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The defending champions OKC Thunder remain atop this week's NBA power rankings after extending their winning streak to 12 games. The Thunder are on pace to break the Golden State Warriors' record for most wins in a regular season at 73.
Meanwhile, the LA Lakers returned to the Top 5 after spending last week at No. 6. They have been consistent enough to overtake fellow Western Conference powerhouses Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
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Let's look at the NBA power rankings after Week 6 of the season, brought to you by Sportskeeda.
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NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 6
10. Orlando Magic (13-8)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 117.3
Defensive Rating: 112.4
Net Rating: 4.9
The Orlando Magic have made their season debut for the NBA power rankings after going 3-0 in Week 6. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane have carried the Magic in the absence of Paolo Banchero, who is nursing a groin injury.
Orlando has moved into fifth in the East standings, ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. They have won eight out of their last 10 games and are starting to gain some momentum toward the holidays.
9. Toronto Raptors (14-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Offensive Rating: 116.1
Defensive Rating: 111.5
Net Rating: 4.6
The Toronto Raptors fell out of the Top 5 after just one week. Their winning streak was snapped by the Charlotte Hornets in Week 6, and it was enough to keep them away from a high spot in the NBA power rankings.
They are still a team to watch out for, especially in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes are playing like All-Stars, but there is more room to grow for the Raptors as a team.
8. Miami Heat (14-7)
Previous Ranking: No. 7
Offensive Rating: 116.5
Defensive Rating: 111.2
Net Rating: 5.3
The Miami Heat moved one spot below in this NBA power rankings despite a couple of impressive wins against the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. Tyler Herro was perfectly fit for Erik Spoelstra's new offense, and the Heat could be here to stay.
The only reason they didn't move up is due to how good the other teams are in Week 6. The Heat's fast-paced offense should give a lot of teams problems, and their matchup against the OKC Thunder later this season is a sure must-watch.
7. New York Knicks (13-6)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 120.5
Defensive Rating: 113.1
Net Rating: 7.4
The New York Knicks are back in the Top 10 after going 3-0 in Week 6 and improving their record to 13-6. They now occupy second place in the East standings, just behind the Detroit Pistons.
Jalen Brunson has shaken off his minor ankle injury, while Karl-Anthony Towns has started playing like an All-Star again. Injuries have depleted the Knicks' depth, but they keep finding a way to earn wins under coach Mike Brown.
6. San Antonio Spurs (13-6)
Previous Ranking: No. 8
Offensive Rating: 118.0
Defensive Rating: 113.5
Net Rating: 4.5
Just when it looked like the San Antonio Spurs were about to fall out of the Top 10, they rose back up after an impressive 2-1 week. The Spurs went from No. 8 to No. 6 mainly because they defeated the Denver Nuggets in a hard-fought game.
De'Aaron Fox quickly took over the franchise after Victor Wembanyama went down with an injury. Coach Mitch Johnson has also gotten the best out of Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
5. Denver Nuggets (14-6)
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Offensive Rating: 123.7
Defensive Rating: 114.9
Net Rating: 8.8
The Denver Nuggets barely made it into the Top 5 after a lackluster week. The Nuggets lost two of their three games in Week 6, but they remained among the five best teams in the NBA. Nikola Jokic is still averaging a triple-double, though Denver's main problem is injuries.
Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon are out indefinitely, so Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas have to step up. Jamal Murray is still solid as can be, and this might be the season he finally makes an All-Star if the Nuggets have a Top 4 spot in the West by February.
4. Houston Rockets (13-5)
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Offensive Rating: 122.0
Defensive Rating: 111.1
Net Rating: 10.9
The Houston Rockets have survived life without Kevin Durant, who is nursing a minor injury. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson have stepped up their games, but it has been Reed Sheppard who has been stealing the show in H-Town.
Sheppard has turned into a legitimate NBA Most Improved Player candidate with his performances in the past two weeks. The only reason they weren't ahead of the LA Lakers in this week's rankings is because of their careless loss to the Utah Jazz to end the week.
3. LA Lakers (15-5)
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Offensive Rating: 118.3
Defensive Rating: 115.3
Net Rating: 3.1
The LA Lakers are back at the Top of the NBA power rankings and are in the No. 3 spot after Week 6. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are the highest-scoring duo in the league this season. They have been terrorizing defenses, though they ran into a snag against the Phoenix Suns at the end of the week.
However, the Lakers are being hindered by their lackluster defense, which coach JJ Redick has always emphasized during their seven-game win streak. They will need to improve on that end to have a shot at getting the No. 2 spot from the Detroit Pistons.
2. Detroit Pistons (17-4)
Previous Ranking: T1
Offensive Rating: 116.2
Defensive Rating: 110.6
Net Rating: 5.6
The Detroit Pistons are back in second place after back-to-back weeks of being tied at No. 1 with the OKC Thunder. The Pistons' 13-game win streak was snapped by the Boston Celtics, and they followed it up with another loss to the Orlando Magic.
Detroit would have fallen out of a Top 2 spot if they didn't bounce back with two straight wins against fellow East contenders, the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. They will need to add more scoring to their offense if they want to make some noise in the postseason.
1. OKC Thunder (20-1)
Previous Ranking: No. 1
Offensive Rating: 118.9
Defensive Rating: 103.6
Net Rating: 15.3
The OKC Thunder could be on their way to having the best season in NBA history. They are 20-1 after the first six weeks of the campaign, with their only loss against the Portland Trail Blazers. They are so dominant that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing his fewest minutes since he was a rookie.
The defending NBA champs have also welcomed back Jalen Williams, who made his season debut in Week 6. Williams' return gave the Thunder a boost since they suffered more injuries to Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell.
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