NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Stay Unbeaten at the Top, Spurs and Rockets See Surge

NBA Power Rankings Overview

This week’s NBA power rankings have seen significant changes as teams that initially struggled, such as the Houston Rockets, have found their stride. Here’s a breakdown of the standings and key performances:

Top Teams

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-0, previously No. 1): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claims the Thunder are improved from last season, and it’s hard to argue against that as they remain unbeaten, even without the talented Jalen Williams, who is sidelined following wrist surgery. Historically, they have excelled when Williams is absent, boasting a remarkable 20-0 record in such games. Their upcoming matchup against the Clippers will be crucial to assess their ongoing dominance.
2. San Antonio Spurs (5-1, previously No. 6): The Spurs are on the rise in the rankings despite a disappointing loss to the Suns last Sunday. The injury to Dylan Harper is unfortunate, particularly given his solid performances off the bench. Victor Wembanyama continues to draw attention with his transformed playing style this season, focusing more on attacking the rim rather than relying too heavily on three-pointers.
3. Denver Nuggets (3-2, previously No. 4): The Nuggets maintain a strong position thanks to their impressive stats on both offense and defense. However, their tendency to lose focus and allow opponents back into games after building leads is concerning, as evidenced in recent losses. A significant game against the Warriors this Friday will offer them a shot at redemption after an earlier defeat.
4. Houston Rockets (3-2, previously No. 14): A favorable schedule has helped the Rockets find their rhythm with consecutive wins over teams like the Nets and Raptors. Although their high shooting percentage from three-point range may not hold, they’ve got a pivotal matchup against the Spurs looming on the horizon.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (5-2, previously No. 7): The Lakers thrived even in the absence of superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, largely due to Austin Reaves’ stellar performance. Now that Doncic has returned and is scoring heavily, the Lakers look to further improve their defensive consistency.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (5-1, previously No. 10): The emergence of the backcourt trio of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes is bringing renewed hope to Philadelphia. Their effective play together is creating a promising dynamic, particularly with the potential return of Jared McCain to deepen their roster.
7. Chicago Bulls (5-1, previously No. 16): The Bulls are attracting attention for their fast-paced style and strong defensive play. Josh Giddey’s innovative gameplay, while occasionally erratic, contributes significantly to their current success.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2, previously No. 8): The Bucks are performing admirably, fueled by Giannis Antetokounmpo while also receiving unexpected contributions from players like Ryan Rollins. Their overall effort on both ends of the court has exceeded preseason expectations.
9. Detroit Pistons (4-2, previously No. 12): A standout victory over the Mavericks showcased the effectiveness of Detroit’s double-big lineup, highlighting the importance of players like Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in recent matches.
10. Golden State Warriors (4-3, previously No. 3): Jonathan Kuminga has solidified his role as a crucial starter for the Warriors, but defensive struggles in the first half of games remain an area of concern as they head into challenging matchups.

Mid-Tier Teams

11. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2, previously No. 20): Rising star Toumani Camara has garnered praise from coaches, suggesting his small-market stardom could be on the horizon as he continues to contribute meaningfully to Portland’s effort.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3, previously No. 5): The Cavaliers are struggling offensively in comparison to last season, primarily due to Darius Garland’s absence. Donovan Mitchell’s scoring ability remains, but he requires more support from his teammates.
13. Miami Heat (3-3, previously No. 15): Erik Spoelstra has adjusted the team’s offensive strategy to match their personnel, focusing on a cut-and-replace system that has yielded some early success, though adjustments will likely be necessary when Tyler Herro returns.
14. New York Knicks (3-3, previously No. 2): After a challenging start, the Knicks hope for improved performances with key players like Mitchell Robinson enhancing their lineup.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3, previously No. 9): The Timberwolves are managing to stay competitive without Anthony Edwards, thanks to Julius Randle leading the offensive charge.
16. Los Angeles Clippers (3-2, previously No. 11): The Clippers struggle with slow starts, with their early-game defensive ratings worryingly high. They need to improve their first quarters significantly to regain their ranking.
17. Boston Celtics (3-4, previously No. 23): The Celtics are noticeably missing Jayson Tatum, and their struggles with rebounding highlight issues in their game not previously seen.
18. Orlando Magic (3-4, previously No. 13): The Magic continue to face offensive struggles reminiscent of previous seasons, despite their typically solid defense.
19. Charlotte Hornets (3-4, previously No. 19): Rookie Kon Knueppel is stepping up during Brandon Miller’s absence, showing promise with his increasing scoring.
20. Toronto Raptors (3-4, previously No. 22): The Raptors have had a mixed start, showcasing resilience against weakened teams while still wrestling with overall consistency.

Bottom Teams

21. Phoenix Suns (3-4, previously No. 25): The Suns are now asserting themselves as a three-point shooting team but face formidable challenges ahead against stronger opponents.
22. Atlanta Hawks (3-4, previously No. 18): The Hawks need to find ways to bolster their defense as they navigate life without star player Trae Young due to injury.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (3-4, previously No. 17): Morant’s recent performance raises questions amid locker room discussions regarding his role, and fans are speculating about potential trades.
24. Sacramento Kings (2-4, previously No. 26): The Kings have found some success in close matches, but their offense remains a concern heading into a tough week of games.
25. Utah Jazz (2-4, previously No. 27): The Jazz are struggling to maintain energy and performance levels, with recent games highlighting their offensive shortcomings.
26. Dallas Mavericks (2-4, previously No. 21): There’s optimism for Cooper Flagg’s future, even if his rookie season has presented challenges.
27. Indiana Pacers (1-5, previously No. 24): With numerous injuries plaguing their roster, the Pacers struggle, but they found success recently with standout performances from Quenton Jackson.
28. Washington Wizards (1-5, previously No. 29): After four consecutive losses, the Wizards are searching for strategies to enhance performance moving forward.
29. Brooklyn Nets (0-6, previously No. 30): The Nets are currently without a win and performing poorly defensively, raising concerns about the team’s performance trajectory.
30. New Orleans Pelicans (0-6, previously No. 28): Despite the talent on the roster, the Pelicans are struggling with their performance and face increased pressure as they look for their first win of the season. Their situation could put coach Willie Green’s position at risk.