The NBA season is dwindling down however the matchups are heating up, together with the Miami Heat‘s Bam Adebayo scoring 83 factors — the second most in a recreation in NBA historical past — on Tuesday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, coming off a convincing win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night time, and the San Antonio Spurs proceed to rule the Western Conference, whereas the Boston Celtics, following Jayson Tatum‘s return, are eyeing a transfer up the Eastern Conference.
The Detroit Pistons‘ current struggles have forged some doubts on their maintain on the East, whereas the Western Conference standings, exterior of the highest two, proceed to fluctuate every day as teams jockey for place forward of subsequent month’s playoffs.
With a little over a month to go forward of the play-in match, listed here are this week’s NBA Power Rankings.
Note: Team rankings are based mostly on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) assume teams belong.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | (*30*) | 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 | March 4
Jump to a workforce:
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 return of Ajay Mitchell was misplaced in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fireworks present on Monday night time in opposition to the Nuggets.
Mitchell had missed 20 video games due to each indirect and ankle accidents, however appeared each bit himself in 29 productive bench minutes, scoring 24 factors on 9-of-16 capturing with an array of slick drives and self-created pull-ups.
Mitchell might be some of the vital reserves in the following few months, particularly as Jalen Williams tries to ease again into the lineup after a recurring hamstring downside. — Anthony Slater
2025-26 document: 48-17
Previous rating: 4
Next video games: vs. DEN (March 12), vs. CHA (March 14), @ LAC (March 16), @ SAC (March 17)
The Spurs wished to check themselves on their longest homestand of the season in opposition to a number of contending teams with totally different kinds and personnel as they transition into playoff-preparation mode.
So far, San Antonio is passing with flying colours with a win over Detroit, a 25-point comeback victory over the LA Clippers and a 25-point trouncing of in-state rival Houston.
The exams proceed after a large win on Tuesday over the Boston Celtics, because the Spurs shut out their homestand this week internet hosting the Denver Nuggets on Thursday earlier than a Saturday matchup in opposition to the surging Charlotte Hornets. — Michael C. Wright
Jayson Tatum is again, and his first two video games could not have gone higher. Not solely did the Celtics choose up a pair of victories with Tatum again in motion, however he — fairly remarkably — appeared like he hadn’t missed any time at all, exterior of his shot being a bit off. He shot a mixed 12-of-32 in Boston’s wins over the Mavericks and Cavaliers.
Tatum’s return has solely bolstered the notion that Boston is, as soon as once more, the workforce to beat in the Eastern Conference. — Tim Bontemps
2025-26 document: 48-18
Previous rating: 3
Next video games: vs. PHI (March 12), vs. MEM (March 13), @ TOR (March 15), @ WAS (March 17)
Adversity, meet the Pistons. Even with Cade Cunningham getting a night time off and lacking Ausar Thompson with a proper ankle sprain, Detroit should not have given away 107-105 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, however they rebounded with a 138-100 win over the exact same Nets on Tuesday.
Thompson’s ankle ought to have him out round a week, sources inform ESPN, however the Pistons need to ensure he is OK earlier than permitting him to play. He’s their most versatile defender, and his perimeter protection in specific was sorely lacking in their loss to Miami on Sunday.
For a workforce that creates offense with its protection, any small slippage reveals exponentially, and that is the place the Pistons are. — Vincent Goodwill
2025-26 document: 41-25
Previous rating: 6
Next video games: @ UTAH (March 11), @ IND (March 13), vs. GS (March 15), vs. IND (March 17)
It may not be time to panic after a weekend in Los Angeles, however shedding to the Lakers and Clippers on back-to-back days following considered one of their most spectacular wins of the season — an utter beatdown in Denver in opposition to the rarely-whole Nuggets — is not very best.
Mikal Bridges usually will get misplaced in the offense and went almost six quarters over the weekend with out a bucket. They want him engaged on each ends to maintain their protection on the degree it has been the final two months. Going scoreless in opposition to the Lakers and scoring simply seven in opposition to the Clippers raised some eyebrows. — Goodwill
2025-26 document: 40-25
Previous rating: 7
Next video games: @ LAC (March 11), @ GS (March 13), @ OKC (March 15), vs. PHX (March 17)
The final 10 video games coming into Tuesday night time’s showdown with the Lakers pretty completely encapsulate Minnesota’s season.
The Timberwolves went 8-2 in that stretch, together with a powerful win over the Nuggets. But in the 2 losses, the Wolves misplaced to a pair of mid-tier East teams — Philadelphia, which was taking part in with out guys on the second night time of a back-to-back, and Orlando — by 27 factors every.
That underscores the volatility surrounding the Wolves on a nightly foundation, and why they continue to be so confounding in figuring out the place they sit in the West pecking order. — Bontemps
Houston’s inconsistency confirmed up in a main approach Sunday because the Rockets suffered their largest defeat of the season in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs — simply the workforce’s second 25-point loss over the previous two seasons. The Rockets allowed 25 factors off turnovers and struggled to comprise San Antonio guards De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, who mixed for 43 factors, on the level of assault.
Center Alperen Sengun ranks because the Rockets’ second-leading scorer (20.4 PPG) behind Kevin Durant, however he has been inconsistent in March with his scoring common dropping by almost six factors from final month. — Wright
2025-26 document: 40-25
Previous rating: 8
Next video games: @ ORL (March 11), @ DAL (March 13), vs. DAL (March 15), @ MIL (March 17)
The prime 4 teams in the East have created a ways between themselves and the remainder of the convention, which units the ultimate month of the season up as a playoff-seeding battle.
Cleveland sits on the No. 4 seed, however the Cavs are solely a half-game again from the No. 3 seed, which might be the distinction in a second-round matchup with Detroit or Boston.
Which aspect of the bracket they like to land on might current an attention-grabbing dilemma for the Cavs, particularly with such a gentle schedule developing. Following Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the red-hot Magic, the Cavs play the Mavericks twice earlier than video games with the Bucks, Bulls and Pelicans. — Jamal Collier
2025-26 document: 39-26
Previous rating: 3
Next video games: vs. HOU (March 11), @ SAS (March 12), @ LAL (March 14), vs. PHI (March 17)
The Nuggets have misplaced each video games since Aaron Gordon’s return from a hamstring pressure, however his efficiency in Oklahoma City was encouraging.
Gordon scored 23 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds in 28 minutes in the loss to the defending champion Thunder. And wing Peyton Watson is near coming back from his hamstring pressure, doubtlessly by the top of the week, sources mentioned. — Tim MacMahon
Luke Kennard has scored in double digits in 4 of the Lakers’ previous six video games coming into Tuesday’s matchup in opposition to Minnesota — all of them wins — and L.A.’s commerce deadline pickup is chasing historical past, too.
Only six gamers in historical past have ever completed a season capturing 50% or higher from 3 for a complete season, and Kennard has a shot at doing so, capturing 50% from deep up to now. He simply missed the lower in 2022-23, ending that season at 49.4%. — Dave McMenamin
Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance on Tuesday apart — which is a large apart — the offense in Miami has been a case research of inconsistency.
In the primary 15 video games of the season, the Heat ranked eighth in offense earlier than they plummeted into the underside 10 over their subsequent 30 video games. Since the All-Star break, the Heat are 8-2 and rank first in offense and factors per recreation as they moved into a tie for sixth place in the East heading into Wednesday’s video games.
In these 10 video games, Tyler Herro has averaged 22.2 PPG, whereas capturing 50.3 FG% and 45 3P%, because the Heat are considered one of three unbeaten teams in March. — Bobby Marks
2025-26 document: 38-27
Previous rating: 13
Next video games: @ IND (March 12), @ TOR (March 13), @ BOS (March 16), @ MIN (March 17)
Phoenix received 4 out of 5 earlier than beginning a season-long six-game street journey Tuesday in Milwaukee, a recreation that the Suns received 129-114.
Devin Booker’s utilization charge is at 33.8% in March — his highest in any month this season — because the five-time All-Star has absolutely taken the reins for the Suns whereas Dillon Brooks is out with a fractured left hand. They enter Wednesday 1.5 video games out of the No. 6 spot in the West. — McMenamin
2025-26 document: 35-28
Previous rating: 16
Next video games: vs. CLE (March 11), vs. WAS (March 12), @ MIA (March 14), @ ATL (March 16), vs. OKC (March 17)
The month of March has been type to the Magic: Orlando is 4-1 and just lately defeated Minnesota on the street by 27 factors.
In the previous 5 video games, Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane have mixed to common 48 PPG as a duo with each gamers capturing higher than 50% from the sector. As a results of their 7-3 document because the All-Star break, the Magic are seventh in the Eastern Conference however solely a half-game out of fifth. Their protection ranks second because the break, a essential issue because the Magic attempt to maintain on to a playoff spot in the East. — Marks
Since final week, Toronto’s odds of touchdown a top-six seed have fallen from almost 70% to only 57%, as of Tuesday morning.
That’s not essentially Toronto’s fault, however somewhat a reflection of simultaneous successful streaks from Miami and Orlando. The Raptors have to string collectively some wins of their very own to maintain tempo, nonetheless, and so they have not received greater than two video games in a row since January — they’ve a 7-8 document since that final successful streak ended. — Zach Kram
The Hawks and “defense” haven’t been linked collectively in prior seasons. But because the All-Star break, Atlanta is 9-1 and has one of the best defensive ranking in the league. Over that stretch heading into Tuesday, the Hawks rank fourth in factors off turnovers and fast-break factors. In the eight wins opponents have turned the ball over, on common, 16.6 occasions per recreation. — Marks
2025-26 document: 32-32
Previous rating: 18
Next video games: vs. MIN (March 11), vs. CHI (March 13), vs. SAC (March 14), vs. SAS (March 16)
This Clippers workforce clearly has no give up in them, reaching .500 this week at 32-32 for the primary time since they began the season 3-3. They’ve received 5 out of their previous six video games — with the one loss in that stretch coming to the San Antonio Spurs by 4.
The 34-year-old Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.9 factors — the best scoring common of his 15-year profession. — McMenamin
The excellent news for Charlotte is that the Eleventh-place Bucks’ struggles since Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return imply the Hornets are a near-lock to at the least attain the play-in match.
The dangerous information? Consecutive losses in opposition to Miami and Phoenix — on the similar time that Miami, Orlando and Atlanta had been on successful streaks — have lowered Charlotte’s odds of climbing out of the 9 vs. 10 play-in recreation to the 7 vs. 8 recreation, and even a top-six seed. — Kram
2025-26 document: 35-30
Previous rating: 12
Next video games: @ DET (March 12), vs. BKN (March 14), vs. POR (March 15), @ DEN (March 17)
The accidents proceed to pile up for Philadelphia, which is now with out Joel Embiid (indirect), Tyrese Maxey (finger) and VJ Edgecombe (again) in addition to Paul George remaining out as a result of suspension.
As a outcome, the 76ers are actually firmly in the play-in combine in the Eastern Conference standings — they sit at No. 8 forward of a recreation at Detroit on March 12 — and have the potential to slip even additional so long as these absences proceed to linger. — Bontemps
It’s going to be tough for the Warriors to carry off the surging Clippers for the eighth seed.
The Clippers have received 5 of six and have six of their subsequent eight video games in opposition to lottery teams. The Warriors, in the meantime, are about to go on a six-game street journey that features video games in opposition to the Knicks, Pistons and Celtics.
If it comes right down to the ultimate week, the Warriors and Clippers meet on the common season’s remaining day — April 12 in Los Angeles. — Slater
It’s been a tough third season for former No. 3 total choose Scoot Henderson. He missed a majority of it due to a critical preseason hamstring harm.
In his 13 video games since returning, Henderson has made solely 39% of his photographs and 25% of his 3s. He did flash a glimpse this previous weekend, nonetheless, scoring 28 factors on 10-of-15 capturing. His potential to get his improvement again on observe and enhance his effectivity will partially decide whether or not this midtier Blazers workforce can degree up heading into subsequent season. — Slater
2025-26 document: 27-37
Previous rating: 21
Next video games: @ MIA (March 12), @ ATL (March 14), vs. IND (March 15), vs. CLE (March 17)
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 23.3 factors, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 26 minutes in his first three video games again after coming back from harm … and the Bucks dropped three of their first 4 video games after his return — he missed a recreation as a result of his beforehand injured calf — usually by giant margins.
Milwaukee misplaced by 39 factors to Orlando on Sunday (the sport Antetokounmpo missed), 18 factors to Atlanta and 27 factors to Boston earlier than that. The blowout losses are removed from the extent Milwaukee must play at for a workforce with aspirations of nonetheless making the postseason.
The Bucks will face Miami and Atlanta, a pair of teams forward of them in the play-in match, on the street this weekend. — Collier
The Bulls misplaced to the Sacramento Kings, the workforce with the league’s worst document, this week as they proceed their downward spiral put up commerce deadline.
But Josh Giddey did end with his sixteenth profession triple-double in that recreation, breaking a tie with Scottie Pippen for the second most triple-doubles in franchise historical past. He now trails solely Michael Jordan, who has the workforce document with 28. A small vibrant spot throughout Chicago’s second half of the season. — Collier
The Grizzlies had racked up six shedding streaks this season of four-plus video games after struggling simply two such skids final season. They added a seventh straight loss on Tuesday.
Memphis basic supervisor Zach Kleiman has mentioned the workforce’s rebuild is not going to show into a lengthy, “drawn out five-year process,” nonetheless. Star guard Ja Morant needs to be a a part of it regardless of the workforce listening to presents on the commerce deadline for the two-time All-Star.
In his first feedback since January, Morant just lately mentioned he hopes to stay with the Grizzlies past this season but it surely’s unclear whether or not we’ll see him play once more this season. The workforce introduced on March 6 it might reevaluate Morant’s injured left elbow in two weeks. — Wright
Zion Williamson bounced again shortly from his ankle harm and has now performed in 4 consecutive video games for a New Orleans workforce that has received two of its previous three.
Point guard Dejounte Murray has mentioned he’d wish to see the Pelicans push for a berth in the play-in match however that will not be straightforward, contemplating New Orleans’ Thirteenth-place standing in the West.
Interim coach James Borrego needs to stay on the helm past this season however must impress the brass with a robust end. Four of the Pels’ subsequent 5 video games function opponents at the moment at .500 or higher. — Wright
2025-26 document: 21-44
Previous rating: 24
Next video games: @ MEM (March 12), vs. CLE (March 13), @ CLE (March 15), @ NO (March 16)
Improving the capturing round Cooper Flagg can be one of many Mavs’ priorities as they construct across the prized rookie, who has already proved to be a dynamic driver regardless of the workforce’s spacing issues.
The Mavs rank second to final in the league in 3-pointers made (10.6 per recreation) and twenty eighth in 3-point share (33.9). — MacMahon
Utah improved to 3-20 in video games missed by ahead Lauri Markkanen this season after Monday’s dwelling win over the Warriors. Markkanen has missed the previous seven video games after injuring his hip in apply and there’s no timetable for his return.
The Jazz beforehand shut down Jaren Jackson Jr. for the season as a result of knee surgical procedure on Feb. 17. — MacMahon
Don’t look now however the streaking, red-hot Brooklyn Nets should be reckoned with. … But severely, the Nets strolling down the Cade-less Pistons in Detroit after falling behind by 20-plus on Saturday — whereas ending a 10-game shedding streak — was a story of resilience.
They adopted it up with a recreation they maybe did not care to really win, a 126-115 win over a similarly-lottery sure Memphis Grizzlies workforce. Ziaire Williams is on considered one of his greatest stretches just lately, averaging 16.3 factors on 53% from 3 in his previous 4 video games. — Goodwill
2025-26 document: 16-48
Previous rating: 27
Next video games: @ ORL (March 12), @ BOS (March 14), vs. GS (March 16), vs. DET (March 17)
Trae Young made his Wizards debut final week, however his new workforce remains to be approaching the All-Star’s return conservatively.
In his first two video games as a Wizard, Young performed simply 37 whole minutes, averaging 14.5 factors and seven.0 assists on 53% capturing (40% on 3s). The Wizards misplaced each video games, together with in opposition to Utah in a matchup of teams with top-eight-protected draft picks. — Kram
2025-26 document: 15-50
Previous rating: 29
Next video games: vs. PHX (March 12), vs. NYK (March 13), @ MIL (March 15), @ NYK (March 17)
The Pacers’ beginning lineup is more healthy than it has been in a whereas after Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith returned. And but, the massive losses have not stopped: As of Tuesday, the Pacers had misplaced 9 video games in a row — the final six by double digits — and their final eight opponents had scored at the least 125 factors in each recreation.
That’s one solution to try to retain their top-four-protected choose in the upcoming draft. — Kram
2025-26 document: 16-50
Previous rating: 30
Next video games: vs. CHA (March 11), @ LAC (March 14), vs. UTAH (March 15), vs. SAS (March 17)
Rookie heart Maxime Raynaud stays one of many few vibrant spots in what profiles as a deep rebuild for the Kings.
The second-rounder has double-doubles in seven of his previous 11 video games, placing up 26 factors, 11 rebounds and three blocks in a current win over the Bulls. If the Kings transfer Domantas Sabonis this summer time as a part of a youth motion, there may be a first rate likelihood Raynaud might open subsequent season as Sacramento’s beginning heart. — Slater
