Tracking the Power Rankings

[scott]

So amazing for all three top teams to be playing such great basketball at the end of the season, but yeah, the Nuggets probably should be number 2.

Why would you put the Nuggets over the Spurs? Based on beating the Spurs in OT on their home court? IMO, that suggests the Spurs are the better team more than the Nuggets are.

 

[NotRobDiaz21]

So amazing for all three top teams to be playing such great basketball at the end of the season, but yeah, the Nuggets probably should be number 2.

I hate to agree, but you're right. They're definitely hitting their stride at the right time.

 

[Mugen]

1. Thunder
2. Spurs
3. Nuggets
4. Celtics
5. Pistons

Feels right. I don't see any other team getting a ring outside of the above tbh.

 

[O_V]

Why would you put the Nuggets over the Spurs? Based on beating the Spurs in OT on their home court? IMO, that suggests the Spurs are the better team more than the Nuggets are.

Because the spurs have lost twice since March 3rd and both losses are to...the Nuggets?

 

[scott]

Because the spurs have lost twice since March 3rd and both losses are to...the Nuggets?

One of them without Wemby... which tells us what?

 

[Ariel]

Because the spurs have lost twice since March 3rd and both losses are to...the Nuggets?

You didn't watch the games, did you?

 

[O_V]

One of them without Wemby... which tells us what?

That the Spurs can't finish or hold a lead against Denver, whether Wemby's there or not?

 

[O_V]

You didn't watch the games, did you?

Yep. Watched them both.

I'm unsure why you guys are shitting about my opinion when the Spurs and the Nuggets have won the same number of games in the last 10 and Denver beat San Antonio head to head. It's just not that huge of a stretch guys.

 

[DTW]

1. Thunder
2. Spurs
3. Nuggets
4. Celtics
5. Pistons

Feels right. I don't see any other team getting a ring outside of the above tbh.

Favorites: Thunder
Inner circle contenders: Spurs, Nuggets, Celtics
Dark horses: Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves
Pretenders: Pistons, Rockets, Hornets

 

[Mugen]

Favorites: Thunder
Inner circle contenders: Spurs, Nuggets, Celtics
Dark horses: Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves
Pretenders: Pistons, Rockets, Hornets

Cavs are absolutely pretenders and I don't see the Wolves going through a potential Denver > SA > OKC > Celtics gauntlet tbh.

NY and Pistons can sneak into the Finals if things break right.

 

[DTW]

Cavs are absolutely pretenders and I don't see the Wolves going through a potential Denver > SA > OKC > Celtics gauntlet tbh.

NY and Pistons can sneak into the Finals if things break right.

My definition of "dark horses" is with a few reasonable breaks. So like for the Knicks and Cavaliers, they'd probably need a Tatum/Brown injury and then one to whichever of Gilgeous-Alexander/Wembanyama/Jokic come out of the West. Whereas with the Timberwolves, they'd need multiple of those within' the West plus the same one from the East, so arguably that one is pushing it.

They could go in "pretenders" just like the Pistons could in "dark horses", but "inner circle contenders" is a bridge too far for the latter. No superstar, reliable secondary creator or shooting is a death knell.

 

[scott]

Final Rankings, for those outlets who are posting them:

Spurs end the season 62-20

Will update the table if I come across any others reporting.

NBA.com:
NBC Sports: 3 (unchanged) - https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...ngs-with-nuggets-spurs-rounding-out-top-three
ESPN:
CBS:
USA Today:
Bleacher Report: 2 (down from 1) - https://bleacherreport.com/articles...er-rankings-after-regular-seasons-epic-finish
NYT/The Athletic: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7193194/2026/04/13/nba-power-rankings-thunder-spurs-pistons/

It's cool to see how far we came, and how quickly. A few outlets jumped us up all the way to 2 after our quick 5-1 start, but then we lost some believers in November. It wasn't until we whipped OKC 3 times in December that we finally were solidified as a top team.