2026‑27 NBA Power Rankings: Opening‑Week Takeaways

The 2026‑27 NBA season tipped off with a whirlwind of surprise starts, star returns and a few disappointing debuts. In our first Power Rankings of the new campaign, we break down the biggest observations from the opening week, highlighting the most surprising stats, trends and roster moves for every team.

Western Conference Leaders

The West is off to a fast start, with four teams remaining undefeated through the first week. The Oklahoma City Thunder, coming off their 2024‑25 championship, sit atop the standings behind Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and a resurgent Ajay Mitchell, who has stepped into a larger role while Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are sidelined. The Houston Rockets are 4‑0, fueled by the return of Fred VanVleet and the early‑season brilliance of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. The Memphis Grizzlies also own a perfect record, with Ty Jerome averaging 29.8 points per game and the team winning all three clutch‑time contests. Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers enjoyed a 21‑0 run in their opener, showcasing the instant chemistry between Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.

Eastern Conference Standouts

In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers kicked off LeBron James’ 24th season with a victory over the defending champion New York Knicks, though their offense has been hampered by poor rebounding (8.8 offensive boards per game). The Boston Celtics surprised many by starting Jordan Walsh in place of veterans Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, and his defense has already slowed opponents like Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham. The Charlotte Hornets are 3‑1, led by new acquisitions Grayson Allen and Naz Reid, who have combined for 36.3 points and 44% three‑point shooting. The Indiana Pacers are getting a healthy Tyrese Haliburton back, averaging 21.8 points and 9.5 assists through four games.

Injury Impact and Roster Moves

Injuries are reshaping early‑season rotations. Anthony Edwards will miss up to two months after an arthroscopic knee procedure, forcing the Minnesota Timberwolves to adjust on the fly. The Oklahoma City Thunder are without Jalen Williams (fibula/ankle) and Cason Wallace (shoulder), elevating Ajay Mitchell. Kawhi Leonard is managing left‑knee soreness, leaving the Toronto Raptors to find life without him; Scottie Barnes struggled in his first game without Leonard, going 0‑12. The Orlando Magic are dealing with Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (bone bruise), while the Utah Jazz have lost Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic, giving second‑year forward Ace Bailey a bigger role.

Key Statistical Trends

Several early trends stand out. The Detroit Pistons are shooting 42% from three, led by Duncan Robinson (5.0 makes per game) and John Collins. The Los Angeles Lakers have the league’s most efficient duo in Luka Dončić (34.3 ppg) and Austin Reaves, who is posting a 60/60/90 line through three games. The Denver Nuggets are struggling defensively, posting a 119.3 rating that ranks fifth‑worst, and Nikola Jokić has called out fans for booing. The Miami Heat have started 0‑4 for only the second time in franchise history, with an offensive rating of 105.3. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have gotten a surprising boost from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who has compiled 85 points and 35 rebounds in his first four games.

Looking Ahead

As teams try to find their footing, the upcoming schedule offers early tests. The Rockets face a gauntlet of Milwaukee, Dallas and Oklahoma City, while the 76ers will look to fix their rebounding against Indiana and Charlotte. The Thunder and Grizzlies will aim to sustain their perfect starts, and the Lakers will look to tighten their ball‑handling as they take on the Clippers and Warriors. Early‑season trends suggest that health, three‑point shooting and clutch performance will be the deciding factors in the race for playoff positioning.

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