Overview
- Oklahoma City reestablished the top spot with elite defense and a five-game rebound streak, though Jalen Williams is sidelined with a hamstring strain.
- Detroit owns the league’s second-best record and ranks near the top defensively, with Cade Cunningham drawing All-NBA and MVP consideration.
- Denver has sustained contender form without Nikola Jokic, boosted by Jamal Murray’s surge and bench production including Peyton Watson.
- San Antonio validated its rise by beating the Thunder three times in two weeks and sits top 10 on both ends with Victor Wembanyama back in the starting lineup.
- New York has cooled since the NBA Cup, losing eight of 10 as Jalen Brunson deals with an ankle injury and the defense slides.