1. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-1)
The Thunder are clearly the team to beat. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP-level, controlling the tempo of every game and hitting big shots late. With one of the deepest young cores in the league and elite two-way balance, OKC looks every bit like a true title contender.
2. Denver Nuggets (10-3)
Nikola Jokic remains an unstoppable force, and Aaron Gordon is having the best season of his career, thriving as a do-it-all forward. Denver’s championship foundation is still rock solid, and their consistency against elite teams keeps them near the top.
3. Houston Rockets (9-3)
Adding Kevin Durant has transformed Houston into a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. His scoring and leadership have elevated everyone around him. The Rockets’ blend of versatility, youth, and star power makes them one of the league’s most dangerous squads.
4. Detroit Pistons (11-2)
The Pistons just keep finding ways to win. Their young core is maturing quickly, and the team has developed a toughness and identity that shows up every night. Detroit is surprising the league with its discipline, depth, and ability to close games.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (10-4)
The Lakers continue to thrive even without LeBron James, recently blowing out the Bucks by 24 despite Giannis being fully available. Luka and the supporting cast has stepped up in a major way, and the team’s defensive commitment has fueled this strong early-season run.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-5)
It’s been a solid start for the Cavs despite dealing with injuries across the roster. Donovan Mitchell and the remaining core have kept the ship steady, and once the team gets healthy, Cleveland should be positioned to take another step forward.
7. Toronto Raptors (9-5)
A team that wasn’t expected to do much this season has suddenly become one of the hottest squads in the league. After starting 1-4, the Raptors have won 8 of their last 9, including two double-digit victories over Cleveland. Their energy, defense, and surprising offensive balance have powered this surge.
8. Atlanta Hawks (9-5)
Jalen Johnson has been the spark the Hawks needed, leading the way early and bringing a new level of versatility to the lineup. Atlanta’s offense continues to produce, and their improved cohesion has them looking like a strong playoff-caliber team.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-5)
In a deep Western Conference, Minnesota is doing just enough to stay afloat. If this team stays healthy, they have the star talent and the defensive identity to once again make a run toward the Western Conference Finals. Their ceiling remains extremely high.
10. San Antonio Spurs (9-4)
With Victor Wembanyama out for an extended period, the Spurs feel like a team standing on cracked ice, trying to stay steady. Still, their young roster continues to compete hard, and strong coaching has kept them in the mix despite major adversity currently in front of them with out Wemby