The primary month of the NBA season prompt an early imbalance. The Western Convention opened stronger and deeper, however the panorama has shifted shortly. A number of Japanese Convention groups have stabilized earlier than anticipated, whereas a handful of Western contenders have handled accidents, inconsistency and inflated early expectations.
The standings now mirror a tighter NBA general, with shock risers in each conferences and a number of other projected playoff groups navigating uneven begins. With NBA Cup pool play accomplished and groups returning to regular-season rhythm, this week affords a clearer image of which teams are trending upward — and that are dropping floor.
Under are your absolutely up to date NBA Energy Rankings, utilizing Nov. 28 standings.
Ballislife 2025-26 NBA Energy Rankings(Vol. 1, No. 1; via Nov. 28)
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (18–1)
The Thunder are on a 10-game successful streak with the NBA’s finest web ranking (+16.5) and stay traditionally dominant. Their stability, lineup synergy and third-quarter destruction maintain them firmly at No. 1.
2. Detroit Pistons (15–3)
Twelve straight wins, a dominant 9–1 stretch of their final 10 and the East’s finest document. Their offense has been explosive (123.8 PPG vs. 113.8 allowed) with a powerful +10 differential. The rotation is deeper and more healthy than at any level this season.
5,000 POINTS ✅ pic.twitter.com/iRV1Gr2cYA
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 28, 2025
3. Los Angeles Lakers (13–4)
L.A. sits at 13–4, enjoying balanced basketball and holding the West’s second-best web ranking (+10.7). Luka Dončić’s workload stays monumental, LeBron James is in full management and so they’re almost unbeatable when establishing early leads.
4. Denver Nuggets (13–4)
Denver holds regular regardless of accidents. Their +10.0 differential stays elite, and so they’re 7–2 on the street, among the best marks within the NBA. Nikola Jokić has stored them constant no matter lacking rotation items.
5. Houston Rockets (12–4)
Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün proceed to anchor a top-tier offense. They boast a +10.7 differential and are 8–2 over their final 10. Houston hasn’t dropped a sport during which it held a double-digit lead.
6. Toronto Raptors (14–5)
Winners of 9 straight, the Raptors has surged into the East’s high tier. Their offensive stability has stabilized, their protection is trending upward and Scottie Barnes is enjoying probably the most full basketball of his profession.
7. Miami Warmth (13–6)
Miami is defending like a Spoelstra staff once more, and it reveals. It’s 8–1 at residence, and Tyler Herro’s return elevates their offensive ceiling. The Warmth look related on each ends. They’re beginning to get wholesome and construct chemistry for the primary time after managing to get by with out Herro.
8. San Antonio Spurs (12–5)
Even with out Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have stayed regular. They’re 8–2 at residence and stay structurally sound. Keldon Johnson continues to offer them versatile scoring, and their protection has taken actual strides.
9. New York Knicks (11–6)
The Knicks have stabilized with a two-game successful streak, an 8–1 residence document and a +6.5 differential. OG Anunoby stays the spine of their protection, however the bench continues to outperform expectations.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (12–7)
Cleveland continues to win whereas navigating absences. Donovan Mitchell’s offensive effectivity has carried them, and now that Jarrett Allen is again, Cleveland’s defensive identification seems a lot nearer to final 12 months.
11. Phoenix Suns (12–7)
Phoenix’s beautiful comeback towards Minnesota highlighted its enhancing depth. Devin Booker has been electrical, the position gamers are stepping up and its final 10 video games (7–3) present actual momentum.
12. Atlanta Hawks (11–8)
Jalen Johnson is performing like an All-Star, and Atlanta stays aggressive with out Trae Younger. Rebounding stays a difficulty, however the offense has held agency and its general +1.8 differential feels sustainable.
13. Orlando Magic (11–8)
Orlando’s offense has quietly stabilized. It’s 8–4 away from residence, one of many NBA’s finest street information. Their free-throw fee soar has given them a dependable supply of halfcourt scoring.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (10–8)
Elite towards struggling groups, however nonetheless looking for an announcement win towards elite opponents. Their protection stays top-tier, however late-game execution is holding them again.
15. Boston Celtics (10–8)
Boston’s offense is trending upward, particularly with Jaylen Brown’s elevated utilization. Their +4.6 differential signifies a staff that ought to be higher than 10–8, however taking pictures variance continues to dictate outcomes.
16. Chicago Bulls (9–8)
Few groups swing extra wildly week-to-week. Coby White has been robust late in video games, however their -2.9 differential reveals how slim their path to wins usually is.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (9–8)
The offense has cooled and the protection isn’t absolutely compensating. Paul George’s return helps, however third-quarter struggles stay a defining situation.
18. Golden State Warriors (10–10)
Steph Curry continues to shoulder an unlimited burden. Their +0.7 differential and inconsistent bench play counsel a real .500 staff till they regain their identification.
19. Portland Path Blazers (8–11)
Accidents within the backcourt have disrupted rhythm. Portland competes however struggles defensively, and their -2.7 differential displays the nightly issue of staying afloat.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (8–11)
The Bucks have dropped six straight and proceed to unravel with out Giannis Antetokounmpo. They lack dependable construction on each ends, and the -2.8 differential tells the story.
21. Memphis Grizzlies (7–12)
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return offers Memphis actual cause for optimism. With their defensive anchor again, Zach Edey dominating the glass and Santi Aldama providing well timed offense, the Grizzlies lastly look extra related. They aren’t successful persistently but, however the basis is noticeably firmer.
22. Utah Jazz (5–12)
Aggressive at instances however hardly ever full. Lauri Markkanen’s scoring hasn’t translated to staff success, and a -4.1 differential displays lingering defensive points.
23. LA Clippers (5–12)
Kawhi Leonard’s return introduced stability however hasn’t fastened their defensive collapse. The bench unit stays one of many least productive within the NBA, and their identification is unclear.
24. Dallas Mavericks (5–14)
Shut-game struggles outline their season. They’ve performed 13 clutch video games of their final 15 and misplaced most of them. Anthony Davis’ absence stays the important thing storyline, although the protection has held up surprisingly effectively. He’s set to return this weekend.
25. Sacramento Kings (5–14)
Beating Denver on the street was their finest win of the season. However with out Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento lacks an offensive hub. Keegan Murray’s return does assist.
26. Charlotte Hornets (4–14)
Brandon Miller’s return brings much-needed scoring, however defensively that is the worst perimeter group within the NBA. Their clutch document (0–5) stays a obtrusive weak point.
27. Brooklyn Nets (4–14)
A uncommon street win supplied a short lived carry, however scoring depth stays a serious situation with Cam Thomas sidelined. Noah Clowney continues to be a vivid spot.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (3–14)
Zion Williamson’s return affords offensive vitality, however the perimeter protection is collapsing nightly. Opponents’ taking pictures numbers towards them stay unsustainably excessive.
29. Washington Wizards (3–16)
Aggressive in stretches however unable to shut video games. Their fourth-quarter metrics stay the worst within the NBA, and turnover points proceed to sink winnable nights.
30. Indiana Pacers (2–15)
Bennedict Mathurin’s scoring flashes apart, the Pacers stay the NBA’s coldest taking pictures staff. Their -14.1 differential is presently the NBA’s worst.
