Under the '40-20 rule,' which dictates a contender must win 40 games before losing 20, the Thunder (42-14) and Pistons (40-13) are the only teams to qualify.
The San Antonio Spurs (38-16) are close to joining them, while the Boston Celtics (35-19) remain an outside shot. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings (12-44), Washington Wizards (14-39), and Brooklyn Nets (15-38) struggle at the bottom of the standings.