EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJust two weeks into the NBA season, storylines have been flipped as injuries and surprise surges reverberate around the league.The Philadelphia 76ers have dominated their opponents early -- and are having some fun in the process. Meanwhile, the reigning champion New York Knicks are attempting to claw themselves back into the top echelon after starting the season 0-3.It's in the West where things have started to heat up. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with injuries to their stars, making way for players such as the Memphis Grizzlies' Ty Jerome to have an early impact in his team's standings. The Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic is making an early MVP case and doesn't seem to be slowing down after scoring 42 and 45 points in his past two games. And the Portland Trail Blazers, sans Ja Morant as he deals with an injury, are showing that depth is what will set teams apart across the league.In our second iteration of Power Rankings since the season started, our NBA insiders assigned four words to describe each team's start to 2026-27, and break down why things are -- or are not -- working.Note: Team rankings are based on where 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) think teams belong.Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 28Jump to a team:ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLEDAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | INDLAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MINNO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHXPOR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS1. Houston Rockets2026-27 record: 7-1Previous ranking: 4Next games: vs. MIN (Nov. 4), @ PHX (Nov. 7), vs. DEN (Nov. 9)VanVleet's impact is immeasurable. The Rockets navigated the choppy waters of Kevin Durant's first season nearly rudderless without floor general Fred VanVleet, who sustained a season-ending knee injury before the start of training camp. Now that he's back, Houston is a calmer, more organized team. VanVleet directs traffic, manipulates defenses to set up teammates for shots in their preferred spots and limits turnovers, catalyzing a Houston offense with the league's best rating (121.2).Wisely, the Rockets added ballhandling insurance with another veteran point guard in Marcus Smart, who can start in VanVleet's place when he sits the second night of back-to-backs. -- Michael C. Wright2. Detroit Pistons2026-27 record: 6-1Previous ranking: 3Next games: vs. PHI (Nov. 4), vs. LAL (Nov. 8), vs. WAS (Nov. 9)3-pointers have improved. The Pistons have developed a reputation for stifling defense and it hasn't changed, being first in points per game against and defensive rating. What has seemed to improve early is their 3-point shooting.Cade Cunningham is carrying over his playoff 3-point shooting 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 games last season). Duncan Robinson is No. 4 in makes, and the team collectively has risen to No. 6 in percentage (38.1). Their season high in triples in a game in 2025-26 was 18, a mark they've matched twice in the first two weeks. -- Vince Goodwill3. Philadelphia 76ers2026-27 record: 7-1Previous ranking: 5Next games: @ DET (Nov. 4), @ CLE (Nov. 6), @ CHI (Nov. 8), vs. BOS (Nov. 10)The Tyrese Maxey Show. Maxey has been Philly's best player while being on a team 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 games this season with explosive fourth quarters that have kept them winning. 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 said of Maxey. "And I'm not sure that was always the case." -- Kris Rhim4. Boston Celtics2026-27 record: 5-2Previous ranking: 8Next games: vs. MIL (Nov. 4), @ CHA (Nov. 6), @ MIL (Nov. 8), @ PHI (Nov. 10)They'll be just fine. The Celtics traded All-NBA forward Brown fresh off his best season for 36-year-old Paul George this offseason, a return that came as somewhat of a surprise considering George appears to be declining.But through the first two weeks, George has fit in with the Celtics seamlessly as the team has looked like a contender in the Eastern Conference. George is averaging 20.7 points, six rebounds and five assists. Coach Joe Mazzulla recently praised George's impact for being "beyond what's happening on the offensive end," pointing to George's leadership. -- Rhim5. San Antonio Spurs2026-27 record: 5-2Previous ranking: 9Next games: vs. DAL (Nov. 4), @ SAC (Nov. 6), @ POR (Nov. 7), @ PHX (Nov. 9)Still working through kinks. San Antonio expected that, coming into the season, it would have to work through some hiccups with its new starting lineup, but Spurs coach Mitch Johnson is committed to seeing it through. And slowly, the group is starting to deliver on the promise Johnson saw when pondering whether to put them all together.Of course, Victor Wembanyama is at the center of it all, and San Antonio's dynamic guards are finding more ways to get him shots closer to the basket. Wembanyama currently leads the NBA in made alley-oops, averaging 3.8 per game, more than twice the average of any other player. -- Wright6. Memphis Grizzlies2026-27 record: 6-1Previous ranking: 14Next games: vs. IND (Nov. 4), vs. OKC (Nov. 6), @ TOR (Nov. 9)Kleiman "conviction" is confirmed. After last season's trade deadline, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman expressed confidence in what was left in Memphis after jettisoning key players -- Desmond Bane the previous summer and later Jaren Jackson Jr. -- from a roster previously expected to contend for years to come.Kleiman moved the final player, Ja Morant, in June. But on that February day, Kleiman discussed his "conviction" in "pivoting to a younger build" that was "not going to be some drawn-out five-year process." Perhaps he was right, considering Memphis' 6-1 start behind young players such as Cameron Boozer and Cedric Coward taking on major roles alongside a resurgent Ty Jerome.-- Wright7. Los Angeles Lakers2026-27 record: 6-2Previous ranking: 6Next games: @ SAC (Nov. 4), vs. POR (Nov. 6), @ DET (Nov. 8), @ ATL (Nov. 9)Luka's on a heater It's hard to imagine a better start to the season for the Slovenian sharpshooter, leading the league in scoring with 38.3 points per game on percentage splits of 49.7/42.7/88.7. After he scored 42 in a rout of the Heat on Monday, Giannis Antetokounmpo wondered aloud whether Doncic wasn't just establishing himself as the best scorer in today's game, but rather the best to ever put the ball in the basket in the history of the game.Most encouraging for L.A., the points have come with wins. The Lakers are 6-2 out of the gates. -- Dave McMenamin8. Portland Trail Blazers2026-27 record: 5-1Previous ranking: 10Next games: @ PHX (Nov. 4), @ LAL (Nov. 6), vs. SA (Nov. 7), vs. OKC (Nov. 10)Rolling along without Ja. While critics of Portland's offseason trade for Morant questioned his fit in a crowded backcourt, it pays to have extra depth in the modern NBA. Countless teams are struggling to cope with early-season injuries to key players, but the Blazers have maintained their positive momentum despite losing Morant to a strained hamstring after only four games. Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard kept the offense humming throughout a convincing road win over Denver on Monday.Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson has stepped into Morant's starting spot to bolster Portland's perimeter defense, and veteran Jrue Holiday has thrived as a selfless sixth man. -- Ben Golliver9. Cleveland Cavaliers2026-27 record: 4-3Previous ranking: 13Next games: @ OKC (Nov. 4), vs. PHI (Nov. 6), vs. NYK (Nov. 7), @ CHA (Nov. 9)Still figuring themselves out. The good news is Cleveland has more wins than losses; the bad news is the Cavaliers haven't looked that smooth in the process, with Peyton Watson in particular struggling to jell with his new squad. Cleveland has plenty of time to find its form, but the early returns are mixed rather than overwhelmingly positive. -- Zach Kram10. Oklahoma City Thunder2026-27 record: 5-2Previous ranking: 1Next games: vs. CLE (Nov. 4), @ MEM (Nov. 6), vs. WAS (Nov. 7), @ POR (Nov. 10)Injuries are adding up. The injuries to four All-Defensive players -- Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso -- have robbed the Thunder of one of their offensive superpowers. The Thunder have averaged only 11.8 points off of turnovers in the past four games, which ranks third to last in the league during that span.By contrast, Oklahoma City led the NBA in points off of turnovers in each of the past three seasons. -- Tim MacMahon11. Minnesota Timberwolves2026-27 record: 5-3Previous ranking: 2Next games: @ HOU (Nov. 4), @ NO (Nov. 6), vs. UTAH (Nov. 8)Come back soon, Ant. The Timberwolves are hanging tough without Anthony Edwards, who is expected to sit out two months after undergoing a knee procedure. Without their franchise guard, the Timberwolves struggled to sustain their newfound happy-go-lucky vibes during losses to the Warriors and Spurs. But Minnesota did take care of business against the Clippers and Bucks -- two projected bottom-dwellers -- to keep its head above water.Ayo Dosunmu, who signed a five-year, $112 million contract this summer, will get the chance to prove his worth while starting in place of Edwards. -- Golliver12. Golden State Warriors2026-27 record: 5-3Previous ranking: 27Next games: vs. MIA (Nov. 5), vs. ORL (Nov. 7), vs. NO (Nov. 9)Yaxel Lendeborg has arrived. The No. 11 pick in June's draft has already scored 26, 26, 31 and 37 points in his first two weeks in the NBA. His latest outburst, which included six 3s, came in a win over the LA Clippers in which Stephen Curry and Draymond Green rested. This Warriors team just followed an 0-3 start with a sudden five-game surge, and Curry, after the fifth straight win, was asked what changed."Yax," Curry said. The Warriors didn't win five straight all of last season. The Warriors drafted a 24-year-old, 6-foot-10 power wing who has immediately looked like a top-30ish player in the NBA."Changes everything," coach Steve Kerr said. -- Anthony Slater13. Dallas Mavericks2026-27 record: 4-3Previous ranking: 22Next 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 becoming an elite scorer hit a speed bump in Monday's loss to the previously winless Kings, when the 19-year-old went 3-of-19 from the field. Flagg is still averaging 25.2 points this season.The only players in NBA history to average that many points at age 20 or younger: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson. -- MacMahon14. Toronto Raptors2026-27 record: 4-3Previous ranking: 7Next games: @ DEN (Nov. 4), @ MIL (Nov. 6), vs. MEM (Nov. 9)Life without Kawhi, again. After reacquiring Leonard in a trade this offseason, the Raptors have already been forced to deal with the reality of Leonard: one of the league's best players who has been consistently sidelined because of left knee swelling.Still, the Raptors have remained afloat thanks to Scottie Barnes, who is ninth in steals per game (2.1) and 13th in scoring (24.4), and a historically suffocating defense that leads the league with 20.9 turnovers per game. -- Rhim15. Denver Nuggets2026-27 record: 3-3Previous ranking: 12Next games: vs. TOR (Nov. 4), @ IND (Nov. 7), @ HOU (Nov. 9)A lone bright spot. Among several problems that emerged for the Nuggets in last April's first-round flameout to the injured Minnesota Timberwolves, Jamal Murray's lack of production was perhaps the most destructive. He shot 35.7% in the series, 26.2% on 3s and petered out in a 12-point elimination Game 6, missing 13 of 17 shots. That memory appears flushed to open the season. Murray is one of the hottest scorers in the NBA, averaging 27.3 points and making more than 50% of his 3s.Even so, the Nuggets are a wobbly 3-3, with a remarkably average offense, considering they still have Nikola Jokic manning the middle. They led the NBA with a 121.2 offensive rating last season. They're currently 16th at 112.6. -- Slater16. Washington Wizards2026-27 record: 4-3Previous ranking: 18Next games: vs. ATL (Nov. 4), @ ATL (Nov. 6), @ OKC (Nov. 7), @ DET (Nov. 9)The ADs look great. Anthony Davis has been Washington's best player, averaging 23.0 points and 9.1 rebounds, and AJ Dybantsa -- whose two initials are the same as the veteran big man's -- has averaged 19 points on 50% shooting in his first three games in the NBA. That's everything Washington could have wanted from the two No. 1 picks so far. -- Kram17. New York Knicks2026-27 record: 3-4Previous ranking: 16Next games: vs. CHI (Nov. 4), @ CLE (Nov. 7), vs. MIL (Nov. 10)The Mikal Bridges question. The curious case of Bridges continues to start the season, culminating in him playing only 16 minutes against the Nets on Monday night. It's a small sample size, but he's averaging career lows in scoring and efficiency, and even his 3-point attempts are down. The Knicks made a concerted effort to get him going, but it seemed futile."He's just got to keep playing," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "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're in a funk, you got to find one or two things to hold your hat on." -- Goodwill18. Atlanta Hawks2026-27 record: 4-4Previous ranking: 15Next 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 Marks19. Miami Heat2026-27 record: 2-5Previous ranking: 24Next 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. -- Marks20. Charlotte Hornets2026-27 record: 3-5Previous ranking: 17Next games: @ BKN (Nov. 4), vs. BOS (Nov. 6), vs. CLE (Nov. 9)They need their guards. Coby White played 16 minutes in his first game of the season Monday while Kon Knueppel has yet to debut, and the Hornets' offense has suffered without that starting backcourt. Sion James (28% shooting, 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. -- Kram21. Orlando Magic2026-27 record: 2-5Previous ranking: 20Next games: @ PHX (Nov. 5), @ GS (Nov. 7), @ SAC (Nov. 10)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. -- Marks22. New Orleans Pelicans2026-27 record: 3-4Previous ranking: 26Next games: vs. UTAH (Nov. 4), vs. MIN (Nov. 6), @ LAC (Nov. 8), @ GS (Nov. 9)No Dejounte, no problem. After a concerning 0-4 start, New Orleans' stunning overtime victory over previously unbeaten Memphis on Monday was its third straight win without guard Dejounte Murray (personal reasons). Though Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley opened the season with an undersized starting backcourt featuring Murray and Jeremiah Fears, his team's offensive efficiency has improved by nearly 10 points during Murray's absence.Herbert Jones and Karlo Matkovic have added more size and versatility to the new-look starting lineup during the winning streak, leaving Mosley with some difficult decisions once Murray returns. -- Golliver23. Indiana Pacers2026-27 record: 2-6Previous ranking: 11Next games: @ MEM (Nov. 4), vs. DEN (Nov. 7), @ DAL (Nov. 9)Injury bug bites again. It wasn't bad enough that Tyrese Haliburton is out for at least two weeks because of a hamstring injury. Indiana's entire starting five sat out Monday's game, albeit the second night of a back-to-back, giving the Pacers visions of last season when injuries to Haliburton started a wave throughout the roster.Indiana will have to survive this early-season slog and hope for a throwback to two years ago. The Pacers were under .500 in mid-December before turning their season around in January with a run that carried them to the Finals. -- Jamal Collier24. Phoenix Suns2026-27 record: 1-4Previous ranking: 19Next 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 29th in the league in rebounds per game, securing only 39.6 boards a night. In related news, Phoenix is 27th in opponent's offensive rebounds allowed per game (14.2). Both are contributing to the Suns ranking dead last in defensive rating, allowing 124 points per 100 possessions.We knew the center position was a soft spot for this roster heading into the season, but it has been even worse than expected so far. -- McMenamin25. LA Clippers2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 23Next games: vs. MIA (Nov. 4), vs. NO (Nov. 8), @ PHX (Nov. 10)Six-game losing streak. After routing the Sacramento Kings by 25 points to start the season, the Clippers lost their next six straight by an average margin 12.7 points.Their offense has been hard to come by. Their leading scorer, Darius Garland, is averaging 20.1 points on 43.5% shooting, and their second-leading scorer, Rui Hachimura, is averaging 13.4 points on just 36.9% shooting. Maybe their next game against the Heat will be just what they need -- considering how rough the Heat's defense has been so far (27th in the league). -- McMenamin26. Utah Jazz2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 21Next games: @ NO (Nov. 4), @ DAL (Nov. 6), @ MIN (Nov. 8), vs. MIA (Nov. 10)Lauri Markkanen's slow start. Utah needs Markkanen to return to his All-Star form. The 7-footer is averaging 16.5 points and shooting only 38.5% from the field, including 34.3% from 3-point range. It doesn't help that Markkanen is now dealing with a sprained right (shooting) wrist as he attempts to establish a rhythm. -- MacMahon27. Chicago Bulls2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 25Next games: @ NYK (Nov. 4), vs. PHI (Nov. 8)Beginning of a rebuild. This is what step one of a rebuild looks like. The Bulls knew they had a long way to go when their new front office arrived this summer, and the start of the season has confirmed as much.They have one win in their first seven games and haven't been super competitive against a tough schedule (they played Toronto with Kawhi Leonard, Boston twice, and will face the Knicks and Sixers for a second time later this week). Chicago ranks in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive efficiency and, outside of Caleb Wilson's strong start, not much has gone right so far. -- Collier28. Milwaukee Bucks2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 28Next games: @ BOS (Nov. 4), vs. TOR (Nov. 6), vs. BOS (Nov. 8), @ NYK (Nov. 10)Who survives the season? After trading their superstar over the summer, the Bucks have an ill-fitting roster that is clearly in transition. Milwaukee is looking for a new identity and the start of the season has not been encouraging with this many new players on the roster.So, how will Milwaukee continue to remake its roster going forward? What does the future hold for some Bucks veterans, including Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Tyler Herro, who are not on the same timeline as some of the Bucks' other young players, namely No. 10 pick Brayden Burries? -- Collier29. Brooklyn Nets2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 29Next games: vs. CHA (Nov. 4), @ ATL (Nov. 7), @ DAL (Nov. 8)Playing with good intentions. That's about all you can say about the Nets at this point. They've held late leads, they've competed. At times, like Monday, Brooklyn gets a little scattered or too heavily dependent on Julius Randle to retrieve the team from the muck and it has a quicksand effect.But on the positive side, the Nets rank No. 3 in the NBA with nearly 40% of their scoring coming from 3-point range, and No. 7 in makes at 14.3 per game. -- Goodwill30. Sacramento Kings2026-27 record: 1-6Previous ranking: 30Next games: vs. LAL (Nov. 4), vs. SA (Nov. 6), vs. MIA (Nov. 8), vs. ORL (Nov. 10)The rookie isn't shy. Here are Darius Acuff Jr.'s shot attempts in his first seven NBA games: 24, 26, 23, 20, 26, 25, 21. Everyone assumed the rebuilding Kings would give their 19-year-old point guard the ultimate green light. Acuff has accepted, slamming down the gas pedal. His first four games were inefficient. His past three have been encouraging -- 35-of-72 overall plus a 14-assist effort.Acuff's most recent outing also led the previously 0-6 Kings to their first win. He had 25 points in Dallas and closed it out with a flurry, scoring seven in the last five minutes, including a dagger 3-pointer over Cooper Flagg. -- Slater
