2026-27 NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies Rise to No. 1

Two weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, the early championship picture is beginning to take shape. Several teams have made strong statements, while others have experienced significant changes in form after promising starts. The Memphis Grizzlies remain the league’s only unbeaten team, and the Philadelphia 76ers have climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

There has also been considerable movement in the latest NBA power rankings compared with Week 1. Memphis has made the biggest jump into the top position, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have dropped after suffering consecutive defeats. Denver and San Antonio have also entered the top 10 following encouraging performances.

Based on performances through November 2, here is a breakdown of the top 10 teams in the 2026-27 NBA power rankings after Week 2.

No. 10 Denver Nuggets

Last Week: Not ranked

The Denver Nuggets have started to find their rhythm after an inconsistent opening week. Two consecutive victories have improved their record to 3-2, giving the team some momentum as it looks to establish itself among the Western Conference contenders.

Jamal Murray has been central to Denver’s recent improvement. The guard averaged 31.0 points per game in victories over the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns, providing the scoring production the Nuggets needed to turn their early performances around.

Denver still has areas to improve after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors. However, the team’s response has been encouraging. Murray’s scoring form, combined with Nikola Jokic’s ability to control games through rebounding and playmaking, has helped Denver secure a place in the top 10.

Jokic remains an important part of the team’s offensive structure, creating opportunities for teammates while contributing on the boards. If Murray maintains his current scoring form and the supporting cast becomes more consistent, Denver could continue moving up the rankings.

No. 9 San Antonio Spurs

Last Week: Not ranked

The San Antonio Spurs have made an impressive recovery after losing their first two games of the season. Four consecutive victories have taken them to 4-2 and brought them into the latest power rankings.

Victor Wembanyama has been the biggest reason behind San Antonio’s turnaround. The young star delivered outstanding performances during Week 2, averaging 36.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 4.3 blocks in victories over Sacramento, Utah and Minnesota.

His ability to influence games at both ends of the court has given the Spurs a major advantage. Wembanyama’s scoring has made him difficult to contain, while his defensive presence around the basket has created additional problems for opposing teams.

San Antonio also has an opportunity to build on its winning run. Utah and Sacramento are among the opponents scheduled during its next three games, giving the Spurs a chance to maintain their momentum and potentially climb further in the rankings.

No. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Week: No. 1 (Down seven places)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have experienced a difficult second week after opening the season with four consecutive victories. Back-to-back losses against Dallas and Houston have brought their record and early momentum under pressure.

Injuries have also become a concern for Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren have all been dealing with injuries, limiting the team’s available options and forcing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to carry a greater share of the responsibility.

The Thunder’s drop from first place to eighth reflects the results of their latest games and the challenges created by player availability. However, two consecutive defeats do not necessarily change the team’s overall potential.

Oklahoma City will need its injured players to return and the supporting cast to regain consistency. Gilgeous-Alexander remains the central figure in the team’s attack, but the Thunder will benefit from having their regular rotation available as the season progresses.

No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

Last Week: No. 4 (Down three places)

The Los Angeles Lakers have improved to 5-2 after defeating the Toronto Raptors. The victory helped them respond positively to their previous loss against Golden State and provided another encouraging result during their early-season campaign.

Luka Doncic has continued to lead the Lakers’ attack. His scoring and playmaking have been central to the team’s strong start, giving Los Angeles a reliable offensive presence as it works through the opening stretch of the season.

The win over Toronto was particularly useful because the Lakers had played their first six games against Western Conference opponents. Facing a team from the Eastern Conference provided a different challenge and an opportunity to test their performance against a wider range of competition.

The Raptors have been among the stronger Eastern Conference teams during the opening weeks, making the victory another positive result for Los Angeles. Although the Lakers have slipped three places in the rankings, their 5-2 record indicates that they remain competitive.

No. 6 Detroit Pistons

Last Week: No. 5 (Down one place)

The Detroit Pistons have quietly established themselves as one of the strongest early-season teams in the Eastern Conference. With a 5-1 record, they have collected important victories over Boston and Philadelphia while continuing to build consistency.

Cade Cunningham has remained the driving force behind Detroit’s performances. He scored 30 points against Charlotte before adding 20 against Brooklyn, helping the Pistons secure two consecutive victories after suffering their only defeat of the season.

Detroit’s position has dropped slightly from fifth to sixth, but the change is not necessarily a reflection of poor performances. Other teams have made significant progress and moved ahead in the rankings.

The Pistons’ early results suggest that they have the balance and scoring ability to compete with established teams. Maintaining their defensive intensity and getting consistent contributions from the supporting cast will be important as they face more challenges throughout the season.

No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers

Last Week: No. 8 (Up three places)

The Portland Trail Blazers have continued their impressive start, improving to 4-1 after another convincing victory over Utah. Their only defeat so far has come against the unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies, while they have recorded wins over Phoenix, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Deni Avdija has emerged as one of Portland’s most consistent performers during this stretch. He has led the team in scoring in four consecutive games, providing an important offensive contribution and helping the Trail Blazers maintain their strong start.

Portland’s improvement from eighth to fifth reflects the team’s ability to produce results against several competitive opponents. Its victory over the Lakers is particularly notable because it demonstrated that the Trail Blazers can compete against established Western Conference teams.

The challenge now will be to maintain this level of performance over a longer period. If Avdija continues to produce consistently and Portland receives reliable contributions from its other players, the team could remain a significant presence in the Western Conference rankings.

No. 4 Boston Celtics

Last Week: Not ranked

The Boston Celtics have responded strongly after losing their season opener. Five consecutive victories have taken them to 5-1, giving them the second-longest active winning streak in the league at this stage of the season.

Jayson Tatum has been at the centre of Boston’s impressive run. The forward has delivered performances at an MVP level, scoring 40 points against Brooklyn before following that effort with 32 points in the latest victory over Orlando.

Tatum’s scoring ability has helped the Celtics maintain their offensive production, while the team’s overall performances have made it difficult for opponents to find consistent answers. Boston has also been particularly strong at home.

The Celtics are currently the only team in the league to have opened the season with a 4-0 home record at TD Garden. Their ability to protect home court has played an important role in their rise into the top four.

With Tatum producing at a high level and the team building momentum, Boston has quickly become one of the most closely watched sides in the early stages of the 2026-27 campaign.

No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers

Last Week: No. 7 (Up four places)

The Philadelphia 76ers have made one of the biggest improvements in the latest rankings, climbing four places to third after moving to a 6-1 record. Their strong start has also taken them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Tyrese Maxey continues to be the primary scoring option for Philadelphia. He has led the team in scoring in five of its seven games, including an impressive 38-point performance in the latest victory over Charlotte.

Philadelphia’s strength has also come from having multiple players capable of influencing games. Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James provide additional scoring options and different ways to control the pace of a contest.

That balance makes the 76ers difficult to defend. Opponents cannot focus exclusively on Maxey because Philadelphia has other experienced players who can take responsibility when required.

The team’s 6-1 start reflects its ability to combine individual scoring performances with contributions from across the lineup. If the 76ers maintain this balance, they could remain among the leading teams in the Eastern Conference throughout the season.

No. 2 Houston Rockets

Last Week: No. 2 (Unchanged)

The Houston Rockets have maintained their second-place position after improving to 6-1. Their early-season performances have included convincing victories over San Antonio, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, demonstrating their ability to compete against different types of opponents.

Kevin Durant has provided Houston with a dependable scoring option. His experience and offensive ability give the Rockets a reliable player to turn to during important moments, but the team’s strength has extended beyond one individual.

Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. and other contributors have taken turns leading the offence. This distribution of responsibility has made Houston less dependent on a single player and provided multiple ways to generate points.

The Rockets now face a more demanding stretch of games. Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix and Denver are among their upcoming opponents, offering a stronger test of their early-season form.

These matchups should provide a clearer picture of Houston’s ability to maintain its position against teams with strong records and established talent. Its 6-1 start has been impressive, but the upcoming schedule could reveal more about the team’s consistency and championship ambitions.

No. 1 Memphis Grizzlies

Last Week: No. 6 (Up five places)

The Memphis Grizzlies have emerged as the biggest surprise of the 2026-27 NBA season so far. Their perfect 6-0 record makes them the only unbeaten team in the league and matches the franchise’s best start, previously achieved by the 2014-15 Memphis team.

Ty Jerome helped spark the winning run with several major scoring performances during the early games. Rookie Cameron Boozer has also quickly become an important part of the team’s success, delivering impressive performances that have strengthened Memphis’ position at the top of the rankings.

Boozer recorded a triple-double against Portland on Thursday before scoring a career-high 27 points against Sacramento on Saturday. His contributions have added another dimension to the Grizzlies’ attack and demonstrated how quickly he has adapted to the NBA level.

Memphis has combined strong individual performances with consistent team results. Moving from sixth place to the top spot represents the biggest rise among the teams in this week’s rankings.

The Grizzlies also have an opportunity to extend their winning streak in their next two games against New Orleans and Indiana. Victories in both matchups could take them beyond the franchise’s previous best opening record and make their early-season achievement even more significant.

What the NBA Power Rankings tell us after Week 2

The latest rankings show how quickly the competitive picture can change during the opening weeks of an NBA season. Memphis has taken control of the top position with its unbeaten start, while Philadelphia has made a strong move in the Eastern Conference after winning six of its first seven games.

Houston and Boston have also established themselves as consistent performers, while Portland and San Antonio have climbed following impressive stretches. At the same time, Oklahoma City’s injury problems and consecutive defeats have resulted in a significant drop from the top position.

Denver’s return to the top 10 and the Lakers’ continued winning record demonstrate that several teams remain closely grouped in the early rankings. With a long season still ahead, these positions are likely to change as teams face tougher schedules, manage injuries and develop their rotations.

For now, Memphis holds the No. 1 spot after two weeks of basketball, but the upcoming matchups against New Orleans and Indiana will provide another opportunity to test the Grizzlies’ unbeaten start. Meanwhile, Houston’s challenging schedule and Philadelphia’s continued rise will be among the major storylines to follow in Week 3.