The NBA season just started, but just a few weeks in, its already getting intense!

The Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks are early leaders in the West. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves jumped up in the ranking since pre-season, following a seven-game winning streak with the league’s top defense. In the East, Joel Embiid and flourishing young star Tyrese Maxey are propelling the Philadelphia 76ers to dominance. While the Boston Celtics enter this season coming off a deep run into the conference finals in in the 2022-23 season.

1. Denver Nuggets (9-2)

• Previous ranking: 1
• Next games: @ NO (Nov. 17), @ CLE (Nov. 19), @ DET (Nov. 20)

Despite winning eight of their first nine games, the Nuggets faced just their second loss of the season in Houston last Sunday. Jamal Murray was out with a hamstring injury, but Jokic remained unstoppable, dropping his fourth triple-double of the season in defeat with an impressive 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists. The primary concern for Michael Malone apart from Murray’s recovery, is pulling more productivity out of that the second unit.

2. Philadelphia 76ers (8-2)

• Previous ranking: 3
• Next games: vs. BOS (Nov. 15), @ ATL (Nov. 17), @ BK (Nov. 19), vs. CLE (Nov. 21)

The 76ers have finally found themselves a bonafide star to pair alongside Joel Embiid – Tyrese Maxey. In just his 4th season he’s averaging 28.4 points and 7.0 assists per game.this effort coupled w Embiid’s dominance has them go on an 8 game win streak to kick off this season, which ended Tuesday at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Still, with the departure of Harden and the rise of Maxey, is it time for the 76ers to make their run?

3. Boston Celtics (8-2)

• Previous ranking: 2
• Next games: @ PHI (Nov. 15), @ TOR (Nov. 17), @ MEM (Nov. 19), @ CHA (Nov. 20)

Coming into the season the biggest question surrounding the Celtics was their depth outside of their top six guys. So far, it’s been up and down for them; getting mixed production from guys like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard. With that being said, Boston still ranks fourth in offense, third in defense and first in net rating in the league. It’s early, but the duo of Tatum and brown continue to roll. We expect to see them late in the playoffs again.

4. Dallas Mavericks (8-3)

• Previous ranking: 5
• Next games: @ WAS (Nov. 15), @ MIL (Nov. 18), vs. SAC (Nov. 19)

For starters the team has young stud Luka Doncic, that never hurts. There’s also Tim Hardaway Jr. who has established himself as an early Sixth Man of the Year candidate, helping to boost the Mavs No. 2-ranked offense. Hardaway is averaging 17.5 points per game, the most by any player who has come off the bench in at least half of his team’s games. And he’s doing it on both ends, ranking second in the league in charges drawn with 8.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-2)

• Previous ranking: 6
• Next games:@ PHX (Nov. 15), @ NO (Nov. 18), vs. NY (Nov. 20)

The Timberwolves, led by Rudy Gobert, start the week with the best defense in the NBA. Topping the charts in defensive rating, opponent field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage. All-star center Karl-Anthony Towns is shaking off an early-season slump, posting impressive stats in the last five games—averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, and shooting 43% from 3. Currently on a five-game road trip, Minnesota will face the Suns and Pelicans before returning home to play against the Knicks next week.

*Not in the top 5 early in the season are the Milwaukee Bucks (6-4) – we expect to see them get it together with Dame and Giannis together.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo Credit: AP News

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