By NBA Insiders | ESPN, 2025-10-29 19:00:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2025-26赛季NBA常规赛已正式拉开战幕一周，有几支球队的表现已经让我们感到惊讶。
在竞争激烈的西部，由维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 领衔的圣安东尼奥马刺队，与卫冕冠军俄克拉荷马城雷霆队一道，是联盟中少数几支保持不败的球队。雷霆队以两场背靠背双加时比赛开启新赛季，在MVP谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 的带领下，延续了上赛季的强势表现。
在东部，费城76人队取得了强劲开局，他们的3号秀VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe)（场均24.5分）和六年级后卫泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 立刻做出了贡献，后者以场均37.5分领跑全联盟。
在本赛季第一期的实力榜中，我们的NBA资深记者们将为您解析开赛周最值得关注的看点，并展望下周各队将如何站稳脚跟或延续势头。
注：球队排名基于我们专家团（ESPN的安东尼·斯莱特、戴夫·麦克梅纳明、贾马尔·科利尔、凯文·佩尔顿、迈克尔·C·莱特、欧姆·杨米苏克、蒂姆·邦坦普斯、蒂姆·麦克马洪、文森特·古德威尔和扎克·克拉姆）对各队本赛季实力的评估。
上期排名： 季前赛
跳转至球队：
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
1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 5胜0负
- 上期排名： 1
- 未来赛程： 10月30日对阵奇才，11月2日对阵鹈鹕
对于卫冕冠军来说，这是一个充满竞争、伤病，但仍保持不败的十月。亚历克斯·卡鲁索 (Alex Caruso) 在赛季揭幕战对阵火箭的双加时胜利中遭遇脑震荡。卡森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace) 因左膝问题错过了对阵步行者的双加时胜利。以赛亚·乔 (Isaiah Joe) 和尼古拉·托皮奇 (Nikola Topic) 因季前赛伤病仍在休战。杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 尚未从休赛期的手腕手术中获准复出。切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 因背部问题缺席了对阵国王的比赛。但吉尔杰斯-亚历山大不断得分——35分、55分、30分、23分和31分——雷霆队在轮换阵容人员不整的情况下依然高歌猛进。二年级后卫阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell) 成为赛季初的受益者，五场比赛场均得到18.7分。 – 安东尼·斯莱特
2. 克利夫兰骑士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 3胜1负
- 上期排名： 3
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵凯尔特人，10月31日对阵猛龙，11月2日对阵老鹰
在揭幕战输给尼克斯后，骑士队已经取得三连胜，看起来将再次成为东部顶级球队之一。在赛季初期，克利夫兰的防守在几名关键球员缺阵的情况下扛起了球队，但请密切关注埃文·莫布里 (Evan Mobley)。他本赛季的使用率达到了职业生涯新高，这是骑士队为赋予他更多进攻责任而做出的刻意安排。 – 贾马尔·科利尔
3. 金州勇士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 4胜1负
- 上期排名： 8
- 未来赛程： 10月30日客场对阵雄鹿，11月1日客场对阵步行者，11月4日对阵太阳
在周一战胜灰熊的比赛中，勇士有四人得分上20——而斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 并不在其中。在库里时代，这种情况只发生过六次。这四位得分上20的球员中有三位是布兰丁·波杰姆斯基 (Brandin Podziemski)、摩西·穆迪 (Moses Moody) 和乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga)——这是一个再好不过的信号，表明这支日渐老迈的球队或许能依靠年轻球员的成长，撑过82场常规赛的漫长征程。特别是库明加，他的积极性令人印象深刻。他在五场比赛中抢下37个篮板，促使史蒂夫·科尔 (Steve Kerr) 表示：“他拼抢篮板的方式，他冲击篮筐的方式，这些让他与众不同。当他发挥出自己的天赋和能力时，他改变了我们的球队。” 周二晚，科尔宣布库明加将成为球队的固定首发。 – 斯莱特
4. 纽约尼克斯
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 4
- 未来赛程： 10月31日客场对阵公牛，11月2日对阵公牛，11月3日对阵奇才
这在预料之中，但尼克斯在进攻端确实显得有些脱节。也许是与热火和凯尔特人——两支开赛以来防守最具侵略性和活力的球队——交手导致了他们进攻效率低下。但他们需要尽快磨合。卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 能否摆脱股四头肌伤势，成为那个无法防守的核武器，从而为OG·阿努诺比 (OG Anunoby) 和米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 盘活全队进攻？他目前的投篮命中率仅为40%（三分球6投39%）。当被问及何时能恢复到100%时，他回避道：“只要我们赢球，我不在乎。那是我最不关心的事情。” – 文森特·古德威尔
5. 丹佛掘金
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜1负
- 上期排名： 2
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵鹈鹕，10月31日客场对阵开拓者，11月3日对阵国王
这会是贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray) 终于与尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 一同入选全明星赛的赛季吗？穆雷开局表现惊艳，场均贡献30.3分和6.0次助攻，投篮三项命中率高达.530/.429/.923。新的全明星赛制为国际球员指定了八个名额，这应该会增加穆雷作为加拿大人的入选机会。上赛季开局慢热的穆雷，今年以极佳的状态参加了训练营，这体现在他冲击内线的侵略性上。他场均在内线出手10.3次，命中率达到61.3%，而上赛季这两项数据分别为6.6次和56.1%。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪
6. 圣安东尼奥马刺
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 4胜0负
- 上期排名： 16
- 未来赛程： 10月30日对阵热火，11月2日客场对阵太阳
自2019-20赛季以来首次取得4胜0负的开局，圣安东尼奥在文班亚马下场休息的时段里终于打出了优异表现，这主要归功于老将卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 的加入。在周五马刺队加时战胜新奥尔良的比赛中，科内特出场35分钟，抢下全场最高的12个篮板。与此同时，新秀迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 在对阵篮网的比赛中迎来爆发，11投8中得到20分，并贡献了全队最高的+33正负值。而所有这一切都是在德阿龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 和杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan) 缺阵的情况下取得的，他们二人也即将伤愈复出。 – 迈克尔·C·莱特
7. 洛杉矶快船
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 6
- 未来赛程： 10月31日对阵鹈鹕，11月3日对阵热火
快船赛季初的进攻表现超过了防守，在2胜2负的开局中，他们的进攻效率排名联盟第9，但防守效率仅排在第16位。当然，样本量还很小，但这值得关注，因为洛杉矶上赛季的防守效率高居联盟第三，而进攻效率仅排第15。快船将在周五对阵新奥尔良时有机会重整防守——鹈鹕队前三场比赛的进攻效率排名联盟第28。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明
8. 密尔沃基雄鹿
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 3胜1负
- 上期排名： 14
- 未来赛程： 10月30日对阵勇士，11月1日对阵国王，11月3日客场对阵步行者，11月4日客场对阵猛龙
扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 在2025-26赛季打出了历史级的开局，看起来他要凭一己之力将雄鹿带入争冠行列。他当选了东部周最佳球员，赛季初场均贡献36分、16个篮板和7次助攻，投篮命中率高达68%。但在开季两连胜后，雄鹿接连遭遇了东部预计排名前二的球队的考验，周日他们在人手短缺的情况下输给了克利夫兰，随后又凭借阿德托昆博的37分击败了尼克斯。 – 科利尔
9. 费城76人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 4胜0负
- 上期排名： 19
- 未来赛程： 10月31日对阵凯尔特人，11月2日客场对阵篮网，11月4日客场对阵公牛
一年之间，天壤之别。上赛季开赛一周时，乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 的状态悬而未决，费城开启了2024-25赛季那场注定失败的悲歌之旅。而现在，76人队拥有可能是联盟中最具爆发力的后场组合——马克西和埃奇科姆。恩比德正在场上拼搏（尽管有上场时间限制），保罗·乔治 (Paul George)（膝盖）和贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain)（拇指）也离复出不远了，76人队以完美的4胜0负战绩领跑东部。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯
10. 明尼苏达森林狼
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 7
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵湖人，11月1日客场对阵黄蜂，11月3日客场对阵篮网
安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)，过去几年NBA最耐用的球星之一，因腿筋受伤将缺席两周。然而，伤病发生的时间点恰好是赛程相对轻松的阶段，他们将对阵缺少卢卡和勒布朗的湖人，并在接下来两周内有六场比赛对阵夏洛特、布鲁克林、犹他和萨克拉门托。 – 邦坦普斯
11. 休斯顿火箭
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜2负
- 上期排名： 5
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵猛龙，11月1日客场对阵凯尔特人，11月3日对阵独行侠
在弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 缺阵的情况下，休斯顿在进攻端继续采取团队组织的方式，但效果好坏参半。新援凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 提到，球队0胜2负的开局让球员和教练组都“非常恼火”，但他补充说，他很欣赏在赛季初就有这种能量和紧迫感。预计休斯顿将继续试验不同的阵容，但很明显，火箭需要减少32岁老将史蒂文·亚当斯 (Steven Adams) 的上场时间，他在前两场比赛中场均出战31分钟。对于亚当斯来说，如此长的上场时间在一个漫长的赛季中是不可持续的。 – 莱特
12. 洛杉矶湖人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 10
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵森林狼，10月31日客场对阵灰熊，11月2日对阵热火，11月3日客场对阵开拓者
湖人队将那句古老的篮球格言——“如果我严厉地指导你，别担心；如果我不再指导你，那才该担心，因为那意味着我已经不在乎了”——在新中锋德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton) 身上发挥到了极致。这位前状元秀在与开拓者达成买断协议后以自由球员身份签约，他表示队友们用上了“霸凌”策略来激励他。“他们一直盯着我，”艾顿说。“他们试图在比赛前激怒我，好让我进入状态。” 到目前为止，这招很管用。在洛杉矶的前四场比赛中，他场均得到15.8分和9.3个篮板，投篮命中率高达60%。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明
13. 芝加哥公牛
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 3胜0负
- 上期排名： 24
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵国王，10月31日对阵尼克斯，11月2日客场对阵尼克斯，11月4日对阵76人
公牛队是NBA仅存的几支不败球队之一，四年来首次取得3胜0负的开局。对芝加哥而言更鼓舞人心的是，他们的三场胜利都是在对阵东部季后赛级别球队——底特律、奥兰多和亚特兰大——时取得的，这要归功于得分排名联盟第三的替补阵容，以及出人意料地排名联盟防守效率第二（仅次于俄克拉荷马城）的防守。公牛队上一次开局如此迅猛是在2021-22赛季，那也是他们过去十年唯一一次打进季后赛。 – 科利尔
14. 底特律活塞
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 12
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵魔术，11月1日对阵独行侠，11月3日客场对阵灰熊
尽管战绩尚可，但马利克·比斯利 (Malik Beasley) 的离开和杰登·艾维 (Jaden Ivey) 的受伤给活塞带来了损失。在对阵休斯顿的比赛中，活塞的三分命中率（32%）仅有一场高于联盟平均水平。“我们仍在学习。场上一起打球的是一个有些不同的组合。情况会好转的，只是有时会比较磕绊，”主教练J.B.·比克斯塔夫 (JB Bickerstaff) 说。奥萨尔·汤普森 (Ausar Thompson) 看起来已经准备好在进攻端承担更多责任，尽管他的比赛仍在全面发展中。他在周日对阵凯尔特人的比赛中表现出色，贡献21分和12个篮板（5个进攻篮板），让对手头疼不已。 – 古德威尔
15. 迈阿密热火
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 3胜1负
- 上期排名： 18
- 未来赛程： 10月30日客场对阵马刺，11月2日客场对阵湖人，11月3日客场对阵快船
尽管上周球队在奥兰多期间，特里·罗齐尔 (Terry Rozier) 因涉及赌博、博彩和扑克的联邦调查被捕，但热火队团结一致，连赢三场。在季前赛0胜6负之后，热火队进攻火力全开，分别以146分和144分大胜灰熊和黄蜂，同时还击败了尼克斯。巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo) 开局表现出色，在泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 缺阵的情况下，他承担了热火需要他做的一切。诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norm Powell) 因腹股沟酸痛缺席了对阵黄蜂的胜利，但他场均贡献24.0分、7.3个篮板、3.0次助攻和2.0次抢断。虽然赛季尚早，但热火队打得像一个整体，球员们各司其职，在经历了上赛季吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 的闹剧及其后续影响后，球队看起来焕然一新。 – 欧姆·杨米苏克
16. 孟菲斯灰熊
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 17
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵太阳，10月31日对阵湖人，11月2日客场对阵猛龙，11月3日对阵活塞
灰熊队在以32分惨败给迈阿密后迅速反弹，周六以25分的优势大胜步行者。新秀塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward) 贡献27分，他单场命中6记三分且无一投失（外线6投6中），追平了新秀单场三分全中历史第二高的纪录。考沃德带来了身体对抗和全面性，并迅速成为一股重要力量，随着经验的增长，他只会变得更好。控球后卫贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant) 在前三场比赛中投篮命中率为44%，三分球12投2中。他的状态会回升，但关键球员的大面积伤病继续拖慢孟菲斯找回状态的脚步。 – 莱特
17. 奥兰多魔术
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 9
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵活塞，10月30日客场对阵黄蜂，11月1日客场对阵奇才，11月4日客场对阵老鹰
魔术队带着很高的期望开启了本赛季，但在揭幕战击败迈阿密后，他们已经连输三场。周五，奥兰多挥霍了14分的领先优势，最终以107-111不敌亚特兰大。德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane) 目前场均得到19分，但三分命中率仅为27.3%。虽然赛季才刚开始，但奥兰多全队的三分命中率仅有29.1%。不过，杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 在赛季初回归是一个巨大的鼓舞。在周一费城客场丢掉136分后，魔术队希望在这波五连客场之旅中找回他们的防守和外线投射。 – 杨米苏克
18. 夏洛特黄蜂
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 27
- 未来赛程： 10月30日对阵魔术，11月1日对阵森林狼，11月2日对阵爵士
令人惊讶的是，黄蜂队距离3胜0负的开局只差一节崩盘。周六对阵费城时，他们仅在最后12分钟被对手打出39-25的攻击波，这也是他们开赛周的唯一污点。在此之前，他们大胜了布鲁克林和华盛顿。黄蜂队在首发阵容中有两名新秀（4号秀康·纽佩尔和二轮秀瑞安·卡尔克布伦纳）的情况下赢球，并且在首发球员布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller) 肩部受伤的情况下，拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 仍打出了杰出的开局，场均贡献28.3分、9.7次助攻和8.3个篮板，三分命中率高达41.9%。 – 凯文·佩尔顿
19. 亚特兰大老鹰
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 11
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵篮网，10月31日客场对阵步行者，11月2日客场对阵骑士
老鹰队的赛季开局缓慢。揭幕战中，多伦多痛击了老鹰，暴露了他们的内线防守和紧迫感问题。接着，老鹰队在克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)（流感症状）和扎卡里·里萨谢 (Zaccharie Risacher)（脚踝）连续缺阵两场的情况下，取得了1胜1负的战在上周六输给雷霆的比赛中，杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)（脚踝）也加入了伤病名单。不过，老鹰队在上周五客场战胜奥兰多的关键一役中展现了他们的韧性和阵容深度。周一晚在芝加哥，球队阵容齐整，老鹰队在进攻端打出了一些亮点，波尔津吉斯也反弹得到27分。然而，他们需要在这波四连客场之旅中改善防守和篮板。老鹰队目前正处于一个赛程阶段，他们前14场比赛中有9场是客场作战。 – 杨米苏克
20. 波特兰开拓者
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜2负
- 上期排名： 23
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵爵士，10月31日对阵掘金，11月3日对阵湖人
在主教练昌西·比卢普斯 (Chauncey Billups) 因涉赌指控被捕的后续影响中，开拓者以2胜2负的开局表明他们有能力竞争季后赛席位。在蒂亚戈·斯普利特 (Tiago Splitter) 作为代理主教练的首秀中，波特兰主场击败金州勇士，并利用湖人周一的伤病问题将战绩扳平至2胜2负。开拓者队的净胜分排在西部第六，他们的第六人杰拉米·格兰特 (Jerami Grant) 发挥出色，自2020年以来首次作为替补，场均得到22.5分。随着朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 的加入，波特兰的防守一如预期地强悍，按每回合计算排名联盟第六。 – 佩尔顿
21. 达拉斯独行侠
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 13
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵步行者，11月1日客场对阵活塞，11月3日客场对阵火箭
根据GeniusIQ的数据，当丹吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell) 持球推进的64次半场进攻回合中，独行侠平均得到1.25分，而由其他任何球员发起的299次半场进攻回合中，平均仅得到0.94分。主教练杰森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 显然对依赖拉塞尔有所犹豫，这从这位老将在输给奇才的比赛中整个下半场都被按在板凳上可以看出。但对于一支在凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving)（膝盖手术）缺阵期间明显缺乏持球和组织能力的阵容来说，这些数据难以忽视。 – 麦克马洪
22. 多伦多猛龙
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 22
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵火箭，11月2日对阵灰熊，11月4日对阵雄鹿
猛龙队在亚特兰大的揭幕战中以一场大胜开启了赛季，他们在内线得到了86分。但此后便一路下滑，这支防守排名联盟第21的球队失分如注，遭遇了三连败。即便是拥有全NBA效率最低进攻的达拉斯，在对阵猛龙时也得到了139分。
多伦多需要尽快找到解决办法，因为接下来的赛程不会变得更容易。在未来一周，多伦多将对阵休斯顿、克利夫兰、孟菲斯和密尔沃基这四个强硬的对手。 – 扎克·克拉姆
23. 波士顿凯尔特人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 15
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵骑士，10月31日客场对阵76人，11月1日对阵火箭，11月3日对阵爵士
赛季开始一周了，凯尔特人队——基本上——和我们预想的一样：一支有竞争力的球队，但在今年夏天送走部分球员后，他们在进攻端将难以跟上天赋更强的球队。场均得到29.7分的杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown) 已经开始受到恼人的腿筋问题困扰，这也无助于改善局面。 – 邦坦普斯
24. 犹他爵士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 2胜1负
- 上期排名： 29
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵开拓者，10月31日客场对阵太阳，11月3日客场对阵凯尔特人
中锋沃克·凯斯勒 (Walker Kessler) 明年夏天将成为受限制自由球员，因为爵士在截止日期前没有与他续签新秀合同，他决心证明自己可以成为一个进攻武器。他开局表现强劲，三场比赛场均得到16.7分和3.3次助攻，这两项数据都将大幅刷新他的生涯新高。凯斯勒上赛季以场均4.6个进攻篮板领跑全联盟，他将自己定位为能够拉开空间的大个子。本赛季他4次三分出手命中3球，而在此前三个赛季中，他总共56次远投仅命中11球。 – 麦克马洪
25. 印第安纳步行者
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 0胜3负
- 上期排名： 20
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵独行侠，10月31日对阵老鹰，11月1日对阵勇士
步行者队一直在战斗——最引人注目的是在一场总决赛重演中，经过双加时不敌雷霆——但最终遭遇了太多伤病，导致他们的赛季从一开始就陷入困境。不仅仅是泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton) 的跟腱撕裂；揭幕战首发安德鲁·内姆哈德 (Andrew Nembhard) 和本尼迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin) 也受伤了，关键替补T.J.·麦康奈尔 (T.J. McConnell)、奥比·托平 (Obi Toppin) 和约翰尼·弗菲 (Johnny Furphy) 同样未能幸免。一个亮点：马图林在扭伤右脚大脚趾前的两场比赛中得到了62分。 – 克拉姆
26. 萨克拉门托国王
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 21
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵公牛，11月1日客场对阵雄鹿，11月3日客场对阵掘金
球队的防守球员配置和纪律性问题不出所料，尤其是在基根·穆雷 (Keegan Murray) 缺阵的情况下，预计他将缺阵至11月下旬。国王队在菲尼克斯的揭幕战中尝试让新秀尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford) 顶替穆雷的位置，但克利福德遭遇了腿筋伤病。他们又在对阵湖人时尝试了基翁·埃利斯 (Keon Ellis)，结果他在18分钟内就犯满离场。在他们唯一的一场胜利中，他们最后时刻实际上是让拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 担任大前锋来防守劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen)。主教练道格·克里斯蒂 (Doug Christie) 正在寻求解决方案，但目前看来，国王队的防守问题似乎没有多少答案。 – 斯莱特
27. 菲尼克斯太阳
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 26
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵灰熊，10月31日对阵爵士，11月2日对阵马刺，11月4日客场对阵勇士
在开赛周，科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie) 作为太阳队的替补控卫，场均贡献10.3分、5.8次助攻和1.3次抢断，几乎比上赛季的平均数据翻了一番。在杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green) 因右腿筋拉伤（自季前赛以来一直缺阵）休战期间，他应该能获得不少上场时间。这位三年级老将是几位年轻球员之一，与瑞安·邓恩 (Ryan Dunn)、马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)、奥索·伊戈达罗 (Oso Ighodaro)、卡曼·马鲁阿奇 (Khaman Maluach)、科比·布雷亚 (Koby Brea) 和拉希尔·弗莱明 (Rasheer Fleming)——甚至包括格林自己——都将是新任主教练乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott) 新兴建队计划中的重点培养对象。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明
28. 华盛顿奇才
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 1胜3负
- 上期排名： 30
- 未来赛程： 10月30日客场对阵雷霆，11月1日对阵魔术，11月3日客场对阵尼克斯
第一周最令人惊讶的比赛结果之一是华盛顿在达拉斯以117-107获胜。奇才本赛季可能赢不了太多比赛，但这场比赛展示了他们希望如何构建未来：二年级后卫凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 15投11中（外线9投7中）得到34分，而新秀特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) 从替补席上贡献了17分。作为2025年的6号秀，约翰逊场均得到16.3分，三分命中率高达42.9%，在进攻端产生了立竿见影的影响。 – 克拉姆
29. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 0胜3负
- 上期排名： 25
- 未来赛程： 10月29日客场对阵掘金，10月31日客场对阵快船，11月2日客场对阵雷霆，11月4日对阵黄蜂
赛季初的两场惜败，包括将保持不败的马刺拖入加时，紧随其后的是周一主场32分惨败给此前未尝胜绩的凯尔特人。关键区别在于：锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 因左脚骨挫伤错过了那场比赛，他在鹈鹕队的前两场比赛中总共得到54分、19个篮板、12次助攻和8次抢断。新奥尔良需要他的这种贡献，因为他们排名第25的防守根本防不住任何人。威廉姆森最初并未出现在球队的伤病报告中，希望这预示着他能很快回归。 – 佩尔顿
30. 布鲁克林篮网
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 0胜4负
- 上期排名： 28
- 未来赛程： 10月29日对阵老鹰，11月2日对阵76人，11月3日对阵森林狼
对于篮网来说，这是一个预料之中的开局，周日客场输给圣安东尼奥的比赛正是他们赛季初挣扎的缩影，而这种挣扎很可能在本赛季初期持续下去。卡梅伦·托马斯 (Cam Thomas) 以场均24.2分领衔全队，但在其他方面贡献不多。公平地说，除了托马斯和小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.)，篮网队的进攻选择确实不多。防守是主要问题，效率排名联盟垫底。他们在身材上的劣势导致了篮板和护筐问题。阵容中缺乏经验的问题在赛季初暴露无遗是必然的。 – 古德威尔
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up after one week
NBA Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up after one week
We’re officially a week into the 2025-26 NBA regular season and a couple of teams have already surprised us.
In a highly competitive West, the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, remain one of the few undefeated teams in the league alongside the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, who opened with back-to-back double-overtime games, are picking up where they left off last season with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers have rushed to a strong start, getting immediate contributions from their No. 3 pick, VJ Edgecombe (24.5 PPG), and sixth-year guard Tyrese Maxey, who is leading the league with an average of 37.5 points.
In our first iteration of Power Rankings this season, our NBA insiders break down their biggest observations from opening week and what to expect next week as teams try to find their footing or build on their momentum.
Note: Team rankings are based on where 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) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason
Jump to a team:
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
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2025-26 record: 5-0
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: vs. WAS (Oct. 30), vs. NO (Nov. 2)
It’s been a competitive, painful, but still undefeated October for the defending champs. Alex Caruso suffered a concussion in the season-opening double-overtime win over the Rockets. Cason Wallace missed the double-overtime win over the Pacers with a left knee issue. Isaiah Joe and Nikola Topic are still sidelined because of preseason injuries. Jalen Williams hasn’t been cleared from his offseason wrist surgery. Chet Holmgren missed the Kings game with a back issue. But Gilgeous-Alexander keeps scoring – 35, 55, 30, 23 and 31 points – and the Thunder keep winning despite a depleted rotation. Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has been the early-season beneficiary, averaging 18.7 points through five games. – Anthony Slater
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2025-26 record: 3-1
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: @ BOS (Oct. 29), vs. TOR (Oct. 31), vs. ATL (Nov. 2)
After an opening-night loss to the Knicks, the Cavs have won three in a row and look poised to be one of the top teams in the conference yet again. Cleveland’s defense has carried the team through the early part of the schedule while its offense is still down a few key players, but keep an eye on Evan Mobley. He has started the season with the highest usage rate of his career, a concerted effort from the Cavs to give him even more offensive responsibilities. – Jamal Collier
3. Golden State Warriors
- 2025-26 record: 4-1
- Previous ranking: 8
- Next games: @ MIL (Oct. 30), @ IND (Nov. 1), vs. PHX (Nov. 4)
The Warriors had four 20-point scorers in Monday’s win over the Grizzlies – and Stephen Curry wasn’t among them. That has happened only six times in the Curry era. Three of those 20-point scorers were Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga – the best signal yet that this older team might be able to sustain the grind of an 82-game season through a leap from its youth. Kuminga, in particular, has impressed with his activity. He has 37 rebounds in five games, prompting Steve Kerr to say: “The way he’s rebounding, the way he’s attacking the rim, that’s what makes him special. When he’s playing to that talent, to that ability, it changes our team.” Kerr labeled Kuminga a permanent starter Tuesday night. – Slater
4. New York Knicks
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 4
- Next games: @ CHI (Oct. 31), vs. CHI (Nov. 2), vs. WAS (Nov. 3)
It’s expected, but the Knicks look a bit disjointed on the offensive end. Perhaps playing the Heat and Celtics – two of the peskier and active defensive teams to start the season – has led to the inefficient offensive play. But they need to start building some sweat equity rather quickly. Can Karl-Anthony Towns shake off a quad injury to become the unguardable force he needs to be to unlock everything else for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges? He’s shooting just 40% (39 from 3 on six attempts). When asked how long it would be before he’s 100%, he deflected: “As long as we win, I don’t care. That’s the last thing on my mind.” – Vincent Goodwill
5. Denver Nuggets
- 2025-26 record: 2-1
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: vs. NO (Oct. 29), @ POR (Oct. 31), vs. SAC (Nov. 3)
Could this be the season that Jamal Murray finally joins Nikola Jokic in the All-Star Game? Murray is off to a spectacular start, averaging 30.3 points and 6.0 assists on .530/.429/.923 shooting splits. The new All-Star format that designates eight spots for international players should increase Murray’s chances as a Canadian. Murray, who got off to a sluggish start last season, reported to training camp in phenomenal shape, which has been reflected in his aggressiveness attacking the paint. He is shooting 61.3% on 10.3 shots in the paint per game, compared to 56.1% on 6.6 paint attempts last season. – Tim MacMahon
6. San Antonio Spurs
- 2025-26 record: 4-0
- Previous ranking: 16
- Next games: vs. MIA (Oct. 30), @ PHX (Nov. 2)
Off to its first 4-0 start since the 2019-20 season, San Antonio is finally thriving in the minutes when Wembanyama isn’t on the floor, and that’s mainly because of the addition of veteran Luke Kornet. Kornet played 35 minutes in the Spurs’ overtime win over New Orleans on Friday, finishing with a game-high 12 boards. Meanwhile, rookie Dylan Harper is coming off a breakout performance against Brooklyn with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while logging a team-best plus-33 rating. And all of that has been without De’Aaron Fox and Jeremy Sochan, who are close to returning from injury. – Michael C. Wright
7. LA Clippers
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 6
- Next games: vs. NO (Oct. 31), vs. MIA (Nov. 3)
The Clippers’ early-season offense has outpaced their initial defense, with the team boasting the No. 9 offensive rating through their 2-2 start, but just the 16th-ranked defensive rating. Small sample size, of course, but it’s worth paying attention to because LA finished last season with the third-best defensive rating in the league, but was only 15th in offensive rating. The Clippers will get a chance to get their defense back on track against New Orleans on Friday – the Pelicans had the No. 28 offensive rating through their first three games. – Dave McMenamin
8. Milwaukee Bucks
- 2025-26 record: 3-1
- Previous ranking: 14
- Next games: vs. GS (Oct. 30), vs. SAC (Nov. 1), @ IND (Nov. 3), @ TOR (Nov. 4)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is off to a historic start for the 2025-26 season and looks as if he’s going to will the Bucks into contention by himself. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after opening the season averaging 36 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 68% from the field. But after a pair of wins to start the season, the Bucks were tested with the projected top two teams in the East, losing to Cleveland while Milwaukee was short-handed Sunday and then defeating the Knicks behind Antetokounmpo’s 37 points. – Collier
9. Philadelphia 76ers
- 2025-26 record: 4-0
- Previous ranking: 19
- Next games: vs. BOS (Oct. 31), @ BKN (Nov. 2), @ CHI (Nov. 4)
What a difference a year makes. A week into last season, Joel Embiid’s status was up in the air, and Philadelphia was beginning what ultimately would be a doomed dirge of a march through the 2024-25 campaign. Now, the 76ers have possibly the league’s most explosive backcourt in Maxey and Edgecombe. Embiid is playing (albeit on a minutes limit), Paul George (knee) and Jared McCain (thumb) aren’t far away from returning, and the 76ers are leading the East with a pristine 4-0 record. – Tim Bontemps
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 7
- Next games: vs. LAL (Oct. 29), @ CHA (Nov. 1), @ BKN (Nov. 3)
Anthony Edwards, one of the NBA’s most durable stars over the past few years, is out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. It couldn’t come at a much more manageable point in the schedule, however, between playing the Lakers without Luka and LeBron and six games against Charlotte, Brooklyn, Utah and Sacramento during a two-week stretch. – Bontemps
11. Houston Rockets
- 2025-26 record: 1-2
- Previous ranking: 5
- Next games: @ TOR (Oct. 29), @ BOS (Nov. 1), vs. DAL (Nov. 3)
Without Fred VanVleet, Houston continues its by-committee approach to facilitation on offense with mixed results. New addition Kevin Durant mentioned the club’s 0-2 start left players and the coaching staff “pissed off,” but added he appreciates that energy and urgency so early in the season. Expect Houston to continue experimenting with different lineups, but it’s already clear the Rockets need to tamp down minutes for veteran Steven Adams, 32, who averaged 31 minutes over the first two contests. That many minutes for Adams is unsustainable over the course of a long season. – Wright
12. Los Angeles Lakers
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 10
- Next games: @ MIN (Oct. 29), @ MEM (Oct. 31), vs. MIA (Nov. 2), @ POR (Nov. 3)
The Lakers have taken the old basketball maxim, “Don’t be worried if I’m coaching you hard, be worried if I’m not coaching you hard, because that means I don’t care,” to the extreme with new center Deandre Ayton. The former No. 1 pick, who signed as a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the Trail Blazers, said his teammates have resorted to bullying tactics to motivate him. “They be on my ass,” Ayton said. “They be trying to get me ticked off before these games just to get me rolling.” It has worked so far. He’s averaging 15.8 points on 60% shooting and 9.3 rebounds through L.A.'s first four games. – Dave McMenamin
13. Chicago Bulls
- 2025-26 record: 3-0
- Previous ranking: 24
- Next games: vs. SAC (Oct. 29), vs. NYK (Oct. 31), @ NYK (Nov. 2), vs. PHI (Nov. 4)
The Bulls are one of the last undefeated teams left in the NBA, starting 3-0 for the first time in four years. Even more encouraging for Chicago is that its three wins have all come against projected playoff teams in the East – Detroit, Orlando and Atlanta – thanks to a bench unit that is third in the league in scoring and a surprising defense that ranks second in defensive efficiency behind Oklahoma City. The last time the Bulls started this fast was the 2021-22 season, which is also the only time they have made the playoffs in the past decade. – Collier
14. Detroit Pistons
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 12
- Next games: vs. ORL (Oct. 29), vs. DAL (Nov. 1), @ MEM (Nov. 3)
The absence left behind by Malik Beasley and Jaden Ivey’s injury has hurt the Pistons, despite their record. The Pistons shot above league average from 3-point range (32%) in only one game against Houston. “We’re still learning. It’s a bit of a different group that’s playing out there together. It’ll smooth out, it’s been choppy at times.” coach JB Bickerstaff said. Ausar Thompson looks ready for more responsibility on offense, despite his game still rounding out. He terrorized the Celtics on Sunday with 21 points and 12 rebounds (five offensive). – Goodwill
15. Miami Heat
- 2025-26 record: 3-1
- Previous ranking: 18
- Next games: @ SA (Oct. 30), @ LAL (Nov. 2), @ LAC (Nov. 3)
Despite the federal investigation into gambling, betting and poker hitting home when Terry Rozier was arrested last week while the team was in Orlando, the Heat rallied and won three straight games. After going 0-6 in the preseason, the Heat have exploded, scoring 146 and 144 points in blowout wins over the Grizzlies and Hornets while also beating the Knicks. Bam Adebayo is off to a terrific start, doing everything the Heat need him to do with Tyler Herro out. And while Norm Powell sat out the win over the Hornets with a sore groin, he is averaging 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals. It’s early but the Heat are playing together, know their roles and look revitalized after dealing with all the Jimmy Butler III drama and the aftermath last season. – Ohm Youngmisuk
16. Memphis Grizzlies
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 17
- Next games: @ PHX (Oct. 29), vs. LAL (Oct. 31), @ TOR (Nov. 2), vs. DET (Nov. 3)
The Grizzlies rebounded from a 32-point loss to Miami with a 25-point triumph over the Pacers on Saturday, propelled by a 27-point effort from Cedric Coward, who tied for the second-most made 3-pointers all time by a rookie without a miss (6-of-6 from deep). Coward brings physicality and versatility, and has quickly become a force that will only improve as he gains experience. Point guard Ja Morant shot 44% from the field over his first three games and 2-of-12 from range. That will improve, but a glut of injuries to key players continues to slow Memphis’ rounding into form. – Wright
17. Orlando Magic
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 9
- Next games: @ DET (Oct. 29), @ CHA (Oct. 30), @ WAS (Nov. 1), @ ATL (Nov. 4)
The Magic opened the season with big expectations, but after beating Miami in the season opener, they’ve dropped three straight games. Orlando blew a 14-point lead and let a 111-107 loss slip away to Atlanta on Friday. Desmond Bane is averaging 19 points so far, but is shooting just 27.3% from 3. It’s very early, but Orlando is shooting only 29.1% from behind the arc. Getting Jalen Suggs back, though, for the start of the season was a big boost. After surrendering 136 points in Philadelphia on Monday, the Magic hope to find their defense and outside shooting on this five-game road swing. – Youngmisuk
18. Charlotte Hornets
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 27
- Next games: vs. ORL (Oct. 30), vs. MIN (Nov. 1), vs. UTAH (Nov. 2)
Amazingly, the Hornets were one bad quarter from a 3-0 start. Only getting outscored 39-25 in the final 12 minutes on Saturday against Philadelphia. A blemish on their opening week in which they blew out Brooklyn and Washington. The Hornets are winning with two rookies (No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel and second-rounder Ryan Kalkbrenner) in their starting five and despite a shoulder injury to starter Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball is off to an outstanding start, averaging 28.3 PPG, 9.7 APG and 8.3 RPG while shooting 41.9% on 3s. – Kevin Pelton
19. Atlanta Hawks
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 11
- Next games: @ BKN (Oct. 29), @ IND (Oct. 31), @ CLE (Nov. 2)
The Hawks’ season is off to a slow start. Toronto demolished the Hawks on opening night, exposing their interior defense and urgency. Then, the Hawks were without Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like illness) and Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) for two straight games, going 1-1 without them. Jalen Johnson (ankle) also joined them on the sideline in that loss to OKC last Saturday. The Hawks, though, did show mettle and their depth in a much-needed win at Orlando last Friday. Back to full strength on Monday night in Chicago, the Hawks had offensive moments and Porzingis bounced back with 27 points. However, they need to improve their defense and rebounding on this four-game road swing. Hawks are currently in a stretch where they play nine of their first 14 on the road. – Youngmisuk
20. Portland Trail Blazers
- 2025-26 record: 2-2
- Previous ranking: 23
- Next games: @ UTAH (Oct. 29), vs. DEN (Oct. 31), vs. LAL (Nov. 3)
Amidst the fallout from head coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest on gambling-related charges, the Blazers have shown they can compete for the postseason in a 2-2 start. In Tiago Splitter’s debut as acting head coach, Portland beat Golden State at home and took advantage of the Lakers’ injuries Monday to reach 2-2. The Blazers have the West’s sixth-best point differential and have gotten strong play from sixth man Jerami Grant, averaging 22.5 PPG as a reserve for the first time since 2020. Portland’s defense has been predictably stout with the addition of Jrue Holiday, ranking sixth on a per-possession basis. – Pelton
21. Dallas Mavericks
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 13
- Next games: vs. IND (Oct. 29), @ DET (Nov. 1), @ HOU (Nov. 3)
The Mavericks have averaged 1.25 points on the 64 half-court possessions when D’Angelo Russell brought the ball up the court, compared to 0.94 points on the 299 half-court possessions initiated by anybody else, according to GeniusIQ. Coach Jason Kidd clearly had hesitations about relying on Russell, as indicated by the veteran sitting out the entire second half of a loss to the Wizards, but those numbers are hard to ignore with a roster that has a glaring lack of ballhandling and playmaking while Kyrie Irving (knee surgery) is sidelined. – MacMahon
22. Toronto Raptors
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 22
- Next games: vs. HOU (Oct. 29), vs. MEM (Nov. 2), vs. MIL (Nov. 4)
The Raptors opened their season with a blowout win in Atlanta, during which they scored 86 points in the paint. But it has been all downhill since, as the league’s 21st-ranked defense has hemorrhaged points en route to a three-game losing streak. Even Dallas, which has the least efficient offense in the NBA, scored 139 points against the Raptors.
Toronto needs to find a fix fast because the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Over the next week, Toronto plays four tough opponents in Houston, Cleveland, Memphis and Milwaukee. – Zach Kram
23. Boston Celtics
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 15
- Next games: vs. CLE (Oct. 29), @ PHI (Oct. 31), vs. HOU (Nov. 1), vs. UTAH (Nov. 3)
We’re a week into the season, and the Celtics are – largely – what we thought they would be: a competitive team, but one that is going to struggle to keep up with more talented teams, particularly offensively after they offloaded this summer. Jaylen Brown, who is averaging 29.7 points per game, is already dealing with a nagging hamstring issue, which won’t help matters, either. – Bontemps
24. Utah Jazz
- 2025-26 record: 2-1
- Previous ranking: 29
- Next games: vs. POR (Oct. 29), @ PHX (Oct. 31), @ BOS (Nov. 3)
Center Walker Kessler, who will be a restricted free agent next summer after the Jazz didn’t sign him to an extension of his rookie deal before the deadline, is determined to prove that he can be an offensive weapon. He’s off to a strong start, averaging 16.7 points and 3.3 assists through three games, both of which would be career highs by significant margins. Kessler, who led the league in offensive rebounding with 4.6 per game last season, envisions himself as a big man who can stretch the floor. He has made three of his four 3-point attempts this season after going 11-of-56 from long range in his first three years in the league. – MacMahon
25. Indiana Pacers
- 2025-26 record: 0-3
- Previous ranking: 20
- Next games: @ DAL (Oct. 29), vs. ATL (Oct. 31), vs. GS (Nov. 1)
The Pacers have battled – most notably in a double-overtime loss to the Thunder in a Finals rematch – but ultimately suffered so many injuries that their season has gone sideways from the start. It’s not just Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles; opening-night starters Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin also got hurt, as did key reserves T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin and Johnny Furphy. One bright spot: Mathurin scored 62 points in two games before spraining the big toe on his right foot. – Kram
26. Sacramento Kings
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 21
- Next games: @ CHI (Oct. 29), @ MIL (Nov. 1), @ DEN (Nov. 3)
The defensive personnel and discipline are a predictable problem, particularly without Keegan Murray, who is expected to be sidelined deep into November. The Kings tried a rookie, Nique Clifford, in Murray’s spot for the opener in Phoenix, but Clifford suffered a hamstring injury. They tried Keon Ellis against the Lakers. He fouled out in 18 minutes. In their lone win, they actually closed with Russell Westbrook essentially as the power forward guarding Lauri Markkanen. Head coach Doug Christie is searching, but there don’t seem to be many defensive answers for the Kings right now. – Slater
27. Phoenix Suns
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 26
- Next games: vs. MEM (Oct. 29), vs. UTAH (Oct. 31), vs. SA (Nov. 2), @ GS (Nov. 4)
During opening week, Collin Gillespie averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the Suns’ backup point guard, nearly doubling his averages from a season ago. There should be minutes to be had while Jalen Green sits with a right hamstring strain that has sidelined him since the preseason. The third-year vet is one of several young players, along with Ryan Dunn, Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, Koby Brea and Rasheer Fleming – and even Green – who will be important player development targets for first-year coach Jordan Ott’s burgeoning program. – Dave McMenamin
28. Washington Wizards
- 2025-26 record: 1-3
- Previous ranking: 30
- Next games: @ OKC (Oct. 30), vs. ORL (Nov. 1), @ NYK (Nov. 3)
One of the most surprising results of the first week was Washington’s 117-107 win in Dallas. The Wizards likely won’t win many games this season, but this game showed how they want to build for the future: Second-year guard Kyshawn George scored 34 points on 11-for-15 shooting (7-for-9 from distance) while rookie Tre Johnson added 17 points off the bench. With 16.3 points per game and 42.9% shooting on 3-pointers, Johnson, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft, has made an instant impact offensively. – Kram
29. New Orleans Pelicans
- 2025-26 record: 0-3
- Previous ranking: 25
- Next games: @ DEN (Oct. 29), @ LAC (Oct. 31), @ OKC (Nov. 2), vs. CHA (Nov. 4)
A pair of competitive losses to start the season, including taking the unbeaten Spurs to overtime, were followed by a 32-point home loss Monday to the previously winless Celtics. The key difference: Zion Williamson missed that game with a bone contusion in his left foot after totaling 54 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists and 8 steals in the Pelicans’ first two games. New Orleans needs that production because its 25th-ranked defense can’t stop anybody. Williamson wasn’t initially on the team’s injury report, hopefully an indication that he’ll return soon. – Pelton
30. Brooklyn Nets
- 2025-26 record: 0-4
- Previous ranking: 28
- Next games: vs. ATL (Oct. 29), vs. PHI (Nov. 2), vs. MIN (Nov. 3)
It’s been an expected start for the Nets, with Sunday’s loss at San Antonio being an example of their early-season struggles that are likely to continue for the start of the season. Cam Thomas is leading the team, averaging 24.2 points per game, but not doing much else. To be fair, the Nets are a bit light on offensive options besides Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. The defense is a major issue, last in efficiency. Their lack of size is an issue on the glass and protecting the rim. The lack of experience on the roster was bound to show early. – Goodwill
By NBA Insiders | ESPN, via ESPN