NBA Power Rankings: Key Matchups Remaining for Every Team

March has arrived, signaling that the NBA playoffs are just around the corner next month! However, there are numerous outcomes to be determined in the upcoming six weeks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the first playoff spot with their victory on Sunday. Their margin over the San Antonio Spurs is only three games, as the standings in the highly competitive Western Conference remain extremely close. Currently, four games separate the play-in teams from the No. 3 seed, and with several significant matchups ahead, the standings are likely to shift.

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons continue to maintain their status as the top team, but the possible return of Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics could alter the playoff picture.

As the season draws to a close, our NBA analysts examined the key games remaining on each team’s schedule in this week’s Power Rankings.

Note: Team rankings reflect the opinions 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 placements.

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

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2025-26 record: 48-15

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: @ NYK (March 4), vs. GS (March 7), vs. Denver (March 9)

The reigning champions are set to embark on a significant four-game homestand against the Spurs, who are just two losses behind and are closely pursuing the top seed in the West. The Warriors will visit Oklahoma City on ABC this Saturday night, providing the Thunder with a preview before they take on the Nuggets, Celtics, and Timberwolves on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, all of which will be broadcast nationally.

Given the recent altercation between Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic, the matchup against the Nuggets adds an extra layer of intrigue. — Anthony Slater

2. Detroit Pistons

• 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, during which the Pistons face the Lakers, Hawks, Pelicans, and Timberwolves, could prove crucial on multiple levels.

With five games preceding it against struggling teams like the Nets, Wizards, and Grizzlies, the Pistons have a chance to firmly establish home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs before their six-game schedule in April. Additionally, for Cade Cunningham, the game against the Lakers on March 23 could mark his 65th appearance, positioning him for serious consideration for Most Valuable Player and All-NBA honors. The Pistons have already surpassed the 44-win mark. Could they be aiming for 60 wins? — Vincent Goodwill

3. Denver Nuggets

• 2025-26 record: 38-24

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. LAL (March 5), vs. NYK (March 6), @ OKC (March 9)

The Nuggets’ upcoming game in Oklahoma City on March 9 would have been a focal point regardless of the context. The intensity of that matchup increased following the incident in the fourth quarter of Denver’s overtime defeat in OKC on Friday night, where Nikola Jokic had a heated “necessary reaction” to Luguentz Dort’s flagrant foul. This rivalry between two recent championship teams, who faced off for seven games in last season’s playoffs, is palpable. — MacMahon

4. San Antonio Spurs

• 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 begins Thursday, featuring six games in 10 days against formidable opponents, including the Pistons, Rockets, Celtics, and Nuggets. However, a trip out West in early April against the Warriors, Clippers, and Nuggets could be pivotal for postseason positioning. The Spurs are not overreacting to the harsh lesson learned on Sunday about how quickly even minor errors can impact a team’s fortunes.

Their 11-game winning streak came to an end after they allowed a 19-0 run to the Knicks during the second quarter of a 25-point defeat. Coach Mitch Johnson emphasized the need for his team to “recognize the importance of every possession and detail.” — Michael C. Wright

5. Boston Celtics

• 2025-26 record: 41-20

• Previous ranking: 4

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

For Boston, the priority between now and the season’s conclusion is the return of forward Jayson Tatum to the lineup — if it occurs — and assessing how quickly he can regain his form, as well as how the Celtics will integrate him ahead of the playoffs. If Tatum returns this month, it would provide the Celtics an opportunity to acclimate the four-time All-NBA forward to game pace and strategize his role before the postseason begins. — Tim Bontemps

6. New York Knicks

• 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 calendar, as it marks the beginning of a three-games-in-four-nights stretch to conclude the season. The opponent will be the Celtics, and the game will take place at Madison Square Garden.

Jayson Tatum is expected to return and will be preparing for the playoffs. Madison Square Garden was also the venue for his last appearance during last year’s Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Even without the added drama, the Knicks and Celtics could find themselves in a contest for the second seed and home-court advantage in a potential second-round rematch. Currently, they are separated by two games, and in their last encounter, the Knicks defeated the Celtics 111-89 in Boston on February 8. — Goodwill

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 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 two weeks will be crucial for Minnesota, which has the opportunity to break into the top four in the Western Conference. This next stretch, featuring six out of seven games against teams with winning records, will test the consistency of the Timberwolves.

Surviving this stretch with a winning record, particularly a 5-2 or better mark, could enable Minnesota to secure home-court advantage in the first round as they aim for a third consecutive trip to the Western Conference finals. — Bontemps

8. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2025-26 record: 39-24

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. BOS (March 8), vs. PHI (March 9), @ ORL (March 11)

The Cavaliers are currently in one of their most significant phases of the season, following two encounters with the top-seeded Pistons last week and with a matchup against Boston approaching this Sunday. The Cavs, who have faced health challenges recently, still have some buffer for a top-four seed in the conference.

A victory over Boston this weekend could allow Cleveland to improve its standing. — Collier

9. Houston Rockets

• 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 grip on the No. 3 seed will be challenged starting March 10 against Toronto, followed by a road game in Denver and two additional nationally televised matchups with the Lakers at Toyota Center.

Jabari Smith Jr. remains sidelined with a sprained right ankle, but the team is aiming for a March 5 return. Reed Sheppard has stepped in as a starter during Smith’s absence and has made progress that could be advantageous in the playoffs as Houston continues to seek offensive solutions without a traditional point guard. — Michael C. Wright

10. Los Angeles Lakers

• 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 leading up to their home finale against the Utah Jazz are expected to be challenging.

It begins with a home matchup against Cleveland, which previously defeated Los Angeles by 30 in January, followed by a trip to Oklahoma City, where the Lakers suffered a 29-point loss in November. Next is a road game in Dallas, which is the only “easier” matchup in this stretch. Following that, they will host OKC, then face a back-to-back on the road against Golden State and Phoenix. This sequence could significantly impact the Lakers’ playoff positioning. — McMenamin

11. Toronto Raptors

• 2025-26 record: 35-26

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: @ MIN (March 5), vs. DAL (March 8), @HOU (March 10)

Toronto’s primary objective over the next six weeks is to maintain a top-six seed, as ESPN’s Basketball Power Index indicates the Raptors have about a 33% chance of falling 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 greatly enhance Toronto’s chances of securing an automatic playoff berth. — Kram

12. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2025-26 record: 33-28

• Previous ranking: 14

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

At the end of March, the Sixers will face a series of games against the Bulls at home, followed by road games against the Hornets, Heat, and Wizards. If they can achieve a 3-1 or 4-0 record, they will enhance their chances of securing a top-six position in the Eastern Conference. This, of course, hinges on Joel Embiid’s health. With him, Philadelphia believes it can compete with anyone in a seven-game series. Without him, their playoff run may be short-lived. — Bontemps

13. Phoenix Suns

• 2025-26 record: 35-26

• Previous ranking: 12<img