NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 2 ft. OKC Thunder and LA Lakers

The 2025-26 NBA season continues to make headlines, with the OKC Thunder as the only remaining undefeated team. Injuries have suddenly taken over the league, with injuries to players like Anthony Davis, Trae Young and Anthony Edwards all expected to miss time.

Teams like the LA Lakers, Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons are making their rankings debut after a stellar second week of the season. The Milwaukee Bucks are rising, while the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers finally lost their first games of the campaign.

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Let's look at the power rankings after the second week of the season brought to you by Sportskeeda.

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#10. New York Knicks (4-3)

New York Knicks (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 9

Offensive Rating: 117.4

Defensive Rating: 114.7

Net Rating: 2.7

The New York Knicks are barely hanging on to a Top 10 spot, saving their place after giving the Chicago Bulls their first loss of the season. The Knicks are still making adjustments under coach Mike Brown, who is far different from Tom Thibodeau.

Josh Hart's role has diminished under Brown, while the team has been extra cautious on Mitchell Robinson's ankle. They have a relatively easy schedule for this week, so they could climb in the NBA power rankings if they can start a winning streak.

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#9. Denver Nuggets (4-2)

Denver Nuggets. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 7

Offensive Rating: 122.7

Defensive Rating: 111.8

Net Rating: 11.0

The Denver Nuggets have looked impressive in their first two weeks of the season, though they could have been higher on this list. The Nuggets' depth has paid off already, but it feels like they can get into another gear and dominate the NBA.

Nikola Jokic is dropping triple-doubles left and right while still trying to get into shape, so it's a scary thought for the league. Jamal Murray is playing like an All-Star, and the only reason they're not higher on this list is that they only have four wins.

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#8. Detroit Pistons (5-2)

Detroit Pistons. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: NR

Offensive Rating: 114.8

Defensive Rating: 111.4

Net Rating: 3.4

The Detroit Pistons are making their debut in the 2025-26 NBA power rankings after racking up three straight wins to end the second week of the season. The Pistons looked lost in the first week before putting together wins over the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.

If they could extend the winning streak into the week, there's a big chance that they climb after Week 3. They still need a legitimate second option on offense behind Cade Cunningham, especially with Jaden Ivey still out with an injury and recovering.

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#7. Chicago Bulls (5-1)

Chicago Bulls. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 6

Offensive Rating: 120.0

Defensive Rating: 114.8

Net Rating: 5.3

One of the most surprising teams of the season finally lost their first game of the campaign at the end of Week 2. The Chicago Bulls got an impressive win over the New York Knicks in an NBA group stage game, but they also lost the following game against the same Knicks team.

While it's certainly impressive to see the Bulls among the best teams in the NBA, it's quite too early to buy stock. However, if they can pass the third week with flying colors, they could go even higher considering the teams they are scheduled to face next.

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#6. Philadelphia 76ers (5-1)

Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 5

Offensive Rating: 123.2

Defensive Rating: 115.8

Net Rating: 7.4

Just like the Chicago Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers are off to a flying start thanks in large part to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Joel Embiid is under a minutes restriction, with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond picking up the slack. Paul George and Jared McCain are still on the sidelines, but they are close to returning.

Three of the next four games for the Sixers are against fellow top Eastern Conference teams, so it's going to be a test. Coach Nick Nurse has his young guns up and running, while Embiid recently expressed wanting to play more minutes.

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#5. Milwaukee Bucks (5-2)

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 10

Offensive Rating: 120.1

Defensive Rating: 115.3

Net Rating: 4.8

The Milwaukee Bucks moved into the Top 5 for this week's NBA power rankings after wins over the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. They could have won four in a row, but they are still prone to inconsistent play, losing to the Sacramento Kings by two points on Nov. 1.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like an MVP, but the Bucks are riding solely on his shoulders. If Antetokounmpo can keep up his play, and players such as Ryan Rollins, AJ Green and Myles Turner step up, they have a chance of making some noise in the East.

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#4. Houston Rockets (4-2)

Houston Rockets. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: NR

Offensive Rating: 124.6

Defensive Rating: 112.0

Net Rating: 12.6

After an unimpressive first week of the season, the Houston Rockets soared into the No. 4 spot in this week's NBA power rankings. The Rockets have put together four wins in a row after losing their first two games against the OKC Thunder and Detroit Pistons.

While Houston's last four opponents were not considered contenders, they beat them convincingly, which is the reason they climbed so high in the rankings. Alperen Sengun has the keys to the team now, with Kevin Durant content at being the closer.

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#3. San Antonio Spurs (5-1)

San Antonio Spurs. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 2

Offensive Rating: 118.2

Defensive Rating: 108.2

Net Rating: 10.0

From first to third is not bad, but the San Antonio Spurs suddenly found themselves in a tough predicament. The Phoenix Suns seemingly solved the puzzle named Victor Wembanyama, with coach Jordan Ott devising an effective plan that stopped the "Alien" to end the second week of the NBA season.

The Spurs also lost Dylan Harper to injury, making their depth questionable, especially with the number of bodies currently sidelined. Wembanyama will need to prepare for what's coming, while his teammates have to step up and make the adjustments as well.

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#2. LA Lakers (6-2)

LA Lakers. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: NR

Offensive Rating: 119.0

Defensive Rating: 115.9

Net Rating: 3.1

The LA Lakers are surprisingly at No. 2 in the NBA power rankings after just two weeks. The Lakers have six wins, the second-most in the league, after putting together gutsy performances one after the other. Austin Reaves carried the team for a while before Luka Doncic made his return.

JJ Redick has also inspired the team to give their best whenever they are on the court. To end Week 2, the Lakers were without Reaves, Doncic and LeBron James, but they still managed to beat the Portland Trail Blazers.

They were led by Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith Jr. Bronny James even had a really productive outing off the bench.

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#1. OKC Thunder (7-0)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 1

Offensive Rating: 118.0

Defensive Rating: 106.0

Net Rating: 12.0

The defending NBA champions are now atop the power rankings after the second week of the season. It might be hard for any team to topple the OKC Thunder, especially with the way they are getting wins. They are still without Jalen Williams, their second-best player, due to a wrist injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also the reigning NBA MVP who is looking to win it back again and prove his doubters wrong. Chet Holmgren has been impressive, while Ajay Mitchell is already playing like the next great player for the Thunder. Mitchell has stepped up and turned into the team's sixth man.

Edited by Juan Paolo David