With the regular season now completed, we’re taking a look at the 2026 NBA playoffs and putting forward our power rankings for the top contenders for outright glory.
The full line-up will only be known following the Play-in tournament, but four teams currently stand out in the battle to emerge as the NBA Finals winner.
Here’s how we rate that quartet in reverse order:
NBA Playoffs Power Rankings
Denver Nuggets
4. Denver Nuggets @ 17/2
The Nuggets have made the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season and should be high on confidence following a hot streak of 12 straight victories, which included triumphs over Western Conference rivals Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
Nikola Jokic’s all-round play has again been exceptional, leading the league averages in points, rebounds and assists per game, so it goes without saying that the 31-year-old Serbian is crucial to repeating their 2023 triumph.
There are doubts amongst the supporting cast, though, with Jamal Murray needing to erase the memories of last season’s post-season struggles, while defensive lynchpin Aaron Gordon has to avoid those calf and hamstring strains.
San Antonio Spurs
3. San Antonio Spurs @ 5/1
The Spurs have built an enthusiastic and energetic young team around 7ft 4in Victor Wembanyama and a run of 30 wins in 33 games from February onwards highlighted how they are growing in stature all the time.
However, San Antonio do head into the post-season with a few question marks hanging over them, including a rib injury to Wembanyama which may allow opponents to target the 22-year-old French prodigy from a physical standpoint.
Maintaining the pace of their regular-season performances in the play-offs is another factor, as matches often tighten up and become more attritional, but there is no doubt the talent is there if they can hold it together.
Boston Celtics
2. Boston Celtics @ 11/2
Detroit are officially the number one-ranked team in the Eastern Conference but the Pistons are 22/1 to go all the way in the play-offs due to concerns over whether they have the attacking firepower to match their strong defence.
The feeling is that second seeds Boston are a better-balanced outfit in this half of the draw, especially if Jayson Tatum can continue his impressive return from an Achilles injury and back up Jaylen Brown.
After being crowned champions in 2024, the Celtics slipped up in the second round last term, but there’s a clear path back to the Finals if they stay focused this time around.
OKC Thunder
1. Oklahoma City Thunder @ 11/10
The Thunder stormed to their first title since moving to Oklahoma City when edging out Indiana in last season’s Finals but certainly haven’t rested on their laurels and remain the team to beat.
A regular-season record of 64-18 is only four wins short of their win tally 12 months ago and again good enough to secure the top seed in the Western Conference.
Significantly, the Thunder made a real statement of intent during a late run of 19 wins in 20 outings before resting players for back-to-back losses.
Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander consistently shone down the stretch and injury issues regarding Jalen Williams have been countered by a show of great strength in depth, with players such as Ajay Mitchell rising in prominence.
NBA Playoffs Tips
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips – 2025/26 Season
Oklahoma City Thunder To Win NBA Championship @ 11/10
Boston Celtics To Win Eastern Conference @ 6/4
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