A month into the NBA season, the divisions in both conferences are beginning to take shape. Although the Detroit Pistons surprisingly lead the Eastern Conference, the expected contenders are positioned in the top five based on their net rating.
Meanwhile, a group of teams has separated at the bottom of the table, with fans and managers dreaming of securing a high selection in the 2026 draft, which is shaping up to be one of the most promising.
The real interest centers on the fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs and avoiding the play-in tournament. We analyze the 30 NBA teams, ranking them according to their prospects for success at the end of the regular season.
Favorites to Repeat
Oklahoma City Thunder (13-1)Despite the injury absences of Jalen Williams and the absences of Chet Holmgren, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, the Thunder maintain an impressive pace. Although their three-point shooting efficiency is low (34%), the team is on a 76-6 pace for the season, with a point differential of +15.4, the best in the league.
Oklahoma City’s defense is the best in the NBA by a wide margin, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is replicating the performance that earned him the MVP award. Holmgren seems to have made an offensive leap, averaging 19.3 points per game with great efficiency.
The only criticism is that the Thunder have benefited from a relatively easy schedule, which has inflated their point differential. However, there is no doubt that the team is in a class of its own.Description: Brian Windhorst talks about Nikola Jokic’s great start to the season with the Nuggets.
Title Contenders
Denver Nuggets (10-2)Houston Rockets (9-3)New York Knicks (8-4)Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5)The Rockets are the surprise, overcoming the absence of Fred VanVleet and showing the third-best point differential in the league. Although their offense may not hold up, Reed Sheppard is helping to fill the void, and the team will add depth with the return of Dorian Finney-Smith.
If Darius Garland stays healthy, Cleveland and New York are the most likely teams to win in the East. The Nuggets, who took Oklahoma City to seven games in last season’s conference semifinals, seem to be the biggest threat to the Thunder this season.
Conference Finalists
Los Angeles Lakers (10-4)Minnesota Timberwolves (8-5)San Antonio Spurs (9-4)Detroit Pistons (11-2)Atlanta Hawks (9-5)This group includes teams strong in one aspect of the game but with average performance in the other. The Timberwolves excel in offense, while the Lakers are efficient in field goals. The Pistons, Spurs, and Hawks stand out in defense.
These teams must answer key questions to overcome higher-ranked rivals in the playoffs. The Spurs and Pistons have similarities, led by young prospects. The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, while the Pistons benefit from a weaker Eastern Conference.
The Hawks have performed well since Trae Young’s injury, but they must maintain defensive energy and improve their offense.
Stuck Applicants
Golden State Warriors (9-6)LA Clippers (4-9)Orlando Magic (7-7)These teams, which were expected to surpass 49 wins, have not met expectations so far. The Clippers, with the absence of Bradley Beal, the decline of Chris Paul, and the injuries of Kawhi Leonard, need to improve to enter the play-in.
The Magic and the Warriors have more chances to climb in their respective conferences.
The Complicated Medium
Portland Trail Blazers (6-7)Miami Heat (7-6)Milwaukee Bucks (8-6)Philadelphia 76ers (7-5)Toronto Raptors (8-5)Boston Celtics (7-7)Chicago Bulls (6-6)Portland, the only team from the West in this category, could reach the play-in tournament. Most of the teams from the East in this group have a wide range of possible results.
Milwaukee, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, could perform better in the playoffs, but their supporting cast seems weak and their point differential suggests they are closer to average than to the actual contention.
Play-in Dreamers
Memphis Grizzlies (4-10)New Orleans Pelicans (2-11)Sacramento Kings (3-11)Phoenix Suns (8-6)Dallas Mavericks (4-10)Charlotte Hornets (4-9)Surprisingly, the Suns have the best atmosphere in this category. With Devin Booker at an All-NBA level and Collin Gillespie performing well, Phoenix is proving that chemistry can compensate for the loss of talent.
Road to the Draft
Utah Jazz (5-8)Washington Wizards (1-12)Brooklyn Nets (2-11)Indiana Pacers (1-12)These teams are focused on the 2026 draft, with the goal of obtaining a high pick that will allow them to build a competitive team in the long term. The Jazz, Wizards, and Nets are looking for a franchise player, while the Pacers are hoping for a young co-star for Tyrese Haliburton.
Although Utah has more wins than the rest of the teams in this category, they have a protected pick owed to Oklahoma City, which gives them an incentive to lose games and ensure that pick stays in Utah.
