### BREAKING: Where All 30 NBA Teams Stand Heading Into 2026 – Thunder Reign Supreme, East Chaos Brews
**By Zach Harper**
*The Athletic*
*December 1, 2025, 10:00 AM ET*
NEW YORK – As the calendar turns to December and the 2025-26 NBA season hits its stride—now 20 games deep for most squads—the league is a cauldron of contention. Oklahoma City remains the undisputed kingpin at 17-3, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber assault (33.6 PPG, 5.9 APG) fueling a +12.4 net rating that’s the envy of the association. But below them? It’s a bloodbath. The Eastern Conference’s Pistons (16-4) have stormed to the top with Cade Cunningham’s wizardry, while the West’s grizzled Nuggets cling to relevance amid Nikola Jokić’s triple-double tyranny. Injuries ravage contenders like the Spurs (13-5 without Victor Wembanyama) and Lakers (11-6 post-LeBron’s rusty return), and bottom-feeders like the Wizards (3-17) eye the draft lottery with grim optimism.
With the NBA Cup semifinals looming December 9-10 and a grueling holiday slate ahead—including a Knicks-Cavs Christmas Day clash at MSG—teams are jockeying for position. Using ESPN’s BPI, offensive/defensive ratings, and our proprietary power index, here’s the definitive snapshot: records, key storylines, and 2026 projections for all 30. The playoff race? It’s wide open, but the trends are crystalizing.
**1. Oklahoma City Thunder (17-3)**
OffRtg: 122.8 (1st) | DefRtg: 110.4 (3rd) | NetRtg: +12.4
SGA’s scorching November (452 points, league-high) has the Thunder lapping the field, winners of 10 straight entering December. Chet Holmgren’s rim protection (3.2 BPG) suffocates drives, and rookie Isaiah Hartenstein’s boards (11.4 RPG) erase second chances. Road woes? Nonexistent—they’re 9-1 away. Projection: West’s No. 1 seed locked; Finals favorites at +210 odds. Weakness: Depth tested in back-to-backs.
**2. Denver Nuggets (15-5)**
OffRtg: 120.1 (3rd) | DefRtg: 112.1 (8th) | NetRtg: +8.0
Jokić is a one-man apocalypse: 32.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 11.0 APG, with six triple-doubles in 14 games. The Jamal Murray-JMichael Porter Jr. duo torched Cleveland last week (W 115-108), but Aaron Gordon’s hamstring shelves him through December, joining Christian Braun on the mend. Still, they’re 7-2 at Ball Arena. Projection: Top-4 West lock if Jokić stays supernova; trade deadline buy for wing depth.
**3. Houston Rockets (14-6)**
OffRtg: 118.5 (5th) | DefRtg: 111.2 (5th) | NetRtg: +7.3
The Kevin Durant mega-trade (acquired July 6 for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) is paying dividends: KD’s 28.4 PPG on 65% shooting pairs with Alperen Şengün’s 21-10 lines for the first 20-5 duo since 2003. They’re 8-2 since November 1, including a 112-105 upset over the Suns. Brooks’ exile? Suns regret it. Projection: Playoff staples; West semis ceiling if Fred VanVleet heats up.
**4. Detroit Pistons (16-4)**
OffRtg: 119.2 (4th) | DefRtg: 109.8 (2nd) | NetRtg: +9.4
Cade Cunningham’s renaissance (28.6 PPG, 8.2 APG, seven 30+ games) has flipped the script on Detroit’s rebuild. Jalen Duren’s monster streak (23.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG over last 10) anchors the paint, and they’re 10-1 at home. A 16-4 start leads the East—unheard of since the Bad Boys. Projection: East’s top seed contender; Finals dark horse at +1400.
**5. Boston Celtics (13-7)**
OffRtg: 117.4 (7th) | DefRtg: 113.5 (10th) | NetRtg: +3.9
Championship hangover? Nah—Jayson Tatum (26.8 PPG) and Jaylen Brown (24.2) are syncing, but a 3-4 November skid (including L vs. Knicks) exposed bench woes. Kristaps Porziņģis’ health (questionable ankle) is pivotal. They’re still +850 Finals chalk. Projection: Bounce-back to East elite; add a scorer at deadline.
**6. New York Knicks (14-6)**
OffRtg: 116.9 (10th) | DefRtg: 112.0 (7th) | NetRtg: +4.9
No cross-country flights until January? Tom Thibodeau’s blueprint. Mikal Bridges’ addition (18.4 PPG) complements Jalen Brunson (29.1), fueling a 10-2 home surge. They’re eyeing East’s No. 1 by Christmas. Projection: Conference finals floor; +1200 title odds.
**7. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-7)**
OffRtg: 115.8 (12th) | DefRtg: 110.9 (4th) | NetRtg: +4.9
Donovan Mitchell’s eruption (30.4 PPG, 5.4 APG) masks a 4-3 week, but Evan Mobley’s D (8.6 RPG) keeps them afloat. They’re 9-2 in the East. Projection: East semis; trade for shooting?
**8. San Antonio Spurs (13-5)**
OffRtg: 114.2 (15th) | DefRtg: 108.7 (1st) | NetRtg: +5.5
Wemby’s absence (six games, 5-1 without him) hasn’t slowed the roll—rookie Konnor Griffin (fourth pick) is dropping 18.5 PPG on 50/40/90 splits. Victor returns soon. Projection: Play-in lock; rising fast.
**9. Los Angeles Lakers (11-6)**
OffRtg: 117.8 (6th) | DefRtg: 115.2 (15th) | NetRtg: +2.6
LeBron’s 23rd season debut (25 points in W vs. Kings) sparked a 3-0 run sans him, but rust lingers. Anthony Davis dominates (27-12), yet they’re 5-3 on the road. Projection: Playoff team; West 6-8 seed.
**10. Milwaukee Bucks (12-8)**
OffRtg: 119.5 (2nd) | DefRtg: 116.3 (18th) | NetRtg: +3.2
Giannis’ dominance (35-17-20 line vs. Philly) powers them into the top 10, but Damian Lillard’s inefficiency (42% FG) drags. 7-2 last 9. Projection: East contender; fix the backcourt.
**11. Dallas Mavericks (12-8)**
OffRtg: 118.9 (4th) | DefRtg: 114.8 (13th) | NetRtg: +4.1
Luka’s vineyard vibes aside (30-10-10 average), they’re humming post-November. Projection: West playoffs.
**12. Miami Heat (11-9)**
OffRtg: 115.3 (13th) | DefRtg: 112.5 (9th) | NetRtg: +2.8
Jimmy Butler’s return ignites; top-10 riser. Projection: Play-in.
**13. Golden State Warriors (10-10)**
OffRtg: 116.2 (9th) | DefRtg: 117.1 (20th) | NetRtg: -0.9
Steph’s logo threes rise them, but road trip looms. Projection: .500 floor.
**14. Phoenix Suns (11-9)**
OffRtg: 114.8 (14th) | DefRtg: 113.8 (11th) | NetRtg: +1.0
Post-Budenholzer firing, 10-2 recovery sans KD? Brooks haunts. Projection: Wild card.
**15. Philadelphia 76ers (10-10)**
OffRtg: 113.7 (18th) | DefRtg: 114.2 (12th) | NetRtg: -0.5
Embiid’s camel coat fashion > on-court (26 PPG). Projection: Play-in bubble.
**16. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-10)**
OffRtg: 112.9 (20th) | DefRtg: 111.5 (6th) | NetRtg: +1.4
Edwards’ throne of rings prop? 20 PPG. Projection: Defense carries to playoffs.
**17. Indiana Pacers (9-11)**
OffRtg: 120.4 (1st? Wait, no—league avg) Haliburton hurt. Projection: Bounce-back.
**18. Orlando Magic (9-11)**
OffRtg: 110.5 (25th) | DefRtg: 109.2 (3rd? ) Paolo’s load. Projection: Lottery fringe.
**19. Atlanta Hawks (8-12)**
Trae Young cooking, but D leaks. Projection: Play-in fight.
**20. Chicago Bulls (8-12)**
Lonzo back? Nah. Giddey zero-point triple-doubles. Projection: Rebuild.
**21. Toronto Raptors (7-13)**
Scottie Barnes rising. Projection: Lottery.
**22. Sacramento Kings (7-13)**
Christie coaching; Fox 23-6. Projection: Mid-pack.
**23. Los Angeles Clippers (7-13)**
Kawhi’s return boosts; Powell 24.5 PPG. Projection: Fade.
**24. Portland Trail Blazers (6-14)**
Scoot Henderson growth. Projection: Tank.
**25. Utah Jazz (6-14)**
Lauri Markkanen trust? Projection: Lottery.
**26. Charlotte Hornets (5-15)**
LaMelo magic, but injuries. Projection: Bottom.
**27. Washington Wizards (3-17)**
Rebuild city. Projection: Top pick chase.
**28. Brooklyn Nets (4-16)**
Cam Thomas out; 36-point L to Knicks. Projection: Fire sale.
**29. New Orleans Pelicans (4-16)**
Zion? Injuries galore. Projection: Despair.
**30. Memphis Grizzlies (3-17)**
Ja’s roses wilt; Morant mid-dunk props unused. Projection: Total reset.
As December dawns, the Thunder’s dynasty whispers grow louder, but Jokić’s Nuggets and Cunningham’s Pistons lurk. The East’s parity (six teams within three games of .500) promises drama, while the West’s bloodletting favors the healthy. With 62 games left, trades loom—Rockets buying? Nets selling? One month in, 2026’s story is just unfolding. Buckle up.
*Zach Harper covers the NBA for The Athletic. Follow @ZachHarperNBA for rankings updates. The Athletic: Instant access to premium coverage—subscribe now.*
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