NBA Power Rankings: Rockets take over No. 1 spot with sublime start, Heat take huge tumble
When the Houston Rockets‘ preseason win complete line got here out a 48.5, I needed to wipe my glasses and examine once more. Vegas would not make errors. And if that is the road, I understand that is the place the sportsbooks are getting the appropriate stability of wagers. So, apparently, the betting public did not get it, as a result of it is a group that gained 52 video games final season regardless of not having some extent guard and being sans Steven Adams for the second half of their schedule.
Everyone remembers the Houston group that went out with a postseason whimper and, exterior of begging Kevin Durant to make contested jumpers, appeared borderline inept within the half-court. But the Rockets have been nonetheless the No. 8 offense and No. 6 protection a season in the past. They went 1-7 in extra time video games. The 52 wins have been in regards to the worst consequence doable, and with Fred VanVleet and Adams again … their line was 48.5?
It appeared like too simple of a wager, and thru the primary week of the season, it nonetheless does. The Rockets are 4-0 and appear to be a completely totally different offense. Durant has talked in regards to the distinction VanVleet has made in permitting the Rockets to fit again into their collectively comfy positioning. No extra level guard by committee, which permits Durant to function extra off ball. Last 12 months he needed to provoke pick-and-roll offense on virtually 18% of his possessions, per Synergy, however this 12 months that is all the way down to 7.3% whereas his spot-up and transition charges are up.
That’s simpler offense for him, and he is at present averaging 23.5 factors on 54/47 taking pictures splits. But Durant goes to make pictures in any offense. It’s the opposite guys which might be benefiting from the improved spacing and move. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. are catching on the transfer and flying downhill. Houston is up three assists a sport from final 12 months and is creating virtually 10 extra factors per sport off these assists. Last 12 months, they have been within the backside 10 in complete passes per sport. This 12 months they’re within the prime 10.
Alperen Sengun is initiating offense as a excessive hub, and it places defenses in an virtually unattainable spot. He’s huge and goes to bully just about any defender one-on-one to the rim, however for those who come to assist Durant is recognizing up or some lengthy athlete is working to the rim. Sengun is selecting defenses aside at 24.5 factors, 9 boards and 7 assists per sport on 58% taking pictures. Give him house on the prime, and he’ll exploit that, too. He’s made six of 9 3-pointers up to now.
Reed Sheppard brings much more juice. When he is within the sport, it is a totally different look with him working off two-man actions and looking pictures with out the burden of making an attempt to function as an offensive organizer. It speaks to all the alternative ways the Rockets are stressing defenses proper now. There’s actual range right here, and with it, an actual shot at contending for a instantly wide-open Western crown.
Think about it: The Thunder simply misplaced Jalen Williams for the season, and Cason Wallace can be out for an prolonged interval with a torn labrum. The Timberwolves are probably going to be with out Anthony Edwards by way of Christmas, whereas the Spurs are nonetheless making an attempt to determine their lineups with three guards and Victor Wembanyama not wanting just like the world-wrecking pressure everybody predicted, at the very least not but. This may be a one-year alternative for a group like Houston to push all its chips in and go for broke.
And they’ve the chips to do it. They have every kind of draft capital and loads of younger expertise to place collectively a package deal for almost any accessible participant within the league. If VanVleet’s mere presence has lifted this group because it has, think about De’Aaron Fox or Kyrie Irving working level. I doubt the Spurs would need to strengthen a direct competitor with a in-season Fox transfer, however an Irving deal is ideal for either side.
He’s not on the Mavericks‘ timeline, and this is a chance so as to add extra draft picks to construct round Cooper Flagg and kick the tires on a Reed Sheppard future inside-out pairing. They might get Smith out of the deal, too, I might think about. I believe Houston is a shadow contender as constructed, however you add a man like Kyrie and this group has an actual shot. There would by no means be a greater time than now.
And with that, let’s get to this week’s energy rankings, the place the Rockets sit at No. 1 after one week of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Biggest Movers
Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| The Rockets are 4-0 with two wins over a superb Atlanta group and a takedown of the Spurs on the energy of Amen Thompson erasing Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-tying shot on the rim in what might maintain up because the play of the 12 months. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant have been extraordinary. The presence of Fred VanVleet at level has slotted everybody into their most comfy positions, and it reveals. | 7 | 4-0 |
2 | 
| OKC took aside San Antonio on opening night time and has raced out to a 4-0 begin. But the devastating Jalen Williams harm and Cason Wallace’s torn labrum have overtaken all of the optimistic vibes. Will OKC make a transfer so as to add some wing depth after dropping Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe this summer season? | — | 4-0 |
3 | 
| Just about everybody pegged Detroit for a significant regression following a 60-win marketing campaign a 12 months in the past, and all of the Pistons have performed is storm out to a 3-1 begin with wins over anticipated Eastern Conference contenders Boston, Philadelphia and Miami. Detroit is defending like ordinary and placing up much more 3s, and earlier than its first off night time in a loss to the Knicks on Tuesday they have been entering into at a 42% clip. | 10 | 4-1 |
4 | 
| The information that Anthony Edwards is headed for a knee process that can maintain him out as much as two months fully sobers what has been an unimaginable begin to the season for the Wolves. The Edwards-LaMelo Ball duo appears to be like devastating. Minnesota is 3-1 with its solely loss coming to the Cavs, in extra time, on the highway, in a back-to-back. If that is what it takes to beat the full-strength Wolves, good luck. Edwards already has a 45- and 47-point sport. Jaden McDaniels is taking part in like an All-Star. Ball has added severe juice to the offense, and Minnesota is dominating defensively. | 5 | 3-1 |
5 | 
| You could not have requested for a greater begin in Philadelphia. The roles already look fairly clearly outlined with Tyrese Maxey established because the go-to scorer. The Sixers (3-1) are a freight practice within the open courtroom. They’ve needed to dig out of plenty of holes, however have proven a capability to clamp down defensively for lengthy stretches. Only a loss to Detroit on a back-to-back (with out Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe) stored them from an ideal begin. Being useless final in bench scoring is a priority, however I nonetheless just like the depth on this group aside from on the middle spot. Dean Wade is working his method again and will likely be large for them. | 1 | 3-1 |
6 | 
| Boston let a 22-point lead evaporate towards Detroit in its opener, however has recovered with three straight wins. Jayson Tatum hit the Knicks with three straight dagger jumpers to shut that one out earlier than sinking a buzzer-beater towards the Nets on Tuesday. Paul George appears to be like nice. | — | 3-1 |
7 | 
| What a win for the Blazers on Tuesday, taking down the Lakers in a wild shootout to maneuver to 3-0 — with the most effective offensive score within the league. So a lot for Ja Morant not becoming. He’s been so in management, getting two ft within the paint and making sound choices primarily based on how the protection reacts. Deni Avdija is attending to be his aggressive downhill self as Damian Lillard is working extra off ball and thriving. This is enjoyable. | 9 | 3-0 |
8 | 
| Luka Dončić is the early MVP. Austin Reaves is headed for All-NBA at this charge. Walker Kessler might nicely lead the league in taking pictures proportion. All of which the Lakers will want most nights as a result of this protection is not stopping a lot. The Blazers put up 136 handy L.A. its first lack of the season. | 4 | 3-1 |
9 | 
| The Spurs climbed again to .500 with wins over Dallas and Sacramento, however the losses to OKC and Houston to open the season instantly quieted the hype round this group. Victor Wembanyama had the worst taking pictures sport of his profession within the opener and appears no nearer to establishing any form of reliable scoring spot (his protection remains to be world conquering). Through the primary three video games the Fox/Harper/Castle three-guard beginning lineup registered an anemic 85.1 factors per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. | 8 | 2-2 |
10 | 
| Had the Cavs been in a position to maintain on to a 29-point lead towards the Sixers of their opener, they’d be 3-0. They scored a critically robust OT win over Minnesota on Monday. Evan Mobley is off to a robust begin. He was huge within the Wolves win with three second-half 3-pointers and one other one to start out extra time. | 4 | 2-1 |
11 | 
| After changing into simply the third group in NBA historical past to start a season 0-3 following a championship (becoming a member of the 1969-70 Celtics and the 2011-12 Mavericks), the Knicks lastly acquired it the win column towards Detroit on Tuesday. Mikal Bridges lastly made some pictures, and Karl-Anthony Towns continues to play at an All-NBA degree to start out the 12 months. Let’s see if New York can discover its stride after the sluggish begin. | 8 | 1-3 |
12 | 
| The Grizzlies are making lots of people who pegged them as a legit playoff risk this season look sensible. Memphis has had a gentle opening schedule, however 4-0 is 4-0. Ty Jerome is averaging slightly below 30 PPG and appears like Chris Paul working choose and roll. Cam Boozer is the primary rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984 to start out his profession with 4 straight wins and averages of at the very least 15 factors and 10 boards. | 11 | 4-0 |
13 | 
| The Hawks are killing their starter minutes however that is skewed by a close to 50-point thrashing of the Hornets. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was filthy on opening night time. Jalen Johnson is almost averaging a triple double however has missed 16 of his first 19 3-pointers. Dyson Daniels leads the league with 14 steals. Aaron Wiggins is balling. But back-to-back losses to an undefeated Houston group has the Hawks at .500. | 5 | 2-2 |
14 | 
| Toronto’s finger-crossing did not work. Kawhi Leonard is already damage. The Raptors say he’ll miss at the very least per week (and sure extra, as that is merely the reevaluation level) with knee swelling. Kawhi has performed in simply two video games and has not shot nicely to start out the 12 months. The Raptors are 2-1, however they’ve solely performed one good group within the Timberwolves, who blew them out. Scottie Barnes put up a bagel in that sport on 0-for-12 taking pictures. Toronto has the worst true-shooting proportion within the league up to now. | 9 | 2-1 |
15 | 
| Trae Young (22 and 11) and Anthony Davis (20 and 9) are placing up severe numbers, however the taking pictures effectivity is not there for both of them. We have not seen No. 1 choose AJ Dybantsa but. Washington is 2-2, however you may’t put a lot inventory in beating Milwaukee and Chicago. | 6 | 2-2 |
16 | 
| The Hornets are one way or the other 3-1 with the league’s second-worst offense and Kon Kneuppel and Coby White nonetheless not having performed. They aren’t making pictures and their turning it over at practically a league-high charge. Brandon Miller has busted out for 73 factors over the final two video games however on inefficient quantity. He has to do this proper now. These wins are large for the Hornets to remain afloat till they’ll get to full energy. | 3 | 3-2 |
17 | 
| Slow begin for the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton made late-game magic to flee the Pelicans within the opener, however Indiana has taken losses to Dallas and Milwaukee. | 10 | 2-2 |
18 | 
| Nikola Jokic stated the Nuggets “can’t defend” and the numbers again it up. Denver (1-2) is giving up over 119 factors per 100 possessions as a bottom-five protection to start out the 12 months. | 8 | 1-2 |
19 | 
| The Magic (1-2) would possibly critically be cursed. They breathed a sigh of aid that Jalen Suggs’ knee harm, which appeared scary, is only a bone bruise, however Paolo Banchero is already out 4 to 6 weeks with a excessive ankle sprain. This group simply can not keep wholesome, and it seems like by the point Banchero will get again they will be in too large a gap to struggle for something aside from a Play-in berth. | 4 | 1-2 |
20 | 
| There’s lots to be enthusiastic about in Dallas proper now. The Mavs have scored wins over the Pacers and Heat and performed proper with the Spurs for 3 quarters. Cooper Flagg is on an early All-NBA path. He appears to be like unimaginable. | 2 | 2-2 |
21 | 
| The excellent news: Keyonte George is validating his breakout season final 12 months after which some, and Ace Bailey goes to be unattainable to maintain out of the beginning lineup completely if he retains taking part in like this, particularly as a rebounder, which actually opens up small-ball lineups for Utah. The unhealthy information: Jaren Jackson Jr. is out for at the very least six weeks with a torn MCL and the Jazz, already with out Jusuf Nurkic within the center, have lose three of their first 4. | 4 | 1-3 |
22 | 
| The Pelicans might legitimately be 3-0. Instead they’re 0-3. They have been up 9 on the Pacers to start out the fourth quarter and have been tied inside two minutes. Dejounte Murray missed a possible game-winner towards Utah. They took Denver to extra time. | 4 | 0-3 |
23 | 
| The Heat are 0-4 and look each bit as unhealthy as that report would point out. The half-court offense is clunky as all hell: Giannis barreling downhill as defenses line up in entrance of them as a result of they do not worry Miami’s shooters. And why would they? The Heat are making simply 30% of their 3s up to now. | 12 | 0-4 |
24 | 
| The Warriors have missed on nearly each draft choose in latest reminiscence however they seem to have been useless on with Yaxel Lendeborg. The rookie is averaging slightly below 22 PPG with 9 boards and virtually 5 assists an evening to go with it. He had 31, 12 and 6 towards Denver on Monday to earn Golden State its first win after opening with three losses. | — | 1-3 |
25 | 
| A regression from their shock 45-win season a 12 months in the past was fairly predictable, and up to now Phoenix appears to be like to be on monitor for simply that with a 1-2 begin and their solely win coming over a nasty Golden State group taking part in with out Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski. | 5 | 1-2 |
26 | 
| The Clippers blitzed Sacramento on opening night time and have been aggressive towards the Lakers and Thunder. Darius Garland is exhibiting elite scorer chops however he is acquired to chop down on the turnovers. | 1 | 1-2 |
27 | 
| The Bucks have been in all their video games and have some guys taking part in nicely. There’s a terrific irony on this group in that it’s outfitted with the kind of taking pictures and secondary playmakers that will go well with Giannis Antetokounmpo completely. Of course, with him in Miami the Bucks should not a superb group. But they did get within the win column towards Indiana after three straight losses to start out the 12 months. | 2 | 1-3 |
28 | 
| Tough loss for Brooklyn on Tuesday at Boston, the place they acquired 51 factors from Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. and a last-second game-tying 3 from Mikel Brown Jr. to push the sport to extra time, the place Jayson Tatum wound up hitting a buzzer beater to ship the Nets to 0-4. | — | 0-4 |
29 | 
| Caleb Wilson Jr. appears to be like like a home-run choose The rookie is averaging 21 and seven to open his profession and has made a number of highlight-reel performs showcasing through-the-roof ball abilities for a man his measurement. Unlimited potential. The Bulls are 1-3. | 2 | 1-3 |
30 | 
| Darius Acuff Jr. is the primary participant in historical past to take at the very least 20 pictures in every of his first 4 video games on his approach to an NBA report 93 makes an attempt to open his profession. He has made 34% of them. The Kings are 0-4. | — | 0-4 |
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