One week into the 2025-26 NBA season, only two teams—the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the up-start San Antonio Spurs—remain unbeaten. ESPN’s panel of insiders has released its first in-season Power Rankings, offering a snapshot of where all 30 clubs stand after opening-week surprises, key injuries and standout individual performances.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-0)
Despite a rash of injuries and two double-overtime thrillers to start the schedule, Oklahoma City is perfect behind MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring binge of 35, 55, 30, 23 and 31 points. Alex Caruso (concussion), Cason Wallace (left knee), Isaiah Joe and Nikola Topic (preseason injuries), Jalen Williams (wrist surgery) and Chet Holmgren (back) have all missed time, but second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has stepped in with 18.7 points per game. Next up: vs. Washington, Oct. 30; vs. New Orleans, Nov. 2.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1)
After dropping the opener to New York, Cleveland ripped off three straight wins behind the league’s stingiest defense. With several scorers still sidelined, the club has deliberately increased Evan Mobley’s usage to its highest level yet. Upcoming: at Boston, Oct. 29; vs. Toronto, Oct. 31; vs. Atlanta, Nov. 2.
3. Golden State Warriors (4-1)
Golden State produced four 20-point scorers—none named Stephen Curry—in Monday’s victory over Memphis, only the sixth such occurrence in the Curry era. Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga keyed the effort; Kuminga’s 37 rebounds in five games prompted head coach Steve Kerr to label him a permanent starter. Road tests await at Milwaukee (Oct. 30) and Indiana (Nov. 1) before Phoenix visits the Bay on Nov. 4.
4. New York Knicks (2-2)
New York’s offense looked uneven against Miami and Boston, and Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with a quad issue while shooting 40 % overall. The Knicks seek rhythm in a home-and-home with Chicago, Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, before welcoming Washington on Nov. 3.
5. Denver Nuggets (2-1)
Jamal Murray’s torrid start—30.3 points and 6.0 assists on .530/.429/.923 splits—has him eyeing a first All-Star berth alongside Nikola Jokić. Murray is finishing 61.3 % of his 10.3 paint attempts per game. Denver hosts New Orleans on Oct. 29, travels to Portland on Oct. 31 and welcomes Sacramento on Nov. 3.
6. San Antonio Spurs (4-0)
San Antonio’s first 4-0 opening since 2019-20 features improved non-Victor Wembanyama minutes thanks to new center Luke Kornet, who grabbed 12 rebounds in an overtime win against New Orleans. Rookie Dylan Harper erupted for 20 points and a plus-33 in Brooklyn, and the Spurs have yet to see De’Aaron Fox or Jeremy Sochan this year. The Heat visit on Oct. 30 before a Nov. 2 trip to Phoenix.
7. LA Clippers (2-2)
The Clippers rank ninth offensively but only 16th defensively after finishing third on that end last season. A Friday matchup with New Orleans (No. 28 offense through three games) offers a chance to recalibrate. Miami arrives Nov. 3.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (3-1)
Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed Eastern Conference Player of the Week by averaging 36 points, 16 boards and 7 assists on 68 % shooting. Milwaukee split tests against Cleveland and New York and now faces Golden State (Oct. 30), Sacramento (Nov. 1), Indiana (Nov. 3) and Toronto (Nov. 4).
9. Philadelphia 76ers (4-0)
One year removed from a rocky start, Philadelphia boasts an unbeaten record behind Tyrese Maxey’s league-leading 37.5 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe’s 24.5. Joel Embiid remains on a minutes limit, while Paul George (knee) and Jared McCain (thumb) near returns. Boston visits Oct. 31; road dates at Brooklyn (Nov. 2) and Chicago (Nov. 4) follow.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2)
Anthony Edwards will miss roughly two weeks with a hamstring strain, but the schedule features Charlotte, Brooklyn, Utah and Sacramento during the span. First up is a home game against the Lakers on Oct. 29.
11. Houston Rockets (1-2)
Houston’s offense is a committee effort without Fred VanVleet, and newcomer Kevin Durant admitted the 0-2 start “pissed off” the roster. Steven Adams averaged 31 minutes in those contests—a pace the club deems unsustainable. The Rockets visit Toronto (Oct. 29) and Boston (Nov. 1) before hosting Dallas (Nov. 3).
12. Los Angeles Lakers (2-2)
Teammates are “on” Deandre Ayton to spark the former No. 1 pick, and he has responded with 15.8 points on 60 % shooting and 9.3 rebounds. Los Angeles begins a four-game trip at Minnesota (Oct. 29) and Memphis (Oct. 31) before returning to face Miami (Nov. 2) and visiting Portland (Nov. 3).
13. Chicago Bulls (3-0)
Chicago’s bench ranks third in scoring, and the defense is second only to Oklahoma City. The Bulls last opened 3-0 in 2021-22, their lone playoff appearance of the past decade. Sacramento arrives Oct. 29 ahead of a back-to-back with New York.
14. Detroit Pistons (2-2)
Detroit’s outside shooting dipped with Malik Beasley gone and Jaden Ivey injured. Head coach JB Bickerstaff called early play “choppy,” though Ausar Thompson shined with 21 points and 12 rebounds against Boston. Orlando visits Oct. 29, followed by Dallas (Nov. 1) and Memphis (Nov. 3).
15. Miami Heat (3-1)
After an 0-6 preseason and Terry Rozier’s arrest during a federal gambling probe, Miami reeled off three wins, topping 140 points in back-to-back blowouts. Bam Adebayo has carried the load with Tyler Herro sidelined, while Norman Powell averages 24.0 points despite a sore groin. The Heat begin a three-game Western trip in San Antonio on Oct. 30.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (2-2)
Rookie Cedric Coward’s perfect 6-for-6 outing from deep fueled a 25-point win over Indiana after a 32-point loss to Miami. Ja Morant is shooting 44 % overall and 2-for-12 from long range as injuries continue to pile up. Memphis heads to Phoenix on Oct. 29 before hosting the Lakers on Oct. 31.
17. Orlando Magic (1-3)
Big expectations faded with three straight defeats after an opening victory over Miami. Orlando is connecting on only 29.1 % of its threes; Desmond Bane sits at 27.3 % from deep. A five-game trip starts in Detroit on Oct. 29.
18. Charlotte Hornets (2-2)
Charlotte nearly started 3-0 but surrendered 39 fourth-quarter points to Philadelphia. Rookies Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner are starting, Brandon Miller is nursing a shoulder issue, and LaMelo Ball is averaging 28.3 points, 9.7 assists and 8.3 rebounds while hitting 41.9 % from three. Orlando visits Oct. 30.
19. Atlanta Hawks (1-3)
Toronto blasted Atlanta on opening night, and injuries to Kristaps Porziņģis (flu-like illness), Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and Jalen Johnson (ankle) followed. A spirited win in Orlando offered respite before Monday’s loss in Chicago. The Hawks play nine of their first 14 on the road, including Brooklyn on Oct. 29 and Cleveland on Nov. 2.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (2-2)
With head coach Chauncey Billups suspended following gambling charges, interim boss Tiago Splitter guided Portland to wins over Golden State and a short-handed Lakers squad. Sixth man Jerami Grant is averaging 22.5 points, and the defense ranks sixth with newcomer Jrue Holiday. The Blazers visit Utah on Oct. 29.
21. Dallas Mavericks (1-3)
Dallas scores 1.25 points per half-court trip when D’Angelo Russell initiates but only 0.94 otherwise, according to GeniusIQ. Yet Russell sat the entire second half of a loss to Washington as Jason Kidd searches for playmaking while Kyrie Irving recovers from knee surgery. Indiana arrives Oct. 29.
22. Toronto Raptors (1-3)
Toronto piled up 86 paint points in Atlanta but then lost three straight as the No. 21 defense gave up 139 points to league-worst-offense Dallas. A brutal stretch features Houston (Oct. 29), Cleveland (Oct. 31), Memphis (Nov. 2) and Milwaukee (Nov. 4).
23. Boston Celtics (1-3)
Boston’s retooled roster is battling offensively, and Jaylen Brown’s hamstring flare-up compounds the issue. A home date with Cleveland on Oct. 29 precedes trips to Philadelphia (Oct. 31) and a visit from Houston (Nov. 1).
24. Utah Jazz (2-1)
Walker Kessler, entering restricted free agency next summer, is showcasing range with three made threes in four tries while averaging 16.7 points and 3.3 assists. Utah hosts Portland on Oct. 29 and travels to Phoenix (Oct. 31) and Boston (Nov. 3).
25. Indiana Pacers (0-3)
A Finals rematch double-overtime loss to Oklahoma City highlighted Indiana’s injury-riddled start. Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin and Johnny Furphy are all out; Mathurin had scored 62 points in two games before spraining his right big toe. The Pacers visit Dallas on Oct. 29.
26. Sacramento Kings (1-3)
Defensive issues intensified without Keegan Murray, sidelined until at least mid-November. Rookie Nique Clifford injured his hamstring in the opener, Keon Ellis fouled out in 18 minutes against the Lakers, and Doug Christie even closed with Russell Westbrook at power forward in the lone win. A three-game trip begins in Chicago on Oct. 29.
27. Phoenix Suns (1-3)
Backup guard Collin Gillespie nearly doubled last year’s production with 10.3 points, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals, filling in while Jalen Green recovers from a hamstring strain. First-year coach Jordan Ott is emphasizing development for a young core that includes Ryan Dunn, Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro. Memphis visits Oct. 29.
28. Washington Wizards (1-3)
Washington stunned Dallas 117-107 behind Kyshawn George’s 34 points on 11-for-15 shooting and rookie Tre Johnson’s 17 off the bench. Johnson, the No. 6 pick, averages 16.3 points and hits 42.9 % from three. The Wizards head to Oklahoma City on Oct. 30.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (0-3)
Competitive efforts versus San Antonio and another early loss gave way to a 32-point defeat against Boston after Zion Williamson sat with a left foot bone contusion. Williamson totaled 54 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists and 8 steals in the first two games, production the 25th-ranked defense badly needs. A trip begins in Denver on Oct. 29.
30. Brooklyn Nets (0-4)
Brooklyn’s 0-4 start features league-worst defensive efficiency and a blowout Sunday in San Antonio. Cam Thomas is averaging 24.2 points but providing little else, and the roster’s lack of size is evident on the glass. Atlanta, Philadelphia and Minnesota visit Barclays Center over the next week.
That completes the first regular-season Power Rankings as teams seek health, cohesion and consistency heading into November.
Source: ESPN
