Nikola Jokic is having another historic career start, quietly achieving his eighth triple-double of the season against the Chicago Bulls on Monday and leading the Denver Nuggets in points and assists in their last eight games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, rivals in the Western Conference, have dominated the standings this season, holding the top spot for five consecutive weeks. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers, 2025 finalists, have fluctuated at the bottom of the table and in the conference standings, dealing with numerous injuries and losing streaks.
Speaking of streaks, the Detroit Pistons are dominating the East and on an 11-game winning streak, the longest since 2008. The last time the Pistons had such a good start, they reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2008.
In addition to the rankings, NBA experts selected the most important role player for each team. Which sixth man is having the biggest impact? Who can step up in place of injured superstars? Below, we analyze where the 30 teams rank in this week’s standings.
Note: Team rankings are based on the opinion of the panel members.
Previous rankings: Preseason | October 29 | November 5 | November 12
Team Ranking
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record 2025-26: 14-1
Role Player: Isaiah Hartenstein
Two NBA players have scored at least 30 points and grabbed at least 19 rebounds in the same game this season: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Hartenstein. The Thunder’s center, who always goes unnoticed, is performing even better in his second season with the franchise, averaging career highs in points (12.9), rebounds (10.9) and steals (1.5). His 62 baskets from under five feet are the seventh highest in the league. His conversion percentage of 84.9% is higher than that of the six players ahead of him. Hartenstein has participated in all 15 games of the Thunder’s 14-1 start. He has a player option of $28.5 million next season and has proven to be well worth it. – Anthony Slater
2. Denver Nuggets
Record 2025-26: 10-3
Role player: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway has had the biggest impact among the veterans added by the Nuggets in the offseason to bolster their bench. Hardaway, who signed a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum, is averaging 11.4 points in 22.8 minutes per game, with 47.1% three-point shooting. He has quickly formed a chemistry with Nikola Jokic, who has assisted on 18 of Hardaway’s 49 baskets. The Nuggets are scoring 129.6 points per 100 possessions when both are on the court. – Tim MacMahon
3. Detroit Pistons
Record 2025-26: 13-2
Role player: Ausar Thompson
Thompson doesn’t lead the league in steals yet (seventh), but when he surpasses the 30-minute mark, it seems he’s destined to top that list. For now, he’ll have to settle for being second in the league in deflections per 36 minutes, just behind Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson. Why is this important? Because for all the glory of the Pistons’ 13-2 start, they’re doing it despite being near the bottom in three-point attempts, and they shoot around 35%. Which means there will be a premium on getting out in transition to facilitate easy opportunities, and Thompson generates that as well as anyone in the league (and is a great off-ball cutter). Given that the Pistons like to use him as a backup point guard and secondary ball-handler even when Cade Cunningham is on the court, he’ll be an unsung but vital hero for any long-term success Detroit has this season. – Vincent Goodwill
4. Houston Rockets
Record 2025-26: 9-3
Role player: Reed Sheppard
The Rockets keep rolling, winning their fourth straight game on Sunday, powered by a 35-point night from Kevin Durant, who could be on his way to entering the 50-40-90 club for the third time in his career. But pay attention to backup guard Sheppard, who is shooting 47.8% from long distance this season and averaging 15.7 points in his last six games. Sheppard struggles on defense, but he will improve with more experience. Houston also believes this, considering his minutes have increased. He has played 24 minutes or more in each of his last five appearances. – Michael C. Wright
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record 2025-26: 10-5
Role player: Lonzo Ball
Take the Cavs’ victory over Milwaukee on Monday night as a snapshot of Ball’s potential impact. He didn’t shoot the ball well, hitting 2 of 8 field goals and 1 of 6 three-pointers, but he was everywhere on the court, racking up five assists, two steals and five rebounds. The Cavs were plus-11 in his 23 minutes. Cleveland needs Ball to help initiate the offense at guard with Darius Garland, who is still out after a setback with his toe injury, but Ball can also provide a different dynamic to the Cavs’ rotation in the playoffs by helping the offense operate more in transition and also being a disruptor on defense. – Jamal Collier
6. New York Knicks
Record 2025-26: 8-5
Role player: Mikal Bridges
Is Bridges a primary scorer or someone who fills in the blanks when attention is elsewhere? Is he a lockdown defender or a good one given the right scheme and matchup? He’s had a lot of roles in Phoenix (overqualified role player) and Brooklyn (doesn’t fit as the number 1 option), but with this Knicks team he could be perfectly placed as a facilitator in Mike Brown’s new offense. His shots per game are the lowest since 2021-22 with Phoenix, but his .421 three-point percentage is right in line with his career high. And averaging nearly five assists per night is a welcome evolution. With Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby battling injuries, more will be put on Bridges’ shoulders to keep the Knicks afloat in a surprisingly competitive Eastern Conference. – Goodwill
The Knicks’ bench scored 75 points against the Heat on Friday, the most bench points for New York since 2019.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Record 2025-26: 11-4
Role player: Jake LaRavia
As one of only two Lakers players to have played in each of their first 15 games, and with eight of those appearances coming off the bench, the nod for L.A.’s super sub goes to LaRavia. Signed to a two-year, $12 million contract during free agency, the 24-year-old forward has thrived so far, averaging 10.2 points on 47.7% shooting (a career-best), 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. “He just knows how to play basketball,” JJ Redick said earlier this season. – Dave McMenamin
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record 2025-26: 9-5
Role player: Rob Dillingham
Minnesota shifted to recruit Dillingham to be their point guard of the future in 2024, but so far it’s been a struggle for him, and the team continues to have a long-term hole at the position. He’s shooting 39% overall, 23% from the 3-point line, and Minnesota is being outscored by 14 points per 100 possessions in his limited minutes this season. – Tim Bontemps
9. Atlanta Hawks
Record 2025-26: 9-6
Role player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
When the Hawks acquired Alexander-Walker, they felt they were adding much-needed two-way versatility and an exceptional role player. They have gotten that and more so far. Since Trae Young was injured with an MCL injury, Alexander-Walker has been important for coach Quin Snyder. He can play point guard and shooting guard and attacks in the drive to pressure defenses. Alexander-Walker missed a couple of games due to injury, but he has scored in double digits in every game he has played. Since Young was injured on October 29, Alexander-Walker is averaging 19.4 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds. – Ohm Youngmisuk
10. Golden State Warriors
Record 2025-26: 9-7
Role player: Moses Moody
Moody scored seven three-pointers in a great performance in the first quarter in New Orleans last weekend. It was only the 22nd time in NBA history that a player made seven three-pointers in a single quarter, and the first time this season. Moody finished the night with 8 of 12 on three-pointers and now has a 45.3% percentage from long distance (the best of his career) on 6.6 attempts per game. Moody tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb at the end of last regular season and said it impacted his shot in the playoffs. He only made 33% of his three-pointers in 12 playoff games and then underwent surgery in the offseason. He and his thumb are healthy again, and that shows in his conversion rate. – Slater
11. San Antonio Spurs
Record 2025-26: 10-4
Role player: Luke Kornet
The Spurs snapped a two-game losing streak at the Frost Bank Center on Sunday, defeating the Kings without Victor Wembanyama (calf). San Antonio sought out backup center Kornet during the offseason specifically to prevent the Spurs from falling off a cliff on both ends during the minutes Wembanyama is not on the court. So far, so good for Kornet, who missed seven games earlier this season due to an ankle injury. Kornet has only missed two of his last 20 shots in the last five games. But most importantly, he is providing elite rim protection. – Wright
12. Toronto Raptors
Record 2025-26: 9-5
Role player: Sandro Mamukelashvili
In his first season in Toronto, Mamukelashvili has become one of the best substitute pivots in the league. Mamukelashvili is a great shooter, sinking 45% of his three-point attempts, and the Raptors have a net rating of plus 13.8 when he is on the court. That is the second-best margin on the team, just behind the net rating of plus 17.3 for substitute Gradey Dick as well. – Zach Kram
13. Philadelphia 76ers
Record 2025-26: 8-5
Role Player: Quentin Grimes
Grimes is not only the most important bench player for the 76ers, but he is a strong candidate, during the first month of the season, to win the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Grimes has continued right where he left off after coming from the Mavericks at last season’s trade deadline, averaging 16.8 points and hitting 40% of his three-pointers while attempting more than six per game. – Bontemps
14. Phoenix Suns
Record 2025-26: 9-6
Role player: Collin Gillespie
A third-year veteran, Gillespie has made a name for himself this season as a reliable backup point guard for first-year coach Jordan Ott. Gillespie is averaging career-best numbers across the board with 9.9 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. And he played in all 14 games during the Suns’ surprising 9-6 start. – McMenamin
15. Miami Heat
Record 2025-26: 8-6
Role player: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Like the Heat’s big turnaround from a massively disappointing season last year, Jaquez has bounced back in a big way and is thriving in the Heat’s new, fast-paced offense. Last season, Jaquez averaged 8.6 points, down from the 11.9 points he averaged as a rookie. In 14 games coming off the bench this season, Jaquez is playing his game downhill, averaging 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 52.8% shooting. He’s an early Sixth Man of the Year candidate and has given the Heat a big lift with Tyler Herro out. – Youngmisuk
16. Milwaukee Bucks
Record 2025-26: 8-7
Role player: Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma’s role with the Bucks became even more critical with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will miss one or two weeks after leaving Monday’s game with a left groin injury. After a shaky start to his career with the Bucks after the trade deadline last season, Kuzma has been better this year, mainly as a substitute. He is shooting 49.6% from the field, reducing three-pointers and punishing opponents inside the arc (60% on doubles) as the Bucks spread the floor with three-point threats. But with Antetokounmpo out of action, Milwaukee will look for answers on how to generate offense, which will likely mean more opportunities for Kuzma. – Collier
17. Orlando Magic
Record 2025-26: 8-7
Role player: Anthony Black
Black’s stats may not always jump off the page, but his play on both sides of the court is valuable to the Magic. When Black is active and defending, he can help change a game, such as when he had 13 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals in a 123-110 win over Boston on Nov. 7, and a season-high 21 points on Tuesday against the Warriors. His versatility is a big asset for Jamahl Mosley, especially when Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero were out due to groin injuries and Black stepped in and started in the overtime loss to Houston, finishing with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal in 36 minutes. Black’s minutes could fluctuate, but Orlando needs his versatility and defensive energy to compete this season. – Youngmisuk
18. Boston Celtics
Record 2025-26: 8-7
Role player: Neemias Queta
It’s not exactly a household name, but the numbers say Queta has had a massive impact on the Celtics this season, with Boston sporting an elite defensive rating of 99.7 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court and 122 points per 100 possessions when he’s off. Part of that, however, is math: teams are shooting 32% from the 3-point line when Queta is on the court and 38% when he’s off. – Bontemps
19. Chicago Bulls
Record 2025-26: 7-6
Role player: Ayo Dosunmu
The Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak on Monday with a win over the Denver Nuggets thanks to an impressive 66-point performance from their bench, led by Dosunmu’s 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting and five assists. Chicago has come back down to earth after their hot start, but their bench has become one of the team’s strengths. The Bulls’ reserves lead the NBA with 48.1 points per game, with Dosunmu leading the way averaging 15.7 points per game on 55% shooting and 46.5% from the 3-point line. – Collier
20. Portland Trail Blazers
Record 2025-26: 6-8
Role player: Jerami Grant
Before this season, Grant last came off the bench for the Nuggets in the bubble more than five years ago. After buying a reserve role, Grant is competing for the Sixth Man award. His 17.7 PPG off the bench led all players with at least five appearances. Grant continued to produce with 26 points in his first start of the season on Sunday in place of the injured Jrue Holiday, but he was missed with the second unit. Portland’s remaining substitutes combined for only 15 points in a loss that capped a 1-4 road trip. – Kevin Pelton
Record 2025-26: 5-9
Role player: Isaiah Collier
Collier, a second-year guard whose season debut was delayed by a hamstring strain, is making a significant impact in a sixth-man role. Collier, who started the second half of his rookie year, averaged 11.3 points and 8.3 assists while shooting 63.6% from the field in his first four games off the bench this season. Collier has limitations due to an unstable shot, but he is a dynamic athlete with a knack for playmaking, breaking John Stockton’s franchise record for assists by a rookie last season (446). – MacMahon
