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The 2025-26 NBA season is only a week old, but there has already been some crazy stuff going on in and off the court. Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already put their names in MVP contention, while Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups have been arrested for alleged ties to gambling.
The defending champions OKC Thunder are showing why they were the best team in the NBA, while the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors looked good in the West. The Cleveland Cavaliers shook off a bad season opener, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls making noise in the East.
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Let's look at the first NBA power rankings of the season, featuring 10 of the best teams after Week 1.
#10. Milwaukee Bucks (2-1)
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 117.7
Defensive Rating: 113.2
Net Rating: 4.5
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the new NBA season full of uncertainties surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo looked fantastic in the Bucks' first three games, which resulted in two wins.
Milwaukee will be tested this upcoming week, facing teams like the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors. They still lack a real playmaker, but there's a chance for consistency in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
#9. New York Knicks (2-1)
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 110.9
Defensive Rating: 107.6
Net Rating: 3.4
The New York Knicks looked like contenders in their first two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. However, the Knicks dropped a huge dud versus the Miami Heat in their next contest.
There will be growing pains under new coach Mike Brown, but surprisingly, their defense is one of the best in the NBA after just one week. Brown has developed a reputation as an offensive mastermind during his time with the Sacramento Kings, but it seems like he's going back to his defensive roots.
#8. Miami Heat (2-1)
Davion Mitchell of the Miami Heat. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 117.6
Defensive Rating: 106.5
Net Rating: 11.1
Things looked bleak for the Miami Heat at the start of the season, with Tyler Herro ruled out for eight to 12 weeks because of an injury. They went winless in the preseason and looked out of sorts in their season opener defeat to the Orlando Magic.
Coach Erik Spoelstra quickly gathered his roster amid the Terry Rozier issue, putting up two solid performances in wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks. They can test their strength this week against the San Antonio Spurs.
#7. Denver Nuggets (2-1)
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 125.8
Defensive Rating: 116.5
Net Rating: 9.3
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic might look out of shape in his first three games of the season, but he's still dropping triple-doubles. With a 2-1 record, the Denver Nuggets' success relies on the back of "The Joker," who is playing his way into game shape.
Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are doing their part, while the Nuggets' depth hasn't shown what they are capable of. Expect Denver to climb in the rankings if they can improve defensively.
#6. Chicago Bulls (3-0)
Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 113.1
Defensive Rating: 106.4
Net Rating: 6.7
For the first time since the 2021-22 season, the Chicago Bulls are 3-0 to start their NBA campaign. The Bulls are doing alright without Coby White, who has been ruled out for the first two weeks of the season with a hamstring injury.
Nikola Vucevic has been playing like an All-Star, while Josh Giddey is already justifying his new contract with impressive performances. The Bulls' wins were no flukes against fellow East teams Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks.
#5. Philadelphia 76ers (3-0)
VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 126.3
Defensive Rating: 120.6
Net Rating: 5.7
The Philadelphia 76ers have struck gold in No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe, who looked like the early favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year after just three games. Edgecombe has a strikingly similar game to Dwyane Wade, which should excite Sixers fans.
With close wins over the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets in their first two games, the Sixers appeared ready to move on from Joel Embiid and Paul George. Edgecombe and Maxey should be the franchise's new dynamic duo.
#4. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1)
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 114.8
Defensive Rating: 108.7
Net Rating: 6.0
After an abysmal effort in the season opener against the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have won three straight games to end Week 1. The Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons with ease.
What's scary is the Cavs aren't fully healthy, with Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter both recovering from their respective injuries. Evan Mobley looks ready to take the next leap to stardom, while Donovan Mitchell remains at the heart of the team's offense.
#3. Golden State Warriors. (3-1)
Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski and Jimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 121.1
Defensive Rating: 118.9
Net Rating: 2.2
There were a lot of questions about the Golden State Warriors' aging core before the start of the NBA season. The Warriors quickly dispelled those with wins over the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. Their defense needs work, but their offense is already one of the best in the league.
Steph Curry is not showing signs of slowing down, Jimmy Butler is doing Jimmy Butler things and Jonathan Kuminga finally found his role. They still lack size despite adding Al Horford, so it will be interesting to see how they fare against teams with a big lineup.
#2. OKC Thunder (4-0)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 113.2
Defensive Rating: 106.0
Net Rating: 7.3
The defending NBA champions OKC Thunder didn't have the easiest start to the season. The Thunder needed two overtimes to beat the Houston Rockets and another extra five minutes to dispatch the Indiana Pacers.
They also beat the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks easily, though the Mavs nearly had a comeback win. The good news for the Thunder is they are doing all of this winning without Jalen Williams, who is dealing with a wrist injury.
#1. San Antonio Spurs (4-0)
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. (Photo: IMAGN)Offensive Rating: 121.5
Defensive Rating: 104.9
Net Rating: 16.6
Victor Wembanyama has officially arrived for the San Antonio Spurs, leading his team to a perfect 4-0 record to start the NBA season. With three of their four wins being in double digits, the Spurs' offense and defense are clicking even without De'Aaron Fox due to injury.
Wembanyama is a difference maker on both sides of the ball, with the team clicking early. They could make more noise this season, especially with an improved Stephen Castle and Dylan Harper not looking lost with his role off the bench. They also have a roster with veterans for guidance when things get tougher as the season goes on.
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Edited by Juan Paolo David
English (US)