NBA Power Rankings: Early overreactions for every team

NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.

With two weeks of regular-season hoops in the rearview, we're jumping to conclusions with one overreaction for every team.

Jump to:
ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-0)

Previous: 1

Mitchell should be in MIP conversation: Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell is having a standout sophomore season in OKC. The Belgian is averaging 10 more minutes and 8.3 more field goal attempts per game for a career-high 16.1 points.

2. San Antonio Spurs (5-1)

Previous: 12

Wemby merits MVP and DPOY: Victor Wembanyama powered San Antonio to its first 5-0 start in franchise history. The Frenchman has been a force on both ends, averaging career highs in points (26.7) and rebounds (13.7) plus a league-leading 4.7 blocks.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (6-2)

Previous: 11

Let LeBron sit: The Lakers are flourishing despite LeBron James' sciatica delaying his season debut. Luka Doncic's otherworldly start helps, but Austin Reaves dropping a 50-piece - and even Jake LaRavia showing out - allows L.A. to keep James fresh in Year 23.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (5-2)

Previous: 20

Embiid's no longer the centerpiece: The electric backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe has been a revelation as Joel Embiid had his worst-ever four-game start to a season. Change isn't easy, but Embiid and the 76ers will be better off practicing acceptance.

5. Chicago Bulls (6-1)

Previous: 22

Vuc is an All-Star: Nikola Vucevic is quietly having a career season. The Montenegrin big is posting the best field-goal (58.4%), 3-point (48.4%), and effective field-goal percentages (66.9%) of his 15-year NBA tenure for the surprisingly good Bulls.

6. Denver Nuggets (4-2)

Previous: 2

Johnson doesn't fit: An adjustment period was expected, but Cam Johnson has struggled immensely in Denver. The Nuggets' offensive rating is 10.4 points better when he's not on the floor, a swing that doesn't currently seem worth the minor positive impact on defense.

7. Houston Rockets (4-2)

Previous: 5

Don't sacrifice the youth: After the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant, some speculated that Houston should trade a rising name, like Alperen Sengun or Jabari Smith Jr., to add another vet. Both are now having career years and already seem like perfect complements to Durant.

8. Milwaukee Bucks (5-3)

Previous: 18

Rollins is the truth: Kevin Porter Jr.'s injury has given Ryan Rollins an opportunity to start at the point. The former second-round pick is making a strong case to keep his new gig, averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.9 steals.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)

Previous: 4

Cavs' offense stinks: The Cavaliers boasted the league's best offensive rating (121.0) last season. That's dropped to the fifth-worst mark (111.3) this year. Injuries to Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Max Strus have placed too great a burden on Donovan Mitchell.

10. Golden State Warriors (5-3)

Previous: 8

Kuminga is untradable: Jonathan Kuminga's short-term deal seemed an ideal compromise - rebuild his trade value while he still contributes - but he's since become too valuable. He's their best rebounder, third-leading scorer, and a tenacious on-ball defender whom the Warriors can't afford to lose.

11. Detroit Pistons (5-2)

Previous: 14

Detroit can win the East: The Pistons aren't getting enough love for their winning basketball, which, in fairness, was nonexistent for years before the team cracked .500 last season. Jalen Duren's breakout has transformed them into a paint juggernaut, and Jaden Ivey's return should fix its 3-point shooting.

12. New York Knicks (4-3)

Previous: 3

Knicks' second unit needs boost: New York may need to start looking for reinforcements, as its reserves rank 28th in scoring. Josh Hart is playing through a nerve issue in his hand, while Jordan Clarkson has yet to find his rhythm in the Big Apple.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)

Previous: 25

Blazers play better without Billups: Is Portland a more competitive team in Chauncey Billups' absence? You bet. The group appears fiery under Tiago Splitter, leading the league in steals (12.1) while owning the ninth-best defensive rating (111.7).

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)

Previous: 6

Randle is worth every penny: The Timberwolves have to be pleased with their initial return on Julius Randle's three-year, $100-million contract. He's providing elite 3-point shooting at the four and has elevated his game in the absence of Anthony Edwards.

15. Miami Heat (4-3)

Previous: 16

Heat have need for speed: Miami's effective new free-flowing offense has been credited to consultant Noah LaRoche, who performed a similar role in Memphis. The Heat boast the league's quickest pace of play (106.4) and fifth-best net rating (6.4).

16. Los Angeles Clippers (3-4)

Previous: 9

Dunn should start: The Clippers are struggling defensively after boasting a No. 3 ranking last season. Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic aren't playing well enough to justify leaving Kris Dunn's defense out of the team's starting five.

17. Atlanta Hawks (4-4)

Previous: 10

Hawks are threadbare without Trae: Atlanta is evidently experiencing issues in Trae Young's absence. Nickeil Alexander-Walker's insertion into the starting five highlights how bad a bench anchored by Onyeka Okongwu, Luke Kennard, and Mouhamed Gueye can be.

18. Orlando Magic (3-5)

Previous: 7

Magic are inept from deep: A season removed from finishing dead last in 3-pointers made (11.2) and 3-point percentage (31.8%), Orlando is 28th in triples per game (10.4). Desmond Bane was supposed to help correct the issue, but he's shooting a career-worst 28.6% from downtown.

19. Phoenix Suns (3-5)

Previous: 23

Gillespie's the answer at point: Phoenix should start Collin Gillespie - who's been a pleasant surprise - at point guard and move Devin Booker back to his true position. Not only is Gillespie second in assists, the Suns are remarkably better when he's on the floor.

20. Toronto Raptors (4-4)

Previous: 26

Defense needs an overhaul: Toronto is well-stocked with big wings who defend well individually, but that advantage isn't translating to a team defense that was bottom-five before this mini-run. That's partially due to questionable decision-making, which falls on Darko Rajakovic to root out.

21. Boston Celtics (3-5)

Previous: 17

Cut back the threes, Joe: The Celtics attempt the most threes per game (47.8) but convert an abysmal 31.2% of them - the league's second-worst mark. This MacGyvered roster simply can't maintain Joe Mazzulla's 3-point-heavy style. Time to tweak the playbook.

22. Memphis Grizzlies (3-5)

Previous: 15

Morant era is over: Tuomas Iisalo reportedly challenged Ja Morant's leadership and effort after a recent loss, prompting a dismissive response from the All-Star guard and an ensuing one-game suspension. Morant staying put much longer is hard to envision if he's already on rocky terms with Iisalo.

23. Charlotte Hornets (3-5)

Previous: 27

Kalkbrenner is steal of 2025 draft: Ryan Kalkbrenner has made an instant impact at the five with his shot-blocking, offensive rebounding, and finishing around the basket. The Creighton product leads all players with an 82.9% field-goal percentage.

24. Dallas Mavericks (2-5)

Previous: 13

Offseason hype has vanished: A combination of injuries to Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively, Klay Thompson's swift decline, and the team's league-worst offensive rebound percentage (23.5) and offensive rating (104.2) could spell doom in Dallas.

25. Sacramento Kings (2-5)

Previous: 21

Blow up the Kings: A Zach LaVine-DeMar DeRozan backcourt has already proven not to be a winning formula for the Kings. Sacramento is a play-in team, at best, especially if the two veteran guards remain as key contributors of its ageing core.

26. Indiana Pacers (1-6)

Previous: 19

Pacers may trade Siakam: Unless Pascal Siakam or basically all of their depth pieces are traded, the Pacers risk paying the luxury tax for the first time since 2005-06. Would his exit make the team better? Of course not. Is owner Herb Simon notoriously cheap? Yes.

27. Utah Jazz (3-4)

Previous: 30

Markkanen is All-NBA worthy: Lauri Markkanen is off to a scorching start following an injury-riddled campaign, averaging a career-high 33 points on 48.9% shooting. His 51-point performance against the Suns was the first 50-point game by a Jazz player in 27 years.

28. Washington Wizards (1-6)

Previous: 28

George is a star: Kyshawn George has shined as a primary playmaker. The forward leads the team in points (18.3), assists (4.5), and 3-point percentage (54.5%), not to mention he's averaging 7.8 boards. Meanwhile, CJ McCollum and his horrendous 37.2% field-goal percentage should be dealt, ASAP.

29. Brooklyn Nets (0-7)

Previous: 29

Nets whiffed on all their picks: None of Brooklyn's five first-round selections appear ready, but its three rookie point guards look especially uncomfortable playing at this level. Ben Saraf is the Nets' assists leader at just 3.2 per game, which explains a lot.

30. New Orleans Pelicans (1-6)

Previous: 24

Green's time is up: The Pelicans' 1-6 start should be the final nail in the coffin for Willie Green. New Orleans can't afford further slippage with its 2026 first-round pick likely heading to the Hawks as part of the misguided Derik Queen draft-day trade.