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Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images)
One of the truly remarkable stories of the early part of the 2025-26 season was the sharp rise of the Pistons, who had established themselves as a factor in the East during last year’s 44-win run to the playoffs (after winning 14 games the previous year). But they started the season 15-2, blowing the doors off expectations in Detroit.
All the while, though, the team that is widely considered the favorite in the conference–the Knicks–has steadily moved forward, collecting wins and gradually chipping away at the monster Eastern Conference lead the Pistons established early. And now, the Knicks are catching the Pistons.
Detroit has gone 9-6 since the hot start, while New York has been on the hot run. The Knicks are 13-3, not counting their NBA Cup win of course, since they started the season 9-6, and what had been a 4.5-game lead over the Knicks is now down to 1.5. Any doubts about the Knicks’ status as favorites in the East, it seems, can be wiped away–and they come in at No. 3 in this week’s rankings.
NBA Power Rankings: Spurs Make Their Move
Losing to the Jazz is a bummer of a way to end an eight-game winning streak, even with De’Aaron Fox out, but that’s what the Spurs did on Saturday. Still, the strength of that winning streak, with six of the games coming on the road and three of the wins coming over the defending-champ Thunder are enough to push the Spurs to the top of the rankings for the first time.
- Spurs, 23-8.
- Thunder, 27-5.
- Knicks, 22-9.
- Nuggets, 22-9.
- Pistons, 24-8.
- Rockets, 19-10.
- Lakers, 20-10.
- Timberwolves, 20-12.
- Suns, 18-13.
- Celtics, 19-12.
NBA Part II Rankings: Whither the Bucks?
The biggest question in league circles remains what will happen with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo amid a swirl of trade rumors that was partly fueled by Antetokounmpo’s absence with a calf injury. But Antetokounmpo is back on the floor and around the league, execs insist the Bucks are not fielding trade offers for him. He fueled a win over the Bulls in his return–can he get the Bucks back into the fray in the East?
- Raptors, 19-14.
- Magic, 18-14.
- Heat, 17-15.
- Warriors, 16-16.
- Grizzlies, 15-17.
- Sixers, 16-14.
- Cavaliers, 17-16.
- Bulls, 15-16.
- Hawks, 15-18.
- Bucks, 13-19.
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo
NBA Part III Rankings: Beware the Jazz
We referenced the Spurs’ loss to the Jazz above, but the reality is that Utah is–perhaps to the chagrin of the team’s front office, which wants to make hay in this year’s draft–not that bad a team lately. They’ve won two in a row and are 6-6 in their last 12, with third-year man Keyonte George leading the way. He has averaged 26.9 points, 6.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 46.6% and 42.7% from the 3-point line in that span.
- Trail Blazers, 13-19.
- Jazz, 12-19.
- Mavericks, 12-21.
- Clippers, 10-21.
- Nets, 10-19.
- Hornets, 11-20.
- Kings, 8-24.
- Wizards, 7-23.
- Pelicans, 8-25.
- Pacers, 6-26.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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