NBA Power Rankings: Most intriguing games left for all 30 teams

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With the calendar now showing March, the excitement for the NBA playoffs, just a month away, is palpable! Yet, before the postseason tips off, a myriad of crucial decisions and shifts are expected over the coming six weeks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have officially secured their playoff spot, clinching a berth with a victory on Sunday. However, their lead over the San Antonio Spurs remains a slim three games. The Western Conference standings are incredibly competitive, with a mere four games separating the play-in contenders from the coveted No. 3 seed. Given the intense schedule of high-stakes matchups ahead, significant movement in the rankings is all but guaranteed.

Over in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have managed to hold onto their top position. Nevertheless, the potential return of Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics could dramatically alter the Eastern playoff landscape.

As the regular season draws to a close, our panel of NBA experts has delved into each team’s most critical remaining games, as detailed in this week’s Power Rankings.

Note: Team positions in these rankings are determined by the collective assessment of our panel members (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) regarding team strength and performance.

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. 24

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

The reigning champions are gearing up for a crucial four-game homestand, kicking off with the Spurs, who are just two games back in the loss column and are breathing down their necks for the Western Conference’s top seed. The Warriors will also visit Oklahoma City this Saturday night, televised on ABC, serving as a warm-up before the Thunder face the Nuggets, Celtics, and Timberwolves on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, respectively, all on national television.

Given the recent spat between Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic, the upcoming Nuggets clash promises an added layer of intensity. — Anthony Slater

  • 2025-26 record: 45-15

  • Previous ranking: 3

  • Next games: @ SAS (March 5), vs. BKN (March 7), @ MIA (March 8), @ BKN (March 10)

The final full week of March, featuring Pistons matchups against the Lakers, Hawks, Pelicans, and Timberwolves, could prove decisive on multiple fronts for Detroit.

With five games preceding this stretch against weaker opponents like the Nets, Wizards, and Grizzlies, the Pistons have a golden opportunity to cement home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs before the six-game April schedule. For Cade Cunningham personally, the March 23 game against the Lakers could mark his 65th appearance, making him eligible for MVP and All-NBA team consideration. Having already surpassed the 44-win mark, could 60 victories now be within reach for the Pistons? — Vincent Goodwill

The Nuggets’ trip to Oklahoma City on March 9 was always marked as important, but the spotlight intensified after the heated fourth-quarter incident during Denver’s overtime loss in OKC on Friday night. Nikola Jokic’s “necessary reaction” to Luguentz Dort’s flagrant foul has fueled this already strong rivalry between two recent championship contenders who battled through a seven-game series last season. — MacMahon

  • 2025-26 record: 44-17

  • Previous ranking: 2

  • Next games: vs. DET (March 5), vs. LAC (March 6), vs. HOU (March 8), vs. BOS (March 10)

San Antonio’s longest homestand of the season commences Thursday, featuring six games in 10 days against a formidable lineup including the Pistons, Rockets, Celtics, and Nuggets. Subsequently, an April road trip out West to face the Warriors, Clippers, and Nuggets could be pivotal for postseason seeding. The Spurs are not overreacting to Sunday’s harsh lesson, which demonstrated how quickly even minor errors can turn a team’s fortunes.

Their 11-game winning streak was snapped after they allowed a 19-0 run to the Knicks in the second quarter, leading to a 25-point defeat. Coach Mitch Johnson stressed that his team needs to “grasp the fragility of every possession and every fine detail.” — Michael C. Wright

  • 2025-26 record: 41-20

  • Previous ranking: 4

  • Next games: vs. CHA (March 4), vs. DAL (March 6), @ CLE (March 8), @ SAS (March 10)

The most critical objective for Boston between now and the season’s conclusion is the return of forward Jayson Tatum to the court – assuming it happens – and then observing how quickly he can get up to speed and how the Celtics perform with him back in the lineup ahead of the playoffs. If Tatum returns sometime this month, it would provide the Celtics an opportunity to reintegrate the four-time All-NBA forward into game action and help the team strategize his usage before the postseason commences. — Tim Bontemps

  • 2025-26 record: 40-22

  • Previous ranking: 5

  • Next games: vs. OKC (March 4), @ DEN (March 6), @ LAL (March 8), @ LAC (March 9)

Mark April 9 on your calendars: it’s the start of a three-games-in-four-nights stretch to wrap up the season. The Knicks will face the Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

Jayson Tatum, by all indications, is expected to be back and sharpening his form for the playoffs. MSG also holds significance as the venue for his last game during last year’s Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Beyond the drama, the Knicks and Celtics could be locked in a fierce battle for the second seed and home-court advantage in a potential second-round rematch. They are currently separated by two games, and in their prior encounter, the Knicks decisively routed the Celtics 111-89 in Beantown on Feb. 8. — Goodwill

  • 2025-26 record: 39-23

  • Previous ranking: 9

  • Next games: vs. TOR (March 5), vs. ORL (March 7), @ LAL (March 10), @ LAC (March 11)

The upcoming fortnight will be pivotal for Minnesota, as they have an opportunity to climb into the top four in the Western Conference. This looming sequence of six out of seven games against teams with winning records will truly test the inconsistent Timberwolves squad.

If they navigate this stretch with a winning record, especially a 5-2 mark or better, Minnesota could potentially secure home-court advantage in the first round as they aim for their third consecutive Western Conference finals appearance. — Bontemps

The Cavaliers are currently in one of their most significant periods of the season, having just completed a pair of matchups with the top-seeded Pistons last week, with a critical game against Boston scheduled for this Sunday. Despite recent health challenges, the Cavs still possess some breathing room for a top-four seed in the conference.

Should Cleveland manage to defeat Boston this weekend, the Cavs could find themselves in a strong position to move up in the standings. — Collier

  • 2025-26 record: 38-22

  • Previous ranking: 8

  • Next games: @GS (March 5), vs. POR (March 6), @ SAS (March 8), vs. TOR (March 10)

Houston’s hold on the No. 3 seed will face a rigorous test beginning March 10 against Toronto, followed by an away game at Denver and two additional nationally televised showdowns against the Lakers at Toyota Center.

Jabari Smith Jr. remains sidelined with a sprained right ankle, but the team is hoping for his return by March 5. Reed Sheppard has stepped into the starting role in Smith’s absence and has shown significant improvement, which could prove beneficial in the playoffs as Houston continues to work on facilitating offense without a traditional point guard. — Michael C. Wright

  • 2025-26 record: 37-24

  • Previous ranking: 10

  • Next games: @ DEN (March 5), vs. IND (March 6), vs. NYK (March 8), vs. MIN (March 10)

The final six games on the Lakers’ schedule before their regular-season home finale against the Utah Jazz promise to be demanding.

It begins with a home game against Cleveland, a team that handed Los Angeles a 30-point loss in January, followed by a trip to Oklahoma City, where the Lakers suffered a 29-point defeat in November. Next is a road game in Dallas, which stands as the only “easier” night of this stretch. Then comes another home game against OKC, before a challenging road-home back-to-back against Golden State and Phoenix. This entire segment could ultimately determine the Lakers’ playoff seeding. — McMenamin

Toronto’s primary objective over the next six weeks is to secure a top-six seed, as ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Raptors roughly a one-in-three chance of dropping into the play-in tournament. Victories at home against Orlando (on March 29) and Miami (in a two-game series on April 7 and April 9) would significantly boost Toronto’s chances of an automatic bid to the first round of the playoffs. — Kram

  • 2025-26 record: 33-28

  • Previous ranking: 14

  • Next games: vs. UTAH (March 4), @ ATL (March 7), @ CLE (March 9), vs. MEM (March 10)

Towards the end of March, the Sixers face a sequence of games starting with the Bulls at home, followed by road trips to face the Hornets, Heat, and Wizards. If they can achieve a 3-1 or 4-0 record during this stretch, they will have positioned themselves well to secure a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference. This, of course, is highly dependent on Joel Embiid’s health. With him, Philadelphia believes it can defeat any opponent over seven games. Without him? Their playoff journey will likely be brief, at best. — Bontemps

  • 2025-26 record: 35-26

  • Previous ranking: 12

  • Next games: vs. CHI (March 5), vs. NO (March 6), vs. CHA (March 8), @ MIL (March 10)

Phoenix embarks on a challenging six-game road trip from March 10-19, beginning in the Midwest against Milwaukee (featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo) and Indiana. They then travel north to Toronto, south to Boston (where Jayson Tatum might be back), before concluding against two strong Western Conference contenders: Minnesota and San Antonio.

It’s a formidable stretch for a Suns team already dealing with injuries to Devin Booker (right hip) and Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand). — McMenamin

  • 2025-26 record: 31-31

  • Previous ranking: 17

  • Next games: @ BOS (March 4), vs. MIA (March 6), @ PHX (March 8), @ POR (March 10)

Charlotte still has multiple games against Miami (twice) and Orlando. Victories against these divisional rivals could propel the Hornets into the more favorable 7-8 play-in game, rather than the single-elimination 9-10 contest.

However, an even more enticing fixture awaits on the Hornets’ schedule, though it may have less impact on the standings: a home game against the Pistons on April 10, marking the first encounter since their extensive brawl last month. For entertainment value, one can only hope both teams will still be playing their starters in the 81st game of the season. — Zach Kram

  • 2025-26 record: 33-29

  • Previous ranking: 15

  • Next games: vs. BKN (March 5), @ CHA (March 6), vs. DET (March 8), vs. WAS (March 10)

If the Heat intend to climb the standings, they will likely have to do so with Norman Powell not at full strength. Powell played only 10 minutes in their loss to Philadelphia and is now considered week-to-week due to a right groin strain. He will need to participate in 17 of the remaining 23 games to qualify for postseason honors. Powell is currently averaging a career-high 22.5 PPG.

Despite this setback, the Heat have secured two consecutive home wins without Powell and will play seven of their next 10 games at home during a crucial period. — Marks

  • 2025-26 record: 32-28

  • Previous ranking: 13

  • Next games: vs. DAL (March 5), @ MIN (March 7), @ MIL (March 8), vs. CLE (March 11)

The sight of Anthony Black missing a game due to injury is indeed uncommon. Since the 2023-24 season, Black has only been sidelined for five games, including Sunday’s loss to Detroit. Thanks to his impressive durability, Black is just seven games away from becoming eligible for the Most Improved Player award. In his initial three seasons, Black’s points per game have steadily risen from 4.6 to 9.4, and are currently at 15.7, indicating the Magic will be keen to utilize him in every possible game down the stretch. — Marks

If awards were determined by the last three games alone, Jonathan Kuminga would be a prime candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Coming off the bench, Kuminga has averaged 21.3 points per game over his last three outings, shooting an impressive 67.4% from the field and 55.5% from beyond the arc. The Hawks have now strung together four consecutive victories and achieved a .500 record for the first time since December 21. They also have the advantage of playing five of their next six games at home. — Marks

  • 2025-26 record: 29-31

  • Previous ranking: 19

  • Next games: vs. IND (March 4), @ SAS (March 6), @ MEM (March 7), vs. NYK (March 9)

Entering this week, the Clippers had the fourth-easiest remaining schedule, with their opponents’ cumulative winning percentage at just .459, according to NBA.com. Despite this, they could still find themselves anxiously battling for a play-in spot right down to the wire, with a home game against Oklahoma City, a road game against Portland, and a home game against Golden State to conclude the season. — McMenamin

  • 2025-26 record: 31-30

  • Previous ranking: 16

  • Next games: @ HOU (March 5), @ OKC (March 7), @ UTAH (March 9), vs. CHI (March 10)

The Warriors find themselves in a peculiar situation. They are 5.5 games behind the Lakers for the sixth seed with no realistic path to climb higher, yet they are also seven games clear of the 11th-seeded and seemingly tanking Grizzlies. This effectively traps the Warriors within the play-in bracket, removing much of the urgency to rush Steph Curry back from a nagging knee injury. With 21 games left, the nightly outcomes feel less significant. One can already confidently pencil in the Warriors for a play-in spot – most likely facing the Trail Blazers in the 9-against-10 game. — Slater

  • 2025-26 record: 29-33

  • Previous ranking: 18

  • Next games: @ MEM (March 4), @ HOU (March 6), vs. IND (March 8), vs. CHA (March 10)

Five of Portland’s next nine games are scheduled against lottery-bound teams with little incentive to secure victories. They will face the Grizzlies, Nets, Jazz, and Pacers (twice). If the Blazers can manage to inch closer to the .500 mark, they might pose a threat to overtake both the struggling Warriors and the surging Clippers, potentially securing a higher position in the play-in bracket. This would at least offer them a more realistic pathway to sneaking into the playoffs. — Slater

  • 2025-26 record: 26-34

  • Previous ranking: 21

  • Next games: vs. ATL (March 4), vs. UTAH (March 7), vs. ORL (March 8), vs. PHX (March 10)

Giannis Antetokounmpo made his return to the court this week after more than five weeks sidelined, and the Bucks still harbor postseason aspirations. However, after experiencing one of their strongest periods of the season, winning eight of 11 games in February, the Bucks have now dropped three in a row and remain 3.5 games behind the No. 10 and final play-in seed in the East.

Milwaukee needs to start closing this gap quickly, and they’ll have two opportunities against one of the teams directly above them. The Bucks host the Hawks in Milwaukee on Wednesday night before a road trip to Atlanta on March 14. If the Bucks haven’t narrowed the distance to the Hawks by then, their playoff hopes will become even more uncertain. — Collier

  • 2025-26 record: 23-37

  • Previous ranking: 22

  • Next games: vs. POR (March 4),vs. LAC (March 7), @ BKN (March 9), @ PHI (March 10)

Lottery positioning is paramount for the Grizzlies, who recently secured two consecutive road wins in Dallas and Indiana. However, on Sunday, they announced that Zach Edey will undergo another surgery on his left ankle, this time to address persistent discomfort and bone stress. Edey has not played since December 7.

Meanwhile, Brandon Clarke will miss additional time recovering from a strained right calf, and Santi Aldama has been absent for 14 of the last 15 contests. Star guard Ja Morant (left elbow) also remains sidelined. A three-game road trip to conclude the season includes matchups at Denver, Utah, and Houston, with Memphis likely to emerge with at least two losses. — Wight

A winless February has effectively removed the Bulls from yet another East play-in contention, shifting Chicago’s focus towards improving their lottery odds. The 25-win Bulls currently sit at No. 12 in the East, with a considerable gap before they could fall further in the standings. This scenario could make their season finale against the Mavericks on April 12, a team that famously benefited from jumping up in the lottery last season, a significant “tank-off” as both teams aim to maximize their chances for ping-pong balls. — Collier

  • 2025-26 record: 21-40

  • Previous ranking: 24

  • Next games: @ ORL (March 5), @ BOS (March 6), @ TOR (March 8), @ ATL (March 10)

The hope for Dallas is that Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain) will be fit to return for Friday’s road game in Boston. This particular game marks a homecoming of sorts for Flagg, who grew up in Maine. Before his injury right before the All-Star break, Flagg, the No. 1 pick, had been averaging 32.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks over his last six games. During his absence, his college roommate at Duke, Kon Knueppel, has, according to DraftKings odds, surpassed him as the favorite for Rookie of the Year. Flagg’s late-season surge could very well commence in his native New England. — MacMahon

New Orleans had strung together four consecutive victories, marking their second-longest winning streak of the season, before a Sunday loss to the Clippers where Zion Williamson was sidelined due to a right ankle injury. Prior to this latest setback, Williamson had played a career-high 35 consecutive games.

With no realistic hope for a postseason berth and having traded away their first-round draft pick, New Orleans can now focus on finishing the season strongly to build momentum for a crucial offseason. Starting March 24 against the Knicks, the Pelicans will play seven of their final 10 games on the road, a stretch that includes matchups against future playoff teams such as the Pistons, Raptors, Rockets, Celtics, and Timberwolves. — Wright

  • 2025-26 record: 18-43

  • Previous ranking: 25

  • Next games: @ PHI (March 4), @ WAS (March 5), @ MIL (March 7), vs. GS (March 9)

The Jazz are set to face the Wizards on Thursday and again on March 25, two games that the league office might observe with considerable interest. Both teams find themselves in very similar predicaments, having made midseason trades for sidelined stars and possessing top-eight-protected draft picks that they hope will serve as foundational pieces for their rebuilds. — MacMahon

The Wizards currently possess 16 wins, placing them fourth-lowest in the entire league. Among the three teams below them in the standings, they have already concluded their season series against the Kings and Pacers, but one critical game remains against the 15-win Nets. If Washington drops that April 5 contest, they will move a step closer to a prime lottery position and maximize their 14% odds of securing the No. 1 pick. — Kram

  • 2025-26 record: 15-46

  • Previous ranking: 29

  • Next games: @ LAC (March 4), @ LAL (March 6), @ POR (March 8), @ SAC (March 10)

The distinction of having the worst record in the league could very well be decided in Sacramento on March 10, when the 15-win Pacers visit the 14-win Kings. These two teams share a rich history, marked by significant trades involving Tyrese Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis, Ron Artest, Peja Stojakovic, and Brad Miller. Now, they could add another chapter to that legacy by vying for pole position in the draft lottery.

The Pacers claimed victory in the initial meeting between the two squads, thanks in part to a strong performance from the now-departed Bennedict Mathurin. — Kram

  • 2025-26 record: 15-46

  • Previous ranking: 28

  • Next games: @ MIA (March 5), @ DET (March 7), vs. MEM (March 9), vs. DET (March 10)

Two consecutive Sunday matchups on March 22 (at Sacramento) and March 29 (at Brooklyn) against the similarly struggling Kings could prove instrumental in determining lottery positioning for June’s highly anticipated incoming draft class.

The Kings hold a three-game advantage in the loss column, which would currently give them a slight edge, even with the flattened lottery odds. It’s clear that this has been a developmental season for the Nets, and they are hoping to secure a top collegiate prospect at its conclusion, making these games potentially the most overt “tank-offs” yet. — Goodwill

While flattened lottery odds have diminished the absolute benefit of finishing with the NBA’s worst record, the incentive still exists: the league’s lowest-ranked team is guaranteed a top-five pick. The Kings currently sit with an NBA-low 14 wins, but the Nets and Pacers both have 15 wins, setting the stage for some crucial upcoming matchups in this “tankathon.”

The Kings are scheduled to face the Pacers in Sacramento on March 10 and still have both remaining matchups with the Nets – March 22 in Sacramento and March 29 in Brooklyn. — Slater

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