Liam’s League Leaders is a weekly column that ranks the top 10 NBA teams, analyzing how balance, efficiency, and momentum are shaping the league’s best teams.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-10)
The Thunder remain the gold standard in the league. Even with injury concerns swirling around key contributors, Oklahoma City continues to separate itself through elite depth, defensive versatility and the nightly brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The only team that seems to have their number this season is the San Antonio Spurs, since the Thunder are currently 1-3 vs them on the season. The good news for them is that in their last matchup on Jan. 13, the Thunder won with a final score of 119-98. They still own the best record in the NBA and have proven capable of winning multiple ways whether it is blowouts, clutch finishes or grinded out defensive games. Until someone knocks them off, they remain number one.
2. Detroit Pistons (33-11)
Detroit’s rise is no fluke. The Pistons have paired a top tier defense with growing offensive confidence, allowing them to control close games. They lead the Eastern Conference and hold the league’s second best defensive ratings at 108.5, just behind the Thunder. Questions remain about long-term shot creation and how their young roster will perform in a playoff atmosphere, but for now, Detroit has earned its spot among the NBA’s elite teams.
3. San Antonio Spurs (31-15)
San Antonio’s momentum is real. The Spurs are winning games with structure and an increasingly confident young core led by none other than Victor Wembanyama who is averaging 24.5 points a game. Their ability to stack wins without relying on shooting stretches speaks volumes to their ability to play into the Spurs system that we have known for the last twenty-five years. The question is not whether they’re legit. The question is whether the team can maintain this level of consistency down the second half stretch of the season and get favorable matchups in the playoffs.
4. Denver Nuggets (31-15)
Denver continues to make their presence felt. Even with an injury to their superstar Nikola Jokic, they are 7-3 in their last 10 games. It’s clear the team has built a reliable system over the years that continues to hum even with Jokic out. Jamal Murray has stepped up as the team’s leader, and Denver’s ability to win on the road (12-8) keeps them firmly in contender territory. They may not dominate every team, but once the postseason hits, they will be ready.
5. Boston Celtics (28-17)
Boston is arguably the biggest shock of the season, as they are quietly climbing back toward the top of the Eastern Conference, where they currently sit at the No. 2 seed.. Despite missing their best player, Jayson Tatum, for the entire season and awaiting his return to the court, the Celtics have steadied themselves and are trending upward. Their depth, defensive mentality, and experience make them dangerous to all teams, especially if Tatum comes back at full strength.
6. Houston Rockets (27-16)
Houston’s record demands respect. The Rockets have leaned into physicality, rebounding and defensive intensity to establish themselves as the current Western Conference 4th seed. While offensive flow can get stagnant at times, which is an issue they faced last season, their ability to outwork their opponents keeps them competitive in every game. If their young guards like Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson can add more offensive versatility to their game, the Rockets could quickly rise to the top of the standings.
7. New York Knicks (27-18)
The Knicks have been sliding recently due to recent struggles. In their last ten games they are 4-6 due to defensive lapses and uneven execution in close games. That said, New York remains firmly in the playoff picture and at the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They just have to stay where they are and once it comes playoff time, you have to trust their stars to come through. Whether this stretch is a blip or a warning sign will define their next few months of games.
8. Phoenix Suns (27-19)
Phoenix has also been one of the more surprising teams this season, with many preseason analytics having them in the Play-In Tournament. When healthy, the Sun’s offensive firepower can overwhelm anyone, but rotation consistency and availability among stars like Devin Booker and Jalen Green remains concerning. Still, the team holds the league’s fifth best defensive rating at 112.1, and a strong conference record of 20-13 has kept them in the mix, with plenty of room to rise.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-19)
Minnesota’s placement shows both promise and uncertainty for their future. The Timberwolves defend at a high level with the fourth best defensive rating in the league (112.9), but inconsistency on the offensive end keeps them from rising higher. With the trade deadline looming, roster decisions, especially at guard, can become a major factor if they want to make a late-season push and be in the conference finals for the third straight season. If not, who knows whether they will be a threat or a first round exit.
10. Los Angeles Lakers (27-17)
The Lakers round out the rankings because they currently sit as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference and hold a strong overall record. However, roster limitations are becoming clearer as the season progresses. Their lack of depth at forward and center remains an issue, and with trade assets available, Los Angeles should look into making a move before the February 5th deadline. In their last 10 games they are 4-6, but an even more concerning stat is that in their 17 losses this season, 12 are by double digits. If they continue to not show up in big games and play inconsistently, they may find their season slipping away.