The Oklahoma City Thunder, who began the season with an impressive 24-1 record, have now faced a challenging stretch, posting a 3-4 record in their last seven games. While they still maintain a solid lead over the rest of the league, sitting three games and 5.3 points per 100 possessions ahead of their competition, their recent struggles, particularly against one team from which they suffered three losses—including two by a combined 35 points—have caused a shift in the Power Rankings as we approach 2026.
In this week’s rankings, the Thunder will not occupy the top spot, which is now held by another team. The power dynamics of the league appear to be shifting, with several teams making notable movements. The LA Clippers have made a strong impression, going undefeated at 3-0 this week, while the Philadelphia 76ers have struggled, falling to a disappointing 0-3 record despite being at full strength.
As for the interconference matchups, the Western Conference holds a slight advantage with a record of 70 wins to 56 losses against the East, maintaining a balanced competition with an 8-8 record last week.
Looking ahead to schedule strength through Week 10, the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Orlando Magic face the toughest opponents, while the Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets have relatively easier paths.
The rankings also saw significant movements, with the Clippers jumping up five positions, along with the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets each rising three spots. Conversely, the Dallas Mavericks dropped seven spots, while the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers experienced declines as well.
As we enter Week 11, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team to keep an eye on. They have shown signs of improvement but are entering a critical stretch of their season, facing 11 of 13 games against teams currently holding winning records. Their upcoming matchups against the San Antonio Spurs and home games against the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons will be crucial for their momentum.
As the NBA season progresses, it’s clear that competition is fierce across the league, making every week in the Power Rankings an exciting observation of how teams adapt and respond to challenges.