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NBA Power Rankings
Algorithm-driven, updated daily
Updated: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Top 5 Contenders
Full Rankings
30 rows
| RK | Team | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 94.0 | ||
| 2 |  San Antonio Spurs62-20 | 92.6 | |
| 3 |  Detroit Pistons60-22 | 89.2 | |
| 4 |  Denver Nuggets54-28 | 83.0 | |
| 5 |  Boston Celtics56-26 | 82.4 | |
| 6 |  Houston Rockets52-30 | 77.6 | |
| 7 |  Los Angeles Lakers53-29 | 75.3 | |
| 8 |  Cleveland Cavaliers52-30 | 73.6 | |
| 9 |  New York Knicks53-29 | 73.3 | |
| 10 | 64.5 | ||
| 11 |  Orlando Magic45-37 | 61.7 | |
| 12 |  Atlanta Hawks46-36 | 61.4 | |
| 13 |  Toronto Raptors46-36 | 61.4 | |
| 14 |  Philadelphia 76ers45-37 | 59.7 | |
| 15 |  Charlotte Hornets44-38 | 58.0 | |
| 16 |  Phoenix Suns45-37 | 57.7 | |
| 17 | 56.6 | ||
| 18 |  LA Clippers42-40 | 54.6 | |
| 19 |  Miami Heat43-39 | 54.3 | |
| 20 | 40.0 | ||
| 21 |  Milwaukee Bucks32-50 | 31.5 | |
| 22 |  Chicago Bulls31-51 | 27.8 | |
| 23 |  Dallas Mavericks26-56 | 21.3 | |
| 24 |  New Orleans Pelicans26-56 | 17.3 | |
| 25 |  Memphis Grizzlies25-57 | 15.6 | |
| 26 |  Sacramento Kings22-60 | 14.5 | |
| 27 |  Brooklyn Nets20-62 | 11.1 | |
| 28 |  Utah Jazz22-60 | 10.5 | |
| 29 |  Indiana Pacers19-63 | 9.4 | |
| 30 |  Washington Wizards17-65 | 0.0 |
Tiers:1-10 Contenders11-20 Middle Pack21-30 Lottery Bound
Methodology
CourtVision's Power Rankings are 100% algorithmic -- no editorial bias, no human picks. Every ranking is computed from live data using a weighted composite of four statistical pillars.
Win Percentage40%
Overall winning record, the most reliable indicator of team quality across a full season.
Net Rating25%
Points scored minus points allowed per game. Captures quality of play independent of record.
Recent Form20%
Last 10 games record. Captures momentum and current trajectory more than season-long record.
Strength of Schedule15%
Average opponent quality. Rewards teams that earn wins against tougher competition.
// Formula
Power Score = (win_pct * 0.40) + (net_rating * 0.25) + (last10_pct * 0.20) + (sos * 0.15)
// Each factor normalized to 0-100 before weighting
Power Score = (win_pct * 0.40) + (net_rating * 0.25) + (last10_pct * 0.20) + (sos * 0.15)
// Each factor normalized to 0-100 before weighting
Rankings update hourly with live standings data from ESPN. The trend arrows reflect recent trajectory based on winning/losing streaks and last-10 record. No manual editorial input is involved.
How NBA Power Rankings Work
NBA power rankings go beyond simple win-loss records to provide a more nuanced picture of which teams are truly the strongest in the league. While standings show you who has the most wins, power rankings factor in point differential, recent performance, strength of schedule, and momentum to paint a more complete picture. CourtVision's algorithmic power rankings are updated hourly using live data to give you the most current assessment of all 30 NBA teams.
Understanding the Tiers
Teams are organized into three tiers based on their power score. The Contender Tier (top 10) represents genuine playoff-caliber teams with strong records and metrics. The Middle Pack (11-20) includes teams in the play-in or fringe-playoff conversation. The Lottery Bound (21-30) includes teams likely heading for the draft lottery.
Why Net Rating Matters
Net rating -- the difference between points scored and points allowed per game -- is widely regarded as one of the most predictive team metrics. A team with a high net rating but a few unlucky close losses will typically perform better going forward than their record suggests. By weighting net rating at 25%, our model captures team quality beyond what the win column shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these power rankings calculated?
The rankings use a weighted composite of four factors: win percentage (40%), net rating (25%), last-10 games record (20%), and strength of schedule (15%). Each factor is normalized to a 0-100 scale before weighting. The final power score determines each team's rank.
How often do rankings update?
Rankings recompute every hour with the latest standings data from ESPN. As games complete and records change, the power scores automatically recalculate.
Why might a team with more wins be ranked lower?
A team could have more wins but a negative net rating (winning close games but losing blowouts), a poor recent record, or a weak schedule. The composite model surfaces these nuances that raw win totals miss.
What do the trend arrows mean?
Arrows reflect a team's recent trajectory. An up arrow means the team is on a winning streak or has won 7+ of their last 10 games. A down arrow indicates a losing streak or 3 or fewer wins in the last 10. A flat line means the team's form is relatively neutral.