By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-01-05 15:54:21
本周推荐专辑：“Don’t Be Dumb”，A$AP Rocky (2026年)
全新的一年已经到来！我们在此要推荐一张尚未发行、已打磨数年但本月可能真的会面世的专辑！
欢迎来到本赛季实力榜的2026年部分。是时候让大家从假日氛围中振作起来了，而今天正是绝佳时机（不仅仅因为今天是我生日，当然这也挺酷的）。
纽约尼克斯将客场挑战底特律，这是去年春天首轮对决的重演，也是一场东部前两名球队的交锋。洛杉矶湖人将在本周晚些时候造访圣安东尼奥。而周六，明尼苏达森林狼将做客克利夫兰，上演一场联盟顶级得分后卫的对决。
细则说明：本实力榜不仅仅是对每支球队进行排名。我们将保留球队的梯队划分，各队会在其中升级或降级。每周将有五个梯队：
- 顶级争冠者 — 固定五席，他们是联盟的精英。
- 状态正佳 — 可能是一支球队，也可能是七支。
- “气泡”区 — 别和迪士尼世界的那个搞混了。指联盟中游集团。
- 尚有差距 — 并非联盟最差，但仍有大量工作要做。
- 联盟末流 — 排名垫底。
实力榜看点须知：
- 这是我的主观排名。我会参考多种客观指标，但最终决定权在我。
- 这份榜单不只是对过去一周的回顾——我们同样会进行前瞻性预测，因此它是两者的结合。
- 榜单是主观的，但并非带有偏见。实力榜不含任何个人议程，我们力求建立一个包容的、任人唯贤的体系。
- 这份榜单所具备的一个特质：“冷酷的侵略性。”
- 请享受比赛，也请享受这份榜单！
在The Athletic NBA实力榜的第12周，我们将探讨每支球队的新年愿景。
第一梯队：顶级争冠者
1. 俄克拉荷马雷霆 (30-6)
上期排名： 1
上周战绩： 胜老鹰、胜开拓者、胜勇士(客)、负太阳(客)
进攻效率： 118.8 (第五) 防守效率： 104.4 (第一)
2026年愿景： 让主力首发阵容恢复健康并重回正轨
当谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)、卢根茨·多尔特 (Luguentz Dort)、杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)、切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 和以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein) 联袂首发时，雷霆的战绩仅为1胜4负。这更多是比赛节奏上被马刺克制的问题，但也反映出这套阵容本赛季的磨合时间实在太少。哈尔滕施泰因几周来一直受到小腿伤势的困扰，这让情况变得更加复杂。雷霆本赛季只输了六场比赛，但其中四场是在领先超过10分的情况下被翻盘的，包括周日客场对阵太阳的比赛。
2. 底特律活塞 (26-9)
上期排名： 4
上周战绩： 胜湖人(客)、负热火、胜骑士(客)
进攻效率： 116.7 (第九) 防守效率： 110.6 (第二)
2026年愿景： 为凯德·坎宁安找些射手
似乎凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 的篮球生涯总是伴随着这样的论调：无论球队存在何种缺陷，他都必须扛着球队前进，这从他在俄克拉荷马州立大学时期就开始了。即便如今这支活塞队打出了高水平表现，并在东部顶端建立了一定的优势，我们谈论的依然是联盟投射最差的球队之一。底特律是一支特色鲜明的强队，但他们也需要找到一些外线火力的支援。
3. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (25-10)
上期排名： 2
上周战绩： 负骑士、胜尼克斯、胜步行者(客)、负开拓者
进攻效率： 118.1 (第六) 防守效率： 112.8 (第八)
2026年愿景： 让维克托·文班亚马的出场时间回到30分钟
尽管马刺本赛季令人兴奋，但这同样是一个核心球员不断遭遇起伏的赛季。维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 赛季初不得不在没有德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 的情况下作战，而当福克斯刚一复出，文班亚马又因小腿受伤缺席了一个月。文班亚马好不容易重返首发，马刺却遭遇两连败，随后文班亚马在对阵尼克斯的比赛中又伤到了膝盖。圣安东尼奥显然还远未达到他们的最终形态。
4. 波士顿凯尔特人 (22-12)
上期排名： 9
上周战绩： 胜爵士(客)、胜国王(客)、胜快船(客)
进攻效率： 122.3 (第二) 防守效率： 114.5 (第十五)
2026年愿景： 杰森·塔图姆完全康复
本赛季开始时，我曾预料凯尔特人会在防守端挣扎，会在杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown) 缺席接近20场比赛的情况下迷失方向，并会出于薪金空间的考虑而在冬季进行阵容拆解。这些情况没有一件能激励杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 回归。我仍然不希望看到塔图姆仓促复出，但凯尔特人目前的表现，确实配得上去看看当他健康时球队能达到怎样的高度。这支球队由布朗引领，他或许是史上第一位将月最佳球员评选的落选转化为一场砍下50分的“萨尔萨舞教学课”的球员。
5. 休斯顿火箭 (21-11)
上期排名： 6
上周战绩： 胜步行者、胜篮网(客)、负独行侠(客)
进攻效率： 121.2 (第三) 防守效率： 112.5 (第六)
2026年愿景： 里德·谢泼德打得更坚决
周六在达拉斯，谢泼德刚打出了赛季至今最低效的比赛之一，全场犯规数（4次）比进球数（10投3中）还多。尽管火箭最终只输了6分，但他在场的时间里球队净负24分。休斯顿的持球选择不多，能自信投篮的更是寥寥无几。本赛季当谢泼德得分超过12分时，火箭的战绩为11胜4负；这并非火箭成功的必要条件，但却可能决定了这支球队的上限。
第二梯队：状态正佳
6. 丹佛掘金 (23-12)
上期排名： 3
上周战绩： 负热火(客)、胜猛龙(客)、负骑士(客)、负篮网(客)
进攻效率： 123.0 (第一) 防守效率： 116.9 (第二十一)
2026年愿景： 贾马尔·穆雷入选全明星（并用泡沫纸把他包好）
掘金将在一段时间内失去尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，考虑到他是篮球界最可靠的球星之一，这着实令人担忧。卡梅伦·约翰逊 (Cameron Johnson) 也未能在他重返布鲁克林的比赛中出战。但情况本可能更糟。掘金刚刚迎回了克里斯蒂安·布劳恩 (Christian Braun) 和阿龙·戈登 (Aaron Gordon)，两人此前都因伤缺阵了近两个月。而穆雷正打出“高原版斯蒂芬·库里”级别的数据。约基奇或许因伤无法入选全明星，但今年穆雷终于应该迎来一位全明星队友了。
7. 菲尼克斯太阳 (21-14)
上期排名： 7
上周战绩： 胜奇才(客)、负骑士(客)、胜国王、胜雷霆
进攻效率： 114.9 (第十五) 防守效率： 113.1 (第九)
2026年愿景： 找回德文·布克的三分球
布克击败雷霆的比赛之所以酣畅淋漓，有几个原因。其一，这是复仇之战，上个月布克因腹股沟伤势缺阵时，太阳在俄克拉荷马惨败49分。其二，布克赛前曾说雷霆的防守秘诀已人尽皆知，而他随后就率队完成了18分的大逆转。但第三点，布克那记致胜三分是他全场4次出手唯一的命中，而本赛季至今是布克生涯三分命中率最差的一季（29.7%）。布克从来不是一个四成命中率的三分射手，但他总能稳定贡献25分。如果这场宣告实力的胜利能够重新激活布克的跳投，那么太阳队在这个堪称成功的赛季里将有更多值得期待的东西。
8. 纽约尼克斯 (23-12)
上期排名： 5
上周战绩： 胜鹈鹕(客)、负马刺(客)、负老鹰、负76人
进攻效率： 120.7 (第四) 防守效率： 115.2 (第十六)
2026年愿景： 别再给我提供吐槽素材
我意识到，一些喜爱尼克斯的球迷来到实力榜是期待被赞美的。或许因为尼克斯暴露的一些缺点，他们感到有些失望。我一直想告诉你们：这里机会均等，每支球队都可能成为被点评的对象。不过，你们可以把所有抱怨都发送到 510-1973，这是我新开的本地尼克斯热线，专为那些上次对他们无话可说的人准备。
9. 明尼苏达森林狼 (23-13)
上期排名： 8
上周战绩： 胜公牛(客)、负老鹰(客)、胜热火(客)、胜奇才(客)
进攻效率： 117.2 (第八) 防守效率： 112.7 (第七)
2026年愿景： 挖掘另一位年轻贡献者
森林狼是一支“闷声发大财”的老将球队，根据Basketball-Reference的数据，只有五支球队的平均年龄比他们更高。在七位场均出场超过15分钟的球员中，没有一人身背新秀合同。就连博恩斯·海兰德 (Bones Hyland) 也已是五年级球员。2024年的首轮秀罗伯·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham) 和特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.) 正在经历艰难的二年级赛季，杰伦·克拉克 (Jaylen Clark) 的投射没有进步，而年轻内线伦纳德·米勒 (Leonard Miller) 和新秀琼·贝林格 (Joan Beringer) 则被雪藏。森林狼需要这些年轻人中至少有一位尽快崭露头角。
勒布朗·詹姆斯、卢卡·东契奇和湖人队在关键时刻表现完美，但本赛季已有11场以两位数分差落败的比赛。(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)
第三梯队：“气泡”区
10. 洛杉矶湖人 (22-11)
上期排名： 10
上周战绩： 负活塞、胜灰熊、胜灰熊
进攻效率： 117.4 (第七) 防守效率： 117.6 (第二十四)
2026年愿景： 别再被对手打花了
有很多总把“赛程强度”挂在嘴边的人（我们稍后会谈到你们），但对于湖人来说，现实是：除非他们不再在如此多的比赛中显得毫无竞争力，否则他们不会被视为一个真正的威胁。湖人不应为赢下本赛季至今每一场胜负只在毫厘之间的比赛而道歉。但他们本赛季已有11场比赛输了10分或更多。联盟中输掉这类比赛更多的球队，在各自赛区的排名都不高于第12位。
11. 多伦多猛龙 (21-15)
上期排名： 12
上周战绩： 胜魔术、负掘金、胜老鹰
进攻效率： 114.0 (第十九) 防守效率： 112.4 (第四)
2026年愿景： 谨慎使用RJ·巴雷特
当RJ·巴雷特 (RJ Barrett)、布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram) 和斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes) 三人同时在场时，多伦多的防守形同虚设。但巴雷特能让猛龙的进攻达到他缺阵时难以企及的高度。问题是，猛龙是否会考虑用一个防守更好的球员来替代巴雷特的进攻作用？或者，猛龙是否应该给予巴雷特、2025年交易来的英格拉姆以及球队基石巴恩斯足够的时间，去共同探索他们的上限？
12. 迈阿密热火 (20-16)
上期排名： 13
上周战绩： 胜掘金、胜活塞(客)、负森林狼、胜鹈鹕
进攻效率： 115.0 (第十四) 防守效率： 111.9 (第三)
2026年愿景： 保持快节奏
现在已经是一月，热火的比赛节奏仍然领跑全联盟。当他们的节奏超过平均的104.66个回合时，他们的战绩是13胜5负。有些球队需要放慢节奏才能打出最佳水平，但迈阿密并非如此。他们在2026年伊始的两场胜利——客场击败底特律和主场战胜鹈鹕——就是对此最有力的证明。
13. 克利夫兰骑士 (20-17)
上期排名： 14
上周战绩： 胜马刺(客)、胜太阳、胜掘金、负活塞
进攻效率： 116.1 (第十)
防守效率： 113.7 (第十二)
2026年愿景： 季后赛不再有借口
骑士队最快在本周就将超过上赛季的总负场数，所以只要他们能进入季后赛，本赛季的成功与否就不会用这个冬天的表现来衡量。一切都取决于他们进入季后赛后的表现。不要再有伤病，不要再有关于球队不够强硬的指责。在多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 打出卓越表现的同时，他身边的这套天赋阵容在春天过后将难以重现，球队需要以最佳状态结束这个赛季。
14. 费城76人 (19-14)
上期排名： 15
上周战绩： 胜灰熊(客)、胜独行侠(客)、胜尼克斯(客)
进攻效率： 114.8 (第十七) 防守效率： 113.7 (第十三)
2026年愿景： 减少失误
本赛季当费城队单场失误少于15次时，他们的战绩是15胜3负。对于一支本身失误率不高，且一、二阵容都有多个持球点的球队来说，这是一个很高的标准。泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)、乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 和保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 的三人组正朝着正确的方向前进。
15. 金州勇士 (19-17)
上期排名： 16
上周战绩： 胜篮网(客)、胜黄蜂(客)、负雷霆、胜爵士
进攻效率： 113.9 (第二十) 防守效率： 112.4 (第五)
2026年愿景： 控制德雷蒙德·格林的失误
尽管德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green) 多年来对勇士的贡献至关重要，但他不稳定的表现却因错误的原因而格外显眼。本赛季格林的犯规数比进球数还多，投篮命中率仅为42.9%，并且尽管三分出手比以往任何时候都多，却毫无投篮威胁。他的失误数创下十年新高，而场均助攻数却是同期最低。但本赛季当格林单场失误不超过两次时，勇士的战绩是8胜2负。格林必须首发（并且要和斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 捆绑在一起），既然如此，他就必须停止让球队陷入不利境地。
16. 奥兰多魔术 (20-16)
上期排名： 11
上周战绩： 负猛龙(客)、胜步行者(客)、负公牛(客)、胜步行者
进攻效率： 115.0 (第十三) 防守效率： 113.7 (第十一)
2026年愿景： 让自家培养的三巨头有更多合体时间
本赛季，在保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero)、弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 和杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 共同出战的11场比赛中，魔术队仅赢了5场。尽管如此，当这三人在场上的136分钟里，魔术队每百回合能净胜对手16.7分。样本量和胜场数都太少了，原因在于这三名球员都不同程度地受到了伤病困扰。奥兰多在德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane) 的融入和安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black) 的爆发方面取得了令人兴奋的进展，但这个年轻核心需要展现出更好的耐用性。
第四梯队：尚有差距
17. 芝加哥公牛 (17-18)
上期排名： 19
上周战绩： 负森林狼、胜鹈鹕、胜魔术、负黄蜂
进攻效率： 113.5 (第二十二) 防守效率： 117.2 (第二十三)
2026年愿景： 在附加赛中活下来
听着，公牛队肯定会去打附加赛的，这是他们的常规操作。我们只要求，如果芝加哥要再来一次，那就请他们真正打进季后赛。公牛队就是那种不上不下的典型，要求他们摆烂也感觉不对劲。新年愿景应该是变得更好，所以或许公牛队能在三个月后为自己争取到一个七场系列赛。他们已经证明了自己能击败那些可能需要面对的对手。除了迈阿密。我们可不想再看到公牛队在附加赛里对上迈阿密了。
18. 亚特兰大老鹰 (17-20)
上期排名： 20
上周战绩： 负雷霆(客)、胜森林狼、胜尼克斯、负猛龙(客)
进攻效率： 114.6 (第十八) 防守效率： 115.5 (第十七)
2026年愿景： 为特雷·杨找到新家
本赛季特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 出战了10场比赛，老鹰只赢了其中两场，都发生在十月，而且其中一场胜利还是在他客战布鲁克林上半场就受伤的情况下取得的。他十二月的复出完全不成功，而老鹰终结连败的那场比赛，杨正因股四头肌伤势休战。这一切正走向一个不体面的结局，而解决问题需要亚特兰大主动出击，因为杨今年夏天拥有球员选项。情况已经到了特雷·杨为老鹰出战本身就对球队构成威胁的地步。
19. 孟菲斯灰熊 (15-20)
上期排名： 17
上周战绩： 负76人、负湖人(客)、负湖人(客)
进攻效率： 113.1 (第二十三) 防守效率： 114.3 (第十四)
2026年愿景： 为贾·莫兰特找到定位
灰熊队可能被莫兰特套牢了，他本赛季在糟糕的防守、糟糕的投射和因伤无法出战之间来回切换。莫兰特在一套不打挡拆的灰熊进攻体系中显得格格不入，但他现在利用掩护发起的进攻威胁也不再像三个赛季前那样特别。孟菲斯必须考虑赢球的问题，但如果他们能同时想办法让莫兰特重新看起来像个明星，那就再好不过了。
2026年我们会看到关于扬尼斯·阿德托昆博的决定，或是由他做出的决定吗？Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images
20. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (16-20)
上期排名： 18
上周战绩： 胜黄蜂(客)、负奇才、胜黄蜂、胜国王(客)
进攻效率： 113.6 (第二十一) 防守效率： 115.7 (第十八)
2026年愿景： 就扬尼斯·阿德托昆博的未来给个说法
要是能有一天不用再讨论阿德托昆博的未来就好了。有些球员应该被允许在迷茫中原地打转，所以如果这正是阿德托昆博想要的，那就随他去。但如果这不是阿德托昆博想要的，那他也应该让雄鹿队知道。阿德托昆博本赛季从未连续出战超过六场比赛，所以他的精力应该集中在保持健康上场，并为这支迫切需要他来摆脱东部后五名的球队，展现出他那划时代的天赋。
21. 洛杉矶快船 (12-22)
上期排名： 23
上周战绩： 胜国王、胜爵士、负凯尔特人
进攻效率： 115.5 (第十一) 防守效率： 117.8 (第二十五)
2026年愿景： 拿到42场胜利
快船在两周内将胜场数翻倍，表现不错，但一如既往，他们遭受了一场灾难性的失利，让现实重新回归。在Intuit球馆，他们不仅在绿色的海洋中输给了凯尔特人，还让对手在主场第二次砍下50+，遭遇惨败，并又有一名重要球员因伤缺阵数周（又是小德里克·琼斯）。快船需要再来几次那样全胜的一周，而且他们将不得不带着一套人手短缺的阵容离开太平洋时区去征战。
22. 波特兰开拓者 (16-20)
上期排名： 25
上周战绩： 胜独行侠、负雷霆(客)、胜鹈鹕(客)、胜马刺(客)
进攻效率： 113.0 (第二十四) 防守效率： 116.2 (第十九)
2026年愿景： 控卫们恢复健康
就控卫位置而言，这对开拓者来说真是一个不幸的赛季。朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 有一个出色的12场开局，但他的小腿伤势让他缺席了超过七周。达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 正在进行跟腱康复。斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 尚未完成首秀。就连布雷克·韦斯利 (Blake Wesley) 也脚部骨折了。如果说有什么一线希望，那就是所有小个后卫的受伤让波特兰可以放手让德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 大展拳脚。在NBA，场均至少得到25分、7个篮板和7次助攻的球员只有尼古拉·约基奇、卢卡·东契奇和阿夫迪亚。
23. 达拉斯独行侠 (13-23)
上期排名： 26
上周战绩： 负开拓者(客)、负76人、胜火箭
进攻效率： 109.4 (第二十八) 防守效率： 113.1 (第十)
2026年愿景： 最大化库珀·弗拉格的价值
主教练贾森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 表示，库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 必须去触摸、摩擦并拥抱那堵新秀墙。我甚至不惊讶基德没有说弗拉格还需要“驾驭那条蛇”才能闯过新秀墙。当然，随着弗拉格再次出任首发控卫，他肯定会走向那条路，尽管达拉斯在弗拉格对阵火箭的得分表现不佳的情况下，仍然赢下了比赛，结束了五连败。
24. 夏洛特黄蜂 (12-23)
上期排名： 24
上周战绩： 负雄鹿、负勇士、负雄鹿(客)、胜公牛(客)
进攻效率： 115.3 (第十二) 防守效率： 117.8 (第二十六)
2026年愿景： 以康·纽佩尔为核心
在本赛季之前，历史上只有17名新秀曾单赛季命中100记三分，且命中率达到或超过40%。在这17名新秀中，只有四位场均命中超过2.0记三分：斯蒂芬·库里（2.1记，43.7%）、兰德里·沙梅特 (Landry Shamet)（2.1记，42.2%）、泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton)（2.1记，40.9%）和基根·穆雷 (Keegan Murray)（2.6记，41.1%）。而康·纽佩尔 (Kon Knueppel) 目前场均命中3.6记三分，命中率高达42.8%。他的罚球命中率（88.5%）也和新秀时期的库里相同。夏洛特拥有一个特别的射手，拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 应该为纽佩尔创造比布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller) 和迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges) 更多的出手机会。
25. 布鲁克林篮网 (11-22)
上期排名： 22
上周战绩： 负勇士、负火箭、负奇才(客)、胜掘金
进攻效率： 112.3 (第二十五) 防守效率： 116.7 (第二十)
2026年愿景： 打上有意义的篮球
大约一个月后再回来看看篮网是否能真正打进附加赛区域。他们距离并不遥远，而且小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 刚刚成功上演了一场#复仇之战，对手掘金队虽然没有尼古拉·约基奇，但阵中仍有足够多波特的前队友，这使得比赛意义非凡。值得注意的是，尽管为精简霍尔迪·费尔南德斯 (Jordi Fernandez) 的阵容付出了诸多努力，篮网现在的处境和一年前几乎一模一样。
第五梯队：联盟末流
26. 犹他爵士 (12-22)
上期排名： 21
上周战绩： 负凯尔特人、负快船(客)、负勇士(客)
进攻效率： 114.8 (第十六) 防守效率： 121.6 (第三十)
2026年愿景： 找到防守
犹他在2022年通过交易多次获得年度最佳防守球员的鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 开启了重建。此后，爵士的防守效率排名分别为第23、第30、第30，以及再次第30。如果你讨厌防守、热爱得分，那就去看爵士的比赛。他们是联盟唯一一支场均得分（119.7）和失分（126.7）都超过119分的球队。
27. 华盛顿奇才 (9-25)
上期排名： 29
上周战绩： 负太阳、胜雄鹿(客)、胜篮网、负森林狼
进攻效率： 110.4 (第二十七) 防守效率： 121.3 (第二十九)
2026年愿景： 找个老将控卫打完这个赛季
CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum) 在春天能帮到某支球队。在比赛进入胶着状态时，他依然能在小个后卫需要得分的区域里完成任务——问问雄鹿就知道了。但即便华盛顿没能为麦科勒姆找到下家，他们也需要一位不要求上场时间，但能帮助像亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)、凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George)、比拉尔·库利巴利 (Bilal Coulibaly)、巴布·卡灵顿 (Bub Carrington) 和特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) 这样的年轻奇才球员成长的控球后卫。
28. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (8-29)
上期排名： 28
上周战绩： 负尼克斯、负公牛(客)、负开拓者、负热火(客)
进攻效率： 111.9 (第二十六) 防守效率： 119.5 (第二十七)
2026年愿景： 高价出售锡安·威廉姆森
鹈鹕队再次在场上被打得落花流水，他们此前的五连胜被一波六连败所抵消。但威廉姆森已经重返首发并摧毁着对手的防线，在连败期间场均得到27.7分，投篮命中率高达61.9%，并且每场获得10次罚球机会。他的积极性也很高，连败期间场均抢下3.0个进攻篮板，并有1.2次抢断和1.0次盖帽。新奥尔良需要一些资产来弥补他们为选秀德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen) 所付出的代价，而且完全没有必要等到威廉姆森的出场纪录受到威胁时再行动。趁现在能换回什么就换回什么，别等到交易截止日才动手。
29. 印第安纳步行者 (6-30)
上期排名： 30
上周战绩： 负火箭(客)、负魔术、负马刺、负魔术(客)
进攻效率： 108.3 (第二十九) 防守效率： 117.2 (第二十二)
2026年愿景： 为2026-27赛季做准备
新的一年刚刚开始，但印第安纳肯定已经在考虑快进到下个赛季了。要实现这个目标还有很多工作要做。这不仅仅是让泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿的跟腱恢复健康那么简单。印第安纳必须认真审视他们现有的球员，以及需要什么来辅佐哈利伯顿和帕斯卡尔·西亚卡姆 (Pascal Siakam)。步行者队可靠的角色球员不够健康，而出场时间最多的年轻球员本赛季的表现则完全令人沮丧。
30. 萨克拉门托国王 (8-28)
上期排名： 27
上周战绩： 负快船(客)、负凯尔特人、负太阳(客)、负雄鹿
进攻效率： 108.3 (第三十) 防守效率： 119.8 (第二十八)
2026年愿景： 解放老将们
曾有人抱怨说，国王队的赛程如此艰难，应该给予他们更多宽容。然后他们就以40分的分差输给了快船。如果你一直输球，那你打过的赛程看起来自然会很艰难。本赛季没有哪支球队比萨克拉门托看起来更不堪一击了。
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: Celtics, Rockets are contenders; New Year's resolutions for all
NBA Power Rankings: Celtics, Rockets are contenders; New Year’s resolutions for all
Album of the Week: “Don’t Be Dumb”, A$AP Rocky (2026)
It’s a whole new year! And we’re acknowledging an album that isn’t out yet and has been worked on for years but might actually see the light of day this month!
Welcome to the 2026 portion of this season’s Power Rankings. It’s time to shake everyone out of the holiday season, and today’s a great day to do it (not just because it’s my birthday, but that’s cool too).
The New York Knicks visit Detroit as part of a first-round rematch from last spring in a game that features the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers will visit San Antonio later this week. And Saturday, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in Cleveland for a matchup of two of the top shooting guards in the league.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
- Top Contenders — Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place — Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble — Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear — Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor — Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
- These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
- These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
- These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
- The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
- Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 12 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore New Year’s resolutions for each team.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-6)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs ATL, W vs POR, W at GS, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 118.8 (fifth place) Defensive rating: 104.4 (first place)
2026 resolution: Get the primary starting lineup healthy and working again
The Thunder are only 1-4 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein starting together. That’s more of a Spurs game flow problem than anything, but it also speaks to how little that group has shared the floor this season. Hartenstein has dealt with a bad calf for several weeks, which complicates things. The Thunder have only lost six games this season, but four of them have now come with the Thunder leading by more than 10 points, including Sunday at Phoenix.
2. Detroit Pistons (26-9)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at LAL, L vs MIA, W at CLE
Offensive rating: 116.7 (ninth place) Defensive rating: 110.6 (second place)
2026 resolution: Get Cade Cunningham some shooters
It seems like the Cade Cunningham experience always includes commentary on how he has to play through whatever deficiencies his teams have, going all the way back to Oklahoma State. Even with these Pistons playing at a high level and establishing some cushion at the top of the East, we’re talking about one of the worst shooting teams in the league. Detroit is a very good team that has an identity. But it also needs to identify some perimeter relief.
3. San Antonio Spurs (25-10)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: L vs CLE, W vs NY, W at IND, L vs POR
Offensive rating: 118.1 (sixth place) Defensive rating: 112.8 (eighth place)
2026 resolution: Get Victor Wembanyama back up to 30 minutes
As exciting as the season has been for the Spurs, it has been one full of starts and stops for their best players. Victor Wembanyama had to begin the season without De’Aaron Fox, and right when Fox got healthy, Wembanyama had to miss a month with a calf injury. Wembanyama finally returned to the starting lineup, and the Spurs suffered back-to-back losses before Wembanyama injured his knee against the Knicks. San Antonio certainly hasn’t reached anything close to final form yet.
4. Boston Celtics (22-12)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W at UTA, W at SAC, W at LAC
Offensive rating: 122.3 (second place) Defensive rating: 114.5 (15th place)
2026 resolution: Full health for Jayson Tatum
When this season began, I expected the Celtics to struggle defending, be lost in the event that Jaylen Brown approached 20 missed games and have a winter teardown for salary-cap purposes. None of those things would have encouraged a Jayson Tatum return. I still don’t want to see Tatum rush back from injury, but the Celtics sure are playing like a team that deserves to see what it can do if he is healthy. And that’s led by Brown, who might be the first player ever to turn a Player of the Month snub into a 50-piece salsa lesson.
5. Houston Rockets (21-11)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs IND, W at BRK, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 121.2 (third place) Defensive rating: 112.5 (sixth place)
2026 resolution: Reed Sheppard’s assertiveness
Sheppard is coming off one of his least impactful games of the season Saturday in Dallas, finishing with more fouls (four) than buckets (3-of-10 shooting) while the Rockets were outscored by 24 points in his minutes despite losing by only six points. There aren’t many ballhandling options in Houston, and even fewer of those options can confidently make shots. The Rockets are 11-4 when Sheppard scores more than 12 points this season; it’s not a requirement for Houston’s success, but it could be a part of the ceiling for this Rockets team.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Denver Nuggets (23-12)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L at MIA, W at TOR, L at CLE, L at BRK
Offensive rating: 123.0 (first place) Defensive rating: 116.9 (21st place)
2026 resolution: Jamal Murray All-Star selection (and bubble wrap)
Denver isn’t going to have Nikola Jokić for a while, which is spooky considering the fact that he’s among the most reliable stars in basketball. Cameron Johnson wasn’t able to play in a return game to Brooklyn either. But it could be worse. Denver just got both Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon back after both missed nearly two months with their own injuries. And Murray is putting up Mountain Steph Curry numbers. Jokić might not be healthy enough to be an All-Star, but this should be the year he finally has an All-Star teammate.
7. Phoenix Suns (21-14)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W at WAS, L at CLE, W vs SAC, W vs OKC
Offensive rating: 114.9 (15th place) Defensive rating: 113.1 (ninth place)
2026 resolution: Get Devin Booker’s 3-pointer back
Booker beating the Thunder was sweet for several reasons. One, it was revenge for Booker’s team when he was out with a groin injury and the Suns lost by 49 points in Oklahoma last month. Two, Booker said the secret was out on the Thunder’s defense, and he led an 18-point comeback. But three, Booker’s game-winning 3 was his only make in four attempts, and this has been by far the worst 3-point shooting season of Booker’s career (29.7 percent). Booker’s never been a 40 percent 3-point shooter, but he consistently gets his 25 points anyway. If the statement win against the Thunder can jump-start Booker’s jumper, then the Suns have even more to look forward to in what has been a triumphant season so far.
8. New York Knicks (23-12)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at NO, L at SA, L vs ATL, L vs PHI
Offensive rating: 120.7 (fourth place) Defensive rating: 115.2 (16th place)
2026 resolution: Avoid giving me material
I realize that a few people who love the Knicks are coming to Power Rankings and expecting to be feted. And perhaps there has been some disappointment because of some of the shortcomings the Knicks have had. I keep trying to tell you: This is an equal opportunity space, and every team can get it. But you can send me all complaints at 510-1973, my new local Knicks hotline for the last time you couldn’t say anything about them.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (23-13)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W at CHI, L at ATL, W at MIA, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 117.2 (eighth place) Defensive rating: 112.7 (seventh place)
2026 resolution: Find another young contributor
The Timberwolves are a sneaky old team, as Basketball-Reference has only five teams with a higher average age. None of the seven players who get more than 15 minutes per game is on a rookie deal. Even Bones Hyland is a fifth-year player. Minnesota is getting rough sophomore seasons from 2024 first-round picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark hasn’t progressed as a shooter, and young bigs Leonard Miller and rookie Joan Beringer are mothballed. The Timberwolves are going to need at least one of those guys to emerge soon.
LeBron James, Luka Dončić and the Lakers are perfect in crunchtime but have 11 double-digit defeats this season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)
Tier 3: The Bubble
10. Los Angeles Lakers (22-11)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L vs DET, W vs MEM, W vs MEM
Offensive rating: 117.4 (seventh place) Defensive rating: 117.6 (24th place)
2026 resolution: Stop getting blown out
There are a lot of strength-of-schedule merchants out there (we’ll get to you all later), but when it comes to the Lakers, the reality is this: They won’t be considered a serious threat until they stop looking uncompetitive in so many games. The Lakers shouldn’t apologize for winning every coin flip game they have played so far this season. But they’ve lost 11 games this season by 10 points or more. The only teams in the league that have lost more of those games are all no higher than 12th place in their respective conferences.
11. Toronto Raptors (21-15)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs ORL, L vs DEN, W vs ATL
Offensive rating: 114.0 (19th place) Defensive rating: 112.4 (fourth place)
2026 resolution: Be careful with RJ Barrett
Toronto cannot defend with all three of Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes on the floor together. But Barrett makes the Raptors offense reach levels that were more challenging with him out. The question is, do the Raptors consider Barrett replaceable offensively for perhaps a better defensive fit? Or should the Raptors give Barrett, 2025 trade acquisition Ingram and franchise player Barnes the time they need to explore their ceiling together?
12. Miami Heat (20-16)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs DEN, W at DET, L vs MIN, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 115.0 (14th place) Defensive rating: 111.9 (third place)
2026 resolution: Keep running
It’s January, and the Heat still lead the NBA in pace. And when they exceed their average pace of 104.66 possessions, they are 13-5. Some teams need to slow down to play their best basketball. That is not the case for Miami, and their two wins to begin 2026, at Detroit and against the Pelicans, were a strong reminder for them.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (20-17)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W at SA, W vs PHO, W vs DEN, L vs DET
Offensive rating: 116.1 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 113.7 (12th place)
2026 resolution: No postseason excuses
The Cavaliers are going to exceed last season’s loss total as soon as this upcoming week, so they’re not measuring the success of this season by what happens this winter as long as they make the playoffs. It’s all about what happens once they get there. No injuries. No accusations of softness. Finish the season playing your best basketball with a group that is getting great play from Donovan Mitchell while he is surrounded by talent that will be hard to reconstruct after the spring.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (19-14)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at MEM, W at DAL, W at NY
Offensive rating: 114.8 (17th place) Defensive rating: 113.7 (13th place)
2026 resolution: Keep turnovers down
Philadelphia is 15-3 this season when it has fewer than 15 turnovers in a game. That’s a high bar for a team that isn’t even a high turnover team and has multiple ballhandlers in both the first and second units. The trio of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George is headed in the right direction.
15. Golden State Warriors (19-17)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W at BRK, W at CHA, L vs OKC, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 113.9 (20th place) Defensive rating: 112.4 (5th place)
2026 resolution: Keep Draymond Green’s turnovers down
As important as Green is to what the Warriors have done over the years, his erratic play stands out for the wrong reasons. Green has more fouls than buckets this season, makes only 42.9 percent of his field goals and isn’t feared as a shooter despite taking more 3s than ever. His turnovers are a 10-year high despite averaging his fewest assists in that span as well. But the Warriors are 8-2 when Green has no more than two turnovers in a game this season. Green has to start (and be handcuffed to Stephen Curry), so if that’s the case, he has to stop putting his team at a disadvantage.
16. Orlando Magic (20-16)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at TOR, W at IND, L at CHI, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 115.0 (13th place) Defensive rating: 113.7 (11th place)
2026 resolution: Get the homegrown big three extended run
The Magic have only won five out of the 11 games that Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have played together this season. That is despite the fact that the Magic outscore their foes by 16.7 points per 100 possessions when those three have shared the floor in 136 minutes. The sample size and win total are too small, and it’s because all three of those players have struggled with injury at various times. Orlando has exciting developments in terms of Desmond Bane fitting in and Anthony Black breaking out, but the young core needs to show some durability.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
17. Chicago Bulls (17-18)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L vs MIN, W vs NO, W vs ORL, L vs CHA
Offensive rating: 113.5 (22nd place) Defensive rating: 117.2 (23rd place)
2026 resolution: Survive the Play-In Tournament
Look, the Bulls are going to be in the Play-In. It’s what they do. All we ask is that Chicago actually make the playoffs if it’s going to do this again. The Bulls are so perfectly mid that asking them to tank out doesn’t feel right either. Resolutions should be about being better, so perhaps the Bulls can get themselves a seven-game series in three months. They have certainly shown that they can beat the teams that they’ll likely need to face. Except Miami. We don’t need to see the Bulls deal with Miami in the Play-In again.
18. Atlanta Hawks (17-20)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs MIN, W at NY, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 114.6 (18th place) Defensive rating: 115.5 (17th place)
2026 resolution: Find a new home for Trae Young
Young has played in 10 games this season. The Hawks won two of them, both in October, and one of those wins was when Young was injured in the first half at Brooklyn. His December return was not successful at all, and the Hawks snapped their losing streak with Young nursing a quad injury. This is headed for an unceremonious split, and it’s going to take Atlanta to figure it out since Young has a player option this summer. It’s to the point where Young playing for Atlanta is a threat to the Hawks.
19. Memphis Grizzlies (15-20)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L vs PHI, L at LAL, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 113.1 (23rd place) Defensive rating: 114.3 (14th place)
2026 resolution: A purpose for Ja Morant
The Grizzlies are probably stuck with Morant, who alternates between bad defense, bad shooting and not being able to go because of injury this season. Morant felt out of place in a Grizzlies offense that didn’t run pick-and-rolls, but he’s not a special threat out of ball screens now like he was three seasons ago. Memphis has to be concerned about trying to win games, but it would be good if it could also find a way to get Morant to look like a star again.
Will 2026 be the year we get a decision on, or from, Giannis Antetokounmpo? Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images
20. Milwaukee Bucks (16-20)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at CHA, L vs WAS, W vs CHA, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 113.6 (21st place) Defensive rating: 115.7 (18th place)
2026 resolution: A resolution on Giannis Antetokounmpo
It would just be nice to not discuss Antetokounmpo’s future at some point. Some players should be allowed to spin their wheels in the abyss, so if that’s what Antetokounmpo wants to do, then let him. And if that’s not what Antetokounmpo wants to do, then he should let the Bucks know that too. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played more than six consecutive games all season, so his energy should be directed toward staying on the floor and being the generational talent that he is for a team that desperately needs his presence to get out of the East’s bottom five.
21. LA Clippers (12-22)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: W vs SAC, W vs UTA, L vs BOS
Offensive rating: 115.5 (11th place) Defensive rating: 117.8 (25th place)
2026 resolution: Get to 42 wins
The Clippers did well to double their win total in a two-week span, but as usual, they suffered a catastrophic loss to reset their reality. They didn’t just lose to the Celtics amid a sea of green at Intuit Dome. They allowed a second 50-point performance at home, got blown out and lost one of their better players to another multi-week injury (Derrick Jones Jr. again). The Clippers are going to need a few more of those undefeated weeks, and they’re going to have to leave the Pacific Time Zone with a short-handed roster to do it.
22. Portland Trail Blazers (16-20)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W vs DAL, L at OKC, W at NO, W at SA
Offensive rating: 113.0 (24th place) Defensive rating: 116.2 (19th place)
2026 resolution: A return to health of the point guards
It’s been a really unfortunate season for the Trail Blazers as far as their point guard situation. Jrue Holiday got off to a great 12-game start, but his calf has kept him out for more than seven weeks. Damian Lillard is rehabbing his Achilles. Scoot Henderson hasn’t debuted yet. Even Blake Wesley broke his foot. If there’s been a silver lining, it’s that all of the injuries to the small guards allows Portland to let Deni Avdija cook. The only players in the NBA averaging at least 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists are Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Avdija.
23. Dallas Mavericks (13-23)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at POR, L vs PHI, W vs HOU
Offensive rating: 109.4 (28th place) Defensive rating: 113.1 (10th place)
2026 resolution: Maximize Cooper Flagg
Head coach Jason Kidd said that Cooper Flagg has to touch, rub and hold the rookie wall. I’m surprised Kidd didn’t say that Flagg will need to ride the snake to get through the rookie wall as well. Certainly, he’ll be headed for that method with Flagg starting at point guard once again, though Dallas was able to survive a rough Flagg scoring game against the Rockets and get its first win in five games.
24. Charlotte Hornets (12-23)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs MIL, L vs GS, L at MIL, W at CHI
Offensive rating: 115.3 (12th place) Defensive rating: 117.8 (26th place)
2026 resolution: Feature Kon Knueppel
Only 17 rookies before this season have made 100 3s and hit those 3s at a 40 percent clip or better. Only four of those 17 rookies in league history made more than 2.0 3s per game: Stephen Curry (2.1, 43.7 percent), Landry Shamet (2.1, 42.2 percent), Tyrese Haliburton (2.1, 40.9 percent) and Keegan Murray (2.6, 41.1 percent). Knueppel is at 3.6 3s per game while hitting 42.8 percent. He’s also shooting the same free-throw percentage (88.5 percent) that Curry did as a rookie. Charlotte has a special shooter, and LaMelo Ball should be getting Knueppel more shots than Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges.
25. Brooklyn Nets (11-22)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs GS, L vs HOU, L at WAS, W vs DEN
Offensive rating: 112.3 (25th place) Defensive rating: 116.7 (20th place)
2026 resolution: Meaningful basketball
Check back in a month or so to see if the Nets are going to get to actually play themselves into Play-In territory. They’re not that many games off, and Michael Porter Jr. just had a successful #RevengeGame against a Nuggets team that didn’t have Nikola Jokić but still had enough of Porter’s former teammates to where it meant something. Remarkably, the Nets are basically in the same spot now as they were a year ago despite all of the efforts made to strip down Jordi Fernandez’s roster.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Utah Jazz (12-22)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L vs BOS, L at LAC, L at GS
Offensive rating: 114.8 (16th place) Defensive rating: 121.6 (30th place)
2026 resolution: Finding a defense
Utah started its rebuild in 2022 by trading multi-Defensive Player of the Year award recipient Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have since ranked 23rd, 30th, 30th and 30th again in defensive efficiency. If you hate defense and enjoy points, go watch a Jazz game. They’re the only team in the league that scores (119.7) — and allows (126.7) — more than 119 points per game.
27. Washington Wizards (9-25)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs PHO, W at MIL, W vs BRK, L vs MIN
Offensive rating: 110.4 (27th place) Defensive rating: 121.3 (29th place)
2026 resolution: Get a veteran point guard to finish the season
CJ McCollum is going to help some team in the spring. He can still get it done in the areas of the floor that small guards need to get buckets from when games get tight — ask the Bucks about that. But even if Washington doesn’t find a home for McCollum, it could use a point guard who won’t demand playing time but can help with the development of the young Wizards such as Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (8-29)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs NY, L at CHI, L vs POR, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 111.9 (26th place) Defensive rating: 119.5 (27th place)
2026 resolution: Sell high on Zion Williamson
The Pelicans are back to getting hammered on the floor, with their five-game win streak undone by a six-game losing streak. But Williamson is back to starting and crushing defenses, averaging 27.7 points on 61.9 percent field goals and 10 free-throw attempts per game during the losing streak. His activity has been high, averaging 3.0 offensive rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks during the streak as well. New Orleans needs some assets to offset what it gave away to draft Derik Queen, and there’s no point in waiting for Williamson’s games played streak to be jeopardized. Get what you can get for Williamson, and don’t wait until the deadline to do it.
29. Indiana Pacers (6-30)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at HOU, L vs ORL, L vs SA, L at ORL
Offensive rating: 108.3 (29th place) Defensive rating: 117.2 (22nd place)
2026 resolution: Get ready for 2026-27
The calendar year just began, but Indiana is surely thinking about fast-forwarding to next season. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to get there. It’s not just about getting Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles healthy. Indiana has to take a hard look at the players it has and what is needed to support Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. The Pacers’ reliable role players are not healthy enough, and the young players who play the most have had thoroughly discouraging seasons.
30. Sacramento Kings (8-28)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at LAC, L vs BOS, L at PHO, L vs MIL
Offensive rating: 108.3 (30th place) Defensive rating: 119.8 (28th place)
2026 resolution: Free the vets
There was a gripe about how the Kings should be given more grace because their schedule has been so difficult. And then they lost to the Clippers by 40 points. The schedule you played is going to look hard if you lose the games. And no team has looked more overmatched this season than Sacramento.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic