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NBA Power Rankings: Thunder No. 1 as Pistons Climb, Rockets Roll, LeBron Returns, Wembanyama Out

Availability swings are reshaping early rankings.

Overview

  • The Thunder remain the consensus top team at 14-1, described as the league’s best by a wide margin even with Jalen Williams yet to play.
  • Detroit’s surge continues with an 11-game winning streak and a 13-2 mark behind Cade Cunningham’s lead and Jalen Duren’s breakout.
  • Houston is riding the NBA’s best offense, winning nine of ten and controlling the glass despite lacking a traditional point guard.
  • LeBron James debuted with 12 assists in a win, and the Lakers have won three straight and four of five with a favorable schedule ahead.
  • San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has a calf strain and is expected to miss a couple of weeks during a challenging stretch of games.