The NBA has finally returned, and the Eastern Conference is already proving to be unpredictable. In just three days, the reigning champs have fallen, a flurry of blowouts took place, and contenders scrapped against each other for their first wins. There’s plenty to unpack from week one, but these early power rankings display the parity among the East.
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Ranks 15-11
15. Brooklyn Nets 0-1
Brooklyn lost its home opener to Charlotte. Both Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle played well, with Randle putting up 33 points and MPJ adding 26. Both players shot efficiently, but it wasn’t enough to get the Nets a win. Brooklyn is a young team with plenty of room to grow, but it has a long way to go.
14. Chicago Bulls 0-1
The Bulls were blown out by Toronto in their season opener. Playing on the road against a very good team is a tough environment, but it’s still concerning that Chicago trailed by as many as 48 points. With a revamped roster and front office, the Bulls are a young team that will likely need some time to grow.
13. Milwaukee Bucks 0-1
The Bucks lost to the Washington Wizards on the road in their season opener. Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the way, each putting up more than 20 points. Milwaukee looked better than expected, especially considering it was an away game. However, losing to Washington is still concerning, given that the Wizards aren’t expected to be very good this season.
12. Charlotte Hornets 1-0
Charlotte took down the Brooklyn Nets in New York to open its season. No one player stood out, as multiple Hornets finished with around 20 points. Beating what could be the worst team in the conference isn’t necessarily impressive, but getting the job done on the road is still a solid start for Charlotte.
11. Orlando Magic 0-1
Orlando lost to Atlanta in its home opener despite a phenomenal performance from Paolo Banchero. Banchero finished with 35 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists while missing just two shots. The Magic played well but still came up short, which is concerning for a team with high expectations entering the season.
Top 10
10. Washington Wizards 1-0
The Wizards took down the Milwaukee Bucks in their home opener, winning by 12 points. However, beating a struggling Milwaukee team at home isn’t the most convincing way to start the season. Anthony Davis led the way with 34 points, while Trae Young added 20 points and 13 assists. Washington got the job done, but it will need to prove itself against tougher competition.
9. Indiana Pacers 1-0
Tyrese Haliburton made his return to the court as the Pacers opened their season against the New Orleans Pelicans. Indiana escaped with a three-point win in a nail-biter. Pascal Siakam led the way with 35 points, while Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists. If Haliburton can return to form, Indiana could be a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.
8. Atlanta Hawks 1-0
Atlanta took down the Orlando Magic on the road to open its season. The Hawks were led by an unlikely 31-point performance from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels also chipped in 20 points apiece. Atlanta earned an impressive road win against a team with playoff aspirations, giving the Hawks an encouraging start to the season.
7. Miami Heat 0-1
Miami was manhandled by the Minnesota Timberwolves in its season opener. The Heat have some talented pieces, but this roster doesn’t appear to be built for a championship run. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in the mix, Miami has the potential to be a difficult matchup for opposing teams. However, the Heat have plenty to prove after their opening-night performance.
6. Boston Celtics 0-1
Boston lost its season opener against Detroit in a game that raised some early concerns. Surprisingly, Paul George looked like the best offseason signing in the league, putting up 38 points in an impressive performance. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson struggled to make an impact, raising questions about his fit. Jayson Tatum also had an ugly shooting night, going 6-for-23 from the field. Boston has plenty of talent, but it will need more consistency to compete with the East’s best.
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Top 5
5. Toronto Raptors 1-0
Toronto blew out Chicago in its season opener, establishing itself as a team to watch early in the season. The Bulls aren’t a terrible roster on paper, making the Raptors’ performance even more impressive. Toronto led by as many as 48 points, while four players finished with at least 20 points. It was a dominant showing from a team looking to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 0-1
Cleveland lost to Philadelphia in its season opener, but playing on the road against one of the conference’s top teams is no easy task. Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey matched each other with 32 points apiece in an entertaining matchup. The Cavaliers have the talent to compete with the East’s best, but they’ll need to bounce back after a tough opening-night loss.
3. Detroit Pistons 1-0
Detroit opened its season with an impressive win over a talented Boston Celtics team at home. Cade Cunningham led the way, while Jalen Duren looked great after a lackluster playoff performance last season. The Pistons made a statement by taking down one of the conference’s top teams, giving fans reason to be optimistic about what’s ahead.
2. New York Knicks 0-1
The Knicks lost at home to what could be the best team in the league. Despite the loss, New York didn’t look bad, but Philadelphia proved to be too much. The Knicks have the talent to compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference, and one loss against a championship contender shouldn’t change that. Still, they’ll need to bounce back quickly to keep pace with the conference’s best.
1. Philadelphia 76ers 2-0
The Philadelphia 76ers have wasted no time making a statement with their new-look roster featuring LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Philadelphia took down the Knicks in New York before returning home to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in its second game. Starting the season 2-0 with wins over two of the East’s top teams is an impressive way to open the year. If Philadelphia can maintain this level of play, it could be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
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