Jason Timpf’s NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Set the Standard

As we roll into another week of NBA action, it’s time to take stock of where teams stand across the league — and what their betting odds are on Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook are to win the title. There’s been movement throughout the top 10, with Oklahoma City continuing to look like the league’s gold standard, Denver looking like a threat in the West, and several dark horses emerging.

Let’s dive into this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

10. San Antonio Spurs (+3000)

The Spurs’ 5–0 start now feels like a distant memory. At 4–4 since then, San Antonio’s turnover woes have started to catch up with them — coughing it up on 17% of their possessions over the last eight games, the second-worst rate in the league.

Teams like Phoenix, the Lakers, and Golden State have exposed their lack of ball security and half-court organization. Still, there are positives: De’Aaron Fox bounced back from a rough showing against the Warriors with a sharp 28-point, 11-assist performance versus Sacramento, showing signs of leadership and rhythm.

The Spurs’ early promise has hit its first speed bump — but adversity now could pay dividends later for a young group learning how to win.

9. Atlanta Hawks (+3000)

Winners of five straight, the Hawks are starting to find their balance on both ends. They’re top-six in offensive and defensive rating during this stretch, forcing nearly 19 turnovers per game and converting them into 28 points a night.

The emergence of Jalen Johnson — averaging 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists on 60% shooting — has given Atlanta a dynamic new wrinkle. Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu has stretched his game beyond the arc, knocking down 41% from three on meaningful volume.

Consistency is the next frontier, but this team looks dangerous — a well-balanced group finally living up to its potential.

8. Golden State Warriors (+1400)

After an embarrassing loss to Oklahoma City, the Warriors responded the way a championship-caliber team should — with grit, defense, and one transcendent Steph Curry performance after another.

Golden State’s three-game win streak included back-to-back road victories in San Antonio and a thrilling 49-point masterpiece from Curry to close the week. His relentless scoring gravity created opportunities everywhere; even role players like Moses Moody have thrived, posting a career-high 32 points in New Orleans.

The Warriors are far from perfect, but this version — engaged, defensive, and centered on peak Steph — is still a force.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+750)

Cleveland took a couple of lumps this week, losing to Miami and Toronto, but there’s little panic in Northeast Ohio. Darius Garland’s toe injury was re-aggravated but isn’t considered serious, and the Cavs have held steady thanks to Lonzo Ball’s resurgence — 10-for-17 from deep over the past three games — and solid minutes from Craig Porter in the backcourt.

The Cavs need Garland at full health to unlock their ceiling, but the foundation remains sturdy. If their defense can return to last year’s elite form, they’ll stay firmly in the mix.

6. New York Knicks (+1300)

The Knicks’ week was a roller coaster. They looked flat in an ugly loss to Orlando — a game that exposed some of their old issues in transition defense — and then responded with one of their best offensive outings of the year, dropping 140 points on Miami.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Landry Shamet combined for 75 points, while Tom Thibodeau finally seems to be loosening his grip on the rotation, trusting his bench more. The challenge ahead: depth. With OG Anunoby sidelined by a hamstring strain, the Knicks will need to weather the next stretch with resilience and flexibility.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (+1500)

The Lakers have officially steadied the ship. Their back-to-back wins over New Orleans and Milwaukee were a statement: when locked in defensively, they can look like a contender again.

Luka Doncic torched the Bucks’ defense, drawing double teams and creating efficient four-on-three looks all night. The Lakers’ transition defense was the real story, holding Milwaukee to minimal fast-break opportunities.

At 10–4 despite absences from LeBron James and multiple rotation players, this team is quietly building toward something. Their upcoming soft schedule gives LeBron and company a chance to ramp up without overexertion — just in time to test themselves against the West’s elite.

4. Houston Rockets (+1000)

Houston’s transformation is no fluke. Winners of nine of their last ten, the Rockets are first in offense and eighth in defense, powered by the rise of Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant, who have formed one of the most effective duos in the league.

Their roster depth — filled with strong, switchable, two-way athletes — gives them lineup versatility most teams can’t match. As long as Şengün continues his ascent and the defense remains disciplined, the Rockets will stay in the contender conversation.

3. Detroit Pistons (+3000)

Yes, you read that right — the Detroit Pistons have arrived. Winners of nine straight, the Pistons have survived injuries to Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren thanks to the emergence of Daniss Jenkins, who’s averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists in their absence.

Paul Reed has been excellent filling in at center, averaging 19 and 11 in the last two games, while Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson have provided crucial spacing and scoring support.

At 11–2, Detroit looks like the breakout team of the early season — big, physical, and surprisingly deep.

2. Denver Nuggets (+550)

Denver’s seven-game win streak culminated with a statement victory — a road domination of Minnesota despite being down two starters. Nikola Jokić continues to redefine efficiency: over his last seven games, he’s averaged 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists on 71% shooting and 55% from three.

The Nuggets’ defense, ranked No. 2 in the NBA, has been the true revelation. Even without key contributors, their bench has started to extend leads rather than surrender them — a luxury Denver hasn’t always had.

They’re playing like a team that knows exactly what it takes to win another ring.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (+200)

And once again, the Thunder hold the top spot — and it’s not even close.

Oklahoma City dismantled both the Warriors and Lakers this week, suffocating elite offenses with what might be the best defense of this era. They turn defense into devastating transition attacks, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and AJ Mitchell, who’ve mastered the art of creating advantages early in possessions.

Chet Holmgren’s offensive evolution is the final piece: 19 points per game on 70% true shooting, with elite rim finishing and expanding midrange touch. The Thunder’s blend of length, spacing, and chemistry is unmatched.

Simply put, this looks like the best team in basketball — and right now, the title is theirs to lose.