Ranking the eight teams alive in the 2026 NBA playoffs

After 16 teams entered the 2026 NBA playoffs, only eight remain, and the teams left in the conference semifinals aren’t who most would have predicted would be here. The first round of the postseason was crazy. Two teams overcame a 3-1 deficit, which is something that had never happened before. Furthermore, a seven-seed beat a two-seed for just the eighth time ever. Injuries, buzzer beaters, blowouts, and much more made for a wild first round, but things should only get more entertaining in round two. Here are the power rankings for all eight of the teams remaining.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, and then they completed the upset over the Denver Nuggets in the first round, so it might seem a little unfair to put them in last place in these power rankings. However, injuries are hard to overcome, and the Timberwolves are ravaged by them.

Donte DiVincenzo’s season is done because of a torn achilles tendon, and Ayo Dosunmu missed Minnesota’s most recent game. Most importantly, Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise when he hyperextended his knee, which came not long after he returned from an injury to his other knee. While Edwards is now expected to play in Game 1 of the second round, it is possible that his injuries will hold him back. The Timberwolves are a gritty team that thrives when they are ruled out. They play elite defense, highlighted by Rudy Gobert’s rim protection and Jaden McDaniels’ full-court pressure. The injuries put the team in an unideal place, though, and they could really struggle on offense if Edwards isn’t fully healthy.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are another team that dealt with the injury bug in round one and still came out on top. Luka Doncic missed the entire first-round series against the Houston Rockets, and Austin Reaves didn’t return until Game 5. LeBron James looked like his younger self and was able to put the team on his back.

The hope is that Doncic will return at some point during their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NBA’s leader in scoring could very well be forced to sit out because of his hamstring injury. James has a lot of mileage on his legs, and Reaves didn’t look great upon his return from an oblique injury. There isn’t great depth behind that trio, either. The good news for the Lakers is that Deandre Ayton has embraced his role as a play-finisher, rebounder, and paint protector, and it has led to him playing some of his best basketball in recent years.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

Just because the Philadelphia 76ers rank sixth in these power rankings doesn’t mean they can’t make a deep postseason run. In fact, they were predicted to win their matchup over the New York Knicks in ClutchPoints’ second round preview. Joel Embiid has looked like his MVP self since returning from appendicitis.

The big man from Cameroon has always been a streaky player because of injuries, but at his best he is one of the top players in the league. Embiid pairs with Paul George, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey, so the 76ers aren’t your average seven seed, and they have the potential to be the team that wins the Eastern Conference. Even so, the team has never escaped the conference semifinals during the Embiid era. Things have gone south quickly for Embiid and George when it comes to injuries and postseason production, so a fall from grace can’t be ruled out.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a well-rounded team. James Harden has transitioned from being the league’s best scorer to one of its best playmakers, and Donovan Mitchell has a knack for hitting big shots. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley form an intimidating interior duo, and Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, and Max Strus provide plenty of spacing.

While Harden’s postseason struggles are well-document, his success in the first round might have proven that he has turned a corner with a new team in which he fits nicely with.

4. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks may have lost two games to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, but each of those losses was separated by just a point. The Knicks stopped messing around and won each of the next three games handily, and they are fresh off one of the biggest postseason blowout wins in league history.

The team plays stifling defense on the perimeter, as all of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges are elite at the point of attack. Mitchell Robinson blocks tons of shots, too. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns carry the offensive burden. Brunson is the floor general, and Towns is arguably the best shooting big man of all time. The team has been hot from 3-point land. If they can keep up the long-ball efficiency, they are going to be tough to beat.

3. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons rank third in these power rankings despite the fact that they were down 3-1 to the eight-seed in round one. Detroit showed resilience and an ability to overcome adversity in that comeback, and they are in a good place going forward in the postseason. Cade Cunningham struggled with turnovers and inefficiency at the start of his round one matchup, but he still led all scorers in points in six of seven games, and he was playing at an extremely high level during Detroit’s final three wins.

The Pistons will need more out of Jalen Duren going forward, though. The first-time All-Star averaged just 10.6 points last series and was outplayed by an inferior center. Detroit is a physical team that plays hard-nosed defense and controls the paint. That is a recipe for success in the postseason.

2. San Antonio Spurs

It is fair to wonder if the San Antonio Spurs will need to experience postseason heartbreak before they become legitimate contenders, but they are young, hungry, and talented. Of course, any conversation regarding the Spurs starts with Victor Wembanyama. Arguably the most intimidating shot blocker the NBA has ever seen, Wembanyama just became the youngest winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in NBA history. He also has a unicorn skill set on offense.

The team’s rebuild landed them a lot more young talent than just the former number one pick, though. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle have tons of potential, Devin Vassell is a great shooter, and Keldon Johnson was this year’s Sixth Man of the Year. The team has veterans to round out the roster. Harrison Barnes is a proven winner, and De’Aaron Fox is one of the best point guards in the NBA. The Spurs are clearly the second-most talented team in the NBA; the only question is whether they will be able to overcome their inexperience.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

It is far too early to crown the Oklahoma City Thunder as back-to-back champions, but there sure doesn’t seem to be a team out there that can slow them down. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be a lock for his second straight MVP. He is surrounded by elite shooters like Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, and Jared McCain, as well as elite defenders, such as Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace.

Reinforcements will eventually come in the form of the currently injured Jalen Williams, too. A 16-0 postseason has never happened and seems overzealous to consider, but if any team were to pull it off, it would be the Thunder.

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