The San Antonio Spurs have climbed to the top of this week's NBA Power Rankings after winning nine consecutive games, while the Los Angeles Lakers sit second following a six-game winning streak fueled by Luka Dončić's historic two-way start.
Dončić is leading the league's top-ranked offense and posting elite defensive numbers. Through 12 games he ranks first in steals (20), first in defensive loose balls recovered (9) and second in charges drawn (4). His stop rate of 4.2 per 100 possessions leads players such as Jaden McDaniels and Ausar Thompson, and opponents are shooting just 25% on two-pointers and 32.3% overall when he is the closest defender — the second-best mark among players defending at least 40 shots, behind only Victor Wembanyama.
The Lakers' defense is eight points per 100 possessions better with Dončić on the floor, and the team has improved nearly three points per 100 overall compared to last season. Austin Reaves is on an All-NBA trajectory, and Walker Kessler adds rim protection, lob chemistry and offensive rebounding. Despite turnover and defensive rebounding issues, Los Angeles looks like a top-five team early on.
The Spurs' surge is powered by Wembanyama, who has accumulated 151 points, 56 rebounds and 20 blocks over his last four games. San Antonio now holds an 11-2 record.
Other notable movers include the Minnesota Timberwolves (up nine spots to third at 9-3), the Boston Celtics (fourth at 10-2), and the Houston Rockets (fifth at 10-3). The Golden State Warriors have won eight straight for the first time since 2022, while the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks also rose significantly.
