Rockets Climb to No. 1 in ESPN's Latest NBA Power Rankings

The Houston Rockets sit at No. 1 in ESPN's second NBA power rankings of the season, climbing from No. 4 after opening the year at 7-1, according to ESPN's panel of NBA insiders. The rankings, compiled roughly two weeks into the 2026-27 season, reflect a league already reshuffled by injuries and surprise early runs.

What moved Houston to No. 1?

ESPN's writers point to guard Fred VanVleet as the driver behind Houston's jump, describing his impact on the team as "immeasurable," per the outlet's panel notes accompanying the rankings. The Rockets' next stretch includes games against Minnesota on Nov. 4, at Phoenix on Nov. 7, and against Denver on Nov. 9 — a slate that will test whether the early record holds against teams dealing with their own roster issues.

The rankings panel, which ESPN lists as Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Vincent Goodwill, Zach Kram, Ben Golliver, Kris Rhim and Anthony Slater, assigns each of the league's 30 teams a four-word description of its start, a device the outlet has used across both its preseason and Oct. 28 editions of the rankings.

How are the defending champion Knicks responding to an 0-3 start?

New York, which ended a long title drought last season and opened single-game ticket sales on the strength of that run, began the new campaign 0-3, according to ESPN's panel. The outlet frames the Knicks as a team "attempting to claw themselves back into the top echelon" after that start, though the rankings piece does not specify where the team currently sits in the full 30-team order within the excerpted material. The juxtaposition — a reigning champion opening in a hole while a team like Houston surges to No. 1 — is one of the storylines ESPN's writers cite as evidence the league has been "flipped" just two weeks in.

What's driving the 76ers' early run?

Philadelphia has been one of the league's most dominant teams through the opening stretch, according to ESPN, which describes the 76ers as having "dominated their opponents early" while "having some fun in the process." The outlet does not detail specific statistics behind that dominance in the material reviewed, but places the team's start among the season's headline developments alongside Houston's rise and the Knicks' slow start.

Why is Luka Doncic drawing MVP buzz for the Lakers?

Los Angeles guard Luka Doncic is "making an early MVP case," per ESPN, after scoring 42 and 45 points in his two most recent games at the time of publication. The outlet notes Doncic "doesn't seem to be slowing down," a assessment that arrives as the Lakers navigate a Western Conference crowded with contenders. Lakers coach J.J. Redick has praised the stretch as part of what ESPN describes elsewhere in its NBA coverage as Doncic's continuing hot streak, though the power-rankings excerpt itself focuses on the raw scoring totals rather than broader team context.

How are injuries reshaping the Western Conference race?

ESPN's panel singles out the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves as two teams "dealing with injuries to their stars," openings that have let other rosters seize early advantages. The Memphis Grizzlies' Ty Jerome is cited as a player who has had an "early impact" on his team's standing amid that shuffling. Portland is undergoing a similar test without guard Ja Morant, who is sidelined with an injury; ESPN's writers argue the Trail Blazers' response — leaning on roster depth — illustrates a broader theme of what will separate contenders from pretenders as the season lengthens.

What's next for the rankings?

ESPN says this is the second update of its power rankings since the season opened, following a preseason edition and an Oct. 28 version, with the full ranking running through all 30 teams and four-word tags for each. The outlet's panel structure — nine named insiders contributing to where each team lands — suggests further movement is likely as injury returns, including Toronto's Kawhi Leonard beginning what ESPN describes as his "return to play process" after completing knee treatment, continue to alter rosters across the league. Houston's next three games, against Minnesota, at Phoenix and against Denver, will offer an early signal on whether the Rockets' hold on the top spot survives contact with two more Western Conference playoff hopefuls.