NBA Power Rankings: What to watch over the final two weeks for all 30 teams

With just a handful of matchups left for each team in the regular season, where do all 30 teams land in this week's Power Rankings?

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NBA's regular season has reached its final two weeks, but most non-lottery teams still have plenty to play for as the schedule winds down. The Oklahoma City Thunder are attempting to fend off the streaking San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference's top spot and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. In the East, the Detroit Pistons have a strong lead atop the conference. Our NBA insiders look at the top storylines to watch for each of the 30 teams in this week's Power Rankings.

Why it matters

With only a handful of games left on each team's schedule but lots still to be decided, the final two weeks of the NBA regular season will be crucial for playoff positioning and seeding. Teams are jockeying for position, trying to avoid the play-in tournament, and looking to build momentum heading into the postseason.

The details

The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone 18-2 across their past 20 games but haven't generated any separation from the surging San Antonio Spurs, who have gone 25-2 over their prior 27 outings. The Thunder have six games left, including matchups against the Lakers, Jazz, Clippers, Nuggets and Suns. If they win at least five, they'll secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. In the East, the Detroit Pistons have a four-game lead on the Celtics and the tiebreaker, putting them in position to hold onto the top seed. The Celtics will look for Jayson Tatum to round into form down the stretch, while the Knicks balance playoff positioning with getting players ready for the postseason.

  • The NBA's regular season has reached its final two weeks.
  • The Thunder have gone 18-2 across their past 20 games.
  • The Spurs have gone 25-2 over their prior 27 outings.
  • The Pistons have a four-game lead on the Celtics with the tiebreaker.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics will look for Tatum to round into form down the stretch.

Luka Doncic

Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week that if Los Angeles and Doncic stay as hot as they've been down the stretch, then "to me, he is the MVP."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If the Thunder win at least five, they'll secure home-court advantage throughout the postseason; if they lose two, they'll crack open the door for the surging Spurs.”

— Anthony Slater

“As winners of nine consecutive games with a record of 25-2 since Feb. 1, this young and confident [Spurs] team still believes the best is yet to come, especially with French phenom Victor Wembanyama embarking on a tear to try to capture his first MVP.”

— Michael C. Wright

The takeaway

The final two weeks of the NBA regular season will be filled with high-stakes matchups and crucial positioning battles as teams jockey for playoff seeding and home-court advantage. The race for the top seed in each conference, the fight to avoid the play-in tournament, and the pursuit of individual awards like MVP will all come to a head in the season's final stretch.