NBA Power Rankings: Cavs surge, Kings stink as stretch run nears

NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.

This week, we're taking stock of where things stand as the regular-season calendar enters the stretch run.

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1. San Antonio Spurs (41-16)

Previous: 3

San Antonio has won nine straight, including Monday's statement victory over the East-leading Pistons in Detroit. While it's fair to assess the Spurs' ascension as ahead of schedule, they're 20-11 against teams at .500 or better and have taken four of five from the Thunder. Their time is now.

2. Detroit Pistons (42-14)

Previous: 1

Cade Cunningham's calling out floppers in GQ interviews, the Pistons beat the Knicks twice in five games, and their East lead is as solid as it's been all year despite losing to the Spurs. The Motor City vibes are impeccable right now.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (45-14)

Previous: 2

We knew the Thunder were deep, but perhaps the greatest testament to their unrivaled depth was their statement victory over the red-hot Cavs on Sunday without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell.

4. Boston Celtics (38-19)

Previous: 5

In the Middle Ages, a king's endorsement may have gotten you some sheep or an extra plot of land. This summer, it could be what we identify as the turning point in Jaylen Brown winning his first career MVP award.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-22)

Previous: 8

The Cavaliers have won 14 of their last 16 and six of seven games in which newcomer James Harden has appeared. Kenny Atkinson's squad is beginning to resemble an actual threat in the East after an underwhelming first half of the campaign.

6. Denver Nuggets (36-22)

Previous: 6

Denver's front office has given Nikola Jokic arguably the strongest supporting cast he's ever had. The Nuggets' depth pieces shined during the three-time MVP's injury absence and could be difference-makers in the team's pursuit of a second NBA title.

7. New York Knicks (37-22)

Previous: 4

Granted, it's an improvement on last season's 15-23 mark against teams with a .500 or better record, but this year's 17-16 return - paired with a recent defeat to the Pistons at MSG - has again brought the Knicks' title credentials into question.

8. Houston Rockets (35-21)

Previous: 7

Though he'll turn 40 in 2028, Durant said he wants to play in a fifth Olympic tournament in Los Angeles. That's music to the ears of Rockets fans, who know they get to watch Durant support his case through next season.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves (36-23)

Previous: 10

The Wolves have struggled to contain opponents' 3-point shooting in February. Teams are shooting 42.8% against them - the second-highest rate this month. Their saving grace is that they're only allowing 35.6 attempts per game.

10. Los Angeles Lakers (34-23)

Previous: 9

Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves are finally back on the court together. JJ Redick must determine how to optimize the star triumvirate's strengths if the Lakers hope to make some serious noise in the West.

11. Toronto Raptors (34-24)

Previous: 11

The Raptors excel in clutch scenarios, with a 7-3 record in games decided by three points or fewer. But their 4-14 mark against top 10 teams - skewed by a 3-0 sweep of the Cavs early in the season - is a worrying portent of potential playoff struggles.

12. Phoenix Suns (33-26)

Previous: 13

Is anyone more popular than Devin Booker right now? After Giannis Antetokounmpo's hilarious attempt to recruit him over the All-Star break, Booker coolly laughed off a fan's pitch to join the Lakers. It might be time for Booker to become the recruiter.

13. Miami Heat (31-28)

Previous: 17

Miami is getting healthy at the right time, as Tyler Herro's return coincides with an impressive run for the team. The Heat have the league's fourth-best net rating (14.3) across their last eight games and they're now just 1.5 games back of sixth.

14. Philadelphia 76ers (32-26)

Previous: 12

Joel Embiid's health will remain top of mind. The big man experienced shin soreness while participating in a knee injury management program over the All-Star break. It's not a huge concern at the moment, but the 76ers must proceed with caution.

15. Golden State Warriors (30-28)

Previous: 16

Golden State's injuries are starting to pile up, including the runner's knee that has sidelined Stephen Curry for all of February so far. They now seem destined for the play-in, where their experience could be a decisive edge - if everyone's healthy.

16. Los Angeles Clippers (27-30)

Previous: 18

Give the Clippers credit for continuing to win games after James Harden's shocking departure. But Kawhi Leonard recently stated the truth about this roster: Los Angeles isn't built to contend this season, even with a healthy Darius Garland.

17. Orlando Magic (31-26)

Previous: 15

Franz Wagner is back on the shelf with a lingering ankle sprain that previously kept him out for 16 games. It's a brutal loss for a Magic squad that desperately needs his floor-spacing and passing ability. It looks like another lost season in Orlando.

18. Charlotte Hornets (28-31)

Previous: 14

The Hornets have won 12 of their last 15 games, including statement victories over the Spurs and Rockets, but the team also merits praise for entertainment value. One of the NBA's perennial League Pass lepers is now must-watch TV, brawls included.

19. Atlanta Hawks (29-31)

Previous: 19

Atlanta's posting a minus-3.4 net rating while going 5-5 in February, and now former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher has landed on the bench thanks to his inconsistent play. It may take a little more than Jonathan Kuminga's Hawks debut to right this ship.

20. Portland Trail Blazers (28-31)

Previous: 20

It's been an up-and-down season for the Trail Blazers, but they can take solace in the fact that they have the easiest remaining schedule (.435) in the league, and only seven of their 24 games are against teams with records of .500 or better.

21. Memphis Grizzlies (21-35)

Previous: 24

Memphis is clearly preparing for a rebuild after shipping Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline. But the Grizzlies also need Ja Morant to return so that he can rebuild his value - and that could hinder their tanking efforts.

22. Milwaukee Bucks (25-31)

Previous: 21

It sounds like the Bucks are making one last play-in push, even though it's probably not in their best interests. Head coach Doc Rivers says Giannis Antetokounmpo will play once he's healthy, and they've added Cam Thomas to bolster their bench scoring.

23. Utah Jazz (18-40)

Previous: 26

Losing their bottom-eight protected pick would be a disaster, but with Jaren Jackson Jr. out indefinitely, and Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George starting to catch DNPs like Pokemon, a 4-15 mark across the last 19 games is a fitting development.

24. Washington Wizards (16-41)

Previous: 25

Any team acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis a month apart should instill fear in the rest of the league. Yet the two don't seem close to making their Washington debuts, a conspicuous post-trade deadline trend around the NBA.

25. Chicago Bulls (24-35)

Previous: 22

No team has been worse at defending the 3-ball this season than the Bulls. They've been particularly porous from the perimeter in February, with opponents hitting a league-high 43% of their threes. If that were a player's season mark, they would rank around the top 10.

26. Dallas Mavericks (21-36)

Previous: 23

Cooper Flagg could become just the eighth rookie in league history to average at least 20 points, six boards, and four assists per game, joining the likes of Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Doncic. Small victories for the rebuilding Mavericks.

27. Indiana Pacers (15-44)

Previous: 28

Indiana set itself up for success next season by swiping Ivica Zubac from the Clippers. He's the kind of center that should thrive alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Until then, however, Indiana is relishing pole position in the East's race to the bottom.

28. New Orleans Pelicans (17-42)

Previous: 27

The good news: Zion Williamson has been relatively healthy this season. The bad news: His durability hasn't translated into more wins, and the Pelicans don't have their first-round pick in a loaded draft thanks to the dubious Derik Queen swap.

29. Brooklyn Nets (15-42)

Previous: 29

The Nets are 5-18 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes, which would be the worst clutch record for any team in the last 10 seasons. They also rank last in clutch defense (126 points allowed per 100 possessions).

30. Sacramento Kings (13-46)

Previous: 30

Sacramento set a new franchise record for consecutive losses (16) and is without its three best players for the remainder of the season. There's no team that needs the No. 1 overall pick more than the Kings.