NBA Power Rankings 2021: Nets, Lakers, Clippers, 76ers Are Top Championship Contenders

The truncated 2020-2021 NBA season might end up being the most unique in league history. With each team attempting to squeeze in 72 games over the span of less than five months, there appears to be more legitimate championship contenders than any time in recent memory.

Injuries to the league's top superstars have raised plenty of questions regarding the postseason. Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving have only played a handful of games together with the Nets. The defending champion Lakers have been without the NBA’s best duo for an extended period of time.

A pair of unlikely teams have the top records in the Western Conference. The standings don’t accurately reflect which teams have the best chance of winning the title.

Here are NBA power rankings, including all 30 teams, with one month left in the regular season. Teams are ranked by their chances of winning the 2021 NBA Finals.

1) Brooklyn Nets

With their level of star power in a weak Eastern Conference, the Nets have the best chance to win the championship.

2) Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are still the best team in the West when completely healthy, though injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis are at least somewhat concerning.

3) Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard and the most efficient offense in NBA history make the Clippers the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West.

4) Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are in control of the East’s No. 1 seed, meaning they could avoid a second-round matchup against the Nets and Bucks, allowing them to potentially cruise to the conference finals.

5) Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee might actually be the biggest threat to Brooklyn in the East, but having to go through both the Nets and 76ers in the playoffs might be too much to ask of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.

6) Utah Jazz

Despite owning the league’s best record, Utah should be an underdog against either L.A. team in a playoff series because they don’t have a star on the level of James, Davis or Leonard.

7) Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic is the runaway MVP favorite, and Denver might’ve had an NBA title run in them had Jamal Murray not suffered a season-ending injury.

8) Miami Heat

Last year’s NBA Finals run was proof that Miami is built more for the playoffs rather than the regular season.

9) Phoenix Suns

Of all the teams with a top-three seed, Phoenix is the most vulnerable to suffering a first-round playoff upset.

10) Boston Celtics

Boston is finally starting to look like a team that can make some noise in the East.

11) Portland Trail Blazers

In such a weird season, it’s entirely possible that Damian Lillard can lead Portland on another deep playoff run.

12) Dallas Mavericks

Put the Mavericks at the top of the list of play-in tournament teams that a top seed won’t want to see in the first round.

13) Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry doesn’t have much help, but the two-time MVP is playing at such a level that he can drag Golden State to the playoffs all by himself.

14) Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are 12-20 against teams that are .500 or better.

15) New York Knicks

Julius Randle and a stingy defense could make the Knicks a feisty first-round playoff opponent.

16) Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are good enough to earn a top-eight seed and make the playoffs for a sixth straight season.

17) Memphis Grizzlies

A top-six seed is probably too far out of reach, but Memphis should comfortably make the play-in tournament.

18) New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson is the league’s most exciting player, and it’s going to be difficult to keep him from carrying the Pelicans into the play-in tournament.

19) Charlotte Hornets

Injuries to Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball have derailed the momentum Charlotte had a few weeks ago.

20) San Antonio Spurs

With 11 losses in their last 15 games and the NBA’s second-toughest remaining schedule, the Spurs could quickly fall out of the top-10 in the West.

21) Chicago Bulls

Now that Zach LaVine is expected to miss several games because of health and safety protocols, the Bulls are in danger of falling out of the playoff picture.

22) Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are only a game out of the play-in tournament, but they haven’t been able to find their footing in a season that’s been disrupted by the pandemic.

23) Washington Wizards

As the Wizards continue to struggle, the basketball world waits to see if Bradley Beal will be put on the trade market.

24) Sacramento Kings

The Kings are going to miss the playoffs for the 15th straight season.

25) Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are virtually out of the playoff race with the East’s worst offense.

26) Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City has been surprisingly competitive this season after being projected to finish with the NBA’s worst record.

27) Orlando Magic

Orlando pivoted from trying to sneak into the playoffs to trying to win the lottery by moving Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline.

28) Detroit Pistons

Sitting at the bottom of the East, Detroit is just trying to acquire as many ping pong balls in the lottery as possible.