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RotoBaller's NBA power rankings for all 30 teams heading into All-Star Break of 2026. Where does each NBA team stand in our latest power rankings for the 2025-2026 season?
With the All-Star festivities now finished, it's time we take a look at how teams are doing compared to their preseason expectations that were given to them by Vegas.
In one of our first editions of this season's power rankings, we took a look at each team's projected win total according to the sportsbooks. With updated lines available in many books, let's take a look at where they're all at now.
Has anyone surpassed expectations more than the Suns? Is anyone more disappointing than the Kings? Read on and find out.
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No. 30 - Sacramento Kings
Preseason Win Total: 35.5
Current Win Total: 18.5
Even without many expectations coming into this season, the Kings are still greatly underachieving. They have the lowest remaining win total of any team in the league and were unable to fully start their rebuild at the deadline as they wanted to. Usually, teams this low are already tanking or rebuilding, but Sacramento had different ambitions coming into this season, making them the most disappointing team in the league.
No. 29 - Washington Wizards
Preseason Win Total: 20.5
Current Win Total: 20.5
If Dennis Green were a basketball coach instead of a football coach, then he would have been saying, "They are who we thought they were," about the Wizards. They're at the exact point that Vegas thought they'd be at and have largely done it in a way we've expected by trusting their young guys and selling their vets. The unexpected turn is acquiring both Trae Young and Anthony Davis through trades, but their impacts won't come until next season.
No. 28 - New Orleans Pelicans
Preseason Win Total: 30.5
Current Win Total: 24.5
New Orleans has once again been dealing with injuries throughout the season, a common theme over the past few years. Their expectations weren't high coming into the season, and they're still underachieving.
But that direction may change next season when Dejounte Murray returns alongside a young core that the Pelicans' front office refused to sell on at the deadline. Might Murray and Trey Murphy III make for a solid duo alongside Zion Williamson when all are healthy? That's the hope, but health has not been a friend in the Big Easy.
No. 27 - Brooklyn Nets
Preseason Win Total: 20.5
Current Win Total: 22.5
Thanks to a solid December, the Brooklyn Nets are currently outpacing their preseason win total. But is that going to be the plan going forward this season? Michael Porter Jr. has been dealing with tendinitis in his right knee, the same knee in which he suffered a sprained MCL earlier this season. Whether Brooklyn holds onto him or tries to move him this offseason, his health will be key. That may point to a further downward trajectory for the rest of the season.
No. 26 - Utah Jazz
Preseason Win Total: 18.5
Current Win Total: 25.5
At 18 wins on the season, the Jazz need just one more win to hit the over. A decent start to the season got them there, but there may not be many wins left on the schedule for Utah. They very clearly are in a tanking mode, and it's gotten them in trouble. They were fined $500,000 for "management of their roster" as the All-Star break approached. That's going to push them to at least try a little bit more, but they're playing for draft positioning the rest of the season.
No. 25 - Indiana Pacers
Preseason Win Total: 37.5
Current Win Total: 24.5
The 13-game drop from their preseason line is tied for the second-biggest drop this season, tied with the Mavericks and four games fewer than the Kings' 17-game drop. But Indiana has a bit of a built-in excuse with Tyrese Haliburton's absence and a ton of other injuries that have held them back this season. That's got them playing for draft positioning the rest of the season. But they can't be too deliberate about it, though, as they were also fined $100K for management of their roster.
No. 24 - Memphis Grizzlies
Preseason Win Total: 39.5
Current Win Total: 28.5
This line may have already felt a bit high for the Grizzlies in the preseason with their offseason moves, so getting underneath the 39.5 number isn't all that shocking. But the current number might not have been what they were envisioning. Ja Morant has been injured quite a bit this season, hampering their ability to go over.
But other key injuries have hurt, and they simply haven't been able to recover. With Morant's future in Memphis seemingly in question for this offseason, an aim for draft positioning seems like the route the Grizzlies will go for the remainder of the season.
No. 23 - Milwaukee Bucks
Preseason Win Total: 43.5
Current Win Total: 33.5
If Giannis Antetokounmpo were healthy this season, then Milwaukee may be closer to its preseason line. But with his injuries holding him back and the trade-or-no-trade saga, the Bucks just haven't been able to get back to a competitive level. When Giannis returns from his calf strain, then Milwaukee should be able to start making a more serious run at the play-in.
But a bigger question may be if the Bucks feel the play-in is even beneficial to them. If they decide that's not what they want, especially with Giannis' future in Milwaukee in doubt, then we may be looking at another team simply aiming for draft positioning.
No. 22 - Dallas Mavericks
Preseason Win Total: 39.5
Current Win Total: 26.5
It's hard to truly say that this season has been a disappointment for Dallas. After all, the disappointment of last season's trade, Kyrie Irving's season-ending injury, and eventual play-in failure were much more disappointing than anything that's happened this season. But in terms of win total, they're projected to finish well below the preseason mark. That's going to be fine for the franchise, though, as it will give Cooper Flagg more time to develop in low-stress situations.
No. 21 - Chicago Bulls
Preseason Win Total: 32.5
Current Win Total: 33.5
Chicago's just slightly ahead of their preseason expectations here. Maybe it's because they have made all the moves that many felt they should this season by selling on their expiring contracts. Surely they would have held onto Nikola Vucevic and Coby White if they were in a better position for play-in seeding. Injuries to Josh Giddey haven't helped the cause either.
But the Bulls' front office finally made conventional moves. Currently slotted for the 10th pick, Chicago may spend the rest of the season positioning itself for a better draft pick.
No. 20 - Atlanta Hawks
Preseason Win Total: 47.5
Current Win Total: 40.5
Well, this season certainly hasn't gone the way Atlanta expected. After landing Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, they envisioned an easy route to a top-6 seed. But with the availability issues with Porzingis and Young, the Hawks had a rough first half. That forced them to trade away both with a vision to build their roster around Jalen Johnson. He's doing well, but Atlanta finds itself in the 10-seed in the East with a 1.5-game lead over Chicago and Milwaukee.
No. 19 - Portland Trail Blazers
Preseason Win Total: 34.5
Current Win Total: 40.5
It's not easy to deal with what the Blazers had to deal with at the beginning of the season when former head coach Chauncey Billups was suspended indefinitely by the NBA. But Tiago Splitter has gotten this team fighting again, and they look very well-positioned for a play-in appearance in the West. Deni Avdija has been a major surprise, leading the Blazers with 25.2 PPG. He's got a good chance to win Most Improved Player of the Year, and that's helped give the Blazers a shot to make noise in the play-in.
No. 18 - Los Angeles Clippers
Preseason Win Total: 47.5
Current Win Total: 40.5
No team may have had a more disappointing start in the league than the Clippers. But thanks to an incredible turnaround, they're back in the play-in with a solid chance to make the playoffs through it. At least that's what it looked like just two weeks ago. Since then, they've had to deal with James Harden after he demanded a trade, followed shortly by shipping Ivica Zubac to the Pacers.
That's a big load to put on Kawhi Leonard's shoulders. LA is going to have to do a lot of work in the play-in to have ambitions of making the playoffs.
No. 17 - Charlotte Hornets
Preseason Win Total: 25.5
Current Win Total: 42.5
The current darlings of the league, no team has surpassed preseason expectations more than the Charlotte Hornets. Only they and the Suns have already gone over their preseason win total. They've struggled in past seasons thanks to health issues, but have been largely healthy this season.
Combine that health with solid contributions from Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate, and Charlotte has become a very dangerous team to play. They are looking to make the play-in for the first time since 2022 and the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Kon Knueppel records his 14th game with 5+ made threes this season, the most by a rookie in NBA history. The Hornets have now won 9 straight games, their longest winning streak since 1999. Curiously, the last 4 NBA champions all had 9-game winning streaks. pic.twitter.com/zjJKUbDoa0
— PBA insider 🏀 (@PBAinsider) February 8, 2026
No. 16 - Miami Heat
Preseason Win Total: 36.5
Current Win Total: 44.5
If you felt the number was a bit too low for the Heat coming into the season, then you were on the right track. Expectations may have been a bit down for Miami after Jimmy Butler III's departure, but Erik Spoelstra has gotten his guys to play better than .500 ball, a familiar pattern for the Heat.
Maybe the most impressive part of Miami's season is that they've done it largely without Tyler Herro, who's only played in 11 of Miami's 56 games. Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo have been the team's leaders as they look to return to the playoffs yet again.
No. 15 - Orlando Magic
Preseason Win Total: 50.5
Current Win Total: 45.5
The Magic came into this season with rather lofty expectations. The books were predicting their first 50-win season since 2010-2011, but injuries to key producers like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have held them back. The injuries are nothing new to Orlando, as they dealt with major injuries last season, too.
But there's a bit more pressure on Orlando to go deep this season compared to the last two years. They're currently posting a -0.4 net rating on the season, something that needs to improve if they want to escape the play-in bracket and make a real playoff run.
No. 14 - Golden State Warriors
Preseason Win Total: 46.5
Current Win Total: 43.5
The Warriors came into this season with a bit of a "last hurrah" type of vibe, given their aging roster is nearing the end of its run. When most of your key contributors are in their mid-30s, that's going to naturally happen. But things started slow, and Golden State's a bit behind the 8-ball in terms of their win total. No, Butler is going to hurt their efforts further.
Newly acquired Porzingis can help elevate them, but he needs to be healthy, and his availability has been spotty for him this season. Health is paramount for the Warriors, who look to be slotted pretty snugly in the play-in bracket.
No. 13 - Phoenix Suns
Preseason Win Total: 30.5
Current Win Total: 46.5
Outside of the Hornets, no other team is exceeding its preseason win total to this degree. In fact, they're the only other team besides Charlotte that's already gone over their preseason number. They've done this mostly without newly acquired Jalen Green, who's dealt with hamstring issues most of the season.
But it's not just offense driving their success. They're posting the 10th-best defensive rating in the league, something most people weren't projecting. Now they're in a good position to make the playoffs and be a sleeper in the West.
ALLEY OOP SLAM AND HAVING FUN DOING SO 😀 pic.twitter.com/wzdNLUfMLD
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 11, 2026
No. 12 - Los Angeles Lakers
Preseason Win Total: 46.5
Current Win Total: 48.5
Despite still having a negative net rating, the Lakers are on pace to go over their preseason win total. If they go 17-11, they'll notch their second 50-win season since The Bubble. With LeBron James' future in question, the Lakers will want to do all they can to get him a title. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves give the Lakers a very dynamic offense alongside James. But the defense has the eighth-highest defensive rating in the league. If that can't get turned around, then the offseason may be a contentious one in Los Angeles.
No. 11 - Philadelphia 76ers
Preseason Win Total: 42.5
Current Win Total: 45.5
The Sixers were primed for a bounce-back season, and they are getting just that. Tyrese Maxey has continued to carry the load, especially early on, just like he did last season. More important to Philadelphia, though, is the re-emergence of a healthy Joel Embiid. The 31-year-old is as close to his MVP form as he's been in a long time. He and Maxey are working to get Philadelphia back to the playoffs in the six-seed, but they have to be on their A-game with just a 1.5 game lead over Orlando in the play-in bracket.
No. 10 - Toronto Raptors
Preseason Win Total: 38.5
Current Win Total: 46.5
A jump up in the standings was certainly projected for the Raptors, but many were picturing them closer to the play-in. Instead, they're a top-6 seed in the East and may not even need the play-in to get to the playoffs. Brandon Ingram leads the Raptors with 21.8 PPG. Scottie Barnes has continued to develop well for Toronto as a bit of a do-it-all type player.
The Raptors still have a bit to fix up before jumping into the upper echelon of the East, but their leap this season is more than just a step in the right direction.
No. 9 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Preseason Win Total: 48.5
Current Win Total: 50.5
The Timberwolves were projected to be pretty good this season and, yet again, they're exceeding expectations. Inside Minnesota's building, they have to be thinking larger, though. They've made it to the Western Conference Finals two seasons in a row, and each time they've lost, both times in five games. Is the third time a charm? That's got to be the hope for the Timberwolves, or else this roster may have to go through a major shakeup.
No. 8 - Cleveland Cavaliers
Preseason Win Total: 56.5
Current Win Total: 52.5
It's not necessarily that the Cavs are greatly underperforming their preseason expectations; it's just that they started a bit slow. Having a win total of 56.5 is also a really high number to try to achieve. That slow start doesn't seem to matter right now, though, as they have one of the best records in the league since the calendar flipped to 2026, posting a 15-5 record with a +7.2 net rating.
Now with Harden in the mix, the Cavs are clearly signaling that they need to go for it this season. Their 56.5 win total may be out of reach, but their focus is set on the postseason.
No. 7 - Houston Rockets
Preseason Win Total: 53.5
Current Win Total: 52.5
To say the Rockets had high preseason expectations after trading for Kevin Durant may have been an understatement. It was undoubtedly the statement of the offseason. But a preseason injury to Fred VanVleet was a bit of a buzzkill after Houston's offseason high.
Based on their live win total, they're not all that far off pace with what we expect from them, but they have gotten there in a bit of a back-and-forth way. A bit more stability headed into the playoffs could go a long way for this Rockets team that really needs to make a deep run to make KD's acquisition worth it.
No. 6 - Boston Celtics
Preseason Win Total: 41.5
Current Win Total: 52.5
At first glance, the Celtics' preseason win total looked a touch too high, especially considering the fact that they were going to have to do it all without an MVP-caliber player in Jayson Tatum. Then add in the departures of Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and it made you wonder just how they were going to be able to survive.
Well, Jaylen Brown and Co. have blown right past those expectations and are a real threat in the East. Now add in the fact that there's an outside chance of Tatum returning, and this Boston team starts to look really, really scary to face.
JAYLEN BROWN RISE UP. 🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 10, 2026
No. 5 - Denver Nuggets
Preseason Win Total: 54.5
Current Win Total: 52.5
The Nuggets came out of last season with a clear need to address depth. They did just that by adding Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valanciunas, and Bruce Brown in the offseason. It's a good thing they did address depth because injuries have hampered the Nuggets this season, with all of their starting five, outside of Jamal Murray, missing weeks at a time on the IL.
The main goal now for the Nuggets is to prioritize health going into the postseason so they can try to win their second title in franchise history.
No. 4 - New York Knicks
Preseason Win Total: 53.5
Current Win Total: 52.5
The Knicks faced a major change this season as head coach Tom Thibodeau was let go and Mike Brown took over. After a 51-31 record, there were big shoes to fill, but Brown has done well and has the Knicks looking to surpass their 51 wins from last season.
The starters may have more rest this year, also. Last season, all five starters averaged 35 MPG or more. This year, no starter is at 35 MPG (though Jalen Brunson at 34.6 MPG is pretty close). That could go a long way in the postseason.
No. 3 - San Antonio Spurs
Preseason Win Total: 44.5
Current Win Total: 57.5
A big jump from the Spurs was expected this year with a healthy Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox combo, but they've blown way past where many thought they'd be. They also appear to potentially be the only hope the league has against the Thunder. That's going to give them a lot of confidence headed into the postseason with whoever they have to face. Currently on a six-game win streak, the path to the two-seed is very clearly theirs for the taking.
Stephon Castle LOB DUNK FROM DE’AARON FOX
SHEESH🔥pic.twitter.com/XjF33DMZ4s
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) February 5, 2026
No. 2- Detroit Pistons
Preseason Win Total: 46.5
Current Win Total: 58.5
As with the Spurs, a jump in competitiveness was expected for Detroit, but what they've done this season is far beyond what many imagined. In fact, they're currently the top overall seed in the league with a half-game lead over the Thunder. Since the calendar flipped to 2026, they've got 15-5 and posted a +11.1 net rating, best in the league.
Cade Cunningham has continued to lead the Pistons in points and assists, but a big jump from Jalen Duren has helped to catapult the Pistons to the top. If they keep excelling through the end of the season, they could very shortly take over our top overall seed.
No. 1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
Preseason Win Total: 62.5
Current Win Total: 61.5
Our top seed again is the Oklahoma City Thunder, but are they truly underachieving compared to their preseason odds? After all, it's hard to find a way to overachieve with a 62.5 win total. The way the season started, it felt like it wasn't enough, but a midseason lull (comparatively) has OKC just a touch behind its number.
Of bigger concern right now for the Thunder is the health of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is dealing with an abdominal strain. He may be out through the end of February, which will certainly test the Thunder. They may slip under their win total, but that's not the goal for the Thunder as they look to be the first repeat NBA champions since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
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