By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-01-19 15:58:31
本周推荐专辑：“A Seat at the Table,” 索兰格·诺尔斯 (Solange Knowles) (2016)
欢迎回到NBA实力榜，在这里，互联网潮流总是会玩脱了。既然最近大家都在发布关于2016年的内容，而我前不久又恰好在2016年全明星周末的举办城市，这让我不禁想起了下个月那场世界级的篮球赛季中期盛宴。
全明星首发名单将于周一公布。今年我有一票投票权，所以我会分享我的选择。本着包容并蓄的精神，我将为每支NBA球队都指派一位全明星周末代表。但并非每支球队都应该有球员入选全明星正赛，特别是因为反正也没人想打那场比赛。我们就把名额限制在24人，不包括任何伤病替补，以及今年为满足“至少16名美国全明星和8名国际全明星”的要求而增补的名额。因此，我将全明星周末代表的范围扩大到周六晚的各项赛事（技巧挑战赛、三分大赛、扣篮大赛）以及新秀挑战赛。
补充说明：本实力榜不仅仅是对每支球队进行排名。我们将保留球队的等级分层，球队会根据表现升级或降级。每周将有五个等级：
- 顶级争冠者 — 固定五支，联盟中的佼佼者
- 状态正佳 — 可能是一支球队，也可能是七支球队
- 中游徘徊区 — 请勿与沃特迪士尼世界的“气泡”赛区混淆。这里指的是联盟的中坚力量
- 仍需努力的梯队 — 虽然不是联盟中打得最差的，但还有很多工作要做
- 联盟底层 — 排名垫底
实力榜看点：
- 这些是我的主观排名。我会参考各种客观指标，但最终决定权在我。
- 这些排名不仅是对过去一周的回顾——我们也在展望未来，因此是两者的结合。
- 排名是主观的，但没有偏见。实力榜不带任何个人议程，我们力求一个包容的、任人唯贤的体系。
- 这份榜单具备的一个特质：“冷酷的侵略性。”
- 请享受比赛，也请享受这份榜单！
在The Athletic第14周的NBA实力榜中，我们将探讨每支球队的全明星代表。胜负记录和其他统计数据截至周日比赛结束。
第一梯队：顶级争冠者
1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (35-8)
上期排名： 1
上周战绩： 胜马刺、胜火箭、负热火
进攻效率： 118.1 (第五名) 防守效率： 105.4 (第一名)
全明星周末代表： 谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)，首发
吉尔杰斯-亚历山大入选全明星是板上钉钉的事。他是卫冕MVP和卫冕冠军，效力于联盟战绩最佳的球队，尽管雷霆在迈阿密输球时又一次挥霍了两位数的领先优势。俄克拉荷马城会有第二位全明星吗？去年是杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)，但腿筋拉伤让他本就伤病缠身的赛季雪上加霜。虽然切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 是一个有力的竞争者，但他本赛季的个人数据与一些同时代的球员相比稍显逊色。
2. 底特律活塞 (30-10)
上期排名： 2
上周战绩： 胜太阳、胜步行者
进攻效率： 116.1 (第11名) 防守效率： 108.5 (第二名)
全明星周末代表： 凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)，首发
我选择杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 作为活塞的第二位全明星，以替补身份入选。底特律在东部联盟的表现就是这么出色。活塞队正在做那些拥有强大防守的优秀球队会做的事：给自己机会击败任何对手，并彻底羞辱那些他们本就该击败的球队（参见：周六对阵步行者时，上半场仅让对手得到25分）。
3. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (29-13)
上期排名： 3
上周战绩： 负雷霆、胜雄鹿、胜森林狼
进攻效率： 116.7 (第10名) 防守效率： 111.6 (第三名)
全明星周末代表： 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，首发
文班亚马的上个赛季在全明星周末后就结束了。人们希望，即使在洛杉矶的那个周末之后，马刺仍能继续见证文班亚马的进化。同样希望克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul) 不要怂恿他在技巧挑战赛里作弊。
4. 波士顿凯尔特人 (26-15)
上期排名： 6
上周战绩： 负步行者、胜热火、胜老鹰
进攻效率： 121.6 (第二名) 防守效率： 114.0 (第14名)
全明星周末代表： 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，首发
凯尔特人位居东部第二，他们即将客场挑战底特律，力求在本赛季的常规赛交锋中平分秋色。本赛季，总进球数比布朗更多的球员只有卫冕MVP谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大一人。布朗本赛季的任务是成为波士顿进攻端的核心，而这位2024年NBA总决赛MVP也用职业生涯最佳表现做出了回应。
5. 丹佛掘金 (29-14)
上期排名： 4
上周战绩： 胜鹈鹕、胜独行侠、胜奇才、负黄蜂
进攻效率： 121.7 (第一名) 防守效率： 116.8 (第23名)
全明星周末代表： 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，首发
尽管膝盖有伤，但约基奇实在太出色了，不可能不是全明星。但今年，约基奇应该会第一次有搭档与他同行。贾马尔·默里 (Jamal Murray) 凭借自身实力也完全配得上全明星的荣誉，而约基奇的伤病只是让默里的入选理由更加充分。默里从来不只是一个搭了约基奇的顺风车、把最好的表现留到季后赛的球员。在他的第10个NBA赛季里，默里在各方面都做得更好了：得分、篮板、组织和投射。
第二梯队：状态正佳
6. 休斯顿火箭 (25-15)
上期排名： 9
上周战绩： 胜公牛、负雷霆、胜森林狼、胜鹈鹕
进攻效率： 119.1 (第四名) 防守效率： 112.6 (第八名)
全明星周末代表： 凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)，首发
火箭队已不再被视作争冠球队。他们过于依赖杜兰特——这位2007年被选中的球员。但杜兰特确实给火箭队带来了巨大的提升，当他不在场时，这支球队看起来就像迷失了方向。
7. 明尼苏达森林狼 (27-16)
上期排名： 5
上周战绩： 胜雄鹿、负火箭、负马刺
进攻效率： 117.5 (第六名) 防守效率： 112.7 (第九名)
全明星周末代表： 安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)，替补
爱德华兹还从未在全明星赛中首发过。今年有这个可能性，尽管他似乎也并未表现出在全明星赛期间做出任何值得称道的积极举动的兴趣。他正朝着联盟最佳得分后卫的目标不断迈进，即便他在圣安东尼奥砍下55分的表现最终以失利告终。
第三梯队：中游徘徊区
8. 金州勇士 (24-19)
上期排名： 14
上周战绩： 胜开拓者、胜尼克斯、胜黄蜂
进攻效率： 115.4 (第13名) 防守效率： 112.4 (第六名)
全明星周末代表： 斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry)，替补
库里通常都能进入全明星首发的讨论，即使最终未能首发，他也将第12次入选全明星。对金州勇士更重要的是，他们在过去15场比赛中赢下了11场，并且正在充分利用他们目前所处的八连主场赛程，期间仅输给了亚特兰大老鹰，还剩下两场主场比赛就要开启客场之旅。这波连胜并未改变金州勇士在西部的中游位置，但球队正呈上升趋势，尤其是如果你不参与关于乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 的讨论的话。
菲尼克斯太阳队后卫德文·布克（图中正与尼克斯队争抢地板球，两队也正在实力榜上争夺第9和第10的位置）应该入选全明星。John Jones/ Imagn Images
9. 菲尼克斯太阳 (25-17)
上期排名： 7
上周战绩： 负热火、负活塞、胜尼克斯
进攻效率： 114.5 (第15名) 防守效率： 112.0 (第四名)
全明星周末代表： 德文·布克 (Devin Booker)，首发
我认为布克被选为首发的可能性不大，但我感觉他应该得到奖励，因为太阳队在天赋远不及湖人的情况下，战绩排名基本与湖人持平。杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green) 预计将在本周终于迎来他本赛季的第六节比赛。布克是场均至少得到25分的20名球员之一，而在这20名球员中，本赛季赢球场次比布克更多的只有谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大、凯德·坎宁安和贾马尔·默里。
10. 纽约尼克斯 (25-17)
上期排名： 8
上周战绩： 负国王、负勇士、负太阳
进攻效率： 119.5 (第三名) 防守效率： 116.1 (第19名)
全明星周末代表： 杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，首发
尼克斯本周一胜难求，如今这支NBA杯冠军球队自离开拉斯维加斯以来战绩为8胜10负。当布伦森能够出战时，无论在场与否，纽约队都打得不错，但当布伦森完全缺阵时，他们的战绩现在是1胜4负，这还不包括主教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 重返萨克拉门托时遭遇的一场惨败。布伦森在那场对阵国王的比赛中开场五分钟就扭伤了脚踝。
11. 洛杉矶湖人 (25-16)
上期排名： 11
上周战绩： 负国王、胜老鹰、负黄蜂、负开拓者、胜猛龙
进攻效率： 116.7 (第九名) 防守效率： 117.4 (第26名)
全明星周末代表： 卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić)，替补
湖人队在七天五赛的赛程中取得的两场胜利都来自背靠背的第二场。一个令湖人担忧的趋势是，在联盟得分王东契奇过去六场比赛中，有五场比赛当他在场时球队是输分的，唯一的例外是战胜老鹰队那场。湖人队目前有望取得50胜，这与他们上赛季的胜场数相同。但他们本赛季的总得分却低于对手。
12. 多伦多猛龙 (25-19)
上期排名： 12
上周战绩： 负76人、胜步行者、负快船、负湖人
进攻效率： 113.5 (第22名) 防守效率： 112.3 (第五名)
全明星周末代表： 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes) 和布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram)，替补
多伦多至少应该有一名全明星。撇开上周平淡无奇的表现不谈，我觉得巴恩斯和英格拉姆都有可能入选。巴恩斯是联盟中最出色的全能型（除了投篮）球员之一。他是唯一一位场均篮板超过8.0个、助攻超过5.0次、抢断超过1.0次、盖帽也超过1.0次的球员。至于英格拉姆，他以场均21.7分成为多伦多的得分王。猛龙队排在东部第四，所以他们完全有资格拥有多名全明星。
13. 克利夫兰骑士 (24-19)
上期排名： 10
上周战绩： 负爵士、胜76人、胜76人
进攻效率： 116.9 (第七名) 防守效率： 114.3 (第15名)
全明星周末代表： 多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell)，首发
米切尔最近得到30分的比赛场次有所减少，而且他已经一个多月没有打出过40分的比赛了。但在与泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 的直接对话中，米切尔表现更胜一筹，两人的场均数据相近。克利夫兰本赛季的输球场次已经超过了上赛季全年，但他们仍然是东部前五的球队。
14. 费城76人 (22-18)
上期排名： 13
上周战绩： 胜猛龙、负骑士、负骑士
进攻效率： 114.7 (第14名) 防守效率： 113.5 (第11名)
全明星周末代表： 泰瑞斯·马克西，替补
在东部，没有球员的场均得分超过马克西，他现在场均能得到30.3分。马克西和76人队在主场迎战骑士队的一周里表现糟糕，马克西两场比赛合计仅得到36分，同时骑士队在排名上超越了76人。对马克西来说，这是一个很棒的赛季，但费城自赛季初取得4胜0负以来，还未曾有过一次四连胜。
15. 奥兰多魔术 (23-19)
上期排名： 15
上周战绩： 胜灰熊 (柏林)、负灰熊 (伦敦)
进攻效率： 114.4 (第16名) 防守效率： 113.6 (第12名)
全明星周末代表： 安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black)，扣篮大赛
“把这记扣篮！带走吧！” 我收到一条短信，内容只有一张布莱克在其他四名高大职业运动员头上扣篮的照片，没有任何背景说明，然后我想起了解说员迈克尔·格雷迪 (Michael Grady) 有可能在解说这场比赛。有些人可能还记得，前一年安东尼·爱德华兹在布莱克头上完成那记惊天暴扣时，就是格雷迪解说的。说到扣篮的现场解说，在我心中，排在前列的是格雷迪、拉尔夫·劳勒 (Ralph Lawler) 和“雨人”坎普时代的凯文·卡拉布罗 (Kevin Calabro)。总之，那个视频我已经看了一百遍了，格雷迪的解说果然没有让人失望。希望布莱克下个月能展示更多精彩的扣篮。
16. 迈阿密热火 (22-20)
上期排名： 16
上周战绩： 胜太阳、负凯尔特人、胜雷霆
进攻效率： 113.7 (第19名) 防守效率： 112.5 (第七名)
全明星周末代表： 诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)，替补
鲍威尔去年在西部是一大遗珠，尽管在全明星周末前场均得到24.2分；全明星周末后，鲍威尔的场均得分降至14.4分。本赛季，鲍威尔的场均得分再次回到23.8分，同时在篮板、助攻、抢断和三分球命中数上均创下生涯新高。吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler) 在迈阿密效力期间，常规赛场均得分从未达到过23分。对于一支设法击败太阳和雷霆以保持五成以上胜率的热火队来说，鲍威尔需要入选全明星。
第四梯队：仍需努力的梯队
17. 波特兰开拓者 (22-22)
上期排名： 21
上周战绩： 负勇士、胜老鹰、胜湖人、胜国王
进攻效率： 113.5 (第20名) 防守效率： 115.4 (第17名)
全明星周末代表： 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，替补
开拓者的净胜分仍然是联盟倒数十名，但他们在常规赛后半段的胜率达到了五成，这是三年来首次。阿夫迪亚是球队成功的关键部分，自12月14日以来，他场均贡献27.3分、7.0个篮板和8.0次助攻，在此期间波特兰赢得了19场比赛中的13场。除了阿夫迪亚，这段时间内唯一一位场均罚球出手次数上双的球员是卢卡·东契奇。
18. 孟菲斯灰熊 (18-23)
上期排名： 18
上周战绩： 负魔术 (柏林)、胜魔术 (伦敦)
进攻效率： 112.8 (第24名) 防守效率： 113.9 (第13名)
全明星周末代表： 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)，新秀挑战赛
考沃德是本赛季仅有的七位出场时间已达1000分钟的新秀之一。其他六名球员中，唯一像考沃德一样在场时球队能赢分的球员是VJ·埃德戈姆贝 (VJ Edegombe)。灰熊队表现不佳，但他们给了像考沃德、杰伦·威尔斯 (Jaylen Wells) 和卡姆·斯宾塞 (Cam Spencer) 这样的年轻球员崭露头角的机会。
19. 洛杉矶快船 (18-23)
上期排名： 20
上周战绩： 胜黄蜂、胜奇才、胜猛龙
进攻效率： 115.7 (第12名) 防守效率： 116.6 (第21名)
全明星周末代表： 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)，替补
快船队以目前NBA最长的连胜纪录开启本周。但洛杉矶的好事总是多磨，在打出一段13场比赛的火热表现后，伦纳德因伤缺席了本周初的比赛。自12月20日以来，他场均得到联盟最高的32.7分，快船在此期间取得了11胜2负的战绩。伦纳德的出色发挥和快船的连胜仍然让他们处于西部后五名的位置。
老鹰队侧翼杰伦·约翰逊正迎来他迄今为止最好的赛季，场均贡献22.8分和10.1个篮板。Brett Davis / Imagn Images
20. 亚特兰大老鹰 (20-24)
上期排名： 17
上周战绩： 负湖人、负开拓者、负凯尔特人
进攻效率： 113.5 (第21名) 防守效率： 115.0 (第16名)
全明星周末代表： 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，替补
老鹰队不能把本周的糟糕表现归咎于特雷·杨 (Trae Young)。他们面对的是一支零天休息的湖人队，却让对手得到了141分。他们客场挑战波特兰，以一场惨败结束了客场之旅。然后老鹰回到主场，在第二节被凯尔特人砍下52分。约翰逊在这三场比赛中得分都未能达到20分，这是他首次连续三场比赛得分低于20分。但约翰逊仍然是联盟中仅有的两位场均得到20分、10个篮板和8次助攻的球员之一，另一位是尼古拉·约基奇。
21. 夏洛特黄蜂 (16-27)
上期排名： 22
上周战绩： 负快船、胜湖人、负勇士、胜掘金
进攻效率： 116.9 (第八名) 防守效率： 116.7 (第22名)
全明星周末代表： 康·努佩尔 (Kon Knuppel)，三分大赛
黄蜂队本赛季取得了16场胜利——其中12场是两位数分差的大胜，6场分差超过20分。他们本赛季已经在客场大胜过俄克拉荷马城、丹佛和洛杉矶的球队。努佩尔显然会入选新秀挑战赛，但他更应该参加三分大赛；本赛季已有30名球员命中至少100记三分球，其中三分命中率高于努佩尔43.5%的只有贾马尔·默里。
22. 芝加哥公牛 (20-22)
上期排名： 23
上周战绩： 负火箭、胜爵士、负篮网、负篮网
进攻效率： 114.0 (第18名) 防守效率： 117.0 (第25名)
全明星周末代表： 马塔斯·布泽利斯 (Matas Buzelis)，扣篮大赛
布泽利斯拥有最顶级的扣篮动作库之一；他应该已经克服了去年的紧张情绪，而且他很可能无论如何都会参加新秀挑战赛。如果这些还不够格，那么我们知道联盟会去联系风城公牛队的后卫、三届扣篮大赛冠军迈克·麦克朗 (Mac McClung)。
23. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (17-24)
上期排名： 19
上周战绩： 负森林狼、负马刺
进攻效率： 113.1 (第23名) 防守效率： 116.3 (第20名)
全明星周末代表： 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)，首发
雄鹿队很糟糕，但阿德托昆博不是。他仍然能高效地得到28.8分，投篮命中率达到职业生涯新高的64.7%。本赛季当阿德托昆博在场时，雄鹿队净胜对手129分；而当阿德托昆博不在场时，雄鹿队净负266分。这就是有这名球员在场时的勇士队和没有他时篮网队的区别。
24. 达拉斯独行侠 (17-26)
上期排名： 24
上周战绩： 胜篮网、负掘金、胜爵士、胜爵士
进攻效率： 110.4 (第27名) 防守效率： 113.1 (第10名)
全明星周末代表： 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，新秀挑战赛
弗拉格是状元秀，所以这个选择很简单。但曾有人认为弗拉格有机会成为罕见的新秀全明星。这不会发生。独行侠本周整体表现尚可，这得益于两场主场对阵让劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 轮休的爵士队。但达拉斯稳居西部后五名，这应该会让他们自卢卡·东契奇的新秀赛季以来首次无缘全明星。
25. 布鲁克林篮网 (12-28)
上期排名： 25
上周战绩： 负独行侠、负鹈鹕、胜公牛、负公牛
进攻效率： 111.9 (第26名) 防守效率： 116.9 (第24名)
全明星周末代表： 小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.)，替补
篮网队一直在暗中摆烂，波特在本月已经缺席了四场比赛，而在2025年的常规赛部分，他总共只缺席了四场。波特场均得分升至25.8分，同时在篮板、助攻、三分命中数和罚球数上均创下生涯新高。当他在场时，他给了布鲁克林赢球的机会，但这与球队某些组织层面的目标背道而驰。
第五梯队：联盟底层
26. 犹他爵士 (14-28)
上期排名： 26
上周战绩： 胜骑士、负公牛、负独行侠、负独行侠
进攻效率： 114.3 (第17名) 防守效率： 122.3 (第30名)
全明星周末代表： 劳里·马尔卡宁，替补
本赛季当马尔卡宁出战时，爵士队的战绩为14胜19负，联盟中只有10名球员的场均得分比马尔卡宁更高。在没有马尔卡宁的情况下，犹他队未尝一胜，他在过去五场比赛中缺席了四场。对手在对阵爵士时场均能得到127.6分，这是NBA历史上第二差的平均失分记录。
27. 萨克拉门托国王 (12-31)
上期排名： 28
上周战绩： 胜湖人、胜尼克斯、胜奇才、负开拓者
进攻效率： 109.4 (第29名) 防守效率： 119.0 (第27名)
全明星周末代表： 马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud)，新秀挑战赛
国王队一度取得的四连胜在周日被开拓者队终结。萨克拉门托继续让二轮秀雷诺首发，即使多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 终于伤愈复出。至少，雷诺能把球放进篮筐，场均得到10.1分，投篮命中率为54.9%。
28. 印第安纳步行者 (10-33)
上期排名： 27
上周战绩： 胜凯尔特人、负猛龙、胜鹈鹕、负活塞
进攻效率： 108.0 (第30名) 防守效率： 116.0 (第18名)
全明星周末代表： 安德鲁·内姆布哈德 (Andrew Nembhard)，技巧挑战赛
我们真是绞尽脑汁才为步行者找到一位能去英格尔伍德（全明星举办地）的代表。内姆布哈德作为组织者的进步悄然发生，本月他已经有三场比赛助攻上双，而在一月之前整个赛季他只有两场。在本赛季场均助攻至少7.0次的16名球员中，只有达维恩·米切尔 (Davion Mitchell) 的场均失误（2.2次）比内姆布哈德更少。
29. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (10-35)
上期排名： 29
上周战绩： 负掘金、胜篮网、负步行者、负火箭
进攻效率： 112.2 (第25名) 防守效率： 119.2 (第28名)
全明星周末代表： 杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) 和德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen)，新秀挑战赛
鹈鹕队可能已经把下赛季的乐透签交易出去了，所以至少他们得到了菲尔斯和奎恩。新奥尔良的排名如此之低，他们唯一现实的全明星周末代表名额只能通过年轻球员来争取。
30. 华盛顿奇才 (10-31)
上期排名： 30
上周战绩： 负快船、负国王、负掘金
进攻效率： 109.6 (第28名) 防守效率： 120.9 (第29名)
全明星周末代表： 凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George)，新秀挑战赛
奇才队可能真的会有五名球员参加这场比赛。他们就是这么年轻。乔治是我本赛季最喜欢的成长故事之一，他是一名身高6英尺8英寸，能运、能传、能投的威胁点。华盛顿2024年的乐透秀亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr) 和布布·卡林顿 (Bub Carrington) 也展现了一些成长。新秀特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) 作为一名射手表现名副其实。而新秀威尔·莱利 (Will Riley) 入选新秀挑战赛的机会不大，但对于这支自从交易得到受伤的特雷·杨后就没赢过球的奇才队来说，他也正在获得更多的出场时间。
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, Warriors on the rise; All-Star Weekend reps
NBA Power Rankings: Celtics, Warriors on the rise; All-Star Weekend reps
Album of the Week: “A Seat at the Table,” Solange Knowles (2016)
Welcome back to the NBA Power Rankings, where internet trends jump the shark. Since everyone is posting about 2016 these days, and I was recently in the city that hosted 2016 All-Star Weekend, I am thinking about next month’s midseason celebration of world-class hoops.
All-Star starters will be announced on Monday. I had a vote this year, so I’ll share those selections. In the spirit of inclusivity, I will assign an All-Star representative to every NBA team. But not every team should have an All-Star, especially because no one wants to play in the game anyway. Keep it to 24, excluding any injury replacements and, this year, fillers for the requirement of at least 16 American All-Stars and eight international All-Stars. So I am opening up All-Star Weekend representatives to the Saturday night events (skills, 3-point, dunk) as well as the Rising Stars challenge.
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 14 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore All-Star reps for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-8)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs SA, W at HOU, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 118.1 (fifth place)Defensive rating: 105.4 (first place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, starter
Gilgeous-Alexander as an All-Star is easy. He’s the reigning MVP and defending champion on the team with the NBA’s best record, though the Thunder blew another double-digit lead while losing in Miami. Will Oklahoma City have a second All-Star? Last year, it was Jalen Williams, but a hamstring strain added to an injury-marred season. And while Chet Holmgren is a worthy option, his individual numbers this season pale in comparison to some of his contemporaries.
2. Detroit Pistons (30-10)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs PHO, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 116.1 (11th place)Defensive rating: 108.5 (second place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Cade Cunningham, starter
Jalen Duren is my pick for a second All-Star for the Pistons as a reserve. Detroit has been that good in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are doing what good teams with strong defenses do: Give themselves a chance to beat any team and absolutely humiliate the teams they should beat (see: 25 first-half points allowed Saturday against the Pacers ).
3. San Antonio Spurs (29-13)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs MIL, W vs MIN
Offensive rating: 116.7 (10th place)Defensive rating: 111.6 (third place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Victor Wembanyama, starter
Wembanyama’s season ended last season at the All-Star break. The hope is that the Spurs continue seeing Wembanyama evolve even after that weekend in Los Angeles. The hope also is that Chris Paul doesn’t encourage him to cheat the skills challenge.
4. Boston Celtics (26-15)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L at IND, W at MIA, W at ATL
Offensive rating: 121.6 (second place)Defensive rating: 114.0 (14th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jaylen Brown, starter
The Celtics are second in the East and are about to visit Detroit seeking a season split of the regular-season series. And the only player who has made more total field goals than Brown this season is reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Brown’s job this season was to be the centerpiece of Boston’s offense, and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP has responded with a career year.
5. Denver Nuggets (29-14)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at NO, W at DAL, W vs WAS, L vs CHA
Offensive rating: 121.7 (first place)Defensive rating: 116.8 (23rd place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Nikola Jokić, starter
Jokić is too good to not be an All-Star despite his knee injury. But this year, for the first time, Jokić should have a partner with him. Murray is a deserving All-Star in his own right, and all the Jokić injury did was solidify Murray’s case. Murray was never merely a Jokić merchant who saved his best stuff for the playoffs. Murray is doing everything better in his 10th NBA season: scoring, rebounding, playmaking and shooting.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Houston Rockets (25-15)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs CHI, L vs OKC, W vs MIN, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 119.1 (fourth place)Defensive rating: 112.6 (eighth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kevin Durant, starter
The Rockets aren’t being discussed as a contender anymore. They’re far too reliant on Durant, who was drafted in 2007. But Durant has been a big lift for the Rockets, a team that looks lost without him in the lineup.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-16)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at MIL, L at HOU, L at SA
Offensive rating: 117.5 (sixth place)Defensive rating: 112.7 (ninth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Anthony Edwards, reserve
Edwards has yet to start an All-Star Game. There’s a possibility it happens this year, although Edwards hasn’t shown all that much interest in doing anything positively memorable during the All-Star Game either. His ascent toward the best shooting guard in the game continues, even if his 55-point performance in San Antonio came in a losing effort.
Tier 3: The Bubble
8. Golden State Warriors (24-19)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs POR, W vs NY, W vs CHA
Offensive rating: 115.4 (13th place)Defensive rating: 112.4 (sixth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Stephen Curry, reserve
Curry usually finds himself in the mix to start the All-Star Game, and even if he doesn’t, he’ll be named an All-Star for the 12th time. More importantly for Golden State, the Warriors have won 11 of their last 15 and are really taking advantage of this eight-game homestand that they are on, only losing to the Atlanta Hawks with two games left to play before hitting the road. The win streak hasn’t changed Golden State’s spot in the middle of the West, but it’s trending up, especially if you stay out of Jonathan Kuminga discourse.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, here fighting with the Knicks for a loose ball (and the Nos. 9 and 10 spots in the Power Rankings), should be an All-Star. John Jones/ Imagn Images
9. Phoenix Suns (25-17)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L at MIA, L at DET, W at NY
Offensive rating: 114.5 (15th place)Defensive rating: 112.0 (fourth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Devin Booker, starter
I don’t think it is likely that Booker gets selected as a starter, but I feel like he should be rewarded for a Suns team that basically is in the same spot in the standings as the Lakers despite significantly less talent. Jalen Green is expected to finally play his sixth quarter of the season this week. Booker is one of 20 players averaging at least 25 points per game, and of those 20 players, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham and Jamal Murray have won more games than Booker this season.
10. New York Knicks (25-17)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at SAC, L at GS, L vs PHO
Offensive rating: 119.5 (third place)Defensive rating: 116.1 (19th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jalen Brunson, starter
The Knicks struck out this week, and now the NBA Cup champions are 8-10 since leaving Las Vegas. New York has played well when Brunson has been available to play and off the floor, but it’s now 1-4 when Brunson misses games entirely, not including a bad loss for head coach Mike Brown in his return to Sacramento. Brunson injured his ankle five minutes into that game against the Kings.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (25-16)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at SAC, W vs ATL, L vs CHA, L at POR, W vs TOR
Offensive rating: 116.7 (ninth place)Defensive rating: 117.4 (26th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Luka Dončić, reserve
Both of the Lakers’ wins during a stretch of five games in seven days came on the second night of a back-to-back. A troubling trend for the Lakers is that they have been outscored with Dončić on the floor in five of the NBA’s leading scorer’s last six games, with the win over the Hawks the exception. The Lakers are on pace for 50 wins, which is how many they won last season. But they are also getting outscored on the season.
12. Toronto Raptors (25-19)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L vs PHI, W at IND, L vs LAC, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 113.5 (22nd place)Defensive rating: 112.3 (fifth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, reserves
Toronto should get at least one All-Star. Unimpressive week aside, I feel like both Barnes and Ingram could make it. Barnes is one of the best do-it-all (except shoot) players in the league. He’s the only player averaging more than 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. As for Ingram, he’s Toronto’s leading scorer at 21.7 points per game. The Raptors are fourth in the East, so they’re good enough for multiple All-Stars.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-19)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L vs UTA, W at PHI, W at PHI
Offensive rating: 116.9 (seventh place)Defensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Donovan Mitchell, starter
Mitchell’s 30-point games are decreasing a bit lately, and he hasn’t had a 40-point game in more than a month. But Mitchell has outplayed Tyrese Maxey in head-to-head matchups, with both players averaging similar numbers. Cleveland has more losses than all of last season, but it’s still a top-five team in the East.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (22-18)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W at TOR, L vs CLE, L vs CLE
Offensive rating: 114.7 (14th place)Defensive rating: 113.5 (11th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Tyrese Maxey, reserve
No player is averaging more points in the East than Maxey, who is up to 30.3 points per game. Maxey and the Sixers had a bad week hosting the Cavaliers, with Maxey getting held to a combined 36 points while the Cavs passed the Sixers in the standings. It’s been a great season for Maxey, but Philadelphia hasn’t had a four-game win streak since starting the season 4-0.
15. Orlando Magic (23-19)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W vs MEM (Berlin), L vs MEM (London)
Offensive rating: 114.4 (16th place)Defensive rating: 113.6 (12th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Anthony Black, slam dunk contest
“Take! That! With You!” I got a text message that was just a photo of Black dunking on four other tall professional athletes with no context, and I remembered there was a possibility that Michael Grady was calling the game. As some may recall, Grady had the call when Anthony Edwards dunked all over Black the year before. When it comes to dunk play-by-play, it’s Grady, Ralph Lawler and Reign Man-era Kevin Calabro off top. Anyway, I’ve watched the video a hundred times now, and Grady did not disappoint with his call. Hopefully Black has some more dunks to showcase next month.
16. Miami Heat (22-20)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs PHO, L vs BOS, W vs OKC
Offensive rating: 113.7 (19th place)Defensive rating: 112.5 (seventh place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Norman Powell, reserve
Powell was a snub last year in the West despite averaging 24.2 points per game pre-All-Star break; Powell dropped to 14.4 points per game after the All-Star break. This season, Powell is right back up there at 23.8 points per game with career-best averages in rebounds, assists, steals and 3s. Jimmy Butler never averaged 23 points per game during a regular season in Miami. Powell needs to be there for a Heat team that found a way to knock off the Suns and Thunder to stay over .500.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
17. Portland Trail Blazers (22-22)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at GS, W vs ATL, W vs LAL, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 113.5 (20th place)Defensive rating: 115.4 (17th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Deni Avdija, reserve
The Trail Blazers still have a bottom-10 point differential, but they are here at .500 in the second half of the regular season for the first time in three years. Avdija has been a major part of the success, averaging 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists since Dec. 14, a period of time that has seen Portland win 13 of 19 games. The only other player averaging double-digit free-throw attempts per game during that stretch besides Avdija has been Luka Dončić.
18. Memphis Grizzlies (18-23)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L vs ORL (Berlin), W vs ORL (London)
Offensive rating: 112.8 (24th place)Defensive rating: 113.9 (13th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Cedric Coward, Rising Stars
Coward is one of seven rookies who has reached 1,000 minutes already this season. The only one of the other six players who has won their minutes so far this season, like Coward, is VJ Edegombe. The Grizzlies aren’t good, but they have allowed young players such as Coward, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer to make an impact.
19. LA Clippers (18-23)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs CHA, W vs WAS, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 115.7 (12th place)Defensive rating: 116.6 (21st place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kawhi Leonard, reserve
The Clippers enter this week with the NBA’s longest active win streak. LA can’t have too many nice things, so Leonard is out to start the week after putting together a 13-game stretch where he averaged a league-leading 32.7 points per game since Dec. 20, with the Clippers going 11-2 in that span. Leonard’s great play and the Clippers getting wins still have them in the bottom five in the West.
Hawks wing Jalen Johnson is having his best season yet, averaging 22.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Brett Davis / Imagn Images
20. Atlanta Hawks (20-24)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at LAL, L at POR, L vs BOS
Offensive rating: 113.5 (21st place)Defensive rating: 115.0 (16th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jalen Johnson, reserve
The Hawks can’t blame Trae Young for how rotten they were this week. They got a Lakers team playing on zero days’ rest and gave up 141 points. They went to Portland and got blown out to end their road trip. Then the Hawks got home and gave up 52 second-quarter points to the Celtics. Johnson failed to score 20 points in all three games, the first time Johnson had a three-game streak of fewer than 20 points each. But Johnson is still one of two players averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, with the other being Nikola Jokić.
21. Charlotte Hornets (16-27)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L at LAC, W at LAL, L at GS, W at DEN
Offensive rating: 116.9 (eighth place)Defensive rating: 116.7 (22nd place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kon Knuppel, 3-point contest
The Hornets have 16 wins this season — 12 of them have been by double digits and six of them have been by more than 20 points. They’ve now blown out Oklahoma City, Denver and Los Angeles in their buildings this season. Knueppel will obviously be a Rising Stars selection, but he needs to be in the 3-point contest; 30 players have made at least 100 3s this season already, and the only one with a higher 3-point percentage than Knueppel’s 43.5 is Jamal Murray.
22. Chicago Bulls (20-22)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at HOU, W vs UTA, L at BRK, L vs BRK
Offensive rating: 114.0 (18th place)Defensive rating: 117.0 (25th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Matas Buzelis, slam dunk contest
Buzelis has one of the best dunk packages; he should be over his jitters from last year, and he’s going to be there anyway for Rising Stars more than likely. And if all that doesn’t fit the bill, then we know the league is going to check with Windy City Bulls guard Mac McClung, the three-time dunk contest winner.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (17-24)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L vs MIN, L at SA
Offensive rating: 113.1 (23rd place)Defensive rating: 116.3 (20th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Giannis Antetokounmpo, starter
The Bucks are bad, but Antetokounmpo isn’t. He still gets 28.8 points efficiently, making a career-high 64.7 percent from the field. The Bucks have outscored opponents by 129 points with Antetokounmpo on the floor this season, while the Bucks have been outscored by 266 points with Antetokounmpo off the floor. That’s the difference between being the Warriors with one player on the floor and being the Nets without that player on the floor.
24. Dallas Mavericks (17-26)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs BRK, L vs DEN, W vs UTA, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 110.4 (27th place)Defensive rating: 113.1 (10th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Cooper Flagg, Rising Stars
Flagg is the No. 1 overall pick, so this one is easy. But some thought that Flagg may have had a shot at being a rare rookie All-Star. Not happening. The Mavericks had a decent week overall, aided by two home games against a Jazz team sitting Lauri Markkanen. But Dallas is squarely in the bottom five in the West, and that should keep them from having an All-Star for the first time since Luka Dončić’s rookie season.
25. Brooklyn Nets (12-28)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at DAL, L at NO, W vs CHI, L at CHI
Offensive rating: 111.9 (26th place)Defensive rating: 116.9 (24th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Michael Porter Jr., reserve
The stealth tank has been in effect for the Nets, and Porter has missed four games this month after missing only four games in the 2025 portion of the regular season. Porter is up to 25.8 points per game while averaging career highs in rebounds, assists, 3s made and free throws. He gives Brooklyn a chance to win when he’s out there, which goes against certain organizational endeavors.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Utah Jazz (14-28)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W at CLE, L at CHI, L at DAL, L at DAL
Offensive rating: 114.3 (17th place)Defensive rating: 122.3 (30th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Lauri Markkanen, reserve
The Jazz are 14-19 when Markkanen plays this season, and only 10 players average more points per game than Markkanen. Utah is winless without Markkanen, who has missed four of the last five games. Opposing offenses are scoring 127.6 points per game against the Jazz, the second-worst average in NBA history.
27. Sacramento Kings (12-31)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs LAL, W vs NY, W vs WAS, L vs POR
Offensive rating: 109.4 (29th place)Defensive rating: 119.0 (27th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Maxime Raynaud, Rising Stars
The Kings had what was a four-game win streak snapped against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Sacramento has continued to start second-round rookie Raynaud, even with Domantas Sabonis finally returning from injury. If nothing else, Raynaud puts the ball in the basket, averaging 10.1 points on 54.9 percent shooting.
28. Indiana Pacers (10-33)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W vs BOS, L vs TOR, W vs NO, L at DET
Offensive rating: 108.0 (30th place)Defensive rating: 116.0 (18th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Andrew Nembhard, Skills
We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel here to get a Pacer to Inglewood. Nembhard has quietly made some improvements as a playmaker, compiling three double-digit assist games this month after having only two all season before January. Of the 16 players averaging at least 7.0 assists per game this season, only Davion Mitchell averages fewer than Nembhard’s 2.2 turnovers per game.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (10-35)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs DEN, W vs BRK, L at IND, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 112.2 (25th place)Defensive rating: 119.2 (28th place)
All-Star Weekend reps: Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, Rising Stars
The Pelicans might have pawned off their lottery pick for next season, so at least the Pels are getting Fears and Queen. New Orleans is so low in the standings that its only realistic path for All-Star Weekend representation is through young players.
30. Washington Wizards (10-31)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at LAC, L at SAC, L at DEN
Offensive rating: 109.6 (28th place)Defensive rating: 120.9 (29th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kyshawn George, Rising Stars
The Wizards could legitimately have five players in this game. They’re that green. George has been one of my favorite developmental stories of the season as a 6-foot-8 dribble-pass-shoot threat. Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington, Washington’s 2024 lottery picks, have shown some growth as well. Rookie Tre Johnson has been as advertised as a shooter. And rookie Will Riley is a long shot to be in the Rising Stars Challenge, but he’s getting extended run now as well for a Wizards team that hasn’t won since acquiring an injured Trae Young.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic