One week down, with a 6 month season to go. This has been an exciting week so far with one of the best opening nights the NBA has seen for so long. The downside of this week was the amount of injuries that occurred especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There have also been some great storylines as well, such as the return of Damian Lillard and Tyrese Halliburton. Especially Lillard making his first game back in Portland since 2023.
There have been some fantastic starts such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and Philadelphia 76ers. On the other hand, there have been some tough starts such as the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors.
With that being said, let’s get right into it!
(*Records and stats are as of Sunday night, October 25, 2026 after the final game)
NBA Power Rankings – Week 2
Highest Risers: Grizzlies (+8), Pistons (+7), Lakers (+6)
Highest Fallers: Heat (-15), Knicks (-11), Magic (-7)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 (1)
What a tough way to end a near perfect start to the season. Beating your rivals pretty handily and proving why you’re the best in the world turned into a ugly ankle injury of Jalen Williams this past Sunday. This will affect their title chances if he misses the season but the Thunder, when healthy, are the best team.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0 (7)
The opening week of the season couldn’t have gotten any better as they won all games by 20 points or more. Could they be on the same level as Spurs or Thunder?
3. Detroit Pistons 3-0 (10)
Detroit is off to a great start with a couple of big wins against the Boston Celtics and 76ers. The injury to Jalen Duren who will be reevaluated is unfortunate but let’s see how the Pistons do in the next two weeks.
4. Houston Rockets 3-0 (5)
Like the Timberwolves, the Rockets could be a dark horse contender in the West depending if things go their way. If Fred Van Vleet can continue to help Alperen Segun and Amen Thompson can take that next step forward, then Houston will really be a problem. Houston has been by far the best rebounding team so far with a net difference of almost nine rebounds.
5. Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (4)
The 76ers have looked solid so far despite a home loss to Detroit. Their most impressive victory was by far coming back from a 29 point deficit to beat the Cavaliers. LeBron James and Joel Embid have played well so far in limited time and Tyrese Maxey looks to be the number one option offensively. Maybe this team might not have gelling phase. The weakness right now is the bench which ranks dead last in points.
6. Los Angeles Lakers 3-0 (12)
Walter Kessler has only been a Laker for three games and has earned the respect of Hall of Fame big name Shaquille O’Neal by calling him “Milk Chamberlain” after their blowout of the Warriors. The Lakers have an opportunity to get off to a hot start due to a very easy schedule for the first 2-3 weeks. And Luka is still Luka magic.
7. Toronto Raptors 2-1 (7)
Toronto will be a feisty defensive team that’s for sure. So far the Raptors lead the league in steals and are the top team in defensive efficiency. Also, Kawhi Leonard has missed a game already due to knee swelling. Here we go again!
8. San Antonio Spurs 1-2 (2)
It might come a time during the season where De’Aaron Fox might have to get traded. Nothing to do with him, but the fit between him and the two other young guards has not been good. Also, Wemby has been off to a slow start shooting wise. But let’s be honest, that number is a bit skewed with three games and that awful 1-13 shooting night vs. the Thunder. No need to panic.
9. Atlanta Hawks 2-1 (16)
Who needs a superstar? This team does a lot of things well and they have been competitive. They might have what it takes to be one of the top teams in the conference let alone be the best team in their division. This team scores and they are top six in offensive and defensive efficiency.
10. Boston Celtics 1-1 (10)
A couple takeaways from the Celtics first week. The first take is that the Paul George version is unknown. In Game 1, he looked like him old self with 38 points in a loss to Detroit and then only had 15 points on Friday vs. the Knicks. The second take is that the Celtics have been outscored by 20 points in the 4th quarter. And yes, Boston is top-five in three point attempts.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers 1-1 (8)
Biggest takeaway, the Cavaliers are ranked dead last in the fourth in net difference. It’s only two games but they blew a big lead to Philly and almost blew it again to Brooklyn. Hoping this team doesn’t develop a reputation for being soft or can’t close.
12. Denver Nuggets 1-1 (9)
This hasn’t been a good start to the Nuggets. They were offensively incompetent against the Thunder and then needed overtime to beat the Pelicans. Then there is DeMar DeRozan tweet on mental health. Again, only two games.
13. Portland Trail Blazers 2-0 (17)
I know it’s only been a couple of games, but let’s talk about how great Portland has been. Their blowout win vs. the Phoenix Suns show how explosive their offense could be. Can this offense be sustainable? Maybe. But this team still is going to struggle with size for rebounding and blocks.
14. New York Knicks 0-3 (3)
I am not going to get crazy on the Knicks slow start. They have played teams that are eastern conference contenders and each game has been close. Still, they were the first time since the 2012 Mavericks to get off to that start and if they lose Tuesday to Detroit, it would be the first champ since the 1970 Boston Celtics to start 0-4. One got swept in the first round and the other missed the playoffs entirely.
15. Indiana Pacers 2-1 (15)
It’s so nice to see Halliburton back on the floor and so far it doesn’t look like the Achilles injury will affect his game. I know the Pacers played some below average teams but they will go as far as Halliburton and Pascal Siakim will take them. Indy could make the Eastern Conference more competitive.
16. Washington Wizards 2-1 (23)
What else is there to talk about? Trae Young has looked like himself so far. Anthony Davis has one game where he dominates and the next game where he doesn’t show up. The big question is when will AJ Dybantsa make his NBA debut?
17. Memphis Grizzlies 3-0 (25)
This team is 3-0 despite a couple of those wins against bottom-five teams on this list. Let’s also take a moment of props for Ty Jerome who is currently the league’s top scorer. Can he sustain it? Probably not but still give the man his props for a blazing start.
18. Charlotte Hornets 2-1 (19)
The Hornets are currently ranked as the worst team in offensive efficiency. It’s only been one week. However, they ranked at the bottom in almost every stat. Total points, efficiency, bottom-six in 3% percentage despite taking the second most threes and then dead last in field goal percentage. They are missing some key players so Charlotte hopes the offense can turn around.
19. Orlando Magic 1-2 (12)
This team really can’t catch a break of injuries. Paolo Banchero will be expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain and now Jalen Suggs will miss two weeks with a bone bruise in his knee. Their schedule doesn’t get easier this week facing the Raptors twice in Toronto and then the Celtics. Expect a big week from Franz Wagner to keep them afloat. But a 1-5 start is very plausible.
20. Phoenix Suns 1-1 (20)
It’s really hard to judge a team by only 2 games. But the Suns absolutely got embarrassed by Portland. Devin Booker can’t carry this team by himself. Jalen Green, you have to be better. This defense is dead last in efficiency. Hopefully, that is a result of just one bad game.
21. Dallas Mavericks 1-2 (22)
Cooper Flagg‘s injury was a scare but at least now he is probable to play this week. A tough schedule is going to occur this week with going to Miami this week and play the Thunder and Rockets after that. At least, they have Kyrie Irving back. The man is box office.
22. Utah Jazz 1-2 (18)
If it weren’t for a 1 point win against the New Orleans Pelicans and go ahead free throws the Jazz would be 0-3. The second quarters have been the Achilles heel for Utah as they have been outscored in those quarters by 29 points.
23. Los Angeles Clippers 1-2 (28)
You have to give the Clippers credit. They got one win and had 2 competitive losses. What more to expect from a Ty Lue coached team so far? Brook Lopez is off to a blazing hot start by having a 64.5% field goal percentage from the field fun fact.
24. New Orleans Pelicans 0-3 (26)
Despite the start, the Pelicans have been very competitive in those losses losing by three, one and six. New Orleans also boasts the best bench in the NBA leading the benches in scoring.
25. Chicago Bulls 1-2 (24)
What has changed so far? Caleb Wilson looks raw and has improved every game. The Bulls have beaten the team they were expected to beat and are the fastest team in pace. They are expected to give up a lot of points. Next.
26. Miami Heat 0-3 (11)
A very rough week for the Heat. two blowout losses, nearly three by being down by over 20 to Charlotte before a last quarter rally. The defense has regressed especially since they are dead last in opponent 3 point percentage. Hoping the Heat aren’t a team that relies solely on Giannis Antetokounmpo or Bam Adebayo every night to compete.
27. Golden State Warriors 0-3 (22)
The Warriors look very depleted and sorry as a whole. Draymond Green looks old and Steph Curry might not be able to carry the team by himself anymore. The highlight of the week was rookie Yaxel Lendeborg who showed he can play and talked his trash to Doncic.
28. Brooklyn Nets 0-3 (27)
Without Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr., this is the worst team in the NBA. Both players are averaging over 20 points. The third leading scorer? Egor Demin with 9.7. My lord, Brooklyn might be even worse than last year.
29. Milwaukee Bucks 0-3 (29)
This is going to be a very long season for the team in the dairy state. As long as they are competitive like the game against the 76ers, then it won’t be hard to find some silver linings. Tyler Herro so far looks like a strong candidate to be moved at the deadline.
30. Sacramento Kings 0-3 (30)
Week 1 of the season highlighted exactly what Sacramento needs to do. The first thing is to trade Zach Lavine and Domantis Sabonis when their value is high. One is averaging 29 points and the other leading the league in rebounds. Second thing is to make sure rookie Darius Acuff gets as many opportunities as needed. He is averaging 22 points however on 32% shooting.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
