The 2023-24 NBA campaign is formally in chunky swing, and in the first two weeks, now we rep viewed some surprises and a couple of groups struggling out the gate.
The 4-0 Denver Nuggets proceed to dominate as one of the important few undefeated groups left in the league, along with the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics, each 3-0. And in the highly aggressive Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers take a seat squarely at .500, as they proceed to gain their rhythm in managing LeBron James’ minutes.
The Philadelphia 76ers remain in the tip 10 despite the drama surrounding James Harden that came to a head on Tuesday, as Harden changed into traded to the LA Clippers.
And even though or no longer it is early, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets rep yet to gain their groove as the single groups without a get.
Repeat: All around the normal season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 groups from high to bottom, taking stock of which groups are enjoying the most though-provoking basketball now and which groups are taking a explore most delight in title contenders.
Outdated rankings: Post-Finals | Week 1
Jump to a crew:
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. Denver Nuggets
2023-24 file: 4-0
- Outdated ranking: 1
- Subsequent games: @ MIN (Nov. 1), vs. DAL (Nov. 3), vs. CHI (Nov. 4), vs. NO (Nov. 6)
The champs are rolling and rapid reminding all americans that they are a high crew in the NBA despite your entire thrilling offseason strikes by groups delight in Phoenix, Boston and Milwaukee. Now not only attain the Nuggets rep the most though-provoking participant in the league in Nikola Jokic, who appears primed for a third MVP, but they boast the most though-provoking starting five. Jokic, Jamal Murray & Co. had been dominant infrequently, as they showed towards Oklahoma Metropolis, but they’ve also been unflappable when the sport is on the line, delight in they had been at Memphis. Once Michael Malone’s 2d unit begins to mesh, the Nuggets will likely be an precise fear. — Ohm Youngmisuk
2. Boston Celtics
2023-24 file: 3-0
- Outdated ranking: 3
- Subsequent games: vs. IND (Nov. 1), @ BK (Nov. 4), @ MIN (Nov. 6)
Issues couldn’t rep long previous significantly better over the gap week for Boston, which swept its first three games and saw Kristaps Porzingis at this time uncover joyful in his fresh atmosphere. Plus, the combo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White is without doubt one of the important crucial though-provoking defensive guard duos in the league. –Tim Bontemps
3. Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 file: 2-1
- Outdated ranking: 2
- Subsequent games: @ TOR (Nov. 1), vs. NY (Nov. 3), @ BK (Nov. 6)
The partnership between Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo is off to a heroic start, coming together for a pair of wins over Jap Conference contenders in Philadelphia and Miami. Both avid gamers rep clicked off the court ensuing from their identical personalities. However the Bucks also understand it’ll be a work in development before the crew fully finds its concord, namely on protection, where the Bucks nasty Twenty fifth in efficiency throughout the first three games. — Jamal Collier
4. Phoenix Suns
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 4
- Subsequent games: vs. SA (Nov. 2), @ PHI (Nov. 4), @ DET (Nov. 5)
After all the hype surrounding the Suns’ offseason, Phoenix followers rep had to abet to leer their crew rob shape. There changed into an encouraging opening-evening get towards Golden Screech for Devin Booker (32 parts, eight assists), but he hasn’t competed since ensuing from a foot damage. Bradley Beal hasn’t played yet ensuing from a support damage. But Kevin Durant (27.7 parts per game) keeps rolling merely along, enjoying all three contests and passing Hakeem Olajuwon for No. 12 on the all-time scoring list in the technique. — Dave McMenamin
5. Golden Screech Warriors
2023-24 file: 3-1
- Outdated ranking: 6
- Subsequent games: vs. SAC (Nov. 1), @ OKC (Nov. 3), @ CLE (Nov. 5), @ DET (Nov. 6)
It be a exiguous sample size, but it completely appears delight in the Chris Paul abilities in Golden Screech is working — delight in, in reality working. A season ago, the Warriors might maybe presumably presumably barely continue to exist the non-Stephen Curry minutes. But with Paul coming off of the bench as a sixth man, Golden Screech is thriving in them. Fully wholesome, the depth on this crew is precisely what a title contender appears delight in. And with Curry off to his most well liked start for the reason that season he won his unanimous MVP in 2016, the Warriors are taking a explore upsetting. — Kendra Andrews
6. Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 file: 2-1
- Outdated ranking: 8
- Subsequent games: vs. TOR ( Nov. 2), vs. PHX (Nov. 4), vs. WAS (Nov. 6)
The James Harden trade changed into as unparalleled about handing the keys to the franchise over to Tyrese Maxey as it changed into about transferring on from The Beard. Maxey’s play over the first three games, in which he won his first Jap Conference Participant of the Week award, backed up why many in Philly factor in he might maybe presumably presumably be an All-Neatly-known person this season. — Bontemps
7. Dallas Mavericks
2023-24 file: 3-0
- Outdated ranking: 17
- Subsequent games: vs. CHI (Nov. 1), @ DEN (Nov. 3), vs. CHA (Nov. 5), @ ORL (Nov. 6)
Luka Doncic is the first participant to manual his crew outright in parts, rebounds and assists in the first three games of a season, essentially based on ESPN Stats & Files analysis. He also joined Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as the single avid gamers with loads of 30-point triple-doubles in the first three games, essentially based on ESPN Stats & Data data. And his 49-point evening towards the Nets — no longer one of the important triple-doubles — has been Doncic’s most spectacular performance right through Dallas’ 3-0 start. — Tim MacMahon
8. LA Clippers
2023-24 file: 3-1
- Outdated ranking: 12
- Subsequent games: @ LAL (Nov. 1), @ NY (Nov. 6)
The Clippers lastly agreed to a kind out the Sixers on a trade for James Harden. Whereas the Clippers felt they important so as to add extra talent to provide Kawhi Leonard and Paul George a better shot at a title and make stronger their passing and scoring, Ty Lue can rep loads to resolve out. Will he start Russell Westbrook, Harden, George, Leonard and Ivica Zubac? Which combinations will work most though-provoking for Lue? Can four of the tip 12 avid gamers in isolation possessions gain chemistry rapid? The set does Terance Mann fit once he’s support from damage, and who will carry out games? Simplest time will uncover, however the Clippers in reality feel they rep got upgraded their talent and their potentialities at competing for a title. — Youngmisuk
9. Sacramento Kings
2023-24 file: 2-1
- Outdated ranking: 13
- Subsequent games: @ GS (Nov. 1), @ HOU (Nov. 4), @ HOU (Nov. 6)
The beam is de facto brighter this season than final. It makes sense, for the reason that Kings don’t appear to rep regressed from final season. They did rob a significant blow early with De’Aaron Fox slated to gallop over no longer decrease than one game — presumably extra — but in the occasion that they might be able to preserve afloat without him, they must remain merely in the combine in the stacked Western Conference. — Andrews
10. Oklahoma Metropolis Inform
2023-24 file: 3-1
- Outdated ranking: 14
- Subsequent games: vs. NO (Nov. 1), vs. GS (Nov. 3), vs. ATL (Nov. 6)
Chet Holmgren has at this time stuffed the Inform’s wants for rim safety and 3-point shooting. He is the first participant in NBA ancient previous without a longer decrease than 10 blocks and 10 made 3s in his first four career games, per ESPN Stats & Data analysis. He has made 62.5% of his 3s — the most though-provoking share in the league amongst avid gamers without a longer decrease than 10 makes an strive — and is tied for 2d with 2.8 blocks per game. — MacMahon
11. Los Angeles Lakers
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 5
- Subsequent games: vs. NO (Nov. 1), vs. GS (Nov. 3), vs. ATL (Nov. 6)
It changed into certain early on Monday that it changed into going to be a various kind of evening for D’Angelo Russell when he dunked on Orlando’s Paolo Banchero. “Surprisingly, D-Lo dunked the ball,” Russell quipped later on about his first slam since being traded to L.A. final season. Russell went on to accumulate 12 of his crew-excessive 28 parts in the fourth quarter towards the Magic to uncover the Lakers support to .500 at 2-2. — McMenamin
12. Unusual Orleans Pelicans
2023-24 file: 2-1
- Outdated ranking: 16
- Subsequent games: @ OKC (Nov. 1), vs. DET (Nov. 2), vs. ATL (Nov. 4), @ DEN (Nov. 6)
On Monday evening towards the Warriors, Zion Williamson scored his 3,000th point in career game No. 117. In step with the Elias Sports activities Bureau, for the reason that NBA-ABA merger, only Michael Jordan (108 games) has registered 3,000 parts faster than Williamson. Williamson tied the marks of David Thompson and Billy Knight while finishing up the feat three games faster than David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal did. — Andrew Lopez
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 file: 1-3
- Outdated ranking: 9
- Subsequent games: @ NY (Nov. 1), @ IND (Nov. 3), vs. GS (Nov. 5)
Darius Garland overlooked two of Cleveland’s first three games with a strained left hamstring, and Donovan Mitchell overlooked one contest ensuing from only hamstring woes, making it complex to gallop judgment on the Cavs’ early struggles. Newcomer Max Strus has accomplished his most though-provoking to accumulate their absences, notching two 20-point, 10-rebound performances in the first three games after by no manner reaching the 20-10 tag in 189 career games before joining the Cavaliers.-– McMenamin
14. Indiana Pacers
2023-24 file: 2-1
- Outdated ranking: 19
- Subsequent games: @ BOS (Nov. 1), vs. CLE (Nov. 3), vs. CHA (Nov. 4), vs. SA (Nov. 6)
With All-Neatly-known person guard Tyrese Haliburton at the helm, Indiana is already on display screen to be one of the important crucial though-provoking passing groups in the NBA. Haliburton is averaging a league-excessive 12.3 assists, and the Pacers rep racked up 100 assists through three games, the most by any squad since 1988. It be why Indiana has the 2d-most though-provoking offensive ranking in the league early on. — Collier
15. Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 18
- Subsequent games: vs. WSH (Nov. 1), @ NO (Nov. 4), @ OKC (Nov. 6)
Dejounte Murray helped the Hawks rebound from support-to-support losses to start the season with a 41-point effort towards the Timberwolves. He tied his career excessive, and it marked the third time he dropped 40 in any game, all with the Hawks. In every of the 40-point performances, Murray has also put up no longer decrease than five rebounds and five assists. — Lopez
16. Orlando Magic
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 21
- Subsequent games: @ UTAH (Nov. 2), vs. LAL (Nov. 4), vs. DAL (Nov. 6)
The Magic obtained off to their ninth 2-0 start in franchise ancient previous and almost improved to some-0 before the Lakers pulled away slack. In Friday’s get over the Path Blazers, brothers Franz Wagner and Mo Wagner combined to accumulate the final 16 parts for the Magic. One ingredient that has helped Orlando early has been its protection. It held groups to 103 parts per 100 possessions in its first four games, the 2d-most though-provoking tag in the NBA. — Lopez
17. Unusual York Knicks
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 7
- Subsequent games: vs. CLE (Nov. 1), @ MIL (Nov. 3), vs. LAC (Nov. 6)
Essentially the most though-provoking share in Unusual York’s atomize up of its first four games? The play of RJ Barrett, who is 9-for-21 from 3-point fluctuate. If Barrett can shoot wherever near 40 p.c from 3 this season, it might maybe presumably presumably per chance be a huge boost to the Knicks’ offensive assault. — Bontemps
18. Miami Heat
2023-24 file: 1-3
- Outdated ranking: 10
- Subsequent games: vs. BK (Nov. 1), vs. WAS (Nov. 3), vs. LAL (Nov. 6)
It wasn’t the strongest start for the defending Jap Conference champions, who squeaked out a victory towards the Pistons before losing consecutive games at Boston, Minnesota and Milwaukee. But Tyler Herro has enjoyed a heroic start, turning into the fourth participant in Heat ancient previous to accumulate 100 parts in the crew’s first four games of a season, joining LeBron James, Dwyane Wade (twice) and Alonzo Mourning. — Lopez
19. Detroit Pistons
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 27
- Subsequent games: vs. POR (Nov. 1), @ NO (Nov. 2), vs. PHX (Nov. 5), vs. GS (Nov. 6)
The Pistons rep formally unleashed Jalen Duren — who will flip 20 years ancient this month — as their starting center, and he has put on a couple of stare-opening performances. Thru his first four games, Duren is averaging 15.5 parts, 13.3 rebounds and a pair of.0 blocks, and Detroit appears delight in it has found one other centerpiece for the franchise going ahead. — Collier
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 file: 1-2
- Outdated ranking: 15
- Subsequent games: vs. DEN (Nov. 1), vs. UTAH (Nov. 4), vs. BOS (Nov. 6)
The Wolves rep shown flashes through their first three games, with prolonged stretches of stifling protection for a crew that ranks eighth in defensive efficiency and spurts of promising offensive possible. Minnesota demonstrated every aspect of an up-and-down start on Monday towards Atlanta, racing out to a super lead with an encouraging first half then struggling in the 2d as they allowed the Hawks to return support. — Collier
21. Chicago Bulls
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 22
- Subsequent games: @ DAL (Nov. 1), vs. BK (Nov. 3), @ DEN (Nov. 4), vs. UTAH (Nov. 6)
It changed into an eventful first week in Chicago, from a avid gamers-only meeting following the season opener and a wild comeback victory towards Toronto to a 50-point, no-assists performance from Zach LaVine in a game the Bulls dropped by double digits and a benches-clearing incident in a get over the Pacers. The Bulls rep taken a meandering avenue to their 2-2 file. — Collier
22. Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 file: 1-2
- Outdated ranking: 20
- Subsequent games: @ MIA (Nov. 1), @ CHI (Nov. 3), vs. BOS (Nov. 4), vs. MIL (Nov. 6)
One in every of the supreme surprises of this season to date has been the play of Nets guard Cam Thomas, who scored no longer decrease than 30 parts in all three games to this point and is shooting a staggering 61% from the bottom. — Bontemps
23. Utah Jazz
2023-24 file: 1-3
- Outdated ranking: 23
- Subsequent games: vs . MEM (Nov. 1), vs. ORL (Nov. 2), @ MIN (Nov. 4), @ CHI (Nov. 6)
Walker Kessler, a first-crew All-Rookie selection in unparalleled share because he changed into an elite rim protector, has gotten off to a slack start in that department. Kessler has blocked only three photos in four games. He averaged 2.9 blocks in his remaining 34 games final season after turning into a chunky-time starter. — MacMahon
2023-24 file: 2-2
- Outdated ranking: 25
- Subsequent games: @ PHX (Nov. 2), vs. TOR (Nov. 5), @ IND (Nov. 6)
In the Spurs’ previous traditional time get towards the Rockets, Victor Wembanyama accomplished with 21 parts, 12 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. He changed into the first Spurs rookie since Tim Duncan to rep no longer decrease than 20 parts, 10 rebounds and three blocks in a game (and Duncan did it at the tip of his rookie season in 1998) and the first to rep a 20-point double-double in his first two career games since David Robinson in 1989. — Lopez
25. Toronto Raptors
2023-24 file: 1-3
- Outdated ranking: 24
- Subsequent games: vs. MIL (Nov. 1), @ PHI (Nov. 2), @ SA (Nov. 5)
It has been all downhill for Toronto since its opening-evening get over Minnesota, along with disappointing losses to Chicago and Portland. Issues must no longer about to uncover any less complicated, either, with a support-to-support this week towards Milwaukee and Philadelphia. — Bontemps
26. Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 file: 1-2
- Outdated ranking: 29
- Subsequent games: @ HOU (Nov. 1), @ IND (Nov. 4), @DAL (Nov. 5)
The season obtained off to a promising start with a dwelling-opening get over Atlanta. But that changed into followed by two dwelling losses to Detroit and Brooklyn. LaMelo Ball stuffed the box accumulate in the first two games but has struggled to gain his shot, shooting 11-of-44 from the self-discipline, along with merely 6-for-24 from 3. Rookie Brandon Miller, even though, had his first 20-plus-point game (22 parts, nine rebounds) in a loss to Brooklyn on Monday. — Youngmisuk
27. Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 file: 0-4
- Outdated ranking: 11
- Subsequent games: @ UTAH (Nov. 1), @ POR (Nov. 3), @ POR (Nov. 5)
The Grizzlies are 22-24 (along with their first-spherical playoff sequence loss) since center Steven Adams went down with a knee damage in January. Adams will gallop over your entire season after it changed into just no longer too prolonged ago obvious that he important surgical treatment, which he tried to preserve far from with summer season rehabilitation. Memphis has started 0-4 for the first time for the reason that 2004-05 season. — MacMahon
28. Portland Path Blazers
2023-24 file: 1-3
- Outdated ranking: 28
- Subsequent games: @ DET (Nov. 1), vs. MEM (Nov. 3), vs. MEM (Nov. 5)
It has been a tough start for Portland. Third general decide Skedaddle Henderson has yet to gain his scoring touch, going merely 1-of-18 on 3-point makes an strive through his first four games. As well to, Anfernee Simons will likely be out the following four to 6 weeks with a merely thumb damage. — Andrews
29. Washington Wizards
2023-24 file: 1-2
- Outdated ranking: 30
- Subsequent games :@ ATL (Nov.1), @ MIA (Nov. 3), @ PHI (Nov. 6)
Simplest three games into the season, the Wizards rep the play that will most though-provoking outline their rebuilding year. Jordan Poole changed into dribbling on a immediate atomize when he began to drag it support out without numbers towards Boston. But as Poole casually dribbled support to the three-point line, he changed into and tried to originate a 3 as his teammates had been aloof catching up, only to leer Kristaps Porzingis uncover a half of it. Naturally, the head-scratching play went viral. In three games, the Wizards rep surrendered 143 parts and 126 in their two losses and their most though-provoking unparalleled man, Daniel Gafford, is already injured. It be going to be a prolonged season in D.C. — Youngmisuk
30. Houston Rockets
2023-24 file: 0-3
- Outdated ranking: 26
- Subsequent games : vs. CHA (Nov. 1), vs. SAC (Nov. 4), vs (Nov. 6)
Alperen Sengun had 58 parts, 27 rebounds and 20 assists right throughout the Rockets’ 0-3 start, joining Nikola Jokic (thrice) and Domantas Sabonis as the single centers for the reason that ABA-NBA merger to position up these numbers in the first three games of a season. But Houston has been outscored by 16 parts in Sengun’s 102 minutes. — MacMahon