The Emirates NBA Cup takes heart stage this week, with Wednesday’s doubleheader capping the quarterfinal spherical and organising Saturday’s semifinals in Las Vegas.
The Orlando Magic and New York Knicks have already punched their tickets, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs will battle to hitch them.
Earlier than the NBA Cup’s remaining 4 groups are set, and earlier than the soon-to-be 26 eradicated groups resume their common seasons on Thursday and Friday, let’s verify in on the most recent Energy Rankings replace whereas additionally diagnosing the most important weaknesses dealing with each workforce. Who must step it up on the defensive finish? Who has a obvious gap on offense?
Who merely must get wholesome? And do the defending champion Thunder have a weak point in any respect amid a historic 23-1 begin? Our NBA insiders break down all these questions and rank the 30 groups in our weekly Energy Rankings.
Word: Crew rankings are primarily based on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) suppose groups belong this season.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3
Leap to a workforce:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
Greatest weak point: Perhaps … 3-point capturing?
It is troublesome to ring any kind of alarm for a workforce that grew to become solely the third in historical past to open the common season 23-1. The Thunder’s league-best 104.1 defensive score is greater than six factors per 100 possessions higher than the Rockets’ (110.7) within the second slot. That hole is equal to the canyon between second and twenty third. So there’s nothing to complain about on the defensive finish. Maybe there is a concern about an offensive overreliance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s greatness, however he simply sat his first recreation of the season they usually beat the Jazz by 30 factors. Let’s go along with 3-point capturing. They made solely 33.8% of their 3s within the playoffs. It practically doomed them. However that is been bumped to 37.4% by means of 24 video games, seventh finest within the NBA. — Anthony Slater
Greatest weak point: Well being
The Nuggets simply have to get entire. Denver is 10-3 with Aaron Gordon within the lineup and 4-3 with out him. Gordon, who’s recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring pressure, will probably be sidelined till not less than late December and sure longer. The identical is true for Christian Braun, who has been out since mid-November with a sprained ankle. The problem is not solely discovering methods to win with out two starters. The Nuggets should watch out about carrying down Nikola Jokic, who’s averaging 35.8 minutes per recreation since Braun was injured. That’s solely barely beneath the career-high 36.7 minutes Jokic averaged final season, when the Nuggets wanted to close him down for a stretch in March due to all his bumps and bruises. — Tim MacMahon
Greatest weak point: 3-point capturing
If there was ever a knock on the Pistons’ early-season run to the East lead, it is their capturing (nineteenth in 3-point share, twenty eighth in makes an attempt). And it was sure to chew in some unspecified time in the future. For a stretch after their franchise-record 13-game win streak, the Pistons squandered massive leads when groups switched to a zone protection — just like the Bucks did final week — and weren’t in a position to counter. All 5 Pistons losses this season have featured a 3-point share of 33% or worse. — Vincent Goodwill
Greatest weak point: Turnovers
Houston ranks twenty eighth within the league in turnover share (16.1%), a quantity that may be attributed to the workforce’s by-committee strategy to offensive facilitation after veteran level guard Fred VanVleet’s season-ending harm. The Rockets misplaced at Dallas by 13 factors on Saturday after permitting the Mavericks to rack up 34 factors off their 20 turnovers. In a single notably damaging sequence, Reed Sheppard dedicated three turnovers in about 60 seconds to assist gas a 14-0 Dallas run. “Dropped passes, a little bit little bit of all the things, all the above,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated after the loss. — Michael C. Wright
Greatest weak point: Level-of-attack and paint protection
Protection will at all times be a explanation for concern with this roster, as stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities do not specialize on that finish of the ground. New York has been higher as an total unit since Josh Hart has discovered his mojo, as profitable eight of 9 video games — together with Tuesday’s Cup quarterfinal in Toronto — has the Knicks feeling just like the Knicks once more. If Mitchell Robinson performs extra minutes, that may alleviate the strain on two-way wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to make each play. — Vincent Goodwill
Greatest weak point: Common protection
Although the Lakers’ anemic twenty sixth rating in 3-pointers made (and seventeenth rating in 3-point share) stays a recurring delicate spot for the workforce, the Lakers are sixth in total offensive score. The true concern? Their protection. Specifically, the transition protection has been too porous to begin the season. Opposing groups are averaging 24.3 factors per recreation in transition in opposition to Los Angeles (18th within the league) and capturing 55% in transition (seventeenth). L.A. can also be twenty seventh in 3-point protection, permitting opponents to shoot 38.2% from the skin — one other pattern that should change for the Lakers to be elite. — Dave McMenamin
Greatest weak point: Attending to the road
This Boston roster has at all times featured a heavy dose of 3-pointers mixed with one of many decrease free throw charges within the league. However that disparity has solely grown after offseason departures and the harm to Jayson Tatum, who tried the third most free throws within the league final season. The Celtics, final within the NBA in free throw makes an attempt per recreation this season, may wrestle to take care of their No. 2 offensive score if that pattern lasts by means of a whole 82-game season. — Tim Bontemps
Greatest weak point: 3-point protection
Victor Wembanyama‘s absence probably components into this, however the Spurs are tied with Washington for twenty seventh in opponent 3-point subject purpose share (38.3). Wembanyama’s 8-foot wingspan and talent to cowl floor in a rush offered San Antonio’s defenders the posh of figuring out he may erase most pictures on the rim. Within the first 12 video games with Wembanyama within the fold, opponents took 42.3% of their pictures from 3-point vary. Since Wembanyama has been sidelined, that quantity has diminished (36.9%) as groups discovered simpler paths to the rim. With the Spurs defending extra drives, it seems their 3-point protection has slipped. — Wright
Greatest weak point: Protection with out Gobert
Rudy Gobert might not fairly be the dominant drive he as soon as was, however he is nonetheless an excellent defensive participant — and the Timberwolves haven’t got numerous success at that finish of the courtroom when he isn’t concerned. When Gobert performs, Minnesota has a 108.6 defensive score — higher than any workforce however the league-leading Thunder. However when he is off the courtroom, Minnesota falls to a 118.3 defensive score, which might slot proper between the Charlotte Hornets (twenty fourth) and LA Clippers (twenty fifth). That has to enhance if Minnesota needs to make one other journey to the West finals. — Bontemps
Greatest weak point: Remaining entire
Orlando’s greatest job turns into sustaining its rhythm with Franz Wagner sidelined by a left ankle sprain — an MRI on Monday revealed no structural injury — and with Paolo Banchero coming again into the fold after lacking time with a groin pressure. (The Magic went 7-3 in Banchero’s absence.) Nonetheless, the Magic might be with out Wagner, their steadiest participant to this point this season, for 2 to 4 weeks. Desmond Bane picked up loads of the slack with 37 factors in Orlando’s Cup quarterfinal win. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Greatest weak point: Offensive consistency
The Warmth’s offense has slowed down. After scoring not less than 120 factors in 13 of 21 video games, the Warmth have failed to achieve that mark in 4 straight video games — all losses. Miami should work out tips on how to proceed its free-flowing, up-tempo offense when absolutely wholesome with Tyler Herro again within the combine after being eradicated from the NBA Cup on Tuesday. — Youngmisuk
Greatest weak point: Free throw differential
Toronto is a bottom-10 workforce in each free throws tried and allowed, which equated to the Raptors recognizing their opponents an additional two to a few factors per recreation. Toronto is one among simply 5 groups that does not have a single participant averaging 5 free throw makes an attempt per recreation, together with the below-.500 Wizards, Hornets, Mavericks and Kings. In Tuesday’s Cup quarterfinal loss, the Knicks shot 10 extra free throws than the Raptors. — Zach Kram
Greatest weak point: A slumping offense (by their requirements)
Final season’s No. 1 offense blitzed by means of the East with 68 wins. This season, the drop-off has been noticeable regardless of Cleveland nonetheless rating tenth in offensive effectivity. Saturday’s loss to Golden State was the Cavs’ worst offensive exhibiting of 2025-26, and it showcased loads of the problems plaguing them. The Cavs have been held below 100 factors for the second time — that occurred simply as soon as final season — and shot 24% from 3-point vary with simply eight fast-break factors and with All-Star guard Darius Garland capturing 6-of-15 from the ground. To totally regain their contender standing, the Cavs want extra manufacturing from Garland, higher transition offense and extra 3s to fall. — Jamal Collier
Greatest weak point: Ball distribution
The Suns are an undisputable early-season success story, hovering close to the highest 10 within the league in defensive and offensive effectivity below first-year coach Jordan Ott, however Phoenix can enhance by sharpening its ball distribution. The Suns rank twenty second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.62-to-1), a telling stat that highlights each Phoenix’s want for higher ball safety and an offense that might be a tad too reliant on isolation play and free throws. — McMenamin
Greatest weak point: Offensive effectivity
Here’s a record of the 9 least-efficient offenses within the NBA, ranging from the worst: Wizards, Mavericks, Pacers, Kings, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Bulls, Nets after which Warriors. The Jazz, Blazers, Clippers and Hornets are the subsequent 4 above Golden State. So the Warriors are the one workforce within the backside 13 with a document above .500. They’re surviving on the defensive finish however should discover some higher effectivity and sustainability with and with out Stephen Curry on the ground to turn out to be a fringe playoff menace. The Warriors have the fifth-worst turnover share within the league, shoot a midtier share from deep (36.4%) and get the second-fewest factors per recreation (22.1) off drives. That is not a profitable formulation. — Slater
Greatest weak point: Inside measurement (with and with out Embiid)
Let’s put aside the plain query of how usually, and successfully, Joel Embiid will be capable to play. Even when that is not accounted for, that is nonetheless a perimeter-oriented, guard-heavy roster. That model has loads of advantages for Philadelphia, but additionally a fair proportion of points at each ends. That lack of measurement confirmed up in a major means defensively in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, when LeBron James repeatedly muscled his means inside en path to his finest recreation of the season. — Bontemps
Greatest weak point: Paint presence
Certainly one of coach Quin Snyder’s greatest considerations is his workforce’s rebounding and inside protection with out a ton of measurement. A wholesome Kristaps Porzingis goes a great distance for the Hawks’ rim safety, however the massive man just lately missed 4 consecutive video games due to sickness and is commonly held out of a recreation in back-to-backs. Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu have been the most effective rebounders on the workforce, however the Hawks have to determine tips on how to battle extra measurement inside. Dyson Daniels has helped with 6.2 rebounds per recreation, however Johnson should hold carrying the rebound load at 10.5 per recreation. — Youngmisuk
Greatest weak point: Rotational changes
Ja Morant has performed in simply 12 video games. However earlier than Morant suffered his calf pressure, it was clear he and the teaching workers weren’t on the identical web page relating to a few of coach Tuomas Iisalo’s philosophies. Iisalo’s strategy employs brief rotations, which some gamers consider negatively impacts their potential to fall right into a rhythm. After dropping 11 of its first 15 video games, Memphis has received seven of its previous 9, and it seems the Grizzlies are beginning to discover a consolation stage. The return of Zach Edey after a 13-game absence has helped. — Wright
Greatest weak point: Shot creation
A scarcity of shot creation has been the Mavericks’ most obvious concern, however there was drastic enchancment since undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard‘s insertion into the beginning lineup. Nembhard, who led the nation in assists as a Gonzaga senior final season, has averaged 14.8 factors, 6.8 assists and only one.3 turnovers in six video games as a starter. Dallas has gone 4-2 in that span, scoring 120.6 factors per 100 possessions whereas climbing out of final place within the seasonlong offensive effectivity rankings. At 5-foot-11, Nembhard has some defensive deficiencies that create doubt about whether or not he is usually a long-term starter, however the Mavericks mission his ground as not less than a high-quality backup. — MacMahon
Greatest weak point: 3-point capturing
The Blazers are capturing a league-low 33% past the arc, and what’s extra troubling is that they have not actually been unfortunate in that regard. Weighted by makes an attempt this season, Portland’s gamers are 32% profession 3-point shooters. The return of Jrue Vacation (36.5% this season) ought to assist — the Blazers have gone 3-9 since Vacation’s calf pressure after beginning the season 6-6 with him. However Portland has defaulted closely towards protection with its position gamers on the perimeter and can be smart so as to add a capturing specialist to unclog the courtroom. — Kevin Pelton
Greatest weak point: The non-Giannis minutes
This season, greater than ever, all the things concerning the Bucks offense runs by means of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The workforce’s offensive score goes from 126.3 with him on the ground, which might be the most effective within the NBA, to 109.0 with out him on the courtroom, which might be among the many worst within the league. Whereas Antetokounmpo is sidelined with a calf pressure over the subsequent few weeks, the Bucks hope they will uncover a technique to generate constant offense to cease falling aside every time their star cannot carry them. — Collier
Greatest weak point: Offense on the whole
Nearly all the things goes unsuitable throughout a seven-game shedding streak that has erased any good vibes introduced by the Bulls’ quick begin and has despatched them free-falling within the standings. The Bulls have been at all times going to be challenged defensively contemplating their personnel, however their offense was speculated to be quick, constructed on ball motion and that includes a number of succesful playmakers. As a substitute, the Bulls have the league’s No. 24 offensive score and, since Nov. 24, its worst. Chicago has turn out to be extra iso heavy, turnover inclined and inefficient, which has reopened questions concerning the route of the roster. — Collier
Greatest weak point: Protection
As soon as once more, the Jazz are a traditionally horrible defensive workforce. Utah set the unlucky document of getting the best defensive score ever in 2023-24, when the Jazz allowed 119.6 factors per 100 possessions. That improved solely barely final season, dipping barely to a still-league-worst 119.4. Nicely, the Jazz are giving up 120.8 factors per 100 possessions this season. The one excellent news is that Utah has firm in its defensive distress: The Wizards are even worse (123.8) and some groups are nearly as unhealthy. Jazz shot blocker Walker Kessler (shoulder surgical procedure) is out for the season and headed towards what might be contentious restricted free company negotiations. Latest lottery picks Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams, who projected as potential defensive stoppers, have not earned common rotation roles as properly. — MacMahon
Greatest weak point: Forcing turnovers
The Hornets are all extremes on protection, rating within the prime 5 in two of the 4 components (defensive rebounding and in preserving opponents off the free throw line, the place they’re No. 1) however within the backside 5 in efficient subject purpose share allowed and in forcing turnovers. The excellent news is opponents will not probably hold capturing a league-high 39% from 3-point vary given the tendency for that stat to regress, however Charlotte’s incapability to show groups over is much less more likely to appropriate itself. The Hornets are forcing turnovers on the fourth-lowest charge, and solely the Wizards are producing fewer steals per 100 possessions. — Pelton
Greatest weak point: Transition protection
The Clippers are seventeenth within the league with 14.6 turnovers per recreation, fueling their rank (twenty seventh) in fast-break factors allowed per recreation (17.5). The rationale this deficiency is especially disappointing for the Clippers is as a result of it is not a difficulty that sneaked up on them. Assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy even made T-shirts for the gamers to put on throughout coaching camp, reminding them to “Get the f— again,” with the profanity damaged all the way down to 4 tenets of their transition protection philosophy. — McMenamin
Greatest weak point: Offensive score
Their defensive hassle is all too predictable. The Kings lack rim safety and requisite size on the wing, so they do not have the personnel to compete on that finish. Zach LaVine overtly admitted that just lately. However LaVine is an explosive scorer. He had 42 factors in a win over Miami final week. DeMar DeRozan is likely one of the biggest midrange operators in current reminiscence. Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder and Keegan Murray are all distinctive skills. It is a unusual combine, however the presumption was that they had sufficient there to not less than rating at a league common or higher charge. However by means of 24 video games, the Kings have the fourth-worst offensive score (109.0) within the NBA, higher than solely the Wizards, Mavericks and Pacers. — Slater
Greatest weak point: 3-point capturing
The Pacers rank twenty ninth with a 33.2% mark from distance, although they’ve shot a lot better of late, because the workforce has gone 4-2 in its previous six video games. The issue has been with the position gamers, as Indiana’s most essential offensive gamers (Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith) are a mixed 38.1% on 3s, whereas the remainder of the workforce hits at 29.7%. That is a bullish signal for subsequent season, not less than, when Indiana will depend on these key gamers and a wholesome Tyrese Haliburton to return to rivalry. — Kram
Greatest weak point: A second scoring possibility
Discovering extra offense subsequent to Michael Porter Jr. has been a difficulty all season for Brooklyn, and particularly since Cam Thomas has been sidelined with a hamstring harm suffered early final month. It appears the Nets discovered well timed contributions in profitable three of 4 video games, their finest stretch of the season. Ziaire Williams one night time, Day’Ron Sharpe the subsequent, plus Noah Clowney making strides in his total recreation. Porter, in the meantime, has averaged greater than 34 factors in his previous three video games on wonderful effectivity. — Goodwill
Greatest weak point: The possession battles
Washington averages 89.6 pictures per recreation, whereas its opponents common 95.3. That deficit is the most important for any workforce, and it is as a result of the Wizards wrestle to get the ball again on protection: They rank twenty ninth in forcing turnovers and thirtieth in defensive rebound charge. The Wizards are on tempo to set an NBA document for worst single-season defensive score, and that incapability to regulate opponent shot makes an attempt is a big cause. — Kram
Greatest weak point: Inside protection
Opponents are capturing 61% contained in the arc in opposition to the Pelicans, not solely the worst within the NBA this season however the highest mark in league historical past. No workforce had allowed greater than 60% 2-point capturing past the primary 10 video games earlier than this season, when the Kings additionally pulled off the feat earlier than bettering. Monday’s loss to San Antonio was simply the fourth time the Pelicans have held an opponent beneath 55% on 2s, however the Spurs’ red-hot 3-point capturing (17-of-36, 47%) prevented New Orleans from benefiting from Derik Queen‘s 33-point triple-double. — Pelton
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