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.
With the All-Star Break approaching, the gap between true contenders and regular season overachievers is becoming much more clear. Some teams are dominating night after night, while others are still fighting for respect and consistency. Here’s this week’s rankings of the top NBA teams.
- Detroit Pistons (38-13)
The Pistons still lead the Eastern Conference and continue to dominate defensively while maintaining one of the best home records in the league at 21-6. The team’s identity is clear: physical defense, disciplined rotations and a young roster that has avoided beating themselves late in games. However, the biggest question still remains: how will their lack of playoff experience come into play? If their core proves they can handle postseason pressure, Detroit will be more than just a regular season powerhouse.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13)
Oklahoma City falls because of back-to-back losses to the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Although they were missing superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in those games, the team was not playing like the best team in the league even with him on the court. OKC still owns the league’s best record however, and continues to play with elite perimeter defense and length at every position. The recent addition of guard Jared McCain was confusing to some, but if he continues to develop, he will be a valuable rotational player for this team.
- San Antonio Spurs (36-16)
The Spurs are 22-13 in Western Conference play and continue to ride strong momentum with consistent performance on both ends of the floor. They are only 3.5 games behind the Thunder for the No. 1 seed in the West. Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama continues to look like the centerpiece of a future dynasty, impacting games as both a primary scorer and defensive anchor. The Spurs don’t just rely on hot shooting nights, they win through structure, spacing and smart decision making: a culture the franchise has built and maintained since the 1990s. Their biggest test will be whether they can maintain this pace to close out the season and bring confidence into the playoffs.
- New York Knicks (34-19)
The Knicks have solidified themselves as one of the East’s most reliable teams, with a league-leading record of 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are tied with Detroit for best home record at 21-6, and continue to win through physical defense and controlled offensive possessions. They are not the most flashy team, but they consistently execute late in games. The main issue is whether they have enough elite shot creation to compete with top contenders in a seven-game series.
- Denver Nuggets (34-19)
Denver continues to operate like a veteran machine. Even when they don’t dominate statistically, they still find ways to win games — especially on the road where they hold the league best record of 20–9. Since his return, center Nikola Jokić is averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 12.4 assists per game, while shooting 51.3% from the field and 36% from three over this stretch. The Nuggets will rely on disciplined offense and smart ball movement to carry them into the playoffs.
- Boston Celtics (34-19)
Boston remains as one of the best teams in the league despite inconsistent stretches. Their defensive discipline and depth continue to keep them near the top of the Eastern standings. When their offense is flowing, they look like a true contender, but cold shooting nights still hold them back from separating themselves. The Celtics’ ceiling remains high because of their experience and versatility. If they find consistent offensive rhythm, they can beat anyone in the conference.
- Houston Rockets (32-19)
Houston is a team fueled by toughness and effort. The Rockets have leaned into rebounding, physical defense and attacking in transition to establish themselves as a legit Western contender. They may not always have the smoothest half court offense, but their energy level keeps them competitive every night. If their young guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard continue to develop offensively, Houston could climb even higher in the standings and become a nightmare matchup.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (32-21)
Cleveland is trending upward at the right time, currently riding a record in the last 10 games of 8-2. The recent addition of star guard James Harden seems to have opened up their offense in ways they haven’t seen since LeBron was on the team. They may not get the same national attention as other contenders, but they are slowly making a run for the No. 2 seed in the East. If their offense becomes more efficient in late-game situations, the Cavaliers could move from a solid playoff team to a legitimate threat in the East.
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota continues to hover in that dangerous middle tier where their ceiling looks high, but their consistency still wavers. The Timberwolves remain one of the better defensive teams in the Western Conference, holding opponents to tough looks and controlling the glass most nights. The issue has been offensive rhythm, long scoring droughts and streaky shooting have cost them winnable games. Still, their physical identity and playoff experience from recent seasons keep them firmly in the contender conversation.
- Toronto Raptors (32-22)
Toronto has quietly put together one of the steadiest seasons in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are winning through balance, with multiple players contributing scoring rather than relying on one superstar every night. Their effort on the defensive end, led by forward Scottie Barnes, and ability to stay competitive in close games is why they are still a top tier team in the Eastern Conference. While they may lack elite offensive firepower of the top teams, their depth and discipline make them a tough matchup for anyone. If they continue stacking wins, Toronto could become a legitimate threat in the playoffs.
Detroit holds the top spot for now, but with several teams closing the gap, the next few weeks could completely reshape the league’s rankings. If this season has shown anything, it’s that no lead is safe in the standings.