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2026–27 NBA Power Rankings

Data-driven NBA power rankings built from scoring efficiency, point differential, strength of schedule and recent form. Updated weekly throughout the season.

Data-Driven Rankings Updated Weekly Strength of Schedule Included
View Predicted Scores View Betting Picks
Data-Driven Rankings are based on performance rather than reputation or market size.
Schedule Adjusted Results are evaluated against each team’s level of competition.
Updated Weekly Rankings respond to injuries, current form and changing performance.
Independent Analysis Sports analytics and forecasting from SportsFormulator since 2012.
The Formulator Four

The NBA’s Four Best Teams

The four highest-ranked teams in the SportsFormulator NBA Power Rankings and the current leading championship contenders.

#1

Oklahoma City

Western Conference
Record: 58–14
SOS: #9 Previous: #1 Net: +12.1
Championship Contender
#2

Boston

Eastern Conference
Record: 53–19
SOS: #13 Previous: #2 Net: +10.4
Championship Contender
#3

Cleveland

Eastern Conference
Record: 55–17
SOS: #18 Previous: #4 Net: +9.7
Championship Contender
#4

Denver

Western Conference
Record: 49–23
SOS: #5 Previous: #3 Net: +7.8
Championship Contender
Complete Rankings

NBA Power Rankings

All 30 teams ranked using schedule-adjusted point differential, offensive and defensive efficiency, strength of schedule, results and recent performance.

Rank Team Record Net Rating SOS Previous Change
1 Oklahoma CityWest 58–14 +12.1 #9 1 —
2 BostonEast 53–19 +10.4 #13 2 —
3 ClevelandEast 55–17 +9.7 #18 4 ▲ 1
4 DenverWest 49–23 +7.8 #5 3 ▼ 1
5 New YorkEast 47–25 +7.2 #11 6 ▲ 1
6 MinnesotaWest 46–26 +6.9 #7 5 ▼ 1
7 MilwaukeeEast 45–27 +5.8 #14 8 ▲ 1
8 DallasWest 44–28 +5.5 #4 7 ▼ 1
9 MemphisWest 45–27 +5.1 #16 10 ▲ 1
10 OrlandoEast 43–29 +4.7 #20 12 ▲ 2
11 Los Angeles LakersWest 42–30 +4.2 #8 9 ▼ 2
12 IndianaEast 42–30 +3.9 #21 11 ▼ 1
13 Golden StateWest 41–31 +3.5 #6 15 ▲ 2
14 MiamiEast 40–32 +2.9 #12 13 ▼ 1
15 Los Angeles ClippersWest 40–32 +2.7 #3 14 ▼ 1
16 SacramentoWest 39–33 +2.3 #10 17 ▲ 1
17 PhiladelphiaEast 38–34 +1.9 #15 16 ▼ 1
18 PhoenixWest 38–34 +1.4 #2 19 ▲ 1
19 New OrleansWest 37–35 +0.8 #17 18 ▼ 1
20 AtlantaEast 36–36 +0.3 #19 21 ▲ 1
21 ChicagoEast 34–38 −0.6 #22 20 ▼ 1
22 HoustonWest 34–38 −0.9 #24 23 ▲ 1
23 BrooklynEast 31–41 −2.2 #25 22 ▼ 1
24 TorontoEast 28–44 −3.5 #27 25 ▲ 1
25 UtahWest 27–45 −4.1 #23 24 ▼ 1
26 CharlotteEast 25–47 −5.2 #28 27 ▲ 1
27 PortlandWest 24–48 −5.8 #26 26 ▼ 1
28 San AntonioWest 23–49 −6.1 #30 29 ▲ 1
29 DetroitEast 22–50 −6.9 #29 28 ▼ 1
30 WashingtonEast 17–55 −9.8 #21 30 —
Formulator Forecast

Projected NBA Playoff Picture

Projected conference seeds, playoff probabilities and championship outlook based on current team strength and remaining schedule.

Projected Playoff Seeds

Eastern Conference

1
ClevelandCurrent: 55–17
63–19
99%
2
BostonCurrent: 53–19
60–22
99%
3
New YorkCurrent: 47–25
54–28
98%
4
MilwaukeeCurrent: 45–27
52–30
96%
5
OrlandoCurrent: 43–29
49–33
93%
6
IndianaCurrent: 42–30
48–34
89%
Projected Playoff Seeds

Western Conference

1
Oklahoma CityCurrent: 58–14
66–16
99%
2
DenverCurrent: 49–23
56–26
99%
3
MinnesotaCurrent: 46–26
53–29
97%
4
DallasCurrent: 44–28
51–31
95%
5
MemphisCurrent: 45–27
51–31
94%
6
LA LakersCurrent: 42–30
48–34
86%

Championship Odds

Oklahoma City Top-ranked team and Western favorite
24%
Boston Elite efficiency on both ends
21%
Cleveland Eastern Conference’s strongest résumé
16%
Denver Experienced core with proven postseason ceiling
14%
New York Top-five team with a favorable path
8%

Play-In Watch

Miami East No. 7
Philadelphia East No. 8
Atlanta East No. 9
Chicago East No. 10
Golden State West No. 7
LA Clippers West No. 8
Sacramento West No. 9
Phoenix West No. 10
Weekly Movement

Fast Risers and Falling Fast

The teams making the biggest moves in this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

Fast Risers

Orlando Defense and recent road wins are driving the climb
▲ 4
Golden State Offensive efficiency has improved sharply
▲ 3
Cleveland Strong results against an improving schedule
▲ 2
Memphis Healthy rotation is producing better net ratings
▲ 2

Falling Fast

LA Lakers Defensive performance has slipped against top teams
▼ 3
Phoenix Inconsistency continues despite a difficult schedule
▼ 3
Philadelphia Injuries have reduced the team’s current ceiling
▼ 2
Miami Offensive production has declined in recent games
▼ 2
Formulator Says

Records matter. How those records were built matters more.

NBA standings tell only part of the story. SportsFormulator evaluates how efficiently teams score and defend, the quality of opponents they have faced, their point differential and their recent form. That helps separate legitimate championship contenders from teams benefiting from an easier schedule or a favorable stretch of results.

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