It is already been an attention-grabbing couple of weeks within the Affiliation as we method the one-month mark because the begin of the 2025-26 common season.
The Detroit Pistons, who simply two seasons in the past set the league document with 27 consecutive losses, high the Jap Convention with the second-best document behind the reigning champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The Thunder stay the one crew within the league with one loss, however the West does not appear to be letting up because the harder convention. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are on a five-game profitable streak, and the Los Angeles Lakers have received six of their previous seven video games as they await the return of LeBron James.
Our NBA insiders break down this week’s energy rankings and the place all 30 groups land, together with what is going on in Dallas and what groups are being ravaged by damage.
Be aware: Staff rankings are based mostly on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) suppose groups belong this season.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5
Leap to a crew:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring common throughout 12 video games this season is 33.2, third finest within the league. The Thunder’s sizzling begin, regardless of Jalen Williams lacking each recreation and a number of other different rotation gamers lacking chunks, might be credited to their uncommon depth. However all the things is driving on the continued greatness of the league’s most constant scorer. Gilgeous-Alexander received the scoring title a season in the past, producing 32.7 factors per recreation and has upped that output early in his eighth season. It seems he is getting higher. — Anthony Slater
Three-time MVP Jokic is enjoying his most well-liked model of offense, working as a facilitator at the beginning. He’s averaging 25.2 factors, however his area purpose makes an attempt (15.0) had been down greater than 4 per recreation from final season. Jokic is averaging a career-best 11.9 assists, which leads the league. He additionally leads the league in potential assists (19.2 per recreation) and factors created off assists (28.8). — Tim MacMahon
2025-26 document: 9-2
Earlier rating: 10
Subsequent video games: vs. CHI (Nov. 12), vs. PHI (Nov. 14), vs. IND (Nov. 17), @ ATL (Nov. 18)
Amid the shocking six-game profitable streak for the Jap Convention-leading Pistons has been a serious leap for giant man Jalen Duren. Through the run, Duren has averaged 23.3 factors (taking pictures 86% from the foul line) and 13.5 rebounds, and the pick-and-roll with Jap Convention Participant of the Week Cade Cunningham (31.0 factors, 9.8 assists final week) has change into deadly in brief order. Their depth might be examined, although, with Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson coping with accidents, along with Jaden Ivey but to make his season debut. — Vincent Goodwill
2025-26 document: 7-4
Earlier rating: 7
Subsequent video games: @ MIA (Nov. 12), vs. TOR (Nov. 13), vs. MEM (Nov. 15), vs. MIL (Nov. 17)
After some early season struggles, the Cavs’ offense has began to cook dinner. Their offense ranks eighth getting into Wednesday’s recreation in Miami, and so they’re about to start a seasonlong six-game homestand. That resurgence has coincided with the return of Darius Garland earlier than the seventh-year guard left Monday’s recreation with a left toe damage in solely his third recreation again from having surgical procedure on the toe in June. — Jamal Collier
There is not any place like residence for the Knicks, unbeaten at Madison Sq. Backyard and in the course of a seven-game homestand. Scoring 137 and 134, respectively, towards the Timberwolves and Nets, reveals the offense is not less than efficient, if not absolutely embraced. Their tempo nonetheless ranks twenty second. Quietly, Josh Hart has returned to his traditional type. After a depressing scoreless, 15-minute recreation in Chicago, he is put up practically 14 and eight boards and shot 53% from 3-point vary. This was after admitting he is received the “greatest adjustment” of anybody since transferring to the bench. — Goodwill
2025-26 document: 8-2
Earlier rating: 2
Subsequent video games: vs. GS (Nov. 12), vs. GS (Nov. 14), vs. SAC (Nov. 16), vs. MEM (Nov. 18)
Victor Wembanyama doused extra water on any consternation concerning his shot eating regimen Monday towards the Bulls: He hit a pair of late 3’s to gas a 12-3 run that propelled San Antonio to a 121-117 win. The Frenchman turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to attain 35-plus factors (38) in a recreation with 5-plus blocks, 10-plus rebounds (12) and 5-plus 3-pointers (6) as San Antonio rolled to its third consecutive victory and first 8-2 begin because the 2015-16 season. The Spurs begin a five-game homestand Wednesday towards Golden State. — Michael C. Wright
The Rockets accomplished a three-game street journey Sunday with a 2-1 document after taking pictures 15-of-21 within the closing body of a 122-115 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. The Rockets dominated the glass 50-27. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun turned the primary Rockets duo since 2003 (Steve Francis and James Posey) to rack up not less than 20 factors and 5 assists on 65% taking pictures. Within the win, Durant, 37, recorded his 51st 30-point outing since turning 35, which ranks as fourth most in NBA historical past. — Wright
2025-26 document: 8-3
Earlier rating: 4
Subsequent video games: @ OKC (Nov. 12), @ NO (Nov. 14), @ MIL (Nov. 15), vs. UTAH (Nov. 18)
The Lakers are No. 4 within the West after an 8-3 begin and reinforcements are on the best way. Gabe Vincent, sidelined the previous two weeks with an ankle sprain, is a couple of week away from returning, in accordance with coach JJ Redick. Rookie Adou Thiero, who has missed your entire season whereas recovering from knee surgical procedure, may make his debut on L.A.’s present five-game street journey, per Redick. And oh yeah, LeBron James is trending towards training with the South Bay Lakers later this week, sources informed ESPN, establishing his return from sciatica within the close to future. — Dave McMenamin
After a gradual begin, Minnesota has taken off in November. The Timberwolves started the month 5-1 and have the league’s second-ranked offense, outscoring groups by 84 factors throughout these six video games. There’s loads of alternative for the Timberwolves to construct on this, too, with the upcoming schedule that includes 5 of their subsequent six towards groups that missed the playoffs final season. — Tim Bontemps
The Warmth rallied round Erik Spoelstra, whose home burned down in the course of the evening Thursday, and have not misplaced since, happening a three-game profitable streak. Their No. 11 offense continues to hum as Miami averaged 134 factors within the wins, together with 140 in a two-point extra time win over Cleveland that culminated with a superb playcall by the Warmth that freed up Andrew Wiggins for the game-winning alley-oop dunk off the inbounds cross. — Ohm Youngmisuk
2025-26 document: 7-4
Earlier rating: 9
Subsequent video games: @ CHA (Nov. 12), vs. CHA (Nov. 14), vs. LAL (Nov. 15), @ CLE (Nov. 17)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has adopted an early saying that has change into a rallying cry for the Bucks to start out the season: Good groups do not lose two in a row. Milwaukee has but to drop consecutive video games this season, responding to every loss final week with a victory. Now the Bucks are hoping to string collectively just a few wins in a row, with two video games towards the Hornets earlier than they face the Lakers and Cavs. — Collier
The Bulls have cooled off from their sizzling begin and dropped three in a row to Milwaukee, Cleveland and San Antonio. The fourth quarter in every of these losses has adopted a standard thread: The Bulls have not been in a position to cease the opposing crew’s star participant — Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Wembanyama — down the stretch. Chicago will purpose to bounce again because it begins a four-game street journey, however the slide may proceed, as coach Billy Donovan hinted that guard Josh Giddey’s ankle damage may hold him out for not less than the primary recreation Wednesday evening in Detroit. — Collier
It would not be a 76ers season if there weren’t nonstop damage questions. Joel Embiid and Paul George have unsure timelines to return to the courtroom with knee points, as George nonetheless has but to make his season debut after offseason surgical procedure. The dynamic combo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, nevertheless, has allowed Philly to get off to a much better begin than anticipated. — Bontemps
2025-26 document: 6-6
Earlier rating: 13
Subsequent video games: @ SA (Nov. 12), @ SA (Nov. 14), @ NO (Nov. 16), @ ORL (Nov. 18)
The upside and draw back of this older crew have proven themselves of their two matchups with the Nuggets this season. Stephen Curry scored 42 factors in an extra time win in late October, receiving recent and motivated closing performances from Jimmy Butler III, Al Horford and Draymond Inexperienced. Two weeks later, Curry — exhausted by an sickness — did not make the return journey to Denver, Horford rested with a sore foot, Butler was working via again stiffness and Inexperienced had a sore rib. The Warriors, receiving inconsistent manufacturing from their younger gamers, had been blown out by 25 factors. — Slater
2025-26 document: 5-5
Earlier rating: 14
Subsequent video games: @ NO (Nov. 12), @ HOU (Nov. 14), @ DAL (Nov. 16), vs. PHX (Nov. 18)
After coming from behind at hand the Thunder their lone loss this season final Wednesday, the Blazers could not convert robust performances into wins in Florida. Portland was tied with 2:16 left on Saturday at Miami and misplaced, and with two seconds left Monday in Orlando, when Desmond Bane beat the buzzer and the Blazers with a 3. The remainder of this five-game journey appears extra favorable with journeys to New Orleans and Dallas however sandwiched in between is a key recreation at Houston as Portland tries to remain atop a loaded NBA Cup group. — Kevin Pelton
2025-26 document: 6-5
Earlier rating: 18
Subsequent video games: @ SAC (Nov. 12), @ UTAH (Nov. 13), @ PHX (Nov. 16), vs. DET (Nov. 18)
Regardless of not having Trae Younger and different key gamers, the Hawks have received three of their previous 4. After a loss to Toronto for the second time this season, the Hawks routed the Lakers at residence with out Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard after which beat the Clippers in Los Angeles two days later with Porzingis, Johnson and Kennard again within the lineup. Backup wing Vit Krejci was enormous within the victory over the Clippers, scoring 28 factors, whereas Alexander-Walker stays out with decrease again spasms. With three winnable video games this week – at Sacramento, Utah and Phoenix — these function gamers will proceed to play an important function if the Hawks wish to hold rising within the East. — Youngmisuk
The Raptors have rebounded from a 1-4 begin, benefiting from absences from opposing star guards (Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Ja Morant and Trae Younger all missed current Raptors wins) to climb again above .500. Between now and the top of the month, Toronto has video games towards Indiana twice, Charlotte twice, Washington and Brooklyn, that means the Raptors have the runway to maintain pushing up the standings. — Zach Kram
The Celtics now not have Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Vacation and Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum may be sitting out with a torn Achilles, however Boston has nonetheless caught to teach Joe Mazzulla’s ideas — particularly getting up 3-point pictures. Boston entered Tuesday’s motion second to the Cavaliers in 3-point makes an attempt per recreation regardless of dropping all of that offensive firepower within the offseason. — Bontemps
2025-26 document: 6-5
Earlier rating: 23
Subsequent video games: @ DAL (Nov. 12), vs. IND (Nov. 13), vs. ATL (Nov. 16), @ POR (Nov. 18)
A Suns crew that completed final season by dropping 9 of their final 10 video games has received 5 of their previous six to get above .500. Making it extra spectacular is that they’ve executed it with Jalen Inexperienced enjoying just one full recreation due to a proper hamstring pressure. He scored 29 factors in his season debut towards the Clippers final week earlier than aggravating the damage his subsequent day trip and going again to the sidelines. — McMenamin
2025-26 document: 5-6
Earlier rating: 17
Subsequent video games: @ NYK (Nov. 12), vs. BKN (Nov. 14), @ HOU (Nov. 16), vs. GS (Nov. 18)
It was a roller-coaster 72 hours for the Magic. On Friday, they beat Boston in an NBA Cup recreation wherein Desmond Bane performed his finest in a Magic uniform, posting 25 factors, 6 rebounds and seven assists. Two days later, although, the Magic misplaced to the identical Jayson Tatum-less Celtics in a recreation so irritating that head coach Jamahl Mosley stated that the crew had 17 turnovers for 29 factors seven occasions in his postgame information convention. On Monday, the Magic blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead solely to beat the Blazers with a buzzer-beating 3 from Bane. For Orlando to stabilize its place within the East, it is going to want Bane’s shot (27.7% from 3 to this point this season) to do the identical. — Youngmisuk
Losers of six of their previous seven video games, the Grizzlies embark on a four-game street journey that options three opponents (the Knicks, Cavaliers and Spurs) at present ranked within the high three of their respective conferences. Ja Morant, for his half, posted his first 20-point double-double of the season in Friday’s loss to the Mavericks, whereas rookie Cedric Coward continues to indicate appreciable potential. Nonetheless, Morant has shot 50% or higher in simply two video games this season, and he is 10 of 38 in his previous two outings. — Wright
2025-26 document: 3-7
Earlier rating: 12
Subsequent video games: vs. DEN (Nov. 12), @ DAL (Nov. 14), @ BOS (Nov. 16), @ PHI (Nov. 17)
The Clippers schedule does not get any simpler. They host a Nuggets crew with the second-best level differential within the league Wednesday, beating their opponents by a mean of 13.2 factors, after which embark on a seven-game street journey. Making issues worse? Norman Powell’s sizzling begin for the Warmth. L.A. traded the guard as a part of a three-team deal to accumulate John Collins and afford Bradley Beal, and Powell has gone on to common 24.5 factors whereas taking pictures 45.8% from 3 within the early going for Miami. — McMenamin
2025-26 document: 3-7
Earlier rating: 24
Subsequent video games: vs. MIL (Nov. 12), @ MIL (Nov. 14), vs. OKC (Nov. 15), @ TOR (Nov. 17)
The Hornets have dropped six of seven video games, however there’s maybe gentle on the finish of this lengthy tunnel. The crew introduced Tuesday that LaMelo Ball and Mason Plumlee had been assigned to follow with the Greensboro Swarm. Ball, who had averaged 23 factors, 10 assists and eight assists, has not performed since Nov. 1, lacking 4 straight video games as a consequence of proper ankle impingement. First-round choose Kon Knueppel, although, has been a shiny spot. He simply missed a triple-double with 19 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in a loss to the Lakers on Monday, and has averaged 23.2 factors, 9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in Ball’s absence. — Youngmisuk
Within the second half of a second straight blowout residence loss this previous weekend, Kings followers rained down boos on a dull protection. It had given up 276 mixed factors in 96 minutes to the Thunder and Timberwolves. Afterward, in deflating however clear trend, Zach LaVine principally admitted the roster did not have the components to resolve the problem: “We have all been attempting,” LaVine stated. “I have been attempting my ass off on protection, however you want a crew collective, the appropriate id. Generally you want the appropriate personnel on the market. You are not going to ask Rudy Gobert to go on the market and common 30.” — Slater
2025-26 document: 3-8
Earlier rating: 22
Subsequent video games: vs. PHX (Nov. 12), vs. LAC (Nov. 14), vs. POR (Nov. 16), @ MIN (Nov. 17)
Evidently, this is not the scenario that Cooper Flagg envisioned for the beginning of his NBA profession, because the chaos that led to GM Nico Harrison’s firing has weighed on everybody inside the franchise. However there’s a lot to love in regards to the 18-year-old rookie’s promise, and his current manufacturing has supplied loads of hints at his promise. Flagg has upped his field scores since coach Jason Kidd pulled the plug on the experiment of getting him begin at level guard, averaging 17.5 factors, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks prior to now 4 video games. “He will be a unprecedented participant on this league, and he will proceed to do nice issues,” Mavs ahead P.J. Washington stated after Flagg’s career-best 26-point efficiency, highlighted by a clutch end over Giannis Antetokounmpo, in Monday’s loss to the Bucks. — MacMahon
After Walker Kessler underwent season-ending shoulder surgical procedure, Jusuf Nurkic moved into the Jazz’s beginning middle function. That is a priority as a result of Nurkic, who’s on his third crew because the begin of final season, has been one of many league’s least efficient offensive large males. He has averaged 6.6% factors on 30.8% taking pictures in six begins. It additionally creates a evident void in rim safety. Whereas Kessler is likely one of the NBA’s most prolific shot blockers, Nurkic has solely 38 blocks in 61 video games because the begin of final season. — MacMahon
2025-26 document: 2-8
Earlier rating: 29
Subsequent video games: vs. POR (Nov. 12), vs. LAL (Nov. 14), vs. GS (Nov. 16), vs. OKC (Nov. 17)
Any momentum the Pelicans constructed throughout back-to-back wins final week over Charlotte and Dallas dissipated Monday after they had been blown out by the Suns within the final recreation of a three-game street journey. The consequence left New Orleans on their own within the West cellar, and the crew’s minus-13.2 level differential ranks twenty eighth within the NBA, forward of groups enjoying for lottery place (Brooklyn and Washington). Such a place has allowed for elevated enjoying time for his or her younger gamers, although, together with lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Saddiq Bey has been a shiny spot, scoring in double figures in 4 consecutive video games as he works again from ACL surgical procedure. — Pelton
Younger Pacers are getting extra enjoying time than ever earlier than, because of the barrage of accidents which have damage Indiana’s roster. As an example, Jarace Walker, the No. 8 choose within the 2023 draft, has practically doubled his minutes, from 15.8 final season to 30.1 this season, and he is already began extra video games in his profession. One good thing about a “hole yr” is the power to see whether or not gamers equivalent to Walker — a profession 40% 3-point shooter, albeit down at 32.1% this season — is a long-term slot in Indiana’s frontcourt. — Kram
True assist may not arrive for the Nets till lottery time, however somebody needed to win the epic battle between them and the equally woeful Pacers final week. (The Nets registered their solely win of the season 112-103.) Nonetheless, the misfortune continues to mount as high scorer Cam Thomas might be sidelined for 3 to 4 weeks with a left hamstring pressure, leaving Michael Porter Jr. as the primary offensive engine for a crew that already ranks twenty fifth. Porter was as much as the duty for a half towards the Knicks on Sunday, when he scored 22. However then he was restricted to a few factors within the second half and the Nets misplaced by 36. So, that is the way it goes for the 2025-26 Nets. — Goodwill
The Wizards went 0-4 prior to now week to push their dropping streak to 9 video games, however they’ve not less than turned in a few aggressive performances after 5 consecutive defeats by 17-plus factors. Washington led Dallas and Detroit in crunch time earlier than finally dropping — the latter in extra time, regardless of a 42-point effort from veteran guard CJ McCollum. Extra highlights from McCollum may benefit the Wizards as they search future picks on the commerce deadline. — Kram