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The San Antonio Spurs are rising on this week’s NBA energy rankings after turning into simply the second workforce this season to beat the OKC Thunder. The Spurs are additionally within the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Final, battling a surging New York Knicks workforce that made it within the Top 5 after Week 8.
On the opposite hand, the Lakers are falling after a blowout loss to the Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs within the NBA Cup quarterfinals. They additionally had an unsightly win towards the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, nevertheless it was removed from spectacular.
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Let’s have a look at the most recent NBA energy rankings after Week 8 of the season, dropped at you by Sportskeeda.
NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 8
#10. Toronto Raptors (16-11)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 114.8
Defensive Rating: 112.6
Net Rating: 2.2
The Toronto Raptors are again within the Top 10 of this week’s NBA energy rankings after getting booted final week. The Raptors put up a combat towards the New York Knicks within the NBA Cup quarterfinals in one in all their two video games of Week 8.
Toronto acquired again into the win column with a formidable win over the Miami Heat. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram proceed to play like All-Stars this season, however the Raptors have to stay constant as a workforce to maintain their success.
#9. Boston Celtics (15-11)
Previous Ranking: No. 7
Offensive Rating: 121.0
Defensive Rating: 115.1
Net Rating: 5.9
The Boston Celtics dropped two spots after shedding their two video games in Week 4. They acquired bamboozled by a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks earlier than falling quick towards the Detroit Pistons on Monday evening.
Jaylen Brown is taking part in like an MVP, carrying the Celtics on his again. Derrick White must be extra constant as a second choice, whereas Payton Pritchard has had his ups and downs. If Boston can maintain the fort till March, possibly they might get Jayson Tatum again for a playoff run.
#8. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9)
Previous Ranking: No. 10
Offensive Rating: 118.0
Defensive Rating: 113.2
Net Rating: 4.8
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trending upward, successful their two video games throughout NBA Cup week. They defeated the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings with out Anthony Edwards, who’s coping with a sore proper foot.
Minnesota has a evident want for some extent guard, with Edwards serving as the first playmaker. He’s nonetheless making changes, however workforce president Tim Connelly could possibly be brewing one other huge commerce that may deliver some extent guard earlier than the deadline.
#7. LA Lakers (18-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Offensive Rating: 118.0
Defensive Rating: 116.5
Net Rating: 1.5
The LA Lakers went from the No. 4 spot to seventh on this week’s NBA energy rankings. The Lakers’ offense is without doubt one of the finest within the league, nevertheless it’s their protection that has been atrocious. They have the worst internet ranking within the Top 10 of this week’s energy rankings.
Coach JJ Redick has reiterated the necessity to enhance their protection, which did not occur of their NBA Cup loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Jarred Vanderbilt offered a defensive spark of their win over the Phoenix Suns, although they nearly choked a 20-point lead.
#6. Houston Rockets (16-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Offensive Rating: 121.4
Defensive Rating: 111.6
Net Rating: 9.7
While the Houston Rockets have the third-best offensive ranking within the NBA, they barely beat the LA Clippers of their first sport of Week 8. The Clippers are one of many worst groups within the West, so it wasn’t search for Kevin Durant and firm to wrestle towards them.
To end the week, they had been outlasted by the Denver Nuggets in a playoff-like sport at Ball Arena. Alperen Sengun went toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic earlier than the Rockets fell quick in time beyond regulation. They nonetheless want a top-tier playmaker, although Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have finished a beautiful job filling in.
#5. New York Knicks (18-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 8
Offensive Rating: 122.0
Defensive Rating: 113.3
Net Rating: 8.6
The New York Knicks have an opportunity to win their first {hardware} since 1973 in the event that they beat the San Antonio Spurs within the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Final. The Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors within the quarterfinals and the Orlando Magic within the semifinals.
They are additionally on a five-game successful streak, which is tied with the Denver Nuggets for the present longest within the league in the meanwhile. Jalen Brunson has been the MVP for the Knicks, placing up profession scoring numbers at 28.8 factors per sport.
#4. San Antonio Spurs (18-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Offensive Rating: 118.0
Defensive Rating: 113.8
Net Rating: 4.2
The San Antonio Spurs are again within the Top 5 on this week’s NBA energy rankings, returning within the No. 4 spot. The Spurs beat the LA Lakers within the quarterfinals, dominating Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the remainder of the purple and gold with out Victor Wembanyama.
To cap off Week 8, the Spurs snapped the OKC Thunder’s 16-game successful streak within the NBA Cup semifinals. Wembanyama returned and made an on the spot impression at hand the defending NBA champions their second lack of the season. They will face the Knicks within the cup closing.
#3. Denver Nuggets (19-6)
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Offensive Rating: 124.4
Defensive Rating: 115.1
Net Rating: 9.3
The Denver Nuggets retained their spot at No. 3 after extending their win streak to 5. The Nuggets dominated the Sacramento Kings of their first sport of Week 8 earlier than following it up with an time beyond regulation win over the Houston Rockets.
Nikola Jokic is without doubt one of the favorites to win the NBA MVP this season, with the Nuggets exhibiting off their depth. They are capable of compete and win video games regardless of not having Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, who’re each out till January on account of accidents.
#2. Detroit Pistons (21-5)
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Offensive Rating: 117.4
Defensive Rating: 111.2
Net Rating: 6.3
The Detroit Pistons are nonetheless second within the NBA energy rankings after going 2-0 final week. The Pistons dominated the Atlanta Hawks, exhibiting why they’ve the second-best document within the league. They appear to be legit title contenders, although the playoffs is a distinct type of monster.
Detroit additionally acquired their revenge on the Boston Celtics to finish Week 8. They beat the Celtics, the workforce that snapped their historic win streak earlier this season. Cade Cunningham stays an MVP favourite, whereas the Pistons nonetheless want a real secondary choice in scoring.
#1. OKC Thunder (24-2)
Previous Ranking: No. 1
Offensive Rating: 119.8
Defensive Rating: 103.4
Net Rating: 16.4
The OKC Thunder are nonetheless atop the NBA energy rankings regardless of shedding to the San Antonio Spurs final week. The Thunder are off to a historic begin and are primed to interrupt the document for many wins in a single season. They have not tasted any type of setbacks on the court docket, so shedding an in depth sport would simply assist them enhance additional.
The defending champs can now deal with the season once more, although it is unclear if they’ll go for the document. The Golden State Warriors went for the document, however they endep up shedding to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Edited by Juan Paolo David
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