The 2025-26 NBA season has been making strides in the ratings, with the league boasting an increase in viewership on national television. LeBron James, the face of the league for many years, is on the sidelines, but it seems like the NBA is in good hands with many of its current stars.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains a quiet assassin, while Cade Cunningham is starting to make a case as an MVP. The Denver Nuggets are climbing in the standings, while multiple teams have begun a winning streak. The final day of the third week of the season possibly had some of the craziest finishes in a long time.
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Let’s look at the NBA team power rankings after the third week of the season, brought to you by Sportskeeda.
NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 10 Teams After Week 3
#10. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-4)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 121.0
Defensive Rating: 115.5
Net Rating: 5.4
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made their debut in the power rankings after putting together four straight wins last week. Anthony Edwards recovered quickly from his hamstring strain and helped the Timberwolves put together their best stretch of the season so far.
Naz Reid is still trying to get into his rhythm, but Julius Randle has been one of the second options in the NBA. They were linked to Ja Morant late last week, which could be a game-changer if it happens. Nevertheless, the Timberwolves would only go as far as Edwards takes them.
#9. Miami Heat (7-4)
Previous Ranking: NR
Offensive Rating: 117.8
Defensive Rating: 112.5
Net Rating: 5.4
The Miami Heat punctuated their week with a three-game winning streak. Andrew Wiggins cemented their seventh win of the season on Monday. He made the game-winning buzzer-beating dunk with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Overall, the Heat are doing well without Bam Adebayo, who is dealing with a sprained left big toe. It’s the next man up mentality for Erik Spoelstra’s team, which they are primarily known for. They are also doing all of these in the absence of Tyler Herro, who hasn’t made his regular-season debut due to injury.
#8. Milwaukee Bucks (7-4)
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Offensive Rating: 117.8
Defensive Rating: 116.3
Net Rating: 1.5
The Milwaukee Bucks have slid from the fifth spot to eighth due to some inconsistencies. Giannis Antetokoumpo continues to carry the Bucks, proving why he still has a claim to the mantle of being the best player in the world today.
Antetokounmpo might need to do more if the Bucks want to maintain their spot in the standings and in the NBA power rankings. Myles Turner hasn’t clicked offensively, and there isn’t a consistent second scoring option in Milwaukee.
#7. New York Knicks (6-3)
Previous Ranking: No. 10
Offensive Rating: 122.8
Defensive Rating: 113.9
Net Rating: 8.8
The New York Knicks are starting to get comfortable under new coach Mike Brown. The Knicks have the second-best offense in the NBA, which wasn’t surprising considering Brown’s previous teams were known for their high-scoring games.
Jalen Brunson has been a steady presence for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns remains one of the best scoring big men in the league. They have also started developing chemistry, with Josh Hart getting used to his new role off the bench.
#6. Houston Rockets (6-3)
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Offensive Rating: 123.2
Defensive Rating: 113.5
Net Rating: 9.7
Alperen Sengun is the real face of the Houston Rockets, and Kevin Durant seems to be okay with his role as a closer rather than the first option. Sengun is playing like an MVP candidate, and the NBA is starting to take notice with his star shining bright.
There is still a missing piece in Houston, which is a playmaking guard who can also stretch the floor. Amen Thompson has done an admirable job filling in for Fred VanVleet, while Reed Sheppard is better suited as an instant offense threat off the bench.
#5. LA Lakers (8-3)
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Offensive Rating: 118.5
Defensive Rating: 116.9
Net Rating: 1.6
The LA Lakers dropped to the fifth spot in this week’s NBA power rankings after a tough defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. It was a bad loss since the Hawks were playing without Trae Young, who is out with a knee injury.
Luka Doncic continues to torch any defense thrown at him, but it’s the Lakers’ defense that keeps them from maintaining their place as a Top 5 team. They have the lowest net rating in the Top 5, so their defense needs to pick up first before they can climb again.
#4. Denver Nuggets (7-2)
Previous Ranking: No. 9
Offensive Rating: 122.8
Defensive Rating: 109.7
Net Rating: 13.1
The Denver Nuggets made a big leap from the ninth spot to fourth in just a week. The Nuggets have won four in a row to end the third week of the NBA season. They got wins over some pretty good teams, including the Golden State Warriors in NBA Cup play.
Nikola Jokic has been quietly dropping triple-doubles and has looked better compared to the first two weeks of the campaign. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray are playing like All-Stars, while depth has been key to their success.
Cameron Johnson hasn’t adjusted just yet, but the Nuggets will be even more dangerous once he figures it out.
#3. Detroit Pistons (9-2)
Previous Ranking: No. 8
Offensive Rating: 116.0
Defensive Rating: 110.9
Net Rating: 5.2
The Detroit Pistons have the second-best record in the NBA after just three weeks of the season. The Pistons also own a seven-game winning streak, the current longest in the league. However, they didn’t get the second spot because of the quality of their opponents during the streak.
The only team with a winning record from those seven wins was the Philadelphia 76ers. Nevertheless, it’s a great confidence builder for the young Pistons, especially Cade Cunningham, who is suddenly knocking on the door of superstardom.
#2. San Antonio Spurs (8-2)
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Offensive Rating: 119.4
Defensive Rating: 111.3
Net Rating: 8.0
Victor Wembanyama continues to captivate the NBA, with his combination of size, length and skill, which has never been seen before. Wembanyama’s absurd performances are enough to carry the Spurs to the second-best record in the Western Conference.
The Spurs also got some much-needed boost in the form of De’Aaron Fox, who finally made his second debut in the middle of Week 3. Fox is getting eased into the rotation, though Stephon Castle has been an assist machine over his last three games.
#1. OKC Thunder (10-1)
Previous Ranking: No. 1
Offensive Rating: 119.0
Defensive Rating: 105.8
Net Rating: 13.2
The defending NBA champions, OKC Thunder, have the best record in the league after three weeks at 10-1. They have the best net rating in the NBA despite not having their second-best player in Jalen Williams, who is waiting to get cleared from his offseason wrist surgery.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still the main man for the Thunder, but it’s the mentality knowing they can beat any team despite being short-handed that sets them apart. Having the best defense in the league also helps, but what’s scary is they haven’t been fully healthy this season.
Edited by Juan Paolo David
