The NBA's regular season has reached its final two weeks, but most non-lottery teams still have plenty to play for as the schedule winds down.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are attempting to fend off the streaking San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference's top spot and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Just below those dueling teams, the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to clinch the West's third seed as the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets chase them.
In the East, the Detroit Pistons have a strong lead atop the conference. But which playoff matchups will follow and which teams will fall into the play-in tournament?
With only a handful of games left on each team's schedule but lots still to be decided, our NBA insiders look at the top storylines to watch for each of the 30 teams in this week's Power Rankings.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 24 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28 | Feb. 4 | Feb. 11 | Feb. 25 | Mar. 4 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 18 | Mar. 25
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2025-26 record: 60-16
Previous ranking: 1
Next games: vs. LAL (April 2), vs. UTAH (April 5), @ LAL (April 7)
Does Oklahoma City maintain its grip on the top seed? The Thunder have gone 18-2 across their past 20 games but haven't generated any separation from a San Antonio Spurs team that has gone 25-2 over their prior 27 outings. Entering Wednesday, the Thunder were still up 2.5 games in the standings. But the Spurs own the tiebreaker with a 4-1 head-to-head record. OKC has six games left: Lakers, Jazz, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Suns. If the Thunder win at least five, they'll secure home-court advantage throughout the postseason; if they lose two, they'll crack open the door for the surging Spurs. -- Anthony Slater
2. San Antonio Spurs
2025-26 record: 57-18
Previous ranking: 4
Next games: @ GS (April 1), @ LAC (April 2), @ DEN (April 4), vs. POR (April 6)
It appears San Antonio is peaking at just the right time. But the question now is whether the Spurs can take it up another notch while resting key contributors for the postseason. As winners of nine consecutive games with a record of 25-2 since Feb. 1, this young and confident team still believes the best is yet to come, especially with French phenom Victor Wembanyama embarking on a tear to try to capture his first MVP. The guard trio of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper is flourishing at attacking the paint, which provides clean looks from deep for Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell. -- Michael C. Wright
3. Detroit Pistons
2025-26 record: 52-19
Previous ranking: 2
Next games: vs. MIN (April 2), @ PHI (April 4) @ ORL (April 6)
With a four-game lead on the Celtics and the tiebreaker, the Pistons look like a team that can hold onto the top seed. To keep Detroit afloat in Cade Cunningham's injury absence that is expected to last until the playoffs, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has thrust players into increased roles. Jalen Duren is becoming more of a primary scorer, while Daniss Jenkins has thrived with the added responsibility. The Pistons also have rediscovered their hellacious defense, which had suffered some slippage in the second half of the campaign. Knowing that Cunningham will return, Bickerstaff has to get his players back into roles more suited to the playoffs -- assuming the Pistons clinch soon. -- Vincent Goodwill
4. Boston Celtics
2025-26 record: 50-25
Previous ranking: 3
Next games: @ MIA (April 1), @ MIL (April 3), vs. Toronto (April 5), vs. CHA (April 7)
Boston will wind up either second or third in the East standings, so the question surrounding the Celtics for the final few games is, what will Jayson Tatum look like in the playoffs? He did win Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors last week, but Sunday's breakout shooting performance in a win at Charlotte was an outlier following his return. With several playoff-caliber opponents on the schedule down the stretch, Tatum will get more chances to round his game into form. -- Tim Bontemps
5. New York Knicks
2025-26 record: 48-28
Previous ranking: 6
Next games: @ MEM (April 1), vs. CHI (April 3), @ ATL (April 6)
How important is the best seed versus getting players ready for the postseason? It's a delicate balance that Mike Brown has to walk as the return of Miles McBride from hernia surgery means the coach can go as deep as nine in his rotation for the postseason. It would be a deviation from his last playoff team with Sacramento, which had seven players getting 20 minutes or more in its first-round playoff series in 2023. The starters' minutes are down across the board for the Knicks from last season, as Josh Hart is playing seven fewer minutes per game and Karl-Anthony Towns is down five. But will this team be in a rhythm, especially with three games at Madison Square Garden to finish? Will they try to catch the Celtics as the second seed or sit comfortably in third, even as the Cavaliers are closing in? -- Goodwill
1:14
Redick makes the case for Luka as MVP
Lakers coach JJ Redick explains why Luka Doncic should be in consideration to win the NBA's MVP award.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26 record: 50-26
Previous ranking: 5
Next games: @ OKC (April 2), @ DAL (April 5), vs. OKC (April 7)
The Lakers have two races they will try to win as they sprint toward the finish line. The first is holding off Denver, Minnesota and Houston to keep the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The other is continuing to make a case for Luka Doncic to be named MVP for the first time in his career. Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week that if Los Angeles and Doncic stay as hot as they've been down the stretch, then "to me, he is the MVP." -- Dave McMenamin
7. Denver Nuggets
2025-26 record: 48-28
Previous ranking: 8
Next games: @ UTAH (April 1), vs. SAS (April 4), vs. POR (April 6)
The Nuggets are finally whole again with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson returning from extended absences due to hamstring strains. The hope is that Denver can create some decent defensive identity down the stretch as the fight for home-court advantage in the first round heats up. Denver ranks 21st in defensive efficiency, allowing 116.0 points per 100 possessions as the worst mark among teams headed for the postseason. Its defensive rating with Gordon on the floor is 111.3, which would rank fourth in the league. -- Tim MacMahon
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 record: 47-29
Previous ranking: 7
Next games: @ GS (April 2), vs. IND (April 5), @ MEM (April 6)
Who will emerge as the Cavaliers' first-round foe? Cleveland has spent most of the second half locked into the No. 4 spot in the East, but its opponent has been in flux. There are two teams, Toronto and Atlanta, currently tied for the No. 5 seed, with Philadelphia only 1.5 games behind. There's also a chance Cleveland moves up in the standings. Entering Tuesday, the Cavs trailed the Knicks by one game for the third seed. -- Jamal Collier
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
2025-26 record: 46-29
Previous ranking: 9
Next games: @ DET (April 2), @ PHI (April 3), vs. CHA (April 5), @ IND (April 7)
With Anthony Edwards back on the court after returning Monday, Minnesota now has to navigate being without Jaden McDaniels, who is sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee. The question, however, is whether the Wolves will land in the 4-5 matchup -- all but certainly with Denver -- or fall behind Houston into the 3-6 matchup and a first-round series with the Lakers for a second straight year. -- Bontemps
10. Houston Rockets
2025-26 record: 46-29
Previous ranking: 10
Next games: vs. MIL (April 1), vs. UTAH (April 3), @ GS (April 5), @ PHX (April 7)
Consistency and late-game execution remain issues Houston hopes to solve before the start of the postseason. On top of everything else, the Rockets find themselves looking to create ways to rest veteran Kevin Durant ahead of the playoffs. The 37-year-old swingman ranks third in the NBA in average minutes (36.4) after playing in 72 games. With Houston in striking distance of Denver and Minnesota in the West standings and trying to hold off seventh-place Phoenix, the Rockets need to win games, improve consistency and find ways to rest their most potent offensive weapon. Not an easy task. -- Wright
11. Atlanta Hawks
2025-26 record: 43-33
Previous ranking: 11
Next games: @ ORL (April 1), @ BKN (April 3), vs. NYK (April 6)
The Hawks will look to continue their red-hot play and keep meshing at the right time in the final two weeks. Quin Snyder has done an amazing job with this roster, going 16-2 over the past 18 games . The Hawks want to hold onto the sixth seed or better and avoid the play-in. They will get a chance to really test their surging play with key games against the Magic, Knicks and Cavs (twice) then at Miami in the regular-season finale. Jalen Johnson's star continues to rise, and this season is all about getting these young Hawks some valuable experience in a playoff series. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
12. Toronto Raptors
2025-26 record: 42-33
Previous ranking: 13
Next games: vs. SAC (April 1), @ MEM (April 3), @ BOS (April 5), vs. MIA (April 7)
Thanks in part to a 52-point win (!) over Orlando on Sunday, the Raptors remain favored to finish in the top six in the East and avoid the play-in tournament. As long as the Raptors take care of business against the three tanking teams left on their schedule (Sacramento, Memphis and Brooklyn) and don't get swept by the non-tanking teams (Boston, Miami, twice, and New York), they should automatically qualify for their first postseason appearance since the 2021-22 campaign. -- Zach Kram
13. Phoenix Suns
2025-26 record: 42-34
Previous ranking: 12
Next games: @ CHA (April 2), @ CHI (April 5), vs. HOU (April 7)
Three of Phoenix's final four games could have major playoff implications for the seventh-place Suns. They host the Rockets, currently No. 6 in the West, then play the Lakers in L.A. before finishing off at Oklahoma City. Despite remaining 3.5 games behind Houston, if the Suns can keep winning down the stretch, maybe they can catch the Rockets and avoid the play-in. -- McMenamin
14. LA Clippers
2025-26 record: 39-37
Previous ranking: 18
Next games: vs. SAS (April 2), @ SAC (April 5), vs. DAL (April 7)
The Clippers have two games remaining against Portland and one versus Golden State. They are currently No. 8 in the West, the Blazers are No. 9 and the Warriors are No. 10. The outcome of those matchups down the stretch could shake up the order of the play-in seeding and determine if the Clips will host a game or go on the road to try to extend their season. -- McMenamin
15. Charlotte Hornets
2025-26 record: 40-36
Previous ranking: 14
Next games: vs. PHX (April 2), vs. IND (April 3), @ MIN (April 5), @ BOS (April 7)
The Hornets lost back-to-back home games last weekend, to the Sixers and the Celtics, but it was viewed as a positive experience. The 118-114 defeat versus Philadelphia came in a game that featured playoff-like intensity, and the young Hornets are soaking in every learning moment. In the final two weeks, the Hornets will try to gain the best position possible in the East standings -- likely for the play-in -- and continue to gain experience. Charlotte has to do better in close games, and the final three contests will be massive tests at Boston, against the Pistons and at the Knicks. -- Youngmisuk
16. Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26 record: 41-34
Previous ranking: 15
Next games: @ WAS (April 1), vs. MIN (April 3), vs. DET (April 4), @ SAS (April 6)
With a handful of games left, Philadelphia -- after dealing with almost its entire starting five being out for several weeks -- is on the verge of making it into the top six in the East playoff race. There might not be a team that needs to climb out of the play-in more than Philadelphia, to avoid any extra chances for injury while having its full group ready when the playoffs arrive. If the 76ers can manage to do that, they will be a dangerous first-round opponent for whichever team in the top half of the bracket lands them. -- Bontemps
17. Miami Heat
2025-26 record: 40-36
Previous ranking: 16
Next games: vs. BOS (April 1), vs. WAS (April 4), @ TOR (April 7)
Miami has to find a way to get back the rhythm it had during a seven-game winning streak at the start of March. It had lost seven of the past nine, but Monday's 119-109 win over Philadelphia was important in the East standings with the Sixers 1.5 games above Miami. The Heat now have to care of business with two tilts against Washington then see where they stand with two games at Toronto, one against the Celtics and the season-finale against the Hawks. Health, as always, is vital for the Heat. -- Youngmisuk
18. Orlando Magic
2025-26 record: 40-35
Previous ranking: 17
Next games: vs. ATL (April 1), @ DAL (April 3), @ NO (April 5), vs. DET (April 6)
Orlando has to fix its vibes and get healthy in the final two weeks. After snapping a six-game slide with a win over Sacramento, the Magic didn't even bother to show up in Toronto on Sunday, losing by a humiliating 52 points while giving up a record-setting 31-0 run. But Orlando has a chance to end a disappointing season with positive energy. Franz Wagner (left ankle) is nearing a return to the court. He hasn't played since Feb. 11, and the Magic need him badly for a chance to make any noise in the postseason. Versatile guard Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal) also has a chance to return before the end of the regular season. -- Youngmisuk
19. Portland Trail Blazers
2025-26 record: 39-38
Previous ranking: 19
Next games: vs. NO (April 2), @ DEN (April 6)
Can the Blazers sneak past the Clippers for the eighth seed? Portland secured a monster win in Los Angeles on Tuesday night to pull within half a game of the Clips in the standings. The teams will meet again in Portland in the second-to-last game of the regular season. That offers the Blazers a real chance to move into the eighth seed, which would give them a significantly better chance at sneaking into the playoffs, with two cracks at one win instead of needing to win two elimination games. -- Slater
20. Golden State Warriors
2025-26 record: 36-39
Previous ranking: 20
Next games: vs. SAS (April 1), vs. CLE (April 2), vs. HOU (April 5), vs. SAC (April 7)
What's the status of Stephen Curry? After a number of setbacks in his attempted return from a persistent right knee issue, Curry was finally given the green light to scrimmage Tuesday afternoon. If his knee responds well to the 5-on-5 live contact, the Warriors plan to rev up Curry in the coming days and get him back on the court with a few regular-season games left. It will give him a "runway" to catch a rhythm before the Warriors face two elimination games during the play-in week to attempt to claim the eighth playoff spot. -- Slater
21. Chicago Bulls
2025-26 record: 29-46
Previous ranking: 23
Next games: vs. IND (April 1), @ NYK (April 3), vs. PHX (April 5), @ WAS (April 7)
Did Chicago actually accomplish anything at the trade deadline?
Chicago released guard Jaden Ivey this week after he shared his anti-gay sentiments on social media. Ivey was one of the young players that Chicago took a chance on at the deadline, and the organization parting ways with him underscored another disastrous transaction cycle. The Bulls traded seven players in February, but none of the moves dramatically improved their lottery odds or added any young players who look like fits in their future. The final few weeks of the season will be the Bulls' opportunity to find something that could change that. -- Collier
22. New Orleans Pelicans
2025-26 record: 25-51
Previous ranking: 21
Next games: @ POR (April 2), @ SAC (April 3), vs. ORL (April 5), vs. UTAH (April 7)
Interim coach James Borrego called out the Pelicans for a lackadaisical approach in a 32-point loss to the Rockets on Sunday that extended the team's losing streak to five games. It also marked New Orleans' fourth 30-point defeat this season (second most in franchise history behind the team's seven in 2024-25). Keep in mind, this is a squad teeming with talent trying to finish strong to generate some optimism headed into an offseason that's likely to feature some changes. New Orleans is looking to snap its skid, and Borrego is hoping to remain the coach of the Pels. -- Wright
23. Milwaukee Bucks
2025-26 record: 30-45
Previous ranking: 22
Next games: @ HOU (April 1), vs. BOS (April 3), vs. MEM (April 5), @ BKN (April 7)
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo play again this campaign? Milwaukee will miss the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, and although nine players sat out Sunday against the Clippers, the team still hasn't ruled its superstar out. Even though the Bucks haven't made an official distinction, coach Doc Rivers said last week that Antetokounmpo -- who has appeared in only 36 games -- still hasn't practiced with the team since his latest knee injury on March 15. -- Collier
24. Memphis Grizzlies
2025-26 record: 25-50
Previous ranking: 24
Next games: vs. NYK (April 1), vs. TOR (April 3), @ MIL (April 5), vs. CLE (April 6)
Memphis is sitting at 11th in the West standings after being decimated by injuries this season. Let's see just how far this tanking team can fall to close it out. The team announced its latest addition to the injury list on Tuesday, as second-year wing Jaylen Wells underwent a procedure on a toe on his right foot that will put him out for the remainder of the campaign. If you're keeping count, that's now eight players out, including star guard Ja Morant and center Zach Edey, as the Grizzlies will finish by facing five expected postseason participants in their final seven games. -- Wright
0:42
Mark Cuban admits he regrets who he sold Mavericks to
Mark Cuban says he doesn't regret selling the Mavericks, but he acknowledges remorse about selling the team to the Adelson and Dumont families.
25. Dallas Mavericks
2025-26 record: 24-52
Previous ranking: 25
Next games: vs. ORL (April 3), vs. LAL (April 5), @ LAC (April 6)
Cooper Flagg's pursuit of Rookie of the Year is the only reason worth watching the Mavs as they limp toward another lottery pick. Flagg has had a historic rookie season -- joining Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic as the only first-year players since the ABA-NBA merger to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. However, Flagg's former Duke roommate Kon Knueppel has supplanted him as the ROY betting favorite. -- MacMahon
26. Utah Jazz
2025-26 record: 21-55
Previous ranking: 26
Next games: vs. DEN (April 1), @ HOU (April 3), @ OKC (April 5), @ NO (April 7)
Jazz fans surely would prefer to fast-forward to next season, when the franchise intends to be competitive after a tank-filled four-year rebuild. In the meantime, Utah can focus on the potential and the development of rookie Ace Bailey, the fifth pick who had three 30-point performances in March. -- MacMahon
27. Sacramento Kings
2025-26 record: 19-57
Previous ranking: 27
Next games: @ TOR (April 1), vs. NO (April 3), vs. LAC (April 5), @ GS (April 7)
Can the Kings improve their lottery percentages? The Kings won five of eight recently to jump ahead of the Pacers, Wizards and Nets in the standings. That dipped Sacramento's chances of securing the No. 1 pick from 14% to 12.5% and a top-four pick from 52.1% to 48.1%. Sacramento is currently at 19 wins, while the Nets are at 18 and the Pacers and Wizards sit at 17. If the Kings can fall behind one of those three teams, they'll regain those slightly better percentages. Not exactly thrilling theater, but nothing about this Kings season has been too riveting. -- Slater
28. Brooklyn Nets
2025-26 record: 18-58
Previous ranking: 28
Next games: vs. ATL (April 3), vs. WAS (April 5), vs. MIL (April 7)
Brooklyn just needs to complete the task. The Nets started this season committed to playing five first-round picks and hoping someone could develop, while also devoting to the tank. Despite Michael Porter Jr.'s handling of being a primary scoring option, they're still last in the league in efficiency. Cam Thomas has come and gone. And all that's left is to race to the bottom. If the Nets stay in the bottom three, they'll have a 14% chance at the top pick and an increased chance at getting to at least fourth in a draft that could hold four franchise players. It's been intentionally ugly; they might as well finish it. -- Goodwill
29. Indiana Pacers
2025-26 record: 17-58
Previous ranking: 30
Next games: @ CHI (April 1), @ CHA (April 3), @ CLE (April 5), vs. MIN (April 7)
Tied for the worst record in the league, the Pacers are on track to finish with primo lottery odds. But with the Nets at 18 wins (and with one game left against Indiana) and the Kings at 19, every game still counts for a team that is hoping to land one big prospect before returning to contention in 2026-27. -- Kram
30. Washington Wizards
2025-26 record: 17-58
Previous ranking: 29
Next games: vs. PHI (April 1), @ MIA (April 4), @ BKN (April 5), vs. CHI (April 7)
Stop us if you've heard this before ... Tied for the worst record in the league, the Wizards are on track to finish with primo lottery odds. But with the Nets at 18 wins (and with one game left against Washington) and the Kings at 19, every game still counts for a team that is hoping to land one big prospect before returning to contention in 2026-27. -- Kram
