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In last week's Power Rankings the Knicks came out in the No. 1 slot mostly by default. They had won three straight, but more importantly the Thunder were sliding ( they still are) while the Nuggets, Pistons and Spurs each lost two straight to give up the inside track on the top spot.

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel continue to duke it out for No. 1 in USA TODAY's NBA rookie rankings, while VJ Edgecombe and Maxime Raynaud rise.

With the Thunder looking human, 5-4 in their last nine, other teams have taken advantage, including the Spurs.

No one is catching the Thunder for the best defense in the league this season. But the battle for No. 2 is hot.

NBA rookie rankings stay steady as Cooper Flagg cements his spot in the top 5, showing why he’s one of the class’s most consistent performers.

On Jan. 8, 2026, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle became only the 11th coach in NBA history to win at least 1,000 regular-season games.

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