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The first week of the regular season saw the top two teams from our preseason rankings (Knicks and Spurs) each drop their first two games. That has led to a lot of movement at the top, as there always is early in the season as teams are sorting themselves out and we see small sample size theater. That said, not a surprise to see the Thunder on top, they look like a team on a mission.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Record: 3-0
Ranking last week: No. 3
Games this week: Suns, at Mavericks, at Rockets
The entire vibe of Oklahoma City’s opening week changed with 1:14 left in its win Sunday against the LA Clippers. Jalen Williams suffered a gruesome leg injury and had to be stretchered off the floor. As of this writing there is no word on exactly what the injury is or a timeline, but after seeing it happen, it feels like he will be out for the season. Which sucks. Especially after Oklahoma City made a statement to start the season with back-to-back double-digit wins over arguably its two biggest rivals in the West, including one on a night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was just off (and didn’t score 20+ points). As always, everything starts with the Thunder’s defense, which held Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic to a combined 6-of-32 shooting this week. The most positive OKC highlight of the week came from the opening-night win against the Spurs, when Aday Mara shut down Wembanyama at the rim.
2. Detroit Pistons
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Record: 3-0
Ranking last week: No. 6
Games this week: at Knicks, Hornets, at Nets
Jalen Duren being out for at least a couple of weeks with a strained hamstring is a blow. Paul Reed has looked good this young season and will start with Duren out, but the drop-off comes when he sits, don’t be surprised to see JB Bickerstaff lean into some small-ball lineups with John Collins at the five. One thing that was clear in the opening week: The Pistons are putting the ball more in Ausar Thompson’s hands and giving him a chance to be a secondary playmaker. He does that by attacking downhill and finishing in the paint (6-of-10 shooting there), but he’s 0-of-3 from outside the paint in the first two games.
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-27-nba-power-rankings-120000161.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-26 12:00:00
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