With the season now in full swing, the early landscape of the NBA is starting to take shape. Some teams are already looking like legitimate title contenders, while others are surprising everyone with unexpected starts. Here’s how the top 10 stacks up in the first power rankings of the year.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-1)
The Thunder currently look every bit like a team ready to repeat as champions.
2. Denver Nuggets (7-2)
The Nuggets have had no hiccups so far. Everyone’s healthy, Aaron Gordon is playing the best basketball of his career, and Nikola Jokic still looks like the best player in the league. Denver is currently the only team that feels capable of dethroning OKC.
3. San Antonio Spurs (7-2)
The Spurs have overachieved thus far, looking like a potential dark horse. Victor Wembanyama is clearly the future of the NBA — his dominance at the rim has been unreal, and offensively he can score from anywhere. With De’Aaron Fox recently returning from injury, the Spurs could be that team that shocks the system.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (7-3)
The Cavs currently sit second in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons, who’ve benefited from an easy schedule. Cleveland already beat them in an early matchup.
Coming into the season, the Cavs were the team to beat in the East, and nothing has changed.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (7-3)
I was hesitant to put the Lakers this high due to their recent 20-point loss to the Hawks, but it’s hard to deny their success. Even without LeBron James, the Lakers are thriving on both ends, led by megastar Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. This is the best I’ve seen the Lakers look since the 2011 season when they were led by Kobe Bryant. Once LeBron returns, this offense could reach another level.
6. New York Knicks (6-3)
The Knicks have turned on the jets, winning their last four games by double digits. This past week, they took care of business against a loaded Timberwolves team, putting up 137 points in a 23-point win. After an awkward start, the Knicks are finding their groove.
7. Houston Rockets (6-3)
There was plenty of hype around the Rockets after adding Kevin Durant, but the loss of Fred VanVleet looked like a setback. However, it hasn’t slowed them down. Watching them play, their size and presence stand out — they look massive compared to their opponents.
8. Detroit Pistons (8-2)
The Pistons have looked really good so far, aside from a 21-point loss to Cleveland back in October. They’ve benefited from a favorable early schedule, but they’ve taken advantage of it. Detroit was one of my preseason contenders in the East, and so far, they look every bit the part with the conference’s best record.