ESPN has released its first NBA power rankings for the 2026-27 season, placing the Oklahoma City Thunder at the very top. The most striking part of the list is that the reigning champions, the New York Knicks, are not on top: the team holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy was ranked only third.
ESPN's panel of NBA reporters assessed teams not only on how they finished this season but also on how they project heading into 2026-27. The Thunder, last season's champions who were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, are once again viewed as the best team in the league thanks to their young, stable core. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning back-to-back MVP awards only strengthens that case.
The Spurs, who lost to the Knicks in the Finals, came in second. Built around Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio's young roster is seen as one of next season's strongest title contenders. The Knicks, who claimed their first championship since 1973, being placed third sparked plenty of debate.
ESPN's top 10 power rankings for 2026-27 are as follows:
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- San Antonio Spurs
- New York Knicks
- Boston Celtics
- Detroit Pistons
- Denver Nuggets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Houston Rockets
The top 10 features five teams from the Eastern Conference and five from the West. The rise of the Detroit Pistons to fifth, the Los Angeles Lakers sitting ninth as they enter the Luka Dončić era, and the young Houston Rockets cracking the top 10 are among the standout talking points. ESPN also noted that the rankings could change significantly after a summer of trades, free agency and the draft. Until the new season tips off, this picture is likely to be updated many times.
Source: ESPN
Image: bbc.com
Tuna Başkan
Discuss this in Forum
Join the conversation with thousands of sports fans. Share your opinion, predict the results, and earn reputation points!
forum Comments (0)
No results found
