NBA action is intensifying, as the league is turning quickly to December.
That also means the NBA Cup picture is clarifying, with group stage play concluding Friday, Nov. 28. The league, however, is contending with several injuries to star players, forcing players like Bucks forward-center Giannis Antetokounmpo, Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama and plenty others to miss time.
To that point, it’s the teams managing those absences well who are the ones remaining competitive. And no team has weathered the loss of an All-Star better than the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 5 of the 2025-26 regular season:
USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
Note: Records and stats through Nov. 23. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Top 5
1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 17-1 (—)
2. Detroit Pistons, 14-2 (+1)
3. Denver Nuggets, 12-4 (-1)
4. Los Angeles Lakers, 12-4 (+1)
5. Houston Rockets, 10-4 (-1)
The OKC Thunder have the NBA’s fourth-best offensive rating (119.6) and the league’s best defensive rating (102.8) and net rating (16.9), and they have done this all without Jalen Williams (wrist). The Pistons just got Jaden Ivey back and have the NBA’s top active win streak, at 12 games. It has become clear the Lakers will need some time to integrate LeBron James and the Nuggets, who will be without forward Aaron Gordon (hamstring) for at least a month, showed in a loss against the Kings that life may be tough without him.
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Nos. 6-10
6. Cleveland Cavaliers, 12-6 (+2)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 10-6 (+2)
8. San Antonio Spurs, 11-5 (-1)
9. Toronto Raptors, 12-5 (+3)
10. Miami Heat, 11-6 (+7)
Just when the Cavs were finally getting healthy, center Jarrett Allen suffered a broken ring finger, but Cleveland has nonetheless won four of its last five. The Raptors have been the surprise of the season, and lead the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.18). And the Heat have won four consecutive, relentlessly attack the rim and rank second in points in the paint per game (58.0) and Tyler Herro is reportedly set to make his debut Monday night.
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Nos. 11-15
11. Phoenix Suns, 11-6 (+3)
12. Atlanta Hawks, 11-7 (-2)
13. New York Knicks, 9-6, (-7)
14. Orlando Magic, 10-8 (+4)
15. Golden State Warriors, 9-9 (-4)
Phoenix, with its remade roster, has leaned in on aggressive defense and its 10.7 steals per game trails the league-leading Thunder by just 0.1. The Knicks have lost three of their last five, and their defense is a far cry from what it was under previous coach Tom Thibodeau. The Warriors have lost three consecutive games, and the locker room feels like it’s already fraying.
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Nos. 16-20
16. Boston Celtics, 9-8 (—)
17. Philadelphia 76ers, 9-7 (-2)
18. Milwaukee Bucks, 8-9 (-5)
19. Chicago Bulls, 9-7 (+1)
20. Portland Trail Blazers, 7-10 (-1)
The Celtics far too inconsistent and a loss against the Nets mars some of the good; no team commits fewer turnovers than Boston’s 11.3 per game. Losers of four in a row, the Bucks are flailing without Giannis Antetokounmpo and are averaging just 107.8 points over that span. And the Trail Blazers, after starting the season hot despite the drama surrounding suspended coach Chauncey Billups, have lost eight of their last 11.
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Nos. 21-25
21. Memphis Grizzlies, 6-11 (+2)
22.Los Angeles Clippers, 5-12 (—)
23. Dallas Mavericks, 5-13 (+1)
24. Utah Jazz, 5-10 (-1)
25. Charlotte Hornets, 4-13 (—)
The lone Clippers wins in nearly three weeks have come against the Hornets and Mavericks, a pair of teams below L.A. on this list. Dallas is still being patient with Anthony Davis and the Hornets have lost nine of 10.
NBA Week 5 power rankings: Nos. 26-30
26. Sacramento Kings, 4-13 (—)
27. Brooklyn Nets, 3-13 (—)
28. Indiana Pacers, 2-14 (+1)
29. New Orleans Pelicans, 2-15 (-1)
30. Washington Wizards, 1-15 (—)
The Kings are a weird team; they’re awkwardly constructed and will beat the Nuggets — as they did Sunday, Nov. 23 — and then lose to the Grizzlies by 41. The Nets have shown more competitive spirit and center Nic Claxton recorded his first career triple-double in a win against the Celtics. The Wizards, meanwhile, have the NBA’s worst net rating (-15.5) and have lost 14 games in a row.