Celtics Top East 1-15 Rankings for 2026-27 as Knicks Remain Playoff Team to Beat
Updated
Updated · SB Nation · Sep 17
Celtics Top East 1-15 Rankings for 2026-27 as Knicks Remain Playoff Team to Beat
3 articles · Updated · SB Nation · Sep 17
Summary
Boston landed at No. 1 in the preseason East rankings, ahead of defending champion New York, with the projection favoring the Celtics’ regular-season formula after a 53-win Knicks season ended in a dominant title run.
The list argues the East is stronger 1-10 than at any point since 1998, even if the West still holds the top two overall title contenders in the broader preseason poll.
Cleveland, Orlando and Toronto round out the top five, with the Raptors boosted by Kawhi Leonard’s arrival and Orlando backed to rebound under new coach Sean Sweeney.
Philadelphia sits sixth despite a higher playoff ceiling, while last season’s 60-win No. 1 seed Detroit is only seventh and Indiana eighth as health and halfcourt-offense concerns cloud several contenders.
Miami at ninth and Atlanta at 10th underscore the conference depth, while Milwaukee is projected 15th in its first season after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo.