After the All-Star break, the NBA resumes play. With approximately 25 games remaining for each team, it’s time for playoff contenders to solidify their conference standings or try to exit their respective conference’s play-in round. Bottom feeders, on the other hand, are in full tank mode to improve their chances of landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Here are the updated NBA team power rankings as February ends.
30. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento will do its best to end the season with the best odds in the draft lottery. The team needs youth, and the top pick in the upcoming draft would be a great start. Prior to the draft, the Kings’ front office will attempt to move players for future draft assets.
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29. New Orleans Pelicans
January 31, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Derek Quinn (22) handles the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It was only a matter of time before the front office decided to tear it down. Another season without the playoffs, another season at the bottom of the league standings. If the Pelicans win back next season, Sigmund Freud will be eager to apply his definition of insanity — doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
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28. Washington Wizards
The Wizards hope to enter next season with mid-season additions Trae Young and Anthony Davis fully healthy. Washington’s front office could add two first-round picks back in the upcoming draft. If Young and Davis can stay healthy, they can lead the Wizards to the playoffs in the 2026-2027 season.
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27. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets need to do their best to have the best chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. The team desperately needs a young superstar to lead them in the right direction. Having a top-three pick can jump-start the process.
26. Indiana Pacers
The Ivica Zubac trade agreement the Pacers front office reached at the deadline sets the stage for the team to be successful once Tyrese Haliburton is fully healthy. The Clippers received the team’s 2026 first-round pick, but picks Nos. 1-4 and 10-30 are protected. If the Pacers end up with a top-four pick, they could add a quality player to their trio of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac.
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25. Utah Jazz
Utah is the team that’s most clearly in trouble the rest of the season. The team’s 2026 first-round pick is protected as picks 1-8 or will go to Oklahoma City. The Jazz just want to add a high-profile rookie to join the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.
24. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas’ season ended months ago. The team doesn’t need to win, and they can have Cooper Flagg finish the season with the best rookie odds. The Mavericks’ management wants to make the team a strong contender for the playoffs. The road ahead is very bumpy.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies looked to the future as they moved Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline. Ja Morant is expected to miss another two weeks, and it’s more likely that he will be traded in the offseason. Memphis is another team that will take the necessary steps to improve its draft lottery odds.
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22. Chicago Bulls
February 21, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) grabs the ball during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The worst thing the Bulls can do after the team’s trade deadline is over is slip into the play-in game. Chicago needs to improve its draft lottery odds while planning to have two first-round picks if Portland doesn’t finish in the top fourteen. The team’s moves at the trade deadline return young, promising players and the front office can quickly steer the team in the right direction.
21. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo will do whatever it takes to push his team into the play-offs. However, Milwaukee will be lucky to make the playoffs. The upcoming offseason will be crucial to the future of the team, as Giannis will be firmly committed to playing elsewhere when next season begins.
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20. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is a team to watch at the end of the regular season. They restocked at the trade deadline and prepared to compete in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hornets have been great over the last few months and will be an intriguing team to watch if they make the playoffs.
19. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are heading into the Western Conference playoffs. They struggled last season, but it’s unlikely they’ll end the season behind Memphis, Dallas, Utah, New Orleans and Sacramento. Portland’s defense will be the reason they fail to advance to the play-in round.
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18. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is currently in contention for the tournament but could easily be passed by Charlotte and Milwaukee. This is a best-case scenario for a team that needs to build in the draft. After trading Trae Young, the team will be looking for the next face of the franchise.
17. Los Angeles Clippers
The goal in Los Angeles is to stay healthy. They’ll likely make the playoffs and enter the playoffs with a healthy starting five — Darius Garland, Benedict Maturin, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Brook Lopez. This team has the veterans to beat Western Conference opponents in the playoffs.
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16. Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks at the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Warriors are looking to make one final push as they head into the playoffs. Before Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending injury, a first-round upset was a real possibility. If the Golden State Warriors survive the playoffs, this could be the team’s last playoff appearance in the Stephen Curry era.
15. Orlando Magic
Orlando needs to finish the season strong and make the playoffs with a healthy Franz Wagner at the helm. The season hasn’t gone as planned, and the team’s defensive decline hasn’t helped. The Magic have to figure something out to have a chance at making the playoffs.
14. Miami Heat
Miami is good, but not great. There’s enough talent on the roster to survive in the play-in round. The Heat are unlikely to beat any team in the first round of the playoffs.
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13. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has bounced back from last season’s slump. The team ranks 6th in the Eastern Conferenceth seed. If the Sixers make the playoffs with Joel Embiid healthy, the team can win their first-round playoff series.
12. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors need to continue to play strong defense and add wins to the standings. They’re one of the best stories of the season, and they’re not slowing down. However, they are unlikely to go far in the playoffs.
11. Phoenix Suns
Whether it is 6 or notth Whether they’re seeded or survive the play-in rounds, Phoenix will make the playoffs. The team’s defense greatly affects their overall success. The Suns’ offense isn’t as strong as the top teams in the Western Conference, and they will rely on defense in the playoffs.
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10. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures after scoring in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Lakers’ offense has been ahead of their defense all season long. The defense cost the team wins, something that just doesn’t happen in the playoffs. Making the playoffs is possible, but the team isn’t talented enough to surpass the best teams in the Western Conference.
9. Houston Rockets
Houston is underrated and overshadowed by Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Rockets’ defense is one of the best in the NBA and will be their secret weapon in the playoffs. A playoff opponent cannot be eliminated in a playoff series against Houston.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is doing its best to finish the season in sixth place in the Western Conferenceth seed. If they are destined for the play-in round, the Timberwolves will survive and make the playoffs. A team with Anthony Edwards always has a chance to topple the top team in the league.
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7. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland continues to play well and everything is going great. The Cavaliers need motivation to keep the momentum going for the rest of the regular season. As the playoffs begin, Cleveland is ready to move past last season’s first-round playoff disappointment.
6. Denver Nuggets
Denver has one of the best offenses in the league. On the other hand, the team needs to use the rest of the season to address its defensive issues. The only way for the Nuggets to advance to the Western Conference Finals is to play blockade defense.
5. New York Knicks
New York is exactly where it needs to be at this point in the season. The team is about to enter the playoffs and needs to finish the regular season healthy. The Knicks are aiming to reach the Eastern Conference Finals again.
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4. Boston Celtics
Boston continues to dominate and head coach Joe Mazzula is the favorite to win Coach of the Year. The Celtics are looking to end the season strong while potentially having Jayson Tatum return in the playoffs. There’s no reason to believe the Celtics can’t make the Eastern Conference Finals.
3. San Antonio Spurs
February 10, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Spurs are one of the few teams to rank in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Victor Vumbanyama’s health is of the utmost importance after the regular season ends. The sky is the limit for a fully healthy team in the playoffs.
2. Detroit Pistons
Detroit is not only the best team in the East, but one of the best teams in the NBA. A strong defense continues to drive the team every night. The Pistons are the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
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1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is recovering from an abdominal injury and the Thunder are being very careful with him. Oklahoma City needs a fully healthy roster to begin its quest to defend its NBA title. Unless it turns out, the Thunder are still the best team in the Western Conference.
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