Tracking the Power Rankings

[O_V]

Biggest difference between this team and the mid-80s Jordan teams is that there's no Barkley sixers, there's no Isiah Pistons, there's no big three Celtics. There's two really, really great teams at the top along with San Antonio. But the Spurs are perfectly equipped to be able to compete and beat them.

Make no mistake, any team that starts playing really, really well as soon as the playoffs start is capable of beating any other team. This year's team peaked a little early. We'll see if they can keep it up for the next 40 games.

 

[Quentin_Compson]

Sorry, one more thing of note is that the current nba favours younger teams with fresh legs, speed and quick reactions more than the old days.

In the 80s to the 00s, older players who are slower but got that old man strength has an advantage as the game was a grind it down type of game.

So in some ways the spurs may have an advantage over a few contenders with the exception of the thunder.

Also, depth is probably more important in the playoffs than it used to be. I think depth (and Carlisle being great at employing it) was an underrated factor in the Pacers' Finals run last season.

 

[SpursFan86]

Biggest difference between this team and the mid-80s Jordan teams is that there's no Barkley sixers, there's no Isiah Pistons, there's no big three Celtics. There's two really, really great teams at the top along with San Antonio. But the Spurs are perfectly equipped to be able to compete and beat them.

Make no mistake, any team that starts playing really, really well as soon as the playoffs start is capable of beating any other team. This year's team peaked a little early. We'll see if they can keep it up for the next 40 games.

I mean...

2023 - 2024 Thunder: 57 wins, 7.36 SRS (2nd in the league)
2024 - 2025 Thunder: 68 wins, 12.70 SRS (1st in the league, highest SRS rating of all-time)
2025 - 2026 Thunder: on pace for 63-64 wins, 10.63 SRS (1st in the league, think this would be knocking on the door of top 5 SRS of all-time)...worth pointing out this is with them having quite a few injuries this year

I'd argue that this Thunder team has been about as dominant as a team can look over a 2-3 year stretch If you want to argue that it's solely a result of the league being "weak" or something then go for it I guess, but the point is that they're definitely shaping up to be one of those all-time great teams that people discuss in the future.

I still think we have a decent-ish shot at beating them (would peg it somewhere in the 30-40% range probably) because I agree we match up as well as you can against them. But the idea that anyone could knock them off or that there's not a juggernaut standing in our way is a little misguided IMO.

 

[O_V]

I mean...

2023 - 2024 Thunder: 57 wins, 7.36 SRS (2nd in the league)
2024 - 2025 Thunder: 68 wins, 12.70 SRS (1st in the league, highest SRS rating of all-time)
2025 - 2026 Thunder: on pace for 63-64 wins, 10.63 SRS (1st in the league, think this would be knocking on the door of top 5 SRS of all-time)...worth pointing out this is with them having quite a few injuries this year

I'd argue that this Thunder team has been about as dominant as a team can look over a 2-3 year stretch If you want to argue that it's solely a result of the league being "weak" or something then go for it I guess, but the point is that they're definitely shaping up to be one of those all-time great teams that people discuss in the future.

I still think we have a decent-ish shot at beating them (would peg it somewhere in the 30-40% range probably) because I agree we match up as well as you can against them. But the idea that anyone could knock them off or that there's not a juggernaut standing in our way is a little misguided IMO.

I don't recall where I said that they were a result of the league being weak. I seem to remember calling them a great team. I didn't minimize them at all. When they weren't playing well, I'm the one that got shit for saying that Shai is an amazing, amazing player and he's better than everybody else in the league. McCain was my number one pick last year and he's turned out to be a really good reclamation project for them. He's going to be a contributor to an increasingly dangerous Thunder team as well.

The teams that I mentioned that Jordan had to go through were ALL in the Eastern Conference. It was a gauntlet. The Spurs have one real test, maybe two if Denver can get healthy and pointed in the right direction. But even you have to admit that's a far easier road than bad boy Pistons AND Bird Celtics AND Barkley Sixers.

Lastly, as great as OKC is the Spurs have beat the fucking brakes off of them this year, and every single matchup was before the stretch where the Spurs are playing really good basketball.

The Spurs stand an excellent chance of meeting OKC healthy and rested. Instead of being beat up, like Jordan's early teams always were by the time they got to the conference finals.

I agree that because they're a young team, there's probably going to be stumbling blocks in the playoffs, but if there's any team ever that's built to go to the finals and win it in their first try, it's this team with this superstar.

 

[bozhemoi]

I mean...

2023 - 2024 Thunder: 57 wins, 7.36 SRS (2nd in the league)
2024 - 2025 Thunder: 68 wins, 12.70 SRS (1st in the league, highest SRS rating of all-time)
2025 - 2026 Thunder: on pace for 63-64 wins, 10.63 SRS (1st in the league, think this would be knocking on the door of top 5 SRS of all-time)...worth pointing out this is with them having quite a few injuries this year

I'd argue that this Thunder team has been about as dominant as a team can look over a 2-3 year stretch If you want to argue that it's solely a result of the league being "weak" or something then go for it I guess, but the point is that they're definitely shaping up to be one of those all-time great teams that people discuss in the future.

I still think we have a decent-ish shot at beating them (would peg it somewhere in the 30-40% range probably) because I agree we match up as well as you can against them. But the idea that anyone could knock them off or that there's not a juggernaut standing in our way is a little misguided IMO.

I would 100% say the league is flat and relatively weak right now, absolutely, and I've been watching the NBA for a long time. OKC is not a historical team by any measure. They'd get pummeled by the Warriors or the Heatles or others in the recent past.

 

[scott]

Week of 3/9/2026. Spurs are 47-17.

Will update the table at end of week after everyone has updated.

Let's see if we've done enough for ESPN to leap us in front of the team we have an 8 game lead over in the standings

NBA.com: 1 (unchanged) - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2025-26-week-21
NBC Sports: 1 (unchanged) - https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...main-on-top-but-celtics-trying-to-crash-party
ESPN: 2 (up from 4) - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...all-30-teams-month-left-thunder-spurs-celtics
CBS:
USA Today: 2 (up from 3) - https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...r-rankings-thunder-spurs-pistons/89085193007/
Bleacher Report:
NYT/The Athletic: 1 (up from 2) - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7100970/2026/03/09/nba-power-rankings-spurs-knicks-celtics/

Updated, ESPN still can't find it in them to put us at #1

 

[bozhemoi]

ESPN is still mad at us for not sending Kawhi to the Lakers.

 

[Quentin_Compson]

I would 100% say the league is flat and relatively weak right now, absolutely, and I've been watching the NBA for a long time. OKC is not a historical team by any measure. They'd get pummeled by the Warriors or the Heatles or others in the recent past.

Pretty sure you would have or indeed have said the same thing about the Warriors or Heatles or others in the recent past. Watching anything for a long time doesn't automatically mean anything.

 

[scott]

W21 completely in the books. Can't argue with any of these.

 

[scott]

Week of 3/16/26. Spurs are 49-18 entering the week.

Will update the table at end of week after everyone has updated. You can tell it's getting towards the end of the season, as more publications are publishing at the start of the week.

The Thunder are surging and we lost a game... can't argue too much with dropping back to #2. But Bleacher Report (who is the last to report for the week, updating on Fridays and thus has the benefit seeing everything including the win against PHX) isn't giving up on us.

NBA.com: 2 (down from 1) - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2025-26-week-22
NBC Sports: 2 (down from 1) - https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...-thunder-retake-top-spot-lakers-climbing-fast
ESPN: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...eams-unsung-hero-rookie-veteran-six-man-award
CBS: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-thunder-dominant-lakers-march-18/
USA Today: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2026/03/16/nba-power-rankings-lakers-thunder/89184004007/
Bleacher Report: 1 (unchanged) - https://bleacherreport.com/articles...surging-luka-doncic-crashing-mvp-conversation
NYT/The Athletic: 2 (down from 1) - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/71...ower-rankings-thunder-rockets-knicks-rookies/

 

[scott]

All updated for W22

PLAYOFFS CLINCHED BABY

 

[scott]

Week of 3/23/26. Spurs are 53-18 entering the week.

Will update the table at end of week after everyone has updated.

Coming off a perfect week for the Spurs and the Thunder, I'm not expecting much to change from last week

NBA.com: 2 (unchanged) https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2025-26-week-23
NBC Sports: 2 (unchanged) https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...6-thunder-spurs-pistons-make-up-the-top-three
ESPN: 4 (down from 2) https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48296257/nba-power-rankings-thunder-reign-celtics-pistons-rise
CBS: 2 (unchanged) https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...lves-sleeper-championship-hierarchy-march-25/
USA Today:
Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25411112-fresh-nba-power-rankings-new-team-top-5
NYT/The Athletic: 2 (unchanged) https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7140376/2026/03/23/nba-power-rankings-lakers-nuggets-cavs/

 

[brazil]

It’s exceedingly rare for a team to win it all after making the playoffs for the first time, the only one I can think of are the 2008 Boston Celtics, and they added 2 HoFers in their prime to another HoFer, when all 3 HoFers have played in the playoffs before with a different core/team.

The other one is the 2020 Lakers, which added Unibrow and played in the most unique situation the NBA has ever been in.

Even last year, when OKC was blitzing the league during the regular season, many people still did not pick them as the favourites as they were so young and only had one playoff run. The Spurs in 98 had to wait a year for Duncan and Robinson to work things out, and even in 99 it was a unique situation (duplicated in 2012). The superteam in Miami had to wait a year in 2011 (again, the unique strike season), Shaq-Kobe had to wait in 98 and 99. The media picking the Spurs as a WC Finalist, and some even having us as a darkhorse, is quite flattering and a sign that the Spurs are the new "it" team.

I think experience and team rapport do matter, even as a long time Spurs fan I wouldn't pick the Spurs as the favourites. OKC is obviously the favourites for many reasons, but even the Celtics, or maybe even the Nuggets if they catch fire (long shot) and Knicks can be reasonable choices (I will personally put them below the Spurs).

At this point, I would say:
1) OKC
2) Celtics
3) Spurs
__________________
Following I wouldn't call them actual contenders and a lot of things have to break right for them.

4) Knicks
5) Cavs
6) Wolves
7) nuggets
8) Pistons
9) Rockets

The only reason I put Knicks and cavs above the Wolves is because the East is easier to get out of, and if they get a favourable matchup or just catch fire for a series they can pull an upset over whoever came out West.

Edit: somehow left out the nuggets.

Not winning but Suns went to the finals after being out of playoff picture during 10 years adding basically Cp3 to a 34 wins the year before.

but I agree Spurs are contenders, OKC are favorites and to a lesser extend Celts. I think both franchise are the less matchup dependent then you have Spurs, Nuggets, Knicks

 

[O_V]

Spurs go 9-1, drop two spots. Thank you, ESPN. Don't ever change. Tim Duncan didn't read that shit and get angry. I'm certain Victor does.

 

[scott]

ESPN dropping us to 4, behind 3 teams we're a combined 8-1 against, is the epitome of overthinking it and being unnecessarily spicy. All you can do is laugh.

 

[rjv]

how the hell did the Pistons grab the #2 spot?

 

[O_V]

OKC has been playing great, great ball. I have no problem with their being number one at all. But Detroit and Boston, LOL.

 

[scott]

Looks like USA Today is taking the week off.

Week 23 in the books, Bleacher Report still believes.

 

[NASpurs]

lmao why are we at #4 on ESPN. You don't lose in the week and you get dropped down two spots? My brain does not compute in retard. And don't give me the SOS shit, like I said, the team didn't lose for the week and they get dropped.

 

[scott]

Week of 3/30/26. Spurs are 56-18 entering the week.

Will update the table at end of week after everyone has updated.

Hilariously the only working link to the USA Today rankings are on their Thunder Site which is run by that chud Clemente Almanza, who was probably fighting back the tears when his editor forced him to hit publish

NBA.com: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2025-26-week-24
NBC Sports: 1 (up from 2) - https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...s-are-back-and-san-antonio-is-on-top-of-them#
ESPN: 2 (up from 4) - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48356634/nba-power-rankings-watch-final-two-weeks-all-30-teams
CBS: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-thunder-spurs-lakers-april-3/
USA Today: 1 (up from 2) - https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...sga-wemby-celtics-make-statement/89367187007/
Bleacher Report: 1 (unchanged) - https://bleacherreport.com/articles...angeles-lakers-minnesota-timberwolves-stumble
NYT/The Athletic: 1 (up from 2) - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7157499/2026/03/30/nba-power-rankings-spurs-celtics-knicks-cavs/

 

[SpursFan86]

As great as the Spurs have been recently, it’s pretty wild how well the top 4 seeds in the West have been at the same time. OKC/LAL/Denver are all playing great and appear to be peaking at the right time as we approach the playoffs.

These playoffs are shaping up to be awesome. SA/LAL and OKC/DEN semifinals would be great TV.

 

[O_V]

Yeah, Luka's little fat ass ends up getting in decent shape by March and April.

 

[NotRobDiaz21]

I wonder if the Nuggets jump the Spurs in the final rankings?

 

[scott]

Got last week's table updated from when I was out, a few posts above. Here is where we are entering the final week of the season.

Week of 4/6/26. Spurs are 59-19 entering the week.

Will update the table at end of week after everyone has updated.

NBC Sports has dropped us behind Denver based on an OT loss on the road... seems like an overreaction but whatever.

NBA.com: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2025-26-week-25
NBC Sports: 3 (down from 1) - https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...ck-into-top-spot-denver-shows-its-a-contender
ESPN: 2 (unchanged) - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...l-30-teams-stack-end-2025-2026-regular-season
CBS:
USA Today: 2 (down from 1) - https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ka-doncic-nuggets-spurs-playoffs/89485671007/
Bleacher Report:
NYT/The Athletic: 2 (down from 1) - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/71...power-rankings-nuggets-knicks-celtics-lakers/