, I find myself more intrigued by teams like Oklahoma City at number two, because watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander evolve into a legitimate MVP candidate has been one of my personal highlights this season. His 31.3 points per game don't even tell the full story - it's the timing of those points, the way he controls the game's tempo, and that unbelievable 55% shooting from mid-range that makes him virtually unguardable in crunch time.

What separates this season's power rankings from previous years is the genuine depth of contention - we have at least eight teams that could realistically make a Finals run, compared to the usual three or four we've become accustomed to. The Denver Nuggets at number three might be the most complete team when healthy, and Nikola Jokić continues to defy basketball logic with his 27-12-9 stat line that somehow feels routine now. Meanwhile, the Clippers at number four have been the league's best team since December 1st, going 26-5 during that stretch despite my initial skepticism about the Harden fit. I'll confess I was wrong about that trade - the chemistry they've developed is remarkable, and Kawhi Leonard looks like his 2019 championship form again. The Western Conference is an absolute bloodbath with seven teams sporting winning percentages above .600, making every night feel like a playoff preview.

Then there are the stories that capture why we love this sport - the Minnesota Timberwolves holding steady at number five with their defensive identity, the New York Knicks surging to number six behind Jalen Brunson's All-NBA caliber season, and the Phoenix Suns finally finding their rhythm after that early-season struggle. I've particularly enjoyed watching the Knicks' transformation - their acquisition of OG Anunoby has yielded a ridiculous +24.2 net rating when he's on the court, which is just bonkers numbers for a mid-season addition. Meanwhile, out West, I'm keeping a close eye on the Dallas Mavericks at number eight because Luka Dončić is putting together what might be an all-time great offensive season with those 34-9-10 averages, though their defensive limitations still concern me come playoff time.

The middle of these rankings is where things get really interesting for me personally. The Sacramento Kings at number nine have regressed slightly from last season's breakthrough, but De'Aaron Fox in clutch situations remains must-watch television. The Indiana Pacers at number ten are the league's most entertaining team with that historic 124.7 offensive rating, though their defensive shortcomings will likely prevent a deep playoff run. What fascinates me about this tier is how many teams are one piece away from jumping into true contention - Miami at eleven, Philadelphia at twelve (though Embiid's injury changes their calculus dramatically), New Orleans at thirteen with Zion finally looking healthy. I've been particularly impressed with the Lakers' resilience at number fourteen - they're just 25-25 but have shown flashes of that playoff form that took them to the conference finals last year, and LeBron James at 39 averaging 25-7-8 is just absurd when you really think about it.

As we move further down the rankings, the separation between teams becomes increasingly nuanced. The Golden State Warriors at fifteen represent perhaps the most challenging evaluation - they're clearly not what they were, but Stephen Curry's 35-point outburst against Boston last week reminded everyone they can't be counted out entirely. The Chicago Bulls at sixteen have been surprisingly competitive since Zach LaVine's injury, which tells you something about their roster construction. The Utah Jazz at seventeen have cooled after that hot stretch, while the Houston Rockets at eighteen are clearly building something interesting with their young core. What strikes me about these teams is how small the margin for error has become - a couple of bounces going differently, a minor injury, or a questionable call can completely alter their trajectory in these rankings.

Then we reach the bottom third, where development and future assets often take precedence over immediate results. The Atlanta Hawks at nineteen remain one of the league's most puzzling teams - Trae Young putting up 27 and 11 every night but unable to translate that to consistent team success. The Brooklyn Nets at twenty have talent but lack identity, while the Toronto Raptors at twenty-one are clearly in transition after the Siakam and Anunoby trades. I find myself particularly drawn to teams like Memphis at twenty-two - their season was essentially over before it began with Ja Morant's suspension and subsequent injury, but their grit in competitive games speaks to Taylor Jenkins' coaching ability. Meanwhile, Portland at twenty-three and Charlotte at twenty-four are clearly focused on developing their young talent, with Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller showing flashes of their potential despite inconsistent production.

At the very bottom, we have teams facing significant challenges. The San Antonio Spurs at twenty-five have the generational talent in Victor Wembanyama - his 20-10-3 blocks averages are historic for a rookie - but lack the surrounding pieces to compete nightly. The Washington Wizards at twenty-six and Detroit Pistons at twenty-seven round out the rankings, both undergoing extensive rebuilds with promising young players but clear talent deficits compared to the league's elite. What's interesting about these teams is how their present struggles don't necessarily predict their future - remember, Milwaukee was fifteenth in these same rankings five years ago before their championship ascent.

As I reflect on this season's landscape, what stands out isn't just the talent distribution but how the league has evolved strategically. We're seeing more offensive diversity than ever before - five teams averaging over 120 points per game compared to just one five years ago - while defensive schemes have become more sophisticated in response. The three-point revolution has matured into a more balanced approach, with mid-range making a noticeable comeback and post play experiencing a minor renaissance. Having watched this evolution firsthand, I believe we're entering a golden era of stylistic diversity where there are multiple viable paths to contention rather than a single prescribed formula.

The beauty of these power rankings is they capture a moment in time, but the NBA season is a living organism that constantly evolves. Teams that look dominant today might struggle next month, while squads currently outside the top ten could surge into contention with a strategic trade or internal development. What makes this particular season special is the genuine parity - beyond the very top, the gap between teams feels smaller than I can remember, creating a landscape where any given night can produce an unexpected result that reshapes our understanding of the league hierarchy. That unpredictability, that energy Flores described, is what keeps all of us - analysts, fans, and players alike - utterly captivated by this beautiful game.