Archive · as published October 21, 2026
NBA Power RankingsOctober 21, 2026
The season projection blended with results so far, weighted by games played. Early on the roster projection dominates; by mid-season the record carries most of the weight.
| # | Team | Rating | Proj W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Oklahoma City ThunderOKC | +2.06 | 56.7 |
| 2 |  San Antonio SpursSA | +1.72 | 54.8 |
| 3 |  Detroit PistonsDET | +0.97 | 47.7 |
| 4 |  New York KnicksNY | +0.90 | 47.9 |
| 5 |  Boston CelticsBOS | +0.85 | 47.5 |
| 6 |  Denver NuggetsDEN | +0.83 | 46.6 |
| 7 |  Philadelphia 76ersPHI | +0.81 | 46.4 |
| 8 |  Houston RocketsHOU | +0.72 | 45.7 |
| 9 |  Cleveland CavaliersCLE | +0.66 | 45.2 |
| 10 |  Minnesota TimberwolvesMIN | +0.61 | 44.8 |
| 11 |  Los Angeles LakersLAL | +0.54 | 44.3 |
| 12 |  Miami HeatMIA | +0.47 | 43.7 |
| 13 |  Toronto RaptorsTOR | +0.46 | 43.6 |
| 14 |  Orlando MagicORL | +0.25 | 42.0 |
| 15 |  Atlanta HawksATL | +0.24 | 41.9 |
| 16 |  Indiana PacersIND | +0.01 | 40.1 |
| 17 |  Phoenix SunsPHX | -0.07 | 39.4 |
| 18 |  Portland Trail BlazersPOR | -0.09 | 39.3 |
| 19 |  Golden State WarriorsGS | -0.13 | 39.0 |
| 20 |  Charlotte HornetsCHA | -0.25 | 38.0 |
| 21 |  Utah JazzUTAH | -0.66 | 34.8 |
| 22 |  Dallas MavericksDAL | -0.77 | 33.9 |
| 23 |  Washington WizardsWSH | -0.84 | 33.3 |
| 24 |  LA ClippersLAC | -1.04 | 31.7 |
| 25 |  Chicago BullsCHI | -1.16 | 30.8 |
| 26 |  New Orleans PelicansNO | -1.22 | 30.3 |
| 27 |  Memphis GrizzliesMEM | -1.24 | 30.2 |
| 28 |  Milwaukee BucksMIL | -1.45 | 28.5 |
| 29 |  Brooklyn NetsBKN | -1.70 | 26.5 |
| 30 |  Sacramento KingsSAC | -1.86 | 25.2 |
The top five that week
- Oklahoma City Thunder top the board at +2.06, 1-0 with a +12.0 points per game margin, and a projection of 56.7 wins. The gap to San Antonio Spurs is 0.34 rating points, close to a coin flip between the two.
- San Antonio Spurs sit second at +1.72, 0-1 with a -12.0 points per game margin, and a projection of 54.8 wins.
- Detroit Pistons sit third at +0.97, 1-0 with a +8.0 points per game margin, and a projection of 47.7 wins.
- New York Knicks sit fourth at +0.90, 0-1 with a -6.0 points per game margin, and a projection of 47.9 wins.
- Boston Celtics sit fifth at +0.85, 0-1 with a -8.0 points per game margin, and a projection of 47.5 wins.