NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 8 as Spurs Rise, Lakers Fall (Dec. 16)

The San Antonio Spurs are rising in this week's NBA power rankings after becoming just the second team this season to beat the OKC Thunder. The Spurs are also in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Final, battling a surging New York Knicks team that made it in the Top 5 after Week 8.

On the other hand, the Lakers are falling after a blowout loss to the Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. They also had an ugly win against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, but it was far from impressive.

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Let's look at the latest NBA power rankings after Week 8 of the season, brought to you by Sportskeeda.

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#10. Toronto Raptors (16-11)

Toronto Raptors v Charlotte Hornets. (Photo: GETTY)

Previous Ranking: NR

Offensive Rating: 114.8

Defensive Rating: 112.6

Net Rating: 2.2

The Toronto Raptors are back in the Top 10 of this week's NBA power rankings after getting booted last week. The Raptors put up a fight against the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals in one of their two games of Week 8.

Toronto got back into the win column with an impressive win over the Miami Heat. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram continue to play like All-Stars this season, but the Raptors have to remain consistent as a team to sustain their success.

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#9. Boston Celtics (15-11)

Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 7

Offensive Rating: 121.0

Defensive Rating: 115.1

Net Rating: 5.9

The Boston Celtics dropped two spots after losing their two games in Week 4. They got bamboozled by a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks before falling short against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

Jaylen Brown is playing like an MVP, carrying the Celtics on his back. Derrick White needs to be more consistent as a second option, while Payton Pritchard has had his ups and downs. If Boston can hold the fort until March, maybe they could get Jayson Tatum back for a playoff run.

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#8. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9)

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 10

Offensive Rating: 118.0

Defensive Rating: 113.2

Net Rating: 4.8

The Minnesota Timberwolves are trending upward, winning their two games during NBA Cup week. They defeated the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings without Anthony Edwards, who is dealing with a sore right foot.

Minnesota has a glaring need for a point guard, with Edwards serving as the primary playmaker. He's still making adjustments, but team president Tim Connelly could be brewing another big trade that would bring a point guard before the deadline.

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#7. LA Lakers (18-7)

Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 4

Offensive Rating: 118.0

Defensive Rating: 116.5

Net Rating: 1.5

The LA Lakers went from the No. 4 spot to seventh in this week's NBA power rankings. The Lakers' offense is one of the best in the league, but it's their defense that has been atrocious. They have the worst net rating in the Top 10 of this week's power rankings.

Coach JJ Redick has reiterated the need to improve their defense, which didn't happen in their NBA Cup loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Jarred Vanderbilt provided a defensive spark in their win over the Phoenix Suns, though they almost choked a 20-point lead.

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#6. Houston Rockets (16-7)

Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 5

Offensive Rating: 121.4

Defensive Rating: 111.6

Net Rating: 9.7

While the Houston Rockets have the third-best offensive rating in the NBA, they barely beat the LA Clippers in their first game of Week 8. The Clippers are one of the worst teams in the West, so it wasn't a good look for Kevin Durant and company to struggle against them.

To finish the week, they were outlasted by the Denver Nuggets in a playoff-like game at Ball Arena. Alperen Sengun went toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic before the Rockets fell short in overtime. They still need a top-tier playmaker, though Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have done a wonderful job filling in.

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#5. New York Knicks (18-7)

New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 8

Offensive Rating: 122.0

Defensive Rating: 113.3

Net Rating: 8.6

The New York Knicks have a chance to win their first hardware since 1973 if they beat the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Final. The Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors in the quarterfinals and the Orlando Magic in the semifinals.

They are also on a five-game winning streak, which is tied with the Denver Nuggets for the current longest in the league at the moment. Jalen Brunson has been the MVP for the Knicks, putting up career scoring numbers at 28.8 points per game.

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#4. San Antonio Spurs (18-7)

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 6

Offensive Rating: 118.0

Defensive Rating: 113.8

Net Rating: 4.2

The San Antonio Spurs are back in the Top 5 in this week's NBA power rankings, returning in the No. 4 spot. The Spurs beat the LA Lakers in the quarterfinals, dominating Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the rest of the purple and gold without Victor Wembanyama.

To cap off Week 8, the Spurs snapped the OKC Thunder's 16-game winning streak in the NBA Cup semifinals. Wembanyama returned and made an instant impact to hand the defending NBA champions their second loss of the season. They will face the Knicks in the cup final.

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#3. Denver Nuggets (19-6)

Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 3

Offensive Rating: 124.4

Defensive Rating: 115.1

Net Rating: 9.3

The Denver Nuggets retained their spot at No. 3 after extending their win streak to five. The Nuggets dominated the Sacramento Kings in their first game of Week 8 before following it up with an overtime win over the Houston Rockets.

Nikola Jokic is one of the favorites to win the NBA MVP this season, with the Nuggets showing off their depth. They are able to compete and win games despite not having Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, who are both out until January due to injuries.

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#2. Detroit Pistons (21-5)

Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 2

Offensive Rating: 117.4

Defensive Rating: 111.2

Net Rating: 6.3

The Detroit Pistons are still second in the NBA power rankings after going 2-0 last week. The Pistons dominated the Atlanta Hawks, showing why they have the second-best record in the league. They look like legitimate title contenders, though the playoffs is a different kind of monster.

Detroit also got their revenge on the Boston Celtics to end Week 8. They beat the Celtics, the team that snapped their historic win streak earlier this season. Cade Cunningham remains an MVP favorite, while the Pistons still need a true secondary option in scoring.

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#1. OKC Thunder (24-2)

Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo: IMAGN)

Previous Ranking: No. 1

Offensive Rating: 119.8

Defensive Rating: 103.4

Net Rating: 16.4

The OKC Thunder are still atop the NBA power rankings despite losing to the San Antonio Spurs last week. The Thunder are off to a historic start and are primed to break the record for most wins in a single season. They haven't tasted any kind of setbacks on the court, so losing a close game would just help them improve further.

The defending champs can now focus on the season again, though it's unclear if they are going to go for the record. The Golden State Warriors went for the record, but they endep up losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

Edited by Juan Paolo David