The 2026-27 NBA regular season is still less than a month old. We're seeing teams group each other in tiers and several storylines form, though.
The MVP race is building up to be between Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama. With how things look right now, though. Both are putting up video-game stat lines on winners. Each scored the half-century mark this past week in dominating performances.
Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder are getting back on track. Took a minute for them to come to terms with their new NBA reality, but they are making the most of it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had back-to-back 40-point outings to get them a little confidence boost.
Throughout the 2026-27 regular season, Thunder Wire will post weekly NBA Power Rankings. Here is
the latest edition from the Nov. 2-8 week:
30. Sacramento Kings (1-9)
Previous Ranking: 30
It didn't take long for the Kings to sell off parts. As they plummet down the standings, they're expected to be a tire fire sale. The first domino fell in that regard. They traded Nique Clifford to OKC. The second-year player fell out of favor there, so the move felt inevitable. Sacramento keeps rolling. Darius Acuff Jr. has put up big-time stats. He had a ridiculous 22 points and 12 assists in a loss to the Lakers. He should be a fun box-score guy to watch all year with the freedom he has.
29. Milwaukee Bucks (1-9)
Previous Ranking: 27
The Bucks continue to tumble down the standings. The offense is struggling. I guess that's what happens when your best player is Tyler Herro. He had 25 points in a close loss to the Celtics. It's rough, man. No sugarcoating it. Milwaukee is at the start of a rebuild. Doc Rivers is going on national pods and dissing arguably their franchise GOAT. All bad vibes right now. It's going to get uglier before it gets better.
28. Utah Jazz (1-9)
Previous Ranking: 23
It's time to panic about the Jazz. Things have already gone off the rails. I know you can chalk it up to injuries with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, but no excuse to start off this badly. Especially since they were all of the NBA nerds' — I say that endearingly — favorite up-and-coming team. Plenty of time to turn things around, but the offense just has to be a lot better.
27. LA Clippers (2-7)
Previous Ranking: 25
No luck this year. The Clippers have bottomed out. They're one of the worst teams in the league. I don't think they have the juice to go on a magical run like last year, either. Vibes are pretty bad. Darius Garland has proven to hurt the offense by being a high-usage guy. Not much else to really say about this team. I guess it's poetic that the one year OKC needs them to be decent for lottery purposes, they're actually one of the worst teams.
26. Chicago Bulls (1-8)
Previous Ranking: 28
Another team has fallen to the bottom of the standings. For the bad reasons, too. I think everybody knew the Bulls were going to be bad, record-wise. But you had hoped for some development. So far, nothing on that end either. Caleb Wilson is going through a rookie wall as an inefficient scorer. Josh Giddey is averaging a triple-single. And Mata Buzelis looks displeased with his downsized role. Let's see if things can change for Chicago. But none of its hopeful pillars have progressed to their liking.
25. Orlando Magic (2-7)
Previous Ranking: 20
Same problems exist for the Magic. Even with a new head coach in charge. The offense is deplorable. They're struggling to crack 100 points. And their top guys remain hurt with Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs. It's pretty bleak, I can't lie. It's difficult to find any positives. Orlando has tried putting on several Band-Aids over the years with its situation. But you have to wonder at what point they just pull the plug.
24. Brooklyn Nets (2-8)
Previous Ranking: 29
Well, some of the young guys have played a little better. But nothing crazy. Instead, it's the two expensive veterans who have dominated things. Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points and Julius Randle had 22 points in a rare win over the Hornets. That's cool and all, but not really the way Brooklyn wants to get wins. It rather relies on its young pieces to step up. Only Nolan Traore is the sole guy who you can confidently say has improved.
23. Charlotte Hornets (3-7)
Previous Ranking: 18
The NBA world is wondering why the Hornets blew up one of the hottest second-half teams last year. Especially with such a terrible start. Brandon Miller can't stay healthy. Neither can Kon Knueppel. He'll be out for at least a month with a hamstring strain. Brutal. Those were the two guys Charlotte was building its roster around. The offense has been disastrous. There was always going to be a step back taken this year, but this isn't what they likely envisioned.
22. Indiana Pacers (3-7)
Previous Ranking: 22
It didn't take long for injuries to completely derail the Pacers again. At least this time, none are season-altering. Knock on wood. But it's not good when you're running a six-man rotation in a game this early in the year. Tyrese Haliburton remains out with a hamstring strain. That's scary to see. Especially considering he just returned from a torn Achilles tendon. I still think Indiana should shake off this slow start, but you're definitely feeling a bit of deja vu so far. I mean, they're starting Braden Smith, dude.
21. Phoenix Suns (3-5)
Previous Ranking: 24
In a game they desperately needed, the Suns picked up a win over the Rockets and their old NBA superstar. Devin Booker had 24 points in the thrilling victory. Finally, he's woken up. Phoenix needs him to be its best player. The best way to show that is by being their top scorer. A bunch of their role players have regressed this year. Let's see if they can find another spark. They entered the year with postseason aspirations. Things haven't looked promising so far.
20. Miami Heat (4-6)
Previous Ranking: 19
I guess the Heat are going to be a work in progress. You can't just add a two-time MVP winner and expect to turn into a contender. Giannis Antetokounmpo also hasn't been superb, if we're being honest. Maybe he's on the wrong side of his career arc. Also hasn't helped that any of the Miami veteran role players have been a hit. They just have a very antique roster and an outdated view of roster building. Maybe this would've flown a decade ago, but the league is in a more sophisticated place now.
19. Washington Wizards (4-6)
Previous Ranking: 17
The Wizards are another team that tried to fast-track a rebuild. Things haven't gone well, to say the least. Trae Young was supposed to be a franchise savior. Especially with the expensive contract he signed. But he was a no-show in their embarrassing loss to the Thunder. Washington only had 75 points in it. I really like what AJ Dybantsa showed. He's a drive-heavy scorer. That's really about it in terms of positives right now. They were one of the more interesting teams to keep an eye on because of their weird roster. It's been pretty mild.
18. New Orleans Pelicans (4-6)
Previous Ranking: 26
There were doubts about Jamahl Mosley when he joined the Pelicans. He didn't have the greatest tenure at his last job. But he's forcing New Orleans to play some quality basketball. It had won four in a row by being a high-scoring machine. Zion Williamson had 25 points in its best win of the year yet over the Grizzlies. Derik Queen trolled the Memphis fanbase in the aftermath. Still early, but they're playing like a real team.
17. Toronto Raptors (5-4)
Previous Ranking: 14
As Kawhi Leonard continues to recover from his latest knee woes, the Raptors have discovered a formula to win without him. That was honestly a requirement when they brought back the franchise legend. Even though he's one of the game's best players when healthy, that has seldom happened. So Toronto had a backup plan in place. What was it? Relying on Scottie Barnes even more. He had 22 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Clippers. They went all out to beat Leonard's old squad. A lot of their hopes fall on his shoulders.
16. Dallas Mavericks (6-4)
Previous Ranking: 7
So far, the Mavericks have been a decent surprise. They took the Spurs to the brink in a close loss and then rebounded with a win over the Jazz. Cooper Flagg had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the latter result. The 19-year-old is having another one of the greatest teenage seasons in NBA history. I think Dallas has found its next franchise superstar and perennial MVP candidate. Even if the process to get there was downright ugly.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-5)
Previous Ranking: 10
This was not a good week for the remaining Cavaliers believers. First, they were swept in their two games against the Thunder. Just bad losses considering how short-handed OKC is. Also didn't help that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden did absolutely nothing. Then they compound the problem with a loss to the Knicks. Extremely demoralizing, to say the least. I don't know, man. Cleveland reeks of a team filled with guys who are mentally checked out. You can't keep running it back with mostly the same group and expect different results. This is who they are at this point, sadly.
14. Denver Nuggets (5-3)
Previous Ranking: 12
Nikola Jokic's demise was premature. The three-time MVP winner is back to putting up ridiculous numbers. He had a 32-point triple-double in a win over the Raptors. After a little bit of a mini-crisis, Denver has corrected the ship. A ton of their notable guys are dealing with injuries right now, though. This is what happens when you're so top-heavy. That has been an evergreen problem for the Nuggets for years. They're going to stick around the contender conversation, but it's hard to take them as a serious threat.
13. New York Knicks (5-4)
Previous Ranking: 21
I think a lot of folks had a misconception about the Knicks. Just because they had a dominant playoff run to an NBA championship, it doesn't suddenly make them a regular-season juggernaut. It's taken them a minute to find their footing, but they have done so this past week. Jalen Brunson dropped 31 points in a win over the Cavaliers. He also had 33 points in a win over the Bulls. New York should be a good regular-season squad. It should contend for a top seed. But they're pretty up and down in these mundane months.
12. Portland Trail Blazers (6-3)
Previous Ranking: 9
I'm honestly surprised at just how well the Trail Blazers have gelled together. On paper, this was an awkwardly-fitting roster. Plus some question marks on a huge name. Damian Lillard has been helpful as Portland's Robin, though. Even if he's historically overqualified for the role. He had 25 points in a win over the Suns. Donovan Clingan helped out with 24 points. So everything, all of the pieces are working together. Even with a couple of recent losses.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (6-3)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Grizzlies had their first humbling experience in the NBA. Not all sunshine and rainbows. After winning the first six, they've dropped three in a row. The most humbling of the bunch? Getting absolutely demolished by a short-handed Thunder. Cameron Boozer was forgettable on the court. He had a lot of early-season success. But he had his first taste of an NBA learning experience. I still like Memphis' future. Ty Jerome has been awesome. The young, up-and-coming team still has to go through growing pains, though.
10. Atlanta Hawks (7-4)
Previous Ranking: 16
The Hawks are rolling. They've won four in a row. They beat their old franchise face twice in Young with two wins over the Wizards. Nickeil Alexander-Walker outscored him in both games with 28 and 26 points apiece. We're long past the stage of treating him like a cute underdog story. He's legitimately a franchise pillar now. Crazy, considering he was fighting for his NBA life not that long ago. Speaking of which, Lu Dort dropped 25 points in one of those two wins. Atlanta is getting some of the best years among its group of guys.
9. Houston Rockets (7-3)
Previous Ranking: 2
Crunch-time offense has bitten the Rockets in their last two losses to the Timberwolves and Suns. That plagued them all last year. Still seems to be a problem. Also interesting to see that they're a lot better with Amen Thompson off the floor. On-off court data can be noisy. Especially this early in the year. But that's a trend to keep an eye on. Seems like his nonexistent shooting can only be covered up for so long. It's been a problem his whole career, but Houston needs more out of Kevin Durant. He's too potent a scorer to fade into the background of games. Even if it's for the sake of free-flowing offense.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3)
Previous Ranking: 13
When your NBA superstar is out for two months, you're going to need a Herculean effort from the rest of your group. The Timberwolves are getting back from Ayo Dosunmu. He had 21 points in a resume-strengthening win over the Rockets. He then topped that with 26 points in a win over the Pelicans. That trade from last year has been an absolute blessing for that franchise. He's made strides as a scorer. Minnesota is doing just enough to keep its head above water. At least, for now.
7. Detroit Pistons (6-3)
Previous Ranking: 5
The league has kinda left the Pistons in the past. Among the contenders, at least. Two losses to the Sixers and Lakers show that. Sure, Cade Cunningham is still one of the best players. But he's not reaching the same heights as the game's best. Therein lies Detroit's real problem. As things are currently constructed there, at least. They're going to be a high seed and beat up on most of the league. But it's difficult to envision them as a serious title threat. Especially with such a blah offseason. I don't even think Jalen Duren's eventual return will change anything radically.
6. Golden State Warriors (7-3)
Previous Ranking: 15
Winners of seven in a row, the Warriors are red-hot right now. Not even Kristaps Porzingis' last-second retirement can knock them off their streak. Golden State is riding its best vibes in a minute. A lot of that can be linked back to Yaxel Lendeborg. He's been a bigger help than anticipated as a 21-point scorer. But everything starts and stops with Stephen Curry. Even at 38 years old, he remains one of the game's top players. He dropped 41 points in an overtime win over the Magic. After things looked bleak all summer, they're somehow figuring out a winning formula by both the greatest player in their franchise history and the hopeful next face of their franchise. Poetic, in a sense.
5. Boston Celtics (8-2)
Previous Ranking: 4
It was an easy week for the Celtics. They beat up on a couple of East cupcakes in the Hornets and Bucks. Jayson Tatum had 34 points in a win over the former. Paul George had 25 points in a win over the latter. Nothing crazy. Just a penciled-in contender taking care of business. The real drama happens this upcoming week, though. They will face Jaylen Brown and the Sixers. Both parties continue to fuel a rivalry between the two sides. Intentionally or unintentionally. That's going to be must-watch TV.
4. Los Angeles Lakers (9-2)
Previous Ranking: 8
The scoring numbers continue to look ridiculous for Luka Doncic. He had a jaw-dropping 53 points in a win over the Trail Blazers. He's on a four-game 40-point scoring streak. He's averaging 40 points — 40! — a week into November. You just don't ever see that. In fact, it's the best scoring start in NBA history. He's easily the MVP frontrunner right now. It's helped that Los Angeles has won throughout his bucket-getting madness. It's been a minute since we've seen him at the apex of his powers. But that's the case right now. Everything is going the best-case scenario for the Lakers.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-2)
Previous Ranking: 11
Are the Thunder back? Maybe the obituaries were too premature. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander absolutely carried them to a couple of wins over the Cavaliers. He dropped 43 points and then 42 points on back-to-back nights. But their two wins over the Grizzlies and Wizards are most encouraging. Why? Because OKC's supporting cast got the job done. Ajay Mitchell had a career-best 35 points in a win over Memphis. Other young pieces have also stepped up. As long as the two-time MVP winner is healthy, he'll make any group work. He brings the best out of his teammates year in and year out. This is the most extreme example yet.
2. San Antonio Spurs (8-2)
Previous Ranking: 6
Any worries about the Spurs can be washed away. They've won eight in a row. Quick reminder of why most folks penciled them in as the co-title favorite. Let's not get cute about why. Victor Wembanyama has been balling out of his mind right now. He had a historic 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks in a win over the Mavericks. He followed that up with a ho-hum 30 points and 14 rebounds in a win over the Kings. It took a while for him to get going, but he's playing like a prime MVP candidate. San Antonio should be near the top of the rankings the rest of the way after a rocky start.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (9-2)
Previous Ranking: 1
The Sixers bring back an element that has been missed by the NBA storytellers — basketball's version of The Beatles. All five of their starters are rockstars. They're going to catch headlines. Anytime Philadelphia rolls into town, expect sellout crowds. This week saw Brown score 30 points in a win over the Pistons. That should be your top storyline of the week. But then James' return to Cleveland was the real headliner. Sure, the Sixers lost. But his return to that market is always must-watch TV over the decades. They've needed little time to gel. Everything is sunshine and rainbows over there with dynamic personalities. Also important to caution that it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Power Rankings: Luka Doncic, Wembanyama launch MVP race; Thunder figure things out
