NBA Power Rankings: Pistons enter elite tier in the East
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're assessing matters after one month of regular-season play as the contenders and pretenders sort themselves out in the standings.
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1. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-1)
Previous: 1
A 70-win season isn't out of the question for the Thunder on the heels of a 68-14 mark in 2024-25. They've received balanced scoring and continue to wreak havoc on the defensive end despite Jalen Williams still being sidelined following offseason wrist surgery.
2. Denver Nuggets (10-3)
Previous: 6
Denver's improved depth will be tested with Christian Braun potentially out through Christmas with a sprained ankle. Tim Hardaway Jr. is a solid interim starter, but Cameron Johnson rediscovering his scoring touch would be the ideal development to maintain their early momentum.
3. Detroit Pistons (13-2)
Previous: 11
Detroit hasn't been on top of the East after the first 15 games of a season since 2005-06. That was just days before local wordsmith Eminem released his first greatest hits album, "Curtain Call: The Hits." Lose yourself in the moment, Pistons fans.
4. Los Angeles Lakers (11-4)
Previous: 3
Luka Doncic could probably keep dropping 40-point displays with relative ease, but he won't have to for much longer. LeBron James' season debut is finally on the horizon, which should only further establish JJ Redick's squad as a legitimate threat in the West.
5. Houston Rockets (9-3)
Previous: 7
The Rockets have won nine of 10 and boast the NBA's top offensive rating (123.4) after finishing with the 12th-best mark (114.9) a season ago. They've also been dominating on the glass with a league-leading 50.3 rebounds per contest.
6. New York Knicks (8-5)
Previous: 12
The Knicks went 6-1 on a recent homestand, with the one blip being a loss to the Orlando Magic. The absences of Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby present a first early-season obstacle for Mike Brown's tenure as coach.
7. San Antonio Spurs (10-4)
Previous: 2
The Spurs have had tough luck with injuries thus far, and just as De'Aaron Fox returns from a lengthy absence due a hamstring concern, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle join No. 2 pick Dylan Harper on the sidelines with assorted ailments.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-5)
Previous: 9
Darius Garland is nearly back, which should unlock the Cavs' stuttering offense. In four games since again losing Garland to a toe issue, Cleveland's hitting just 31.9% of its threes. That's been the league's fifth-worst mark in that span.
9. Atlanta Hawks (9-6)
Previous: 17
Atlanta's won seven of their last 10 without Trae Young in the lineup. Breakout forward Jalen Johnson has picked up much of the slack, with averages of 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 44.1% 3-point shooting during Young's absence.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (8-7)
Previous: 8
Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting together a stellar season, averaging 31.2 points and a personal-best 6.8 assists with starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined. Against that backdrop, the Greek Freak's groin injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Milwaukee.
11. Golden State Warriors (9-7)
Previous: 10
Stephen Curry is aging like fine wine. The Warriors star recently registered back-to-back 40-point games in thrilling victories over the San Antonio Spurs. Curry now has 44 career games with 40-plus points since turning 30, tying Michael Jordan's league record in that category.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-5)
Previous: 14
It's tough to properly assess the Timberwolves when their nine wins came against Portland, Indiana, Charlotte, Brooklyn, Utah (twice), Sacramento (twice), and Dallas. They're one of only two West teams yet to beat an opponent above .500 - and the other's the last-place Pelicans.
13. Toronto Raptors (9-5)
Previous: 20
The red-hot Raptors have gone 8-1 since an ominous 1-4 start. They're somehow manufacturing enough on-ball opportunities for a ball-dominant and surprisingly unpredictable attacking quartet of Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.
14. Phoenix Suns (8-6)
Previous: 19
Phoenix's unforeseen early success has partly been fueled by its 3-point shooting. The Suns are fourth in the league with 15.6 threes made per contest, and veterans Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale are two of the league's top outside threats.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (8-5)
Previous: 4
Philadelphia is off to a solid start despite the continued injury absences of Joel Embiid and Paul George; the latter only just returned to make his season debut this week. Tyrese Maxey has taken his game to another level, while rookie VJ Edgecombe is settling in nicely alongside him in the backcourt.
16. Orlando Magic (8-7)
Previous: 18
The Magic's horrid 1-4 start mirrored Desmond Bane's poor beginning in Orlando, though both of those trends have improved considerably. Despite a concerning groin injury for Paolo Banchero, their statement win at MSG was a vital early-season sign.
17. Miami Heat (8-6)
Previous: 15
Erik Spoelstra's renewed offensive approach that prioritizes urgency and pace is paying off for the Heat. Miami is third in the NBA in points scored (124.6) and second in fast-break points (19.2) thanks to the team's new-look up-tempo offense.
18. Chicago Bulls (7-6)
Previous: 5
The Bulls have gone 2-6 since a red-hot start, but if Billy Donovan is looking for positives, four of their recent losses were on the road, and two were in the absence of first-time All-Star candidate Josh Giddey, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (6-7)
Previous: 13
The Blazers slid down the standings courtesy of a 1-4 road trip during a rough stretch for Tiago Splitter and Co., but there's a silver lining: primary scorers Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija look like blossoming stars amid increased workloads.
20. Boston Celtics (8-7)
Previous: 21
Fifth-year center Neemias Queta's suddenly one of Boston's most important players. Their net rating takes its biggest dip - a whopping 26.1-point swing - on Queta's on-off splits. He also emphasizes their dire need for size; Boston's 3-1 when he grabs 10-plus rebounds, but 4-6 when he doesn't.
21. Los Angeles Clippers (4-10)
Previous: 16
It's been a season to forget for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard has been limited to six appearances and Bradley Beal is already done for the campaign. The club's reported attempt to circumvent the salary cap continues to loom with the NBA still conducting its investigation.
22. Charlotte Hornets (4-10)
Previous: 24
The Hornets have been praised for a savvy draft, but who could have foreseen No. 4 overall selection Kon Knueppel acclimating this quickly? The Duke product leads all rookies in scoring (17.6) and is helping fill Brandon Miller's void.
23. Utah Jazz (5-8)
Previous: 27
Keyonte George's dramatic game-winner against Chicago wasn't just another sign that Utah's supporting young talent is starting to shine. It was also a cathartic experience - to some extent, at least - for scarred Jazz fans.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (4-10)
Previous: 22
Tuomas Iisalo's first full season in charge hasn't gone according to plan. The Grizzlies' offense has cratered with Ja Morant shooting a career-low 35.9% from the field.
25. Sacramento Kings (3-11)
Previous: 25
Things are looking pretty bleak in Sacramento. The Kings' defense has been atrocious and fans are getting restless. An impassioned plea from head coach Doug Christie wasn't even enough to stop another lowly effort on their home floor against the T-Wolves.
26. Dallas Mavericks (4-11)
Previous: 23
The entire Dallas-Fort Worth area was never forgiving Nico Harrison, and the Mavs finally acquiesced by firing the embattled GM last week. Finding a trade for Anthony Davis appears to be the next step, but the Mavs can't gauge real interest if he can't stay healthy.
27. Brooklyn Nets (2-12)
Previous: 29
The Nets have the league's worst defensive rating (123.7), Cam Thomas is hurt, Michael Porter Jr. is recording career highs in usage nightly, and they've had the lead at halftime only once (and lost). There are levels to tanking, and Brooklyn is up for the task.
28. Indiana Pacers (1-13)
Previous: 26
Under no circumstances should three-time All-Star Pascal Siakam be playing 34.9 minutes per night during a lost season that's tailor-made for an ethical tank job in pursuit of a coveted top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But he is.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (2-12)
Previous: 30
It's somehow gotten worse in New Orleans. Zion WIlliamson's missed eight straight contests, during which the Pelicans went 2-6 and fired Willie Green. The front office must already regret not having a first-round pick next summer. How much longer does this core have?
30. Washington Wizards (1-12)
Previous: 28
There may be light at the end of the tunnel amid the Wizards' deliberately planned free fall. Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson form a promising young trio that could be joined by another blue-chip prospect from next year's draft.