The NBA regular season stretches across two calendar years, with team performance over that entire duration ultimately etched into the history books on its concluding day. However, what narrative has unfolded specifically since the turn of the New Year?
This particular timeframe holds significant weight for several reasons: the bulk of games occur in 2026 compared to 2025, team fortunes frequently reverse course during the final three-and-a-half months of the season, and these shifts often reveal a squad’s true character.
For instance, 2026 has provided the Charlotte Hornets with the invaluable opportunity to cultivate a roster brimming with young talent, and they are now reaping the rewards of a positive trajectory. Conversely, the Denver Nuggets are experiencing challenges in 2026, grappling with injuries and a lack of consistent play.
Below is an examination of the current standings in both conferences, reflecting their win-loss records and placement as of Tuesday’s games, specifically since New Year’s Day.
Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons (27-11 since Jan. 1): Propelled by Cade Cunningham’s stellar play and generally good health, the Pistons had firmly established themselves atop the East, charging towards a potential No. 1 seed. Yet, they now face the absence of Cunningham, who is recovering from a collapsed lung, and are grappling with a diminished bill of health overall. Detroit is challenged to compensate for his scoring and playmaking. Despite these setbacks, they’ve admirably maintained an 8-2 record since his injury.
Cleveland Cavaliers (26-11): Before the calendar flipped, the Cavaliers were hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances, languishing at eighth in the East. Now, they’ve surged to a potential third-place finish in this interim period, largely due to James Harden stepping in for an injured Darius Garland, forming what is hoped to be a more effective backcourt pairing with Donovan Mitchell, alongside improved overall team health.
Boston Celtics (27-12): Their 20-12 record in 2026 might raise more eyebrows if the Celtics hadn’t demonstrated such resilience without Jayson Tatum, refusing to falter after an explosive start to the season. With Tatum now back in the lineup, their prospects of securing a top-two seed have strengthened considerably, though it’s not yet a certainty.
Charlotte Hornets (27-12): Undeniably, the Hornets’ turnaround stands as the most dramatic in the NBA. Around the holiday season, Charlotte appeared destined for yet another lottery appearance. Instead, a perfect storm materialized: LaMelo Ball has remained fit, Brandon Miller has displayed significant development, and rookie Kon Knueppel has steadily made an increasing immediate impact. A remarkable nine-game winning streak in late January fundamentally altered their season’s outlook.
Atlanta Hawks (24-13): A tremendous amount has gone right for the Hawks following their 16-19 start. Trae Young, who was sidelined with an injury and played only 10 games, was ultimately traded. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has flourished both in Young’s absence and since his departure, and when combined with Dyson Daniels’ playmaking, the dip in guard performance was surprisingly negligible. Jalen Johnson has also blossomed into an All-NBA caliber talent. Furthermore, the Hawks’ schedule eased, providing more home games as Atlanta climbed from 10th to sixth position.
The Association takes a closer look at Jalen Johnson’s star turn in 2025-26.
New York Knicks (25-15): The champions of the Emirates NBA Cup endured a challenging period from New Year’s Eve through January 19th, securing only two wins in 11 contests. Since then, they’ve found their rhythm, successfully re-implementing Mike Brown’s strategic system.
Toronto Raptors (20-16): The early season momentum, which saw them sitting fourth in the East, dissipated in the springtime as the Raptors struggled to compete with the league’s elite. Recent losses to the Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, Wolves, Rockets, and Nuggets over the past month suggest Toronto may not be ready for such company.
Philadelphia 76ers (22-19): Joel Embiid was a somewhat consistent presence in the lineup early in 2026, but his availability became unpredictable due to recurring injury concerns. Paul George’s suspension further complicated matters during this stretch. The Sixers are primarily focused on maintaining their position in the playoff or SoFi Play-In Tournament picture until the season’s conclusion.
Miami Heat (20-19): Tyler Herro participated in only 10 games during January and February, with Miami losing six of those contests. Their ability to remain competitive stems from Norman Powell’s ascension to All-Star status, a more consistent Bam Adebayo, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s strong contributions off the bench.
Orlando Magic (19-19): Franz Wagner has been limited to just three games in 2026. Moreover, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs haven’t showcased the anticipated progression in their development, unlike Anthony Black. They’ve suffered some particularly disheartening losses in 2026, most recently against Indiana.
Milwaukee Bucks (15-22): The challenges persist in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are now destined for the draft lottery and are hurtling towards an offseason filled with uncertainty regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose playing status remains a point of contention.
Chicago Bulls (13-25): Another year, another reinvention for the Bulls, who continue to be mired in irrelevance. Coby White, Nikola Vučević, and Ayo Dosunmu all effectively disappeared in February. The latest phase of their rebuilding efforts won’t fully commence until the next season.
Indiana Pacers (10-28): In stark contrast to the Celtics, this has proven to be a genuine transitional year for the Pacers as they await the return of Tyrese Haliburton, the arrival of their upcoming lottery pick, and the seamless integration of Ivica Zubac into the squad.
Washington Wizards (8-31): They dedicated their 2026 campaign to future prospects by acquiring Trae Young (who has played sparingly) and Anthony Davis (who has not played at all), all while safeguarding their impending high draft pick position.
Brooklyn Nets (7-35): Michael Porter Jr. began the year strong but then cooled off, and the Nets have intentionally allocated significant playing time to their numerous young talents. This record aligns with the expected outcomes for 2026.
Western Conference
Stars setting the tone, impressive depth and top-shelf talent give San Antonio the perfect mix to make a deep playoff run.
San Antonio Spurs (30-9 since Jan. 1): They’ve suffered only two defeats since February 1st, and even accounting for their 8-7 January, the calendar year has profoundly favored the Spurs, elevating them above all other teams. The NBA is witnessing the swift emergence of a championship contender, with reasons extending beyond Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio’s young players exhibit remarkable maturity, and their veterans are performing at peak levels. With Wembanyama also emerging as an MVP candidate, it’s the perfect blend.
Oklahoma City Thunder (28-10). At one point in 2026, their record stood at a surprising 8-11, a stark reversal from their 24-1 start. This unexpected downturn was primarily triggered by injuries to Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein. Nevertheless, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander maintained his Kia MVP-level performance, the Thunder acquired Jared McCain at the February trade deadline, and, fortunately, the Spurs finally vanished from their schedule. All now appears to be well in OKC once more.
Los Angeles Lakers (26-15): The Lakers were forced to navigate challenges as Austin Reaves and LeBron James dealt with injuries. Luka Dončić stepped up admirably then, and continues to do so now, leading the league in scoring and delivering a Kia MVP-worthy season. They were only 10 games above .500 before the New Year, but a return to health, significantly improved defense, and heavy reliance on Dončić have yielded substantial dividends.
LA Clippers (25-15): The most striking aspect of the Clippers’ season is their sustained competitiveness even after trading away James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the February deadline. They achieved an 11-4 record in January, and throughout 2026, Kawhi Leonard has consistently delivered some of the finest performances of his career.
Minnesota Timberwolves (23-15): Minnesota encountered early struggles at times, mainly because the Wolves failed to address their problematic point guard situation last offseason, thus placing considerable pressure on Anthony Edwards. A mid-season trade brought in Ayo Dosunmu, who, while likely not the long-term solution, represents an immediate upgrade. Now, they are striving to remain competitive during Edwards’ absence due to a knee injury.
Portland Trail Blazers (22-17): The Blazers commenced 2026 with a strong 9-2 record, firmly establishing themselves as a SoFi Play-In Tournament contender. While Deni Avdija has been impressive all season, the development of Donovan Clingan into an elite rebounder (averaging nearly 13 per game since January) stands out as the most significant positive of 2026.
Houston Rockets (23-18): The loss of Steven Adams and his crucial rebounding after 32 games certainly didn’t aid Houston, who currently hover around a .500 record in March. That said, Kevin Durant displays few signs of slowing down at this stage of his career, and he continues to be a prolific scorer. Given the intense competition in the Western Conference, this is a reasonable 2026 record for the Rockets at this juncture.
Denver Nuggets (22-18): Nikola Jokić played only once in January, which disrupted his and the Nuggets’ rhythm. Since his return, the team has appeared inconsistent, struggling to close out games and failing to play with the defensive intensity expected of a contender. Aaron Gordon rejoined the lineup this month, and Denver finally seems to be moving towards full health, but time is quickly running out in the regular season to secure a guaranteed home-court playoff advantage.
Phoenix Suns (21-19): Phoenix caught the league off guard after trading Durant last summer and dealing with Jalen Green’s injury absence at the season’s outset. Since then, they’ve performed respectably: the Suns still possess star power, boast a winning record, and hold favorable Play-In Tournament prospects.
New Orleans Pelicans (17-21): Their current record signifies an improvement for the Pelicans, who were largely without Dejounte Murray for almost the entire season until his return on February 24th following Achilles surgery. This surge bodes ill for the Hawks, who own the Pelicans’ No. 1 draft pick in June.
Golden State Warriors (16-22): The reasons for their decline are straightforward: they lost Jimmy Butler for the season, Stephen Curry for a considerable period, and were unable to make any significant moves at the trade deadline. Role players began taking on starters’ minutes last month, leading to their current predicament. They will likely be in the Play-In Tournament, and if Curry returns, he could still make a difference then.
Dallas Mavericks (11-27): Kyrie Irving has yet to suit up, and might never again for the Mavericks, while Anthony Davis was shipped out at the deadline, bringing an uncomfortable conclusion to the Dončić trade of 2025. Moving forward, the focus is entirely on Cooper Flagg.
Sacramento Kings (11-29): Sacramento struggled to gain any momentum before the holidays, particularly once Domantas Sabonis was limited to 19 games, Zach LaVine to 39, and Keegan Murray played only 23. The Kings eventually shifted their strategy to dedicate a substantial portion of the remaining season to developing players such as Maxime Raynaud.
Memphis Grizzlies (9-29): Ja Morant participated in only 20 games and is now out for the remainder of the season. That, combined with Zach Edey’s 11 appearances and the deadline trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, made this a particularly challenging final stretch. Ty Jerome, however, proved to be a positive acquisition.
Utah Jazz (9-31): Walker Kessler (shoulder) hasn’t played since Halloween, Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) has only appeared in three games since arriving at the trade deadline, and Lauri Markkanen has been sidelined since late February. These injuries explain the Jazz’s struggles, though Keyonte George’s performance remains a bright spot.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA since 1985. You can reach him via e-mail at [email protected]m, explore his archived articles here, and follow his updates on X.