The NBA’s postseason is drawing closer, and the focus is shifting to which contenders are best positioned for the final stretch of the regular season.
In the latest NBA power rankings, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs remain the standard-bearers in the Western Conference, continuing to sit at the top of the conference picture as the schedule tightens.
In the East, the Boston Celtics are on the rise, climbing the rankings as the league moves toward the playoff cutoff. With fewer games remaining, momentum and week-to-week form are becoming increasingly important in separating teams fighting for seeding and home-court advantage.
Why it matters now
As the regular season enters its home stretch, power rankings offer a snapshot of where teams stand heading into the most consequential portion of the calendar. With the playoffs near, the league’s top teams are being measured not only by overall results, but also by how they are trending as postseason basketball approaches.