By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-12-03 20:00:00
2025年NBA杯的小组赛已于周五结束，淘汰赛的对阵也将在下周正式打响。
在我们等待第三届年度季中锦标赛冠军诞生的同时，常规赛的征程仍在继续，随着假日季的来临，各支球队的排名也起伏不定。
在东部，纽约尼克斯队、迈阿密热火队和多伦多猛龙队这三支球队一直在为榜首位置展开激烈争夺——他们都距离底特律活塞队不足3.5个胜场，而活塞队则延续了其赛季初的统治级表现。
对于西部联盟的各支球队而言，本赛季至今同样是一场严峻的考验，唯一的例外是卫冕冠军俄克拉荷马城雷霆队。自从勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 复出以来，洛杉矶湖人队以5胜1负的战绩飙升至西部第二。然而，他们的同城对手洛杉矶快船队却大幅滑落，正经历一波五连败，并且在整个十一月仅赢了两场比赛。
假日狂欢季的开启，能否提振这些战绩不佳的球队？我们的NBA内部专家们将为您带来十二月的第一期实力榜。
注：球队排名基于我们专家团（ESPN的安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)、戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)、贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)、凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)、迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)、奥姆·杨米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)、蒂姆·邦坦普斯 (Tim Bontemps)、蒂姆·麦克马洪 (Tim MacMahon)、文森特·古德威尔 (Vincent Goodwill) 和扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)）对各队本赛季实力的评估。
往期排名: 季前赛 | 10月29日 | 11月5日 | 11月12日 | 11月19日 | 11月26日
跳转至球队:
亚特兰大 | 波士顿 | 布鲁克林 | 夏洛特 | 芝加哥 | 克利夫兰
达拉斯 | 丹佛 | 底特律 | 金州 | 休斯顿 | 印第安纳
洛杉矶快船 | 洛杉矶湖人 | 孟菲斯 | 迈阿密 | 密尔沃基 | 明尼苏达
新奥尔良 | 纽约 | 俄克拉荷马城 | 奥兰多 | 费城 | 菲尼克斯
波特兰 | 萨克拉门托 | 圣安东尼奥 | 多伦多 | 犹他 | 华盛顿
1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 21胜1负
- 上期排名: 1
- 未来赛程: 12月5日 vs. 独行侠，12月7日 @ 爵士
杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 上赛季场均出手近5次三分。而在他因右手腕伤势复出后的前三场比赛中，他总共只投了5次三分。雷霆队对威廉姆斯康复的最后阶段保持了耐心，他复出后的整体表现积极，包括在战胜开拓者队比赛中打出的全能数据：16分、8个篮板、5次助攻和3次盖帽。但在未来几周乃至数月，他伤愈的右手在远距离出手的数量和准度将值得关注。 – 安东尼·斯莱特
2. 底特律活塞
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 17胜4负
- 上期排名: 2
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 雄鹿，12月5日 vs. 开拓者，12月6日 vs. 雄鹿
这支领跑东部的活塞队正在收获认可，凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 当选东部月最佳球员，J.B.比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff) 当选东部月最佳教练。在底特律，或许还有另一项个人荣誉正在酝酿：以赛亚·斯图尔特 (Isaiah Stewart) 的年度最佳防守球员候选资格。尽管场均只出战22.5分钟，斯图尔特的盖帽数仍排在联盟第六，并且在护筐表现上高居第一。（对手球员每晚在他面前出手近5次，命中率仅为44%）。 – 文森特·古德威尔
3. 休斯顿火箭
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜5负
- 上期排名: 4
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 国王，12月5日 vs. 太阳，12月6日 @ 独行侠
爵士队在周一终结了休斯顿的客场五连胜，但据ESPN Research统计，在那场失利中，凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 和阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun) 成为本赛季第三对在同场比赛中各自得分达到30分的二人组。这场比赛是杜兰特本赛季第六次砍下30+，而申京则以14次助攻追平了个人生涯最高纪录。在过去10场比赛中赢下8场的火箭队，将在主场迎战萨克拉门托和菲尼克斯，随后在背靠背的第二晚客场挑战达拉斯。 – 迈克尔·C·莱特
4. 丹佛掘金
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 14胜6负
- 上期排名: 3
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 步行者，12月5日 @ 老鹰，12月7日 @ 黄蜂
伤病，特别是阿龙·戈登 (Aaron Gordon) 和克里斯蒂安·布劳恩 (Christian Braun) 的伤病，给丹佛的防守带来了毁灭性的打击。自从戈登遭遇二级腿筋拉伤以来，掘金队在过去五场比赛中的防守效率排名联盟垫底，期间每百回合失分高达127.3分。戈登在场时，丹佛的防守评级为105.0，而他不在场时则为119.4，并且他将至少缺阵四到六周。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪
5. 纽约尼克斯
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜7负
- 上期排名: 9
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 黄蜂，12月5日 vs. 爵士，12月7日 vs. 魔术，12月9日 @ 猛龙
当外界风平浪静时，尼克斯队就能打出最佳表现——或者说，在经历了一个磕磕绊绊的开局后，他们的进攻至少看起来像去年的那支球队了。为杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 创造更多的挡拆机会，以及为卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 在空间里创造更多机会，帮助纽约在过去七场比赛中赢下了五场。布伦森过去五场比赛的数据是：场均29.3分、5.7次助攻，三项命中率分别为50/37/86。OG·阿努诺比 (OG Anunoby) 在连续缺席七场比赛后已重返球场进行训练，但复出尚无明确时间表。即使没有他，尼克斯队的进攻效率也已重返联盟第三——比去年火热的数据还要略胜一筹。 – 古德威尔
6. 洛杉矶湖人
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 15胜5负
- 上期排名: 5
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 @ 猛龙，12月5日 @ 凯尔特人，12月7日 @ 76人
周一以108-125令人沮丧地输给太阳队后，洛杉矶在对阵目前胜率五成或更高球队时的战绩降至4胜4负，湖人队15胜5负的总战绩很大程度上是建立在对阵联盟下游球队之上的。这将使他们接下来的四场比赛——对手多伦多、波士顿、费城和圣安东尼奥的总战绩为52胜31负——更能揭示出湖人队的真正实力。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明
7. 迈阿密热火
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 14胜7负
- 上期排名: 8
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 独行侠，12月5日 @ 魔术，12月6日 vs. 国王，12月9日 @ 魔术
迈阿密在过去八场比赛中赢下了七场，泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 正在逐渐融入热火队的新进攻体系，自11月24日复出以来的四场比赛中场均得到24.7分。他还在过去三场比赛中合计命中了13记三分球。周五将是希罗和热火队的一次很好的考验，他们将对阵奥兰多，这是五天内两次交锋的第一场，而第二次交手将是下周二的NBA杯四分之一决赛。 – 奥姆·杨米苏克
8. 圣安东尼奥马刺
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 14胜6负
- 上期排名: 12
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 魔术，12月5日 @ 骑士，12月8日 @ 鹈鹕
年轻球星维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)（小腿拉伤）和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)（髋屈肌拉伤）仍然缺阵，但两人都已回到训练场。球队尚未提供任何官方更新，但外界乐观地认为文班亚马和卡斯尔将很快提升训练强度，以期重新加入队友的行列。在缺少这位法国球星的情况下，球队取得了6胜2负的战绩，这要归功于德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 近期的爆发。这位后卫在过去八场比赛中有七场得分至少达到25分。圣安东尼奥将在12月10日的NBA杯四分之一决赛中对阵洛杉矶，为期四场的客场之旅也将就此收官。 – 莱特
9. 奥兰多魔术
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜8负
- 上期排名: 14
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 马刺，12月5日 vs. 热火，12月7日 @ 尼克斯，12月9日 vs. 热火
受到德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane) 在11月10日压哨绝杀的激励，魔术队和他们珍贵的休赛期新援找到了节奏。贝恩一直手感火热，在连续战胜底特律和芝加哥的比赛中都砍下37分。在缺少保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero)（左腹股沟拉伤）的情况下，魔术队战绩为7胜2负，并在过去11场比赛中赢下了9场。但奥兰多的赛程将变得更加艰难，他们将先后对阵圣安东尼奥和客场挑战纽约，然后与迈阿密进行两场较量——其中包括下周的NBA杯四分之一决赛。 – 杨米苏克
10. 多伦多猛龙
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 15胜7负
- 上期排名: 7
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 vs. 湖人，12月5日 vs. 黄蜂，12月7日 vs. 凯尔特人，12月9日 vs. 尼克斯
在经历了一波九连胜之后，猛龙队遭遇了一段艰难时期。他们先是依靠布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram) 的最后一秒跳投险胜印第安纳，接着在夏洛特和纽约的背靠背比赛中接连失利。多伦多正感受到失去RJ·巴雷特 (RJ Barrett) 的影响，后者在感恩节前右膝受伤。巴雷特在任何主要数据统计上都不是猛龙队的领头羊，但他全面的贡献至关重要。 – 扎克·克拉姆
11. 明尼苏达森林狼
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜8负
- 上期排名: 10
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 @ 鹈鹕，12月6日 vs. 快船，12月8日 vs. 太阳
在对阵胜率超过五成对手的前七场比赛全部失利后，明尼苏达终于在周末击败凯尔特人队和马刺队，赢得了本赛季前两场对阵强队的胜利。尽管开赛六周以来磕磕绊绊，森林狼队发现自己仍稳居西部季后赛竞争行列。在周二加时战胜新奥尔良后，他们有望在三年内第二次、也是队史第六次取得50胜。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯
12. 亚特兰大老鹰
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜9负
- 上期排名: 11
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 快船，12月5日 vs. 掘金，12月6日 @ 奇才
尽管伤病缠身，老鹰队仍在继续竞争并带来惊喜。在已经缺少特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 的情况下，他们又因克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)（生病）连续缺阵三场，但他们还是设法击败了骑士队，并在费城通过双加时赢球，然后在第二天晚上仅以一分之差憾负底特律。老鹰队期待着本周在主场迎战快船队和掘金队——这是他们自11月8日以来首次连续主场作战。 – 杨米苏克
13. 克利夫兰骑士
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜9负
- 上期排名: 6
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 开拓者，12月5日 vs. 马刺，12月6日 vs. 勇士
本周，骑士队通过战胜步行者队终结了三连败，但多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 赛后直言不讳：“这是我们本就应该做的，我认为没什么值得庆祝的。”克利夫兰仍在寻找他们上赛季的状态，当时他们取得了东部最多的胜场。米切尔和他的队友们可以在本周通过主场对阵开拓者队和马刺队的比赛重回正轨，然后在周六主场迎战勇士队。 – 贾马尔·科利尔
14. 菲尼克斯太阳
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 13胜9负
- 上期排名: 13
- 未来赛程: 12月5日 @ 火箭，12月8日 @ 森林狼
也许是时候开始考虑科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie) 竞争本赛季最快进步球员的资格了。这位三年级控卫的场均得分从5.9分增至13.4分；场均助攻从2.4次翻倍到5.0次；他的篮板（2.4到3.8）和抢断（0.6到1.2）也都在提升。他还投出了生涯最佳的44.2%的三分命中率，这一点在周一得到了充分展示，他在三分线外14投8中，砍下生涯新高的28分，率队大胜湖人。– 麦克梅纳明
15. 波士顿凯尔特人
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 12胜9负
- 上期排名: 16
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 @ 奇才，12月5日 vs. 湖人，12月7日 @ 猛龙
赛季开始前，凯尔特人队主教练乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla) 坚称，尽管杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 因跟腱撕裂缺阵，以及朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday)、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯、艾尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 和卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 等老将通过交易或自由市场离队，他的球队并不会将本赛季视为一个“过渡年”。到目前为止，波士顿兑现了马祖拉的承诺，包括在过去10天里，尽管伤病缠身，仍然战胜了活塞队、骑士队、魔术队和尼克斯队。 – 邦坦普斯
16. 金州勇士
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 11胜11负
- 上期排名: 15
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 @ 76人，12月6日 @ 骑士，12月7日 @ 芝加哥
在本赛季斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 出战的496分钟里，勇士队的进攻效率为118.2，基本相当于NBA进攻第六好的球队。但当他下场时，这一数据骤降至105.6，比联盟所有30支球队都差。队内已有一些讨论，考虑在库里不在场时改变打法，或许更多地围绕吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 展开单打。巴特勒称库里是勇士队传切体系的“终极作弊码”。“当他（库里）下场时，没有人会对任何人做出过度反应，”巴特勒说。库里目前因股四头肌受伤缺阵，这给了教练史蒂夫·科尔 (Steve Kerr) 几场比赛的时间，去寻找当他们的领袖在板凳上时更好的赢球方法。 – 斯莱特
17. 费城76人
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 11胜9负
- 上期排名: 17
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 vs. 勇士，12月5日 @ 雄鹿，12月7日 vs. 湖人
乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 周日迎来了三周内的首次登场，在费城历经双加时憾负亚特兰大的疯狂比赛中，他出战了赛季新高的30分钟。但恩比德被排除在周二对阵奇才队的比赛之外，因双膝持续存在问题，他的状态仍处于不确定的每日观察名单中。可以肯定的是，恩比德的出战状态将继续反复不定，这位明星中锋在季前赛时就已经承认了这一点。 – 邦坦普斯
18. 芝加哥公牛
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 9胜11负
- 上期排名: 18
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 篮网，12月5日 vs. 步行者，12月7日 vs. 勇士
在以6胜1负的战绩强势开局后，公牛队在过去13场比赛中输掉了10场，目前正处于一波四连败中，其中包括三次输给注定将在选秀乐透区前列的球队（新奥尔良、夏洛特、印第安纳）。攻防两端都难辞其咎。自那个充满希望的开局以来，公牛队的进攻效率排在第22位，防守效率排在第23位。 – 科利尔
19. 密尔沃基雄鹿
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 9胜13负
- 上期排名: 20
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 活塞，12月5日 vs. 76人，12月6日 @ 活塞
随着扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 和小凯文·波特 (Kevin Porter Jr.) 上周回归阵容，雄鹿队接近全员齐整。然而，他们在周一还是输掉了一场令人失望的比赛，对手是奇才队，这是密尔沃基在过去九场比赛中的第八场失利。雄鹿队目前处于东部季后赛圈之外，接下来的一周将面临严峻考验，包括两场对阵东部第一底特律的比赛，以及一场与76人队的对决。 – 科利尔
20. 孟菲斯灰熊
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 9胜13负
- 上期排名: 21
- 未来赛程: 12月5日 vs. 快船，12月7日 vs. 开拓者
孟菲斯摆脱了五连败的颓势，在过去七场比赛中赢下了五场。灰熊队对教练图奥马斯·伊萨洛 (Tuomas Iisalo) 的执教理念表现出更强的适应性，其中包括采用短时间轮换的模式以保持球员活力。孟菲斯的替补阵容以场均48.4分领跑全联盟的替补得分榜。随着周日战胜国王队，灰熊队自2022-23赛季以来首次取得客场四连胜。贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)（小腿）仍然缺阵，但年轻大个子扎克·伊迪 (Zach Edey) 在对阵萨克拉门托的比赛中刚刚砍下生涯新高的32分、17个篮板和5次盖帽。 – 莱特
21. 波特兰开拓者
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 8胜13负
- 上期排名: 19
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 骑士，12月5日 @ 活塞，12月7日 @ 灰熊
在上周三主场输给马刺队，错失晋级NBA杯四分之一决赛的机会后，球星德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 为此感到惋惜。在控球后卫朱·霍勒迪和斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 缺阵的情况下，阿夫迪亚一直是帮助波特兰在进攻端维持火力的关键。周日，阿夫迪亚贡献了31分、19个篮板和10次助攻——这是他效力开拓者两个赛季以来的第四次三双——但这并不足以击败势头正盛的雷霆队。而在11月5日的那场比赛中，波特兰至今仍是唯一一支击败过雷霆的球队。 – 凯文·佩尔顿
22. 达拉斯独行侠
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 7胜15负
- 上期排名: 24
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 热火，12月5日 @ 雷霆，12月6日 vs. 火箭
刚刚加冕月最佳新秀的库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 有一位同级生也为独行侠队做出了重要贡献。落选秀、手持双向合同的瑞安·内姆哈德 (Ryan Nembhard) 似乎正在赢得达拉斯首发控卫的长期位置；自从教练杰森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 将他提上首发后，他在三场比赛中场均得到17.7分和5.7次助攻。内姆哈德投篮命中率高达66.7%，其中包括三分球15投9中，帮助达拉斯在他的首发比赛中取得2胜1负的战绩。他在丹佛的一场胜利中表现出色，14投12中砍下28分，送出10次助攻且没有失误。根据埃利亚斯体育局的数据，上一位在单场比赛中得到至少25分10助攻且没有失误的新秀是1996年的斯蒂芬·马布里 (Stephon Marbury)。 – 麦克马洪
23. 犹他爵士
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 7胜13负
- 上期排名: 23
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 @ 篮网，12月5日 @ 尼克斯，12月7日 vs. 雷霆
三年级后卫基昂特·乔治 (Keyonte George) 是最快进步球员奖的早期候选人。他场均得到22.8分和6.9次助攻，投篮命中率为44.6%，相比上赛季的数据（16.8分、5.7次助攻、39.1%命中率）有了显著提升。乔治已经巩固了自己作为爵士队首发控卫的地位——这是他上赛季失去的角色——并让人们有理由相信他可以成为球队长期核心阵容的一部分。 – 麦克马洪
24. 夏洛特黄蜂
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 6胜15负
- 上期排名: 25
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 尼克斯，12月5日 @ 猛龙，12月7日 vs. 掘金
黄蜂队在周末接连战胜芝加哥和多伦多，以两场令人印象深刻的胜利终结了七连败。夏洛特在这两场比赛中都获得了均衡的贡献，包括迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges) 合计得到57分，科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton) 替补贡献39分，以及新秀康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel) 的关键一投将对阵猛龙的比赛拖入加时。对这些胜利贡献不那么大的是：拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball)，他两场合起来35投12中，并且在加时赛中没有上场。鲍尔在周一以14次助攻状态回暖，但黄蜂队在输给挣扎的篮网队比赛中又倒退了一步。 – 佩尔顿
25. 洛杉矶快船
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 5胜16负
- 上期排名: 22
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 老鹰，12月5日 @ 灰熊，12月6日 @ 森林狼
快船队在过去16场比赛中输掉了14场，最近的一场失利是输给了他们在休赛期交易走的球员——诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)，后者在那场比赛中砍下30分，而热火队更是打出一波30-2的攻击波彻底拉开了比分。而且快船队可能还没有跌入谷底：他们接下来的四场比赛将是客场挑战亚特兰大、孟菲斯、明尼苏达和休斯顿。 – 麦克梅纳明
26. 萨克拉门托国王
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 5胜16负
- 上期排名: 26
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 火箭，12月6日 @ 热火，12月8日 @ 步行者
由于一个奇怪的赛程安排，丹佛和明尼苏达都被加入了萨克拉门托的NBA杯补赛周赛程，这意味着国王队在他们的前26场比赛中将与掘金队和森林狼队总共交手八次。这对国王队来说，本已充满挑战的开局变得更加艰难。他们已经三次输给雷霆队，两次输给势头正盛的太阳队，导致他们一路下滑至联盟底层。萨克拉门托的负11.1分净胜分是NBA第二差的，仅好于华盛顿。 – 斯莱特
27. 印第安纳步行者
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 4胜17负
- 上期排名: 28
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 vs. 掘金，12月5日 @ 公牛，12月8日 vs. 国王
印第安纳在过去一周内将胜场数翻了一番，并且近期的比赛表现也更具竞争力。步行者队开局1胜13负，净效率值为负14.6，但此后他们取得了3胜4负的战绩，净效率值为正2.4。一个关键原因是中锋杰伊·赫夫 (Jay Huff) 的表现，他在这七场比赛中有六场得分上双，期间三分球命中率达到41.5%。 – 克拉姆
28. 布鲁克林篮网
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 4胜16负
- 上期排名: 27
- 未来赛程: 12月3日 @ 公牛，12月4日 vs. 爵士，12月6日 vs. 鹈鹕
篮网队的表现刚好够让他们看起来不那么悲惨。刚在主场惨败后，就在波士顿取得一场胜利。然后，在经历了四连败并得到尼克斯队教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 一番“安慰式”的点评后，布鲁克林用一场对黄蜂队的大胜终结了连败。诺亚·克劳尼 (Noah Clowney)（对阵夏洛特得到18分）似乎正在崛起，他提升了篮下终结能力，并且能很好地融入球队，成为小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 旁的第二得分点。如果克劳尼能再提升一些进攻效率，他将成为这支战绩不佳的篮网队一个真正的亮点。 – 古德威尔
29. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 3胜19负
- 上期排名: 29
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 vs. 森林狼，12月6日 @ 篮网，12月8日 vs. 马刺
随着奇才队周一战胜雄鹿队，鹈鹕队突然发现自己成了NBA战绩最差的球队。就净胜分而言，新奥尔良比奇才队有竞争力得多，但这对于一支首轮选秀权将送往亚特兰大的球队来说，几乎算不上安慰。而周二对鹈鹕队来说，消息更糟了：锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 被诊断为二级内收肌拉伤，预计将缺阵数周——而这正值威廉姆森从腿筋伤势中逐渐找回状态的时候。 – 佩尔顿
30. 华盛顿奇才
- 2025-26赛季战绩: 3胜17负
- 上期排名: 30
- 未来赛程: 12月4日 vs. 凯尔特人，12月6日 vs. 老鹰
克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton) 在周一对阵密尔沃基的比赛中梦回巅峰，帮助球队击败了他的老东家，但他前15场的表现并未给华盛顿带来太多能在潜在的赛季中期交易中换取价值的希望。这位34岁的三届全明星球员场均仅得到10.1分，效率平平，而他3300万美元的薪水将限制能够接纳他的球队数量。在目前这个节点，买断似乎比交易更有可能发生。 – 克拉姆
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Lakers back near top of West; OKC continues dominance
NBA Power Rankings: Lakers back near top of West; OKC continues dominance
Group play for the 2025 NBA Cup ended Friday, with the knockout round matchups set to begin next week.
As we wait to crown a champion for the third annual in-season tournament, the regular season pushes on with teams surging and falling as we enter the holiday season.
In the East, three teams have been battling it out toward the top of the standings – the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors – all under 3.5 games back from the Detroit Pistons, who have continued their dominating start to the season.
The Western Conference has also been a gauntlet so far for everyone but the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder. Since LeBron James’ return, the Los Angeles Lakers have surged back to No. 2 in the West with a 5-1 record. However, their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers, have slipped significantly, riding a five-game losing streak and winning only two games in November.
Will the start of the holiday festivities lift some of these lowly teams? Our NBA insiders check in for the first Power Rankings of December.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2025-26 record: 21-1
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: vs. DAL (Dec. 5), @ UTAH (Dec. 7)
Jalen Williams averaged nearly five attempted 3s per game last season. In his first three games back after a right wrist injury, he has shot a total of five 3s. The Thunder were patient with the late stages of Williams’ rehab and he has overall performed positively, including this do-everything stat line in a win over the Blazers: 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks. But his volume and accuracy from long range using his healed right wrist will be worth monitoring in the weeks and months ahead. – Anthony Slater
2. Detroit Pistons
- 2025-26 record: 17-4
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: @ MIL (Dec. 3), vs. POR (Dec. 5), vs. MIL (Dec. 6)
Recognition is coming for the conference-leading Pistons, with Cade Cunningham named East Player of the Month and J.B. Bickerstaff named East Coach of the Month. Here’s one more possible individual acknowledgment in Detroit: Isaiah Stewart’s candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year. Stewart is sixth in blocks despite playing 22.5 minutes per game and is first in defending shots at the rim. (Opposing players shoot just 44% on nearly five attempts per night against him.) – Vincent Goodwill
3. Houston Rockets
- 2025-26 record: 13-5
- Previous ranking: 4
- Next games: vs. SAC (Dec. 3), vs. PHX (Dec. 5), @ DAL (Dec. 6)
The Jazz snapped Houston’s five-game road win streak Monday, but in defeat, Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun became the third duo this season to score 30 points apiece in the same game, according to ESPN Research. The performance marked Durant’s sixth 30-point showing of this season and Sengun tied a career high in assists with 14. Winners of eight of their past 10 outings, the Rockets will host Sacramento and Phoenix before hitting the road for Dallas on the second night of a back-to-back. – Michael C. Wright
4. Denver Nuggets
- 2025-26 record: 14-6
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: @ IND (Dec. 3), @ ATL (Dec. 5), @ CHA (Dec. 7)
Injuries, especially to Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, have taken a devastating toll on Denver’s defense. The Nuggets rank last in defensive efficiency in the five games since Gordon suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain, allowing 127.3 points per 100 possessions in that span. Denver’s defensive rating is 105.0 with Gordon on the floor and 119.4 without him, and he’s going to miss at least four to six weeks. – Tim MacMahon
5. New York Knicks
- 2025-26 record: 13-7
- Previous ranking: 9
- Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 3), vs. UTAH (Dec. 5), vs. ORL (Dec. 7), @ TOR (Dec. 9)
When things are quiet, the Knicks can do their best work – or at least look like last year’s team on offense after a choppy start. More pick-and-rolls for Jalen Brunson and more opportunities for Karl-Anthony Towns in space have won New York five of the past seven games. Brunson’s past five games: 29.3 points, 5.7 assists on 50/37/86 splits. OG Anunoby is back to on-court work after missing seven straight games, but no return is imminent. Even without him, the Knicks are back to third in the league in offensive rating – a half-step above last year’s torrid numbers. – Goodwill
6. Los Angeles Lakers
- 2025-26 record: 15-5
- Previous ranking: 5
- Next games: @ TOR (Dec. 4), @ BOS (Dec. 5), @ PHI (Dec. 7)
Monday’s dispiriting 125-108 loss to the Suns dropped L.A.‘s record to 4-4 against teams that are currently .500 or better, as the Lakers’ 15-5 overall record has largely been built against the league’s lower-tier teams. That will make their next four games – Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and San Antonio are a combined 52-31 – all the more revelatory as to just how good the Lakers really are. – Dave McMenamin
7. Miami Heat
- 2025-26 record: 14-7
- Previous ranking: 8
- Next games: @ DAL (Dec. 3), @ ORL (Dec. 5), vs. SAC (Dec. 6), @ ORL (Dec. 9)
Miami has won seven of its past eight games as Tyler Herro works his way into the new Heat offense, averaging 24.7 points in four games since returning on Nov. 24. He has also hit 13 3-pointers combined in his past three games. Friday will provide a good test for Herro and the Heat as they face Orlando for the first of two games in five days, with the latter being the NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup next Tuesday. – Ohm Youngmisuk
8. San Antonio Spurs
- 2025-26 record: 14-6
- Previous ranking: 12
- Next games: @ ORL (Dec. 3), @ CLE (Dec. 5), @ NO (Dec. 8)
Young stars Victor Wembanyama (calf strain) and Stephon Castle (hip flexor strain) remain out, but both are back on the practice court. The organization hasn’t provided any official updates, but there’s optimism for Wembanyama and Castle to start ramping up soon to rejoin their teammates, who have gone 6-2 without the Frenchman thanks to De’Aaron Fox’s recent burst. The guard has scored at least 25 points in seven of the past eight games. San Antonio faces Los Angeles on Dec. 10 in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup to close a four-game road trip. – Wright
9. Orlando Magic
- 2025-26 record: 13-8
- Previous ranking: 14
- Next games: vs. SA (Dec. 3), vs. MIA (Dec. 5), @ NYK (Dec. 7), vs. MIA (Dec. 9)
Sparked by Desmond Bane’s buzzer-beater on Nov. 10, the Magic and their prized offseason addition have found their rhythm. Bane has been on fire, scoring 37 points in consecutive wins over Detroit and Chicago. The Magic, who are 7-2 without Paolo Banchero (left groin strain), have won nine of their past 11. But the schedule gets tougher for Orlando, with matchups against San Antonio and at New York before two with Miami – including next week’s NBA Cup quarterfinal. – Youngmisuk
10. Toronto Raptors
- 2025-26 record: 15-7
- Previous ranking: 7
- Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 4), vs. CHA (Dec. 5), vs. BOS (Dec. 7), vs. NYK (Dec. 9)
The Raptors have hit a rough patch following a nine-game winning streak. They needed a last-second jumper from Brandon Ingram to beat Indiana, then dropped both ends of a back-to-back in Charlotte and New York. Toronto is feeling the loss of RJ Barrett, who injured his right knee before Thanksgiving. Barrett doesn’t lead the Raptors in any major statistical categories, but his all-around production has been crucial. – Zach Kram
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2025-26 record: 13-8
- Previous ranking: 10
- Next games: @ NO (Dec. 4), vs. LAC (Dec. 6), vs. PHX (Dec. 8)
After losing its first seven games against teams with winning records, Minnesota finally won its first two games against above-.500 opponents, defeating the Celtics and Spurs over the weekend. Despite a bumpy first six weeks, the Timberwolves find themselves in the thick of the West playoff picture, and after Tuesday’s OT win over New Orleans they are on pace for 50 wins for the second time in three years and just the sixth time in franchise history. – Tim Bontemps
12. Atlanta Hawks
- 2025-26 record: 13-9
- Previous ranking: 11
- Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 3), vs. DEN (Dec. 5), @ WAS (Dec. 6)
The Hawks continue to compete and surprise despite their injuries. Already without Trae Young, they were without Kristaps Porzingis (illness) for three straight games but managed to beat the Cavs and win a double-overtime game at Philadelphia before losing by one point the next night in Detroit. The Hawks are looking forward to playing at home this week against the Clippers and Nuggets – their first consecutive home games since Nov. 8. – Youngmisuk
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2025-26 record: 13-9
- Previous ranking: 6
- Next games: vs. POR (Dec. 3), vs. SA (Dec. 5), vs. GS (Dec. 6)
The Cavs snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Pacers this week, but Donovan Mitchell kept it straightforward after the game: “This is what we should be doing, I don’t think there’s anything to celebrate,” he said. Cleveland is still searching for the gear it found last season when it won the most games in the East. Mitchell & Co. can get back on track with home games against the Blazers and Spurs this week before hosting the Warriors on Saturday. – Jamal Collier
14. Phoenix Suns
- 2025-26 record: 13-9
- Previous ranking: 13
- Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 5), @ MIN (Dec. 8)
It might be time to start considering Collin Gillespie’s case for Most Improved Player this season. The third-year point guard’s scoring has increased from 5.9 points to 13.4 points per game; his assists have more than doubled from 2.4 to 5.0 per game; and his rebounds (2.4 to 3.8) and steals (0.6 to 1.2) are also on the rise. He’s also shooting a career-best 44.2% on 3-pointers, which he showcased Monday with an 8-for-14 performance from 3 en route to a career-high 28 points in a rout of the Lakers.– McMenamin
15. Boston Celtics
- 2025-26 record: 12-9
- Previous ranking: 16
- Next games: @ WAS (Dec. 4), vs. LAL (Dec. 5), @ TOR (Dec. 7)
Before the season began, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was adamant his team wasn’t going to be looking at this season as a “gap year” despite losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles and veterans Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet to trades or free agency. So far, Boston has followed through on Mazzulla’s pledge, including picking up wins over the Pistons, Cavaliers, Magic and Knicks over the past 10 days despite dealing with injuries. – Bontemps
16. Golden State Warriors
- 2025-26 record: 11-11
- Previous ranking: 15
- Next games: @ PHI (Dec. 4), @ CLE (Dec. 6), @ CHI (Dec. 7)
In Stephen Curry’s 496 minutes this season, the Warriors have a 118.2 offensive rating, essentially equivalent to the sixth-best offense in the NBA. But when he has been off the floor, that craters to 105.6, ranking below all 30 teams. There’s been some internal discussion about altering the approach without Curry, perhaps leaning into a more isolation-heavy approach around Jimmy Butler III, who called Curry the “ultimate cheat code” when it comes to the Warriors’ motion attack. “Nobody’s overreacting to anybody [when he’s off the floor],” Butler said. Curry is currently out with a quad injury, giving coach Steve Kerr a handful of games to find better success when their leader is on the bench. – Slater
17. Philadelphia 76ers
- 2025-26 record: 11-9
- Previous ranking: 17
- Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 4), @ MIL (Dec. 5), vs. LAL (Dec. 7)
Joel Embiid took the court Sunday for the first time in three weeks, playing a season-high 30 minutes in Philadelphia’s wild double-overtime loss to Atlanta. But Embiid was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the Wizards, continuing his uncertain day-to-day status due to ongoing issues with both knees. It’s a safe bet that Embiid’s status will continue to vacillate, something the star center has acknowledged in the preseason. – Bontemps
18. Chicago Bulls
- 2025-26 record: 9-11
- Previous ranking: 18
- Next games: vs. BKN (Dec. 3), vs. IND (Dec. 5), vs. GS (Dec. 7)
After racing out to a 6-1 record, the Bulls have dropped 10 of their past 13 games and are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, including three losses to teams destined for the top of the draft lottery (New Orleans, Charlotte, Indiana). Both ends of the floor are to blame. The Bulls rank 22nd in offensive efficiency and 23rd on defense since that promising start. – Collier
19. Milwaukee Bucks
- 2025-26 record: 9-13
- Previous ranking: 20
- Next games: vs. DET (Dec. 3), vs. PHI (Dec. 5), @ DET (Dec. 6)
The Bucks got close to full strength with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Porter Jr. returning to the lineup last week. Still, they dropped a disappointing game against the Wizards on Monday, Milwaukee’s eighth loss in the past nine games. The Bucks are currently on the outside of the East’s playoff picture, with a tough week coming up featuring a pair of games against first-place Detroit and a matchup with the Sixers. – Collier
20. Memphis Grizzlies
- 2025-26 record: 9-13
- Previous ranking: 21
- Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 5), vs. POR (Dec. 7)
Memphis steered itself out of a five-game skid into winning five of its past seven games. The Grizzlies are showing more comfort with coach Tuomas Iisalo’s principles, which include substitution patterns involving short stints aimed to keep players fresh. Memphis’ reserves lead the NBA in bench scoring (48.4 points per game), and with Sunday’s win over the Kings, the Grizzlies captured four straight road wins for the first time since 2022-23. Ja Morant (calf) remains out, but young big man Zach Edey is coming off a career-high 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks against Sacramento. – Wright
21. Portland Trail Blazers
- 2025-26 record: 8-13
- Previous ranking: 19
- Next games: @ CLE (Dec. 3), @ DET (Dec. 5), @ MEM (Dec. 7)
Star Deni Avdija lamented the missed opportunity after the Blazers lost to the Spurs at home last Wednesday with a chance to advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Avdija has been key to keeping Portland afloat offensively with point guards Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson sidelined. On Sunday, Avdija recorded 31 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists – his fourth triple-double during his two campaigns with the Blazers – but it wasn’t enough to beat the rolling Thunder, something Portland remains the only team to pull off in their game on Nov. 5. – Kevin Pelton
22. Dallas Mavericks
- 2025-26 record: 7-15
- Previous ranking: 24
- Next games: vs. MIA (Dec. 3), @ OKC (Dec. 5), vs. HOU (Dec. 6)
Freshly crowned Rookie of the Month Cooper Flagg has a classmate who is also making a major impact for the Mavs. Ryan Nembhard, who went undrafted and is on a two-way deal, seems to be earning an extended run as Dallas’ starting point guard; he has averaged 17.7 points and 5.7 assists in three games since coach Jason Kidd plugged him in. Nembhard has shot 66.7% from the floor, including 9-of-15 from 3-point range, to help Dallas go 2-1 in his starts. He was dominant in a win in Denver, scoring 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting with 10 assists and no turnovers. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last rookie to record at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game without committing a turnover was Stephon Marbury in 1996. – MacMahon
23. Utah Jazz
- 2025-26 record: 7-13
- Previous ranking: 23
- Next games: @ BKN (Dec. 4), @ NYK (Dec. 5), vs. OKC (Dec. 7)
Third-year guard Keyonte George is an early candidate for the Most Improved Player award. He’s averaging 22.8 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the floor, significant bumps from last season’s numbers (16.8 points, 5.7 assists, 39.1% shooting). George has solidified himself as the Jazz’s starting point guard, a role he lost last season, and given reason to believe he can be a long-term part of the team’s core. – MacMahon
24. Charlotte Hornets
- 2025-26 record: 6-15
- Previous ranking: 25
- Next games: @ NYK (Dec. 3), @ TOR (Dec. 5), vs. DEN (Dec. 7)
The Hornets snapped a seven-game losing streak with impressive back-to-back wins over Chicago and Toronto over the weekend. Charlotte got balanced contributions in both games, including a combined 57 points from Miles Bridges, 39 points off the bench from Collin Sexton and a huge shot from rookie Kon Knueppel to force OT against the Raptors. Not as key to those wins: LaMelo Ball, who shot a combined 12-of-35 and was not on the court for overtime. Ball bounced back with 14 assists Monday, but the Hornets took a step back in a loss to the struggling Nets. – Pelton
25. LA Clippers
- 2025-26 record: 5-16
- Previous ranking: 22
- Next games: @ ATL (Dec. 3), @ MEM (Dec. 5), @ MIN (Dec. 6)
The Clippers have lost 14 of their past 16 games, their most recent coming against a player they traded away in the offseason, Norman Powell, who scored 30 points on them in a game the Heat broke wide open with a 30-2 run. And the Clippers might not have reached rock bottom yet: Their next four games are on the road in Atlanta, Memphis, Minnesota and Houston. – McMenamin
26. Sacramento Kings
- 2025-26 record: 5-16
- Previous ranking: 26
- Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 3), @ MIA (Dec. 6), @ IND (Dec. 8)
In a strange scheduling quirk, both Denver and Minnesota were added to Sacramento’s plate as part of the NBA Cup makeup week, meaning the Kings will have faced the Nuggets and Timberwolves eight combined times in their first 26 games. That’s a large chunk of what has been a challenging start for the Kings. They’ve already lost three times to the Thunder and twice to the surging Suns, sending them spiraling to the bottom tier of the conference. Sacramento’s minus-11.1 point differential is second worst in the NBA, ahead of only Washington. – Slater
27. Indiana Pacers
- 2025-26 record: 4-17
- Previous ranking: 28
- Next games: vs. DEN (Dec. 3), @ CHI (Dec. 5), vs. SAC (Dec. 8)
Indiana has doubled its win total over the past week and has generally enjoyed more competitive play as of late. The Pacers started 1-13 with a minus-14.6 net rating but are 3-4 with a plus-2.4 net rating since. One key reason has been the play of center Jay Huff, who has scored in double figures in six of those seven games, making 41.5% of his 3-point attempts in that span. – Kram
28. Brooklyn Nets
- 2025-26 record: 4-16
- Previous ranking: 27
- Next games: @ CHI (Dec. 3), vs. UTAH (Dec. 4), vs. NO (Dec. 6)
The Nets have done just enough to not look completely miserable. A win in Boston right after being trounced at home. Then, following four straight losses and getting the “there, there” pat on the head from Knicks coach Mike Brown, Brooklyn snapped the skid with a big win over the Hornets. Noah Clowney (18 points against Charlotte) appears to be on the rise, improving his finishes around the rim and fitting in as a secondary scorer next to Michael Porter Jr. If Clowney adds some offensive efficiency, he’ll be a legit bright spot for the lowly Nets. – Goodwill
29. New Orleans Pelicans
- 2025-26 record: 3-19
- Previous ranking: 29
- Next games: vs. MIN (Dec. 4), @ BKN (Dec. 6), vs. SA (Dec. 8)
After the Wizards’ win Monday against the Bucks, the Pelicans suddenly find themselves with the NBA’s worst record. New Orleans has been far more competitive than the Wizards in terms of point differential, but that’s little consolation with the team’s first-round pick headed to Atlanta. And the news got worse for the Pelicans on Tuesday, when Zion Williamson was diagnosed with a Grade 2 adductor strain that figures to keep him out multiple weeks – just as Williamson was starting to find his footing coming back from a hamstring injury. – Pelton
30. Washington Wizards
- 2025-26 record: 3-17
- Previous ranking: 30
- Next games: vs. BOS (Dec. 4), vs. ATL (Dec. 6)
Khris Middleton turned back the clock against Milwaukee on Monday to help beat his former team, but his first 15 games haven’t provided Washington much hope of extracting value in a potential midseason trade. The 34-year-old three-time All-Star is averaging just 10.1 points on middling efficiency, and his $33 million salary would limit the number of teams with the flexibility to add him. A buyout seems more likely than a trade at this point. – Kram
By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN