NBA Power Rankings: Summing up all 30 teams’ starts
Just two weeks into the NBA season, storylines have been flipped as accidents and shock surges reverberate across the league.
The Philadelphia 76ers have dominated their opponents early — and are having some fun within the course of. Meanwhile, the reigning champion New York Knicks try to claw themselves again into the highest echelon after beginning the season 0-3.
It’s within the West the place issues have began to warmth up. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are coping with accidents to their stars, making method for gamers such because the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Ty Jerome to have an early impression in his workforce’s standings. The Los Angeles Lakers‘ Luka Doncic is making an early MVP case and does not appear to be slowing down after scoring 42 and 45 factors in his previous two video games. And the Portland Trail Blazers, sans Ja Morant as he deals with an injury, are displaying that depth is what’s going to set groups aside throughout the league.
In our second iteration of Power Rankings because the season began, our NBA insiders assigned 4 phrases to explain every workforce’s begin to 2026-27, and break down why issues are — or aren’t — working.
Note: Team rankings are based mostly on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Vincent Goodwill, Zach Kram, Ben Golliver, Kris Rhim and Anthony Slater) assume groups belong.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 28
Jump to a workforce:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
VanVleet’s impression is immeasurable. The Rockets navigated the uneven waters of Kevin Durant‘s first season practically rudderless with out ground normal Fred VanVleet, who sustained a season-ending knee damage earlier than the beginning of coaching camp. Now that he’s back, Houston is a calmer, extra organized workforce. VanVleet directs site visitors, manipulates defenses to set up teammates for pictures of their most well-liked spots and limits turnovers, catalyzing a Houston offense with the league’s greatest score (121.2).
Wisely, the Rockets added ballhandling insurance coverage with one other veteran level guard in Marcus Smart, who can begin in VanVleet’s place when he sits the second night time of back-to-backs. — Michael C. Wright
3-pointers have improved. The Pistons have developed a popularity for stifling protection and it hasn’t modified, being first in factors per recreation towards and defensive score. What has appeared to enhance early is their 3-point capturing.
Cade Cunningham is carrying over his playoff 3-point capturing with a career-high 37%, and Kevin Huerter, who struggled after coming from Chicago at midseason, is at a more-than-respectable clip of 38.5% (he shot 29% in 25 video games final season). Duncan Robinson is No. 4 in makes, and the workforce collectively has risen to No. 6 in share (38.1). Their season excessive in triples in a recreation in 2025-26 was 18, a mark they’ve matched twice within the first two weeks. — Vince Goodwill
2026-27 report: 7-1
Previous rating: 5
Next video games: @ DET (Nov. 4), @ CLE (Nov. 6), @ CHI (Nov. 8), vs. BOS (Nov. 10)
The Tyrese Maxey Show. Maxey has been Philly’s greatest participant whereas being on a workforce with two former MVPs, LeBron James and Joel Embiid, and a Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown. The 25-year-old leads the Sixers in scoring and has buoyed them late in video games this season with explosive fourth quarters which have stored them profitable. He leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring (11.0).
“I just think he now feels — like in a nonarrogant and even a humble way — he knows he’s really, really good,” coach Nick Nurse stated of Maxey. “And I’m not sure that was always the case.” — Kris Rhim
2026-27 report: 5-2
Previous rating: 8
Next video games: vs. MIL (Nov. 4), @ CHA (Nov. 6), @ MIL (Nov. 8), @ PHI (Nov. 10)
They’ll be simply fantastic. The Celtics traded All-NBA ahead Brown contemporary off his greatest season for 36-year-old Paul George this offseason, a return that got here as considerably of a shock contemplating George seems to be declining.
But by way of the primary two weeks, George has slot in with the Celtics seamlessly because the workforce has regarded like a contender within the Eastern Conference. George is averaging 20.7 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists. Coach Joe Mazzulla lately praised George’s impression for being “beyond what’s happening on the offensive end,” pointing to George’s management. — Rhim
2026-27 report: 5-2
Previous rating: 9
Next video games: vs. DAL (Nov. 4), @ SAC (Nov. 6), @ POR (Nov. 7), @ PHX (Nov. 9)
Still working by way of kinks. San Antonio anticipated that, coming into the season, it must work by way of some hiccups with its new beginning lineup, however Spurs coach Mitch Johnson is dedicated to seeing it by way of. And slowly, the group is beginning to ship on the promise Johnson noticed when pondering whether or not to place them all collectively.
Of course, Victor Wembanyama is on the middle of it all, and San Antonio’s dynamic guards are finding more ways to get him pictures nearer to the basket. Wembanyama at the moment leads the NBA in made alley-oops, averaging 3.8 per recreation, greater than twice the common of every other participant. — Wright
Kleiman “conviction” is confirmed. After final season’s commerce deadline, Grizzlies normal supervisor Zach Kleiman expressed confidence in what was left in Memphis after jettisoning key gamers — Desmond Bane the earlier summer time and later Jaren Jackson Jr. — from a roster beforehand anticipated to contend for years to come back.
Kleiman moved the final participant, Ja Morant, in June. But on that February day, Kleiman mentioned his “conviction” in “pivoting to a younger build” that was “not going to be some drawn-out five-year process.” Perhaps he was proper, contemplating Memphis’ 6-1 begin behind younger gamers comparable to Cameron Boozer and Cedric Coward taking up main roles alongside a resurgent Ty Jerome.— Wright
2026-27 report: 6-2
Previous rating: 6
Next video games: @ SAC (Nov. 4), vs. POR (Nov. 6), @ DET (Nov. 8), @ ATL (Nov. 9)
Luka’s on a heater It’s onerous to think about a greater begin to the season for the Slovenian sharpshooter, main the league in scoring with 38.3 factors per recreation on share splits of 49.7/42.7/88.7. After he scored 42 in a rout of the Heat on Monday, Giannis Antetokounmpo questioned aloud whether or not Doncic wasn’t simply establishing himself as one of the best scorer in immediately’s recreation, however somewhat one of the best to ever put the ball within the basket within the historical past of the sport.
Most encouraging for L.A., the factors have include wins. The Lakers are 6-2 out of the gates. — Dave McMenamin
2026-27 report: 5-1
Previous rating: 10
Next video games: @ PHX (Nov. 4), @ LAL (Nov. 6), vs. SA (Nov. 7), vs. OKC (Nov. 10)
Rolling alongside with out Ja. While critics of Portland’s offseason commerce for Morant questioned his slot in a crowded backcourt, it pays to have additional depth within the trendy NBA. Countless groups are struggling to deal with early-season accidents to key gamers, however the Blazers have maintained their optimistic momentum regardless of shedding Morant to a strained hamstring after solely 4 video games. Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard stored the offense buzzing all through a convincing highway win over Denver on Monday.
Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson has stepped into Morant’s beginning spot to bolster Portland’s perimeter protection, and veteran Jrue Holiday has thrived as a selfless sixth man. — Ben Golliver
2026-27 report: 4-3
Previous rating: 13
Next video games: @ OKC (Nov. 4), vs. PHI (Nov. 6), vs. NYK (Nov. 7), @ CHA (Nov. 9)
Still figuring themselves out. The excellent news is Cleveland has extra wins than losses; the dangerous information is the Cavaliers haven’t looked that smooth within the course of, with Peyton Watson particularly struggling to jell along with his new squad. Cleveland has loads of time to search out its type, however the early returns are blended somewhat than overwhelmingly optimistic. — Zach Kram
2026-27 report: 5-2
Previous rating: 1
Next video games: vs. CLE (Nov. 4), @ MEM (Nov. 6), vs. WAS (Nov. 7), @ POR (Nov. 10)
Injuries are including up. The injuries to four All-Defensive gamers — Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso — have robbed the Thunder of one in every of their offensive superpowers. The Thunder have averaged solely 11.8 factors off of turnovers up to now 4 video games, which ranks third to final within the league throughout that span.
By distinction, Oklahoma City led the NBA in factors off of turnovers in every of the previous three seasons. — Tim MacMahon
Come again quickly, Ant. The Timberwolves are hanging powerful with out Anthony Edwards, who is predicted to take a seat out two months after undergoing a knee procedure. Without their franchise guard, the Timberwolves struggled to maintain their newfound happy-go-lucky vibes throughout losses to the Warriors and Spurs. But Minnesota did maintain enterprise towards the Clippers and Bucks — two projected bottom-dwellers — to maintain its head above water.
Ayo Dosunmu, who signed a five-year, $112 million contract this summer time, will get the possibility to show his price whereas beginning rather than Edwards. — Golliver
Yaxel Lendeborg has arrived. The No. 11 choose in June’s draft has already scored 26, 26, 31 and 37 factors in his first two weeks within the NBA. His newest outburst, which included six 3s, got here in a win over the LA Clippers wherein Stephen Curry and Draymond Green rested. This Warriors workforce simply adopted an 0-3 begin with a sudden five-game surge, and Curry, after the fifth straight win, was requested what modified.
“Yax,” Curry stated. The Warriors did not win 5 straight all of final season. The Warriors drafted a 24-year-old, 6-foot-10 energy wing who has immediately regarded like a top-30ish participant within the NBA.
“Changes everything,” coach Steve Kerr stated. — Anthony Slater
2026-27 report: 4-3
Previous rating: 22
Next video games: @ SA (Nov. 4), vs. UTAH (Nov. 6), vs. BKN (Nov. 8), vs. IND (Nov. 9)
Flagg is taking off. Cooper Flagg‘s ascent to changing into an elite scorer hit a velocity bump in Monday’s loss to the beforehand winless Kings, when the 19-year-old went 3-of-19 from the sphere. Flagg continues to be averaging 25.2 factors this season.
The solely gamers in NBA historical past to common that many factors at age 20 or youthful: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson. — MacMahon
Life with out Kawhi, once more. After reacquiring Leonard in a trade this offseason, the Raptors have already been pressured to cope with the fact of Leonard: one of many league’s greatest gamers who has been constantly sidelined because of left knee swelling.
Still, the Raptors have remained afloat due to Scottie Barnes, who’s ninth in steals per recreation (2.1) and thirteenth in scoring (24.4), and a traditionally suffocating protection that leads the league with 20.9 turnovers per recreation. — Rhim
A lone vivid spot. Among a number of issues that emerged for the Nuggets in final April’s first-round flameout to the injured Minnesota Timberwolves, Jamal Murray‘s lack of manufacturing was maybe essentially the most harmful. He shot 35.7% within the collection, 26.2% on 3s and petered out in a 12-point elimination Game 6, lacking 13 of 17 pictures. That reminiscence seems flushed to open the season. Murray is likely one of the hottest scorers within the NBA, averaging 27.3 factors and making greater than 50% of his 3s.
Even so, the Nuggets are a wobbly 3-3, with a remarkably common offense, contemplating they nonetheless have Nikola Jokic manning the center. They led the NBA with a 121.2 offensive score final season. They’re at the moment sixteenth at 112.6. — Slater
2026-27 report: 4-3
Previous rating: 18
Next video games: vs. ATL (Nov. 4), @ ATL (Nov. 6), @ OKC (Nov. 7), @ DET (Nov. 9)
The ADs look nice. Anthony Davis has been Washington’s greatest participant, averaging 23.0 factors and 9.1 rebounds, and AJ Dybantsa — whose two initials are the identical because the veteran massive man’s — has averaged 19 factors on 50% capturing in his first three video games within the NBA. That’s every little thing Washington may have wished from the 2 No. 1 picks to date. — Kram
The Mikal Bridges query. The curious case of Bridges continues to start out the season, culminating in him taking part in solely 16 minutes towards the Nets on Monday night time. It’s a small pattern dimension, however he is averaging profession lows in scoring and effectivity, and even his 3-point makes an attempt are down. The Knicks made a concerted effort to get him going, nevertheless it appeared futile.
“He’s just got to keep playing,” Knicks coach Mike Brown stated. “Everybody goes through those ups and downs throughout the course of the season, and obviously, it’s the beginning of the season right now, so he’s got to find his way.
“When you are in a funk, you bought to search out one or two issues to carry your hat on.” — Goodwill
2026-27 report: 4-4
Previous rating: 15
Next games: @ WAS (Nov. 4), vs. WAS (Nov. 6), vs. BKN (Nov. 7), vs. LAL (Nov. 9)
Taking advantage of circumstances. The standings will show Atlanta winning games against Cleveland and Indiana in the past week. What won’t appear is Cleveland playing in the second night of a back-to-back and Indiana having only six healthy players. The Pacers became the first team to have six players available this early in the season since the 1948 Boston Celtics. — Bobby Marks
2026-27 record: 2-5
Previous ranking: 24
Next games: @ LAC (Nov. 4), @ GS (Nov. 5), @ SAC (Nov. 8), @ UTAH (Nov. 10)
No D, no chance. A team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo should not have the fourth-worst defense in the NBA. But through the first two weeks of the season, Miami has given up an average of 125 points in their five losses.
In their loss to the Lakers on Monday, Miami gave up 138 points, its most this season. This was the 10th time in franchise history (and the second time this season) the Heat have given up at least 130 points. — Marks
They want their guards. Coby White performed 16 minutes in his first recreation of the season Monday whereas Kon Knueppel has yet to debut, and the Hornets’ offense has suffered with out that beginning backcourt. Sion James (28% capturing, 22% on 3s) and Dennis Schroder (37% shooting, 18% on 3s) started in their absence but didn’t do much to put pressure on opposing defenses. — Kram
No home-court identity. The two road wins against New York and Toronto proved that Orlando can compete with the top teams in the East. Playing at home is a different story. The Magic capped the second week of the regular season with home losses to Boston and Washington.
They are now 0-4 and one of five teams without a home win. They trail only Milwaukee, Charlotte and Brooklyn with the worst point differential in home games. — Marks
2026-27 report: 3-4
Previous rating: 26
Next video games: vs. UTAH (Nov. 4), vs. MIN (Nov. 6), @ LAC (Nov. 8), @ GS (Nov. 9)
No Dejounte, no drawback. After a regarding 0-4 begin, New Orleans’ beautiful extra time victory over beforehand unbeaten Memphis on Monday was its third straight win with out guard Dejounte Murray (private causes). Though Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley opened the season with an undersized beginning backcourt that includes Murray and Jeremiah Fears, his workforce’s offensive effectivity has improved by practically 10 factors throughout Murray’s absence.
Herbert Jones and Karlo Matkovic have added extra dimension and flexibility to the new-look beginning lineup through the profitable streak, leaving Mosley with some tough selections as soon as Murray returns. — Golliver
Injury bug bites once more. It wasn’t dangerous sufficient that Tyrese Haliburton is out for not less than two weeks due to a hamstring injury. Indiana’s entire starting five sat out Monday’s recreation, albeit the second night time of a back-to-back, giving the Pacers visions of final season when accidents to Haliburton began a wave all through the roster.
Indiana should survive this early-season slog and hope for a throwback to 2 years in the past. The Pacers had been beneath .500 in mid-December earlier than turning their season round in January with a run that carried them to the Finals. — Jamal Collier
2026-27 report: 1-4
Previous rating: 19
Next video games: vs. POR (Nov. 4), vs. ORL (Nov. 5), vs. HOU (Nov. 7), vs. SA (Nov. 9), vs. LAC (Nov. 10)
Who’s doing the rebounding? The Suns are twenty ninth within the league in rebounds per recreation, securing solely 39.6 boards an evening. In associated information, Phoenix is twenty seventh in opponent’s offensive rebounds allowed per recreation (14.2). Both are contributing to the Suns rating useless final in defensive score, permitting 124 factors per 100 possessions.
We knew the middle place was a comfortable spot for this roster heading into the season, nevertheless it has been even worse than anticipated to date. — McMenamin
Six-game shedding streak. After routing the (*30*) by 25 factors to start out the season, the Clippers misplaced their subsequent six straight by a mean margin 12.7 factors.
Their offense has been onerous to come back by. Their main scorer, Darius Garland, is averaging 20.1 factors on 43.5% capturing, and their second-leading scorer, Rui Hachimura, is averaging 13.4 factors on simply 36.9% capturing. Maybe their subsequent recreation towards the Heat might be simply what they want — contemplating how tough the Heat’s protection has been to date (twenty seventh within the league). — McMenamin
2026-27 report: 1-6
Previous rating: 21
Next video games: @ NO (Nov. 4), @ DAL (Nov. 6), @ MIN (Nov. 8), vs. MIA (Nov. 10)
Lauri Markkanen‘s sluggish begin. Utah wants Markkanen to return to his All-Star type. The 7-footer is averaging 16.5 factors and capturing solely 38.5% from the sphere, together with 34.3% from 3-point vary. It does not assist that Markkanen is now coping with a sprained proper (capturing) wrist as he makes an attempt to ascertain a rhythm. — MacMahon
Beginning of a rebuild. This is what step one in every of a rebuild seems like. The Bulls knew that they had a protracted option to go when their new front office arrived this summer time, and the beginning of the season has confirmed as a lot.
They have one win of their first seven video games and have not been tremendous aggressive towards a troublesome schedule (they performed Toronto with Kawhi Leonard, Boston twice, and can face the Knicks and Sixers for a second time later this week). Chicago ranks within the backside 5 in each offensive and defensive effectivity and, exterior of Caleb Wilson‘s robust begin, not a lot has gone proper to date. — Collier
2026-27 report: 1-6
Previous rating: 28
Next video games: @ BOS (Nov. 4), vs. TOR (Nov. 6), vs. BOS (Nov. 8), @ NYK (Nov. 10)
Who survives the season? After buying and selling their famous person over the summer time, the Bucks have an ill-fitting roster that’s clearly in transition. Milwaukee is in search of a brand new identification and the beginning of the season has not been encouraging with this many new gamers on the roster.
So, how will Milwaukee proceed to remake its roster going ahead? What does the longer term maintain for some Bucks veterans, together with Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Tyler Herro, who aren’t on the identical timeline as among the Bucks’ different younger gamers, specifically No. 10 choose Brayden Burries? — Collier
Playing with good intentions. That’s about all you may say concerning the Nets at this level. They’ve held late leads, they’ve competed. At occasions, like Monday, Brooklyn will get a bit of scattered or too closely depending on Julius Randle to retrieve the workforce from the muck and it has a quicksand impact.
But on the optimistic facet, the Nets rank No. 3 within the NBA with practically 40% of their scoring coming from 3-point vary, and No. 7 in makes at 14.3 per recreation. — Goodwill
2026-27 report: 1-6
Previous rating: 30
Next video games: vs. LAL (Nov. 4), vs. SA (Nov. 6), vs. MIA (Nov. 8), vs. ORL (Nov. 10)
The rookie is not shy. Here are Darius Acuff Jr.’s shot makes an attempt in his first seven NBA video games: 24, 26, 23, 20, 26, 25, 21. Everyone assumed the rebuilding Kings would give their 19-year-old level guard the final word inexperienced mild. Acuff has accepted, slamming down the fuel pedal. His first 4 video games had been inefficient. His previous three have been encouraging — 35-of-72 total plus a 14-assist effort.
Acuff’s most up-to-date outing additionally led the beforehand 0-6 Kings to their first win. He had 25 factors in Dallas and closed it out with a flurry, scoring seven within the final 5 minutes, together with a dagger 3-pointer over Cooper Flagg. — Slater