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One of the biggest surprises of the season is the Toronto Raptors, which entered the Top 5 in this week's NBA power rankings. The Raptors continued their winning streak in Week 5, displacing the LA Lakers and sending them outside of a Top 5 spot.
The OKC Thunder and Detroit Pistons remained tied for first place, dominating the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively. The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets had some bumps in the road, but they managed to keep their places after Week 5.
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Let's look at the NBA power rankings after the fifth week of the season, brought to you by Sportskeeda.
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NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 5
10. Phoenix Suns (11-7)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 115.8
Defensive Rating: 112.6
Net Rating: 3.3
The Phoenix Suns are making their debut in the Top 10 after a masterful week that saw them win three of their four games. The Suns' new mentality following the Kevin Durant trade has seemingly paid off, with Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks leading the way.
Coach Jordan Ott has done a great job introducing his brand of basketball in The Valley. Their defense has also been key to their success, but it's the way Ott can get a lot of his role players that stands out. They could remain a force in the NBA if they continue winning.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 7
Offensive Rating: 115.6
Defensive Rating: 111.7
Net Rating: 3.9
The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped by a couple of spots in this week's NBA power rankings. Jarrett Allen's injury hasn't really affected the team overall, but it's been their inconsistency that has caused their struggles at times. They went 2-2 in Week 5, losing to the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors.
Donovan Mitchell continues to be a bright spot for Cleveland, while Evan Mobley has had his ups and downs after his breakout campaign last season. Darius Garland is still trying to get his rhythm back, and the team's depth doesn't have the same punch from last season.
8. San Antonio Spurs (11-5)
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Offensive Rating: 117.2
Defensive Rating: 111.8
Net Rating: 5.4
The San Antonio Spurs also fell by two spots in this week's NBA power rankings. They are managing the absence of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle with grace. They are led by De'Aaron Fox, who has kept the team afloat this past week.
San Antonio went 2-1 last week, which isn't bad considering they were missing two of their three best players. They are in for a rough three-game week, going against the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers.
7. Miami Heat (12-6)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 116.0
Defensive Rating: 110.6
Net Rating: 5.4
The Miami Heat is the highest-scoring team in the NBA this season, with Erik Spoelstra's new offense causing trouble for opposing teams. The Heat are currently on a five-game winning streak, and other teams are starting to take notice of how they operate.
Spoelstra was particularly known for trying to slow the game down, especially with Jimmy Butler. But with the latter out of South Beach, the two-time NBA champion coach has allowed his team to freely attack space, make cuts and hit open jumpshots. They are taking Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gone offense to new heights.
6. LA Lakers (12-4)
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Offensive Rating: 115.8
Defensive Rating: 113.3
Net Rating: 2.5
The LA Lakers didn't do anything bad in Week 5 to get bumped outside of the Top 5. Their problem was that they only had two games last week, and they faced the Utah Jazz twice. The good news for the purple and gold is that they got LeBron James after missing the first 14 games of the season.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves appeared to have cemented themselves as the first and second option on offense. However, the real test begins for the Lakers after a relatively easy schedule to start the season. They are in for a rough December, though it will help them in the long run.
5. Toronto Raptors (13-5)
Previous Ranking: No. 10
Offensive Rating: 118.5
Defensive Rating: 111.8
Net Rating: 6.8
The Toronto Raptors climbed six places to claim the No. 5 spot in this week's NBA power rankings. The Raptors have come out of nowhere to have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. They are on an eight-game winning streak, with impressive victories over contending teams.
Brandon Ingram has fit in perfectly in Toronto after a rough start in the first two weeks of the season. Scottie Barnes is playing at an elite level, while RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley know their exact roles for the team. A big shoutout to coach Darko Rajakovic for implementing a winning mentality in his young roster.
4. Houston Rockets (11-4)
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Offensive Rating: 122.5
Defensive Rating: 111.1
Net Rating: 11.4
The Houston Rockets remained at No. 4 after not getting the job done against the Aaron Gordon-less Denver Nuggets. It was their first real test of the season, and they failed to close out Nikola Jokic and company.
They are also set to get tested in Week 5, with Kevin Durant listed as out for two games. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson have to step up their game, as well as the rest of the team, to ensure that they can keep their place in the NBA standings.
3. Denver Nuggets (13-4)
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Offensive Rating: 122.3
Defensive Rating: 112.5
Net Rating: 9.8
The Denver Nuggets could have fallen outside of the Top 3 in this week's NBA power rankings after their tumultuous week. The Nuggets failed to beat to subpar teams in the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. Both were close games, and to be fair, the Nuggets weren't 100% healthy.
Denver getting a win over the Houston Rockets did help secure their place, but teams are starting to knock on their door. Nikola Jokic is playing like an MVP, though the team's depth took a hit with long-term injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon.
T1. Detroit Pistons (15-2)
Previous Ranking: No. T1
Offensive Rating: 117.3
Defensive Rating: 110.4
Net Rating: 6.9
The Detroit Pistons remained tied with the OKC Thunder for the top spot in this week's NBA power rankings. And just like last week, the Pistons did enough to warrant the No. 1 spot but didn't do well to knock off the Thunder.
Cade Cunningham has solidified himself as a superstar, while Jalen Duren should begin getting consideration for Most Improved Player. They are on a 13-game winning streak, their best since 2007. The only way the Pistons can get the No. 1 spot is for the Thunder to slip.
T1. OKC Thunder (17-1)
Previous Ranking: No. T1
Offensive Rating: 119.6
Defensive Rating: 102.8
Net Rating: 16.9
The defending NBA champions, OKC Thunder, are still the No. 1 team in the league at 17-1 after the first five weeks of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has barely played in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder are continuously blowing teams away.
The confidence and experience of winning the NBA title have done a wonderful job of hardening the Thunder. They are doing all of this without Jalen Williams, the team's second-best player. The team is getting the best out of Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and the rest of the crew, which should continue to scare the rest of the league.
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