NBA.com Power Rankings: Spurs and Knicks Top 2026-27 Season List
The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks open the 2026-27 NBA season occupying the top spots in the league’s initial power rankings released Monday by NBA.com, setting the stage for an 82-game campaign that begins Tuesday.
Spurs Lead West Following Finals Run
Heading into the new season, the San Antonio Spurs sit at number one in the power rankings after finishing last season with 62 wins and pushing deep into June. According to NBA.com, the Spurs led all five games of the Finals by at least 12 points before losing, and return a young core featuring Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper at ages 22, 21, and 20 respectively.
San Antonio opens its schedule hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets this week. The Thunder enter the season ranked second with a preseason record of 1-4, an offensive rating of 103.4 ranking 26th, a defensive rating of 110.2 ranking 16th, and a net rating of -6.8 ranking 25th, having posted two of the top seven defenses of the last 30 years over the last two seasons.
Knicks Defend East Crown Without Robinson
The New York Knicks open at number three in the power rankings with a preseason record of 1-4, an offensive rating of 103.5 ranking 25th, a defensive rating of 120.6 ranking 30th, and a net rating of -17.1 ranking 30th, remaining favorites in the East. NBA.com reported that despite the departure of center Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks remain the favorites in the East due to their young core, though questions linger about their defensive rotations when starters head to the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns enters the season playing exclusively at the five, averaging 7.7 assists per 36 minutes during preseason play.
The Philadelphia 76ers land at number four, pairing Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey in a lineup that recorded assists on 76 percent of their field goals.
Celtics and Rockets Adjust Rotations
At the other end of the rankings, the Sacramento Kings enter the week winless at 0-5 in the preseason, while the Detroit Pistons face an immediate early test with a four-game opening stretch against the Celtics, Heat, 76ers, and Knicks.
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