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NBA Eastern Conference power rankings: Hawks up, Hornets down & more
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- NBA Eastern Conference power rankings: Hawks up, Hornets down & more
The Eastern Conference has had its fair share of surprises through the first few weeks of the NBA season. Philadelphia and Detroit have separated themselves near the top, while teams like Miami have gotten off to disappointing starts. Some teams are getting into a groove, while others deal with injury issues and questions surrounding their roster. Here's where all 15 Eastern Conference teams stack up early into the season:
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Ranks 15-11
Oct 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro (11) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
15. Milwaukee Bucks 1-7
The Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to one of the worst starts in the league, losing four straight games. Their only win came against an Indiana team without Tyrese Haliburton, and even then, they only won by eight points at home. Tyler Herro has led the way offensively, but this team hasn't shown much reason for optimism. I expect Milwaukee to remain near the bottom of the standings for most of the season.
14. Chicago Bulls 1-7
The Chicago Bulls have had one of the toughest schedules in the league, with their difficult stretch continuing over the next two games against Philadelphia and San Antonio. Their only win came against Indiana in what was expected to be one of their more competitive matchups. They've now lost six straight, with Caleb Wilson being one of the few bright spots. Chicago has struggled to find consistency and will need to turn things around once its schedule gets easier.
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13. Orlando Magic 2-6
The Orlando Magic entered the season with expectations of being a competitive playoff team, but they've gotten off to a slow start. Their most impressive performance came in a win over the Knicks in New York, showing what this team is capable of. However, with Paolo Banchero expected to miss four to six weeks, I don't expect Orlando to win many games during his absence. The Magic need to find a way to stay afloat until their star returns.
12. Brooklyn Nets 2-6
The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the more disappointing teams early in the season, with an organization that still looks like it's trying to figure things out. Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle have played well enough to increase their trade value, but their shot selection has limited opportunities for younger players like Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Demin and Nolan Traore. Brooklyn has plenty of young talent, but hasn't shown much improvement as a team. It's difficult to see where this organization is headed right now.
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11. Charlotte Hornets 3-6
The Charlotte Hornets have struggled to find consistent production, and the lack of talent around their young core has been noticeable. Brandon Miller is the cornerstone of this franchise, but his scoring efficiency has been a concern early in the season. They've now lost five straight, and the return of Kon Knueppel was short-lived after he left just six minutes into action. Getting him back healthy could give Charlotte a much-needed boost and potentially put them back in the playoff conversation.
Top 10
Oct 26, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
10. Miami Heat 3-6
The Miami Heat have been one of the biggest disappointments early in the season, struggling to put away teams they should be beating. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo have both played well, while Klay Thompson has also provided some production. However, Miami has yet to prove it can compete with the league's better teams. If this experiment is going to work, the Heat need to make a move for more guard talent before the trade deadline.
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9. Indiana Pacers 3-6
The Indiana Pacers finally got a much-needed win against Memphis, handing the Grizzlies their second loss of the season and snapping a five-game losing streak. Andre Nembhard has taken a huge step forward in Tyrese Haliburton's absence, giving Indiana some much-needed production in the backcourt. However, this team still doesn't have much of a ceiling until Haliburton returns. His return can't come soon enough for a team that desperately needs its star back.
8. Washington Wizards 4-4
The Washington Wizards have been one of the more interesting teams early in the season, showing some potential with a new-look roster. Anthony Davis and Trae Young have started building a strong connection in their first season playing together, while AJ Dybantsa has looked good in his limited action. The Wizards have started better than expected, but haven't faced the toughest competition. I expect this team to continue improving as the season progresses.
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7. Toronto Raptors 4-4
The Toronto Raptors have had a solid start to the season, but losing Kawhi Leonard changes the outlook for this team. A pairing between Leonard and Scottie Barnes would have given opposing defenses nightmares, but Toronto will now have to find production elsewhere. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have led the way offensively, and both will need to continue playing at a high level. The Raptors have shown some promise, but losing Leonard makes it much harder to compete with the East's best.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-4
The Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten off to a slower start than expected, with their lack of bench production becoming a concern. Donovan Mitchell has been one of the most efficient scorers in the league, while James Harden has taken control as the team's primary playmaker. Evan Mobley has also taken a major step forward, looking much more comfortable on both ends of the floor. Cleveland has the talent to compete near the top, but needs more consistent production from its supporting cast.
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Top 5
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
5. New York Knicks 4-4
The New York Knicks got off to a slow start, but are finally starting to look like the championship contender many expected. After opening the season 0-3, New York has won four of its last five games, with its only loss coming against Philadelphia. The chemistry is starting to come together, and the Knicks look much more comfortable as the season progresses. They started slowly last year before finding their rhythm, and I expect them to continue climbing the rankings.
4. Atlanta Hawks 5-4
The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the more interesting defensive teams in the league, using their length and athleticism to create problems for opponents. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has led the way offensively, averaging 21 points per game, while Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels have wreaked havoc defensively. This team has the pieces to compete, but still looks like a middle-of-the-pack team. Atlanta has been solid early, but needs to prove it can compete with the East's top contenders.
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3. Boston Celtics 6-2
The Boston Celtics have looked like one of the strongest teams in the East, with their only losses coming against two of the best teams in the league in Detroit and Houston. Jayson Tatum has looked like one of the top scorers in the league, while Paul George has experienced a resurgence in his career. Boston has shown it can compete with anyone, and its strong start has put it right back in the championship conversation.
2. Detroit Pistons 6-2
The Detroit Pistons have continued building off last season's success, taking another major step forward and establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league. Cade Cunningham has looked like one of the best point guards in basketball, controlling the offense and proving nearly impossible to stop down the stretch. Detroit has shown it can compete with the league's best and has the talent to make another deep playoff run. This team is quickly becoming a legitimate championship contender.
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1. Philadelphia 76ers 8-1
The Philadelphia 76ers have continued to establish themselves as the best team in the East, earning the top spot after an impressive start to the season. I initially had them outside of the top spot following their loss to Detroit, but they've since beaten the Pistons, even with some poor late-game execution from VJ Edgecombe. LeBron James isn't the same player he once was, but he's still impacting the game in every area. With Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid leading the way, this is a scary team that should only get better as the season progresses.
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