Houston leads NBA.com’s Week 3 power rankings, while Memphis has surged into the top five after opening 6–0. Detroit and Philadelphia also begin the week among the league’s strongest teams.
The NBA’s regular season is still in its early stages, but the first two weeks have already produced a few notable stories. Houston sits at No. 1 in NBA.com’s latest ranking, Memphis is the last unbeaten team, and Oklahoma City has slipped after two consecutive defeats.
NBA.com Week 3 top five
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Rockets | 6–1 | 4 |
| 2 | Detroit Pistons | 5–1 | 2 |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | 6–1 | 5 |
| 4 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–2 | 6 |
| 5 | Memphis Grizzlies | 6–0 | 17 |
Houston set the early pace
The Rockets are first in the Week 3 rankings with a 6–1 record. NBA.com highlighted their offensive efficiency and the impact of Kevin Durant, while noting that Houston’s only defeat came against Dallas. The early results place the Rockets near the top of both the league conversation and the Western Conference picture.
Memphis are the last unbeaten team
The Grizzlies have opened 6–0 and moved from No. 17 to No. 5 in the rankings. NBA.com noted that Memphis is the 21st team since the league expanded to 30 franchises to begin a season with six straight wins. That is a notable start, although it does not guarantee later-season success.
Detroit and Philadelphia bring different strengths
Detroit sit second after a 5–1 start, with NBA.com pointing to their league-leading defensive rating. Philadelphia are third at 6–1 and have combined a strong record with a top-three defensive rating in the ranking breakdown. The teams are winning in different ways, which makes their upcoming games useful measuring sticks.
San Antonio’s momentum and Oklahoma City’s response
San Antonio are fourth after winning four straight following an 0–2 opening. Oklahoma City dropped to seventh after a 4–2 start and two defeats by large margins. Injuries and availability are part of the story, but the Thunder have time to respond before the standings become more meaningful.
These are NBA.com’s editorial power rankings, not the official league standings. Records and rankings are current to the November 2 weekly release and can change with each game.
Sportimatic outlook
Houston’s 6–1 start gives the Rockets the strongest early position in the ranking, while Memphis have produced the most surprising unbeaten run. Detroit, Philadelphia and San Antonio are also giving the top of the list a different look. The next two weeks will show which early trends are sustainable.
Source and further reading
Power-ranking positions and records reflect NBA.com’s Week 3 release published November 2, 2026. Power rankings are editorial opinion and are separate from official standings.