The NBA just started a few weeks ago, but we are remarkably already 10 percent of the way into the regular season. There have been some big surprises, none more so than the Bulls and Sixers at the top of the East. The West has been a bit more predictable at the top, with the Thunder staying strong as the team to beat.
We're starting to get a good picture of the strength of the league as a whole. Here's the latest look at ranking the teams in the 2025-26 season, from best to worst.
MORE: One things for all 30 teams to be excited about
NBA Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 8-0
The Thunder are the last undefeated team in the league, and they've been doing it without Jalen Williams. They still have the league's best defense, and they're steamrolling teams by an average of over 13 points per game. This version might be even better than last season's championship squad.
2. Denver Nuggets 4-2
The Nuggets are humming on both ends of the floor. Newcomer Cameron Johnson hasn't even started shooting well yet. He hasn't had to with Aaron Gordon turning into a knockdown gunner. Nikola Jokic looks like he might be playing his way into shape, but he's still averaging a 23/13/11 triple-double on the year.
3. Los Angeles Lakers 6-2
The Lakers haven't been healthy yet. They haven't needed to be. Even without LeBron James and Luka Doncic, they've come out to a strong start behind the brilliant play of Austin Reaves. Jake LaRavia looks like one of the best under-the-radar pickups of the summer. Deandre Ayton has been solid.
4. Houston Rockets 4-2
Kevin Durant has fit in nicely for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun has leveled up his game and his 3-point shooting. And Houston is absolutely mashing teams on the offensive glass behind Steven Adams and their two-center lineups.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3
The Cavs haven't come out to the fast start that everyone was expecting, but they've also been missing Darius Garland and Max Strus. Garland should be coming back soon. Jaylon Tyson has given a nice boost with strong two-way play.
6. New York Knicks 4-3
It's a more balanced offense, but is it better? The Knicks are still working out the kinks of a new system that is less reliant on Jalen Brunson. It's been a bumpy start, but this team has bigger goals than November games.
7. Golden State Warriors 5-3
The Warriors started as one of the hottest teams in the league. They've come back down to Earth after losses to the Bucks and a beaten-up Pacers squad in the past week. Jonathan Kuminga looks like he's finally found a way to fit in Steve Kerr's system. Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler are doing their thing.
8. Milwaukee Bucks 5-3
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the second-best player in the league behind Victor Wembanyama. He's gotten a boost behind the breakout of Ryan Rollins, who is giving the team defensive toughness and shot making that they've been missing. He should keep the starting spot that he filled upon Kevin Porter Jr.'s injury.
9. San Antonio Spurs 5-1
Wembanyama has been must-watch. The Spurs defense is finally good behind his Defensive Player of the Year type of impact. He's a favorite for MVP, DPOY, and Most Improved Player. Dylan Harper's calf strain is disappointing — the rookie was off to a nice start.
BLOCK + BLOCK + DEEP THREEEEEEE https://t.co/LFqL77YzAL pic.twitter.com/1GEZOpArub
— Bala (@BalaPattySZN) October 26, 2025
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3
Life without Anthony Edwards is tough, but Julius Randle is filling in admirably as a primary scoring option. Edwards played the first two full games before a hamstring injury put him on the sideline. Rudy Gobert is holding down the defense. His offense continues to decline, as does Mike Conley's, who has seen a major reduction in minutes.
11. Chicago Bulls 6-1
The Bulls are back! Josh Giddey is on his way to becoming a first-time All-Star. Nikola Vucevic continues to fight back Father Time. Matas Buzelis is one of the best sophomores in the league. Chicago is a balanced team that is wearing opponents down with pace and depth.
MORE: Why the Bulls are off to a blistering start
12. Detroit Pistons 5-2
The Jalen Duren breakout is here. The big man is averaging 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, showing more driving skill and cashing in on great chemistry in the pick-and-roll with Cade Cunningham. Ron Holland has been excellent as an athletic scorer and defensive pest in Year Two.
13. Philadelphia 76ers 5-2
Joel Embiid looks like a shell of himself. Tyrese Maxey has picked up the slack, emerging as one of the best guards in the East. VJ Edgecombe has taken an early lead in the Rookie of the Year race with his athleticism and two-way play. They should get better as Jared McCain has returned and Paul George will (theoretically) one day.
14. Atlanta Hawks 4-4
At least a month without Trae Young is going to be rough. The Hawks will go point guard by committee. Dyson Daniels is looking like he's breaking out of a rough slump to start the year. After an embarrassing loss in their opener where the Raptors ran all over them, the Hawks' defense is much-improved.
15. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4
What happened to this team's defense? They've fallen off a cliff, ranking 26th a year after finishing 3rd. Kris Dunn is back in the starting lineup, trying to inject some of that toughness back into the team. Veterans Bogdan Bogdanovic and Chris Paul have looked unplayable.
16. Portland Trail Blazers 4-3
Welcome to the most annoying team in the league to play against. Portland wears teams down with its backcourt pressure. Toumani Camara is making a case as the best wing defender in the league. Jerami Grant, the four point play king, has regained his touch after a brutal last season where his trade value tanked to zero.
File this in "it's early but:" Blazers have been a crazy inbounds pressure team this yr.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) October 27, 2025
-Pressing on 24% of their possessions
-Pacers led the NBA last yr at 12.7%.
Blazers have gotten early season praise for being tough to play against. No. 7 defense in the league rn. Pic.twitter.com/Gz92s0p8jV
17. Miami Heat 4-3
Everyone's talking about the unique Heat offense that uses one-on-one scoring in place of pick-and-rolls. That strategy change has led the Heat to a better-than-expected start and some red-hot scoring games from Jaime Jaquez and Norman Powell. They have another gear to hit when Tyler Herro comes back.
18. Orlando Magic 4-3
Desmond Bane has been a disaster, crashing out of the team's recent loss against the Hawks by spiking the ball into Onyeka Okongwu's face and getting thrown out. Paolo Banchero's lack of efficiency is concerning. This is a team with talent, but their offense is a brutal watch.
19. Toronto Raptors 4-4
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles' defensive instincts are shining through. He's learning from a great one in Scottie Barnes. That side of the ball was rough to start the year, but they're making progress. Brandon Ingram's midrange mastery is translating to his new team.
20. Boston Celtics 3-5
Jayson Tatum ain't walking through that door. Kristaps Porzingis ain't walking through that door. Jrue Holiday ain't walking through that door. Luke Kornet ain't walking through that door. And Derrick White (who hasn't been able to buy a 3) and Jaylen Brown can only do so much.
The Celtics don't have the frontcourt to compete with most teams, and rebounding is a problem. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez has been a bright spot with his hustle.
21. Dallas Mavericks 2-5
Cooper Flagg has started slow offensively, being cast as a primary ballhandler due to the team's lack of high quality guards. The center depth has also come under fire, with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II out. That has led to the worst offense in the league.
22. Memphis Grizzlies 3-5
Ja Morant's one-game suspension due to a conflict with new coach Tuomas Iisalo has grabbed headlines. The Grizzlies have done their best with Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. All out, but their three wins have all come against bottom-feeders. At least Cedric Coward is looking like the steal of the draft
23. Phoenix Suns 3-5
This was always going to be a rebuilding year for the Suns. Devin Booker is still elite. They're getting good role player contributions from Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie. Mark Williams is showing some defensive versatility, which is helpful for a very bad defense that is making slow but steady improvements.
24. Charlotte Hornets 3-5
LaMelo Ball still makes some head-scratching plays, but he has been electric as usual. Rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner seemingly never misses a shot and provides a nice presence at the rim. The team's other rookie, Kon Knueppel, has been solid on both ends of the floor. Brandon Miller's shoulder subluxation is a down note, but he will be back in a few weeks.
25. Sacramento Kings 2-5
Zach LaVine's torrid start to the year is being wasted on a team where none of the parts fit. Russell Westbrook is back in as a starter. DeMar DeRozan continues to cook from midrange. But these guys can't guard anyone.
26. Indiana Pacers 1-6
The Pacers need someone, anyone, who is healthy enough to play for them. They signed Mac McClung off the street and put him in the rotation because of their total lack of healthy guards. It's been impossible to evaluate this team because of how decimated they've been.
27. Utah Jazz 3-4
Welcome back, Lauri Markkanen. The Finn is averaging over 30 a game in a renaissance season. Keyonte George is giving better defensive effort and more efficient scoring despite not being able to hit a 3. Ace Bailey has been rough to start the year.
28. New Orleans Pelicans 1-6
How much longer does Willie Green have at the helm? Finally getting a win might buy him some time after the Pels opened 0-6. Zion Williamson suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out at least a week. Maybe that opens up some room for Derek Queen, who has been a fun scorer in limited opportunity. Jeremiah Fears looks like the real deal as a point guard.
29. Washington Wizards 1-6
The Wizards are still bottom-five on both ends of the floor, but there are some good individual development stories. Kyshawn George is a Most Improved Player candidate, continuing on a strong summer showing with great three-level scoring. Alex Sarr is finally figuring out how to score efficiently.
30. Brooklyn Nets 0-7
The Nets are a tough watch. Nobody on the team is averaging more than 3.4 assists per game. They're the worst defense in the league. Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. Are still getting individual buckets. None of the five first-rounders that the Nets took in this draft have popped.