Spurs, Knicks Top 2026-27 NBA Power Rankings as Season Opens Tuesday

3 articles · Updated · NBA.com · Oct 20

San Antonio and New York opened the 2026-27 campaign atop NBA.com’s preseason rankings, with the season set to begin Tuesday after eight different Finals matchups in the last eight years.
The Spurs got the No. 1 West spot after a 62-win season and near-title run, with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper forming a young core that flashed promise in limited preseason minutes together.
The Knicks led the East despite a 1-4 preseason, reflecting confidence in the defending champions even after Mitchell Robinson’s departure and some early concerns about shooting and bench defense.
Boston went 4-0 in preseason and was labeled the team most likely to sustain success despite losing Jaylen Brown, while Sacramento drew the harshest warning at 0-5 with poor numbers from its top players.
Week 1 tests arrive immediately: the Spurs host Oklahoma City and Houston, the Knicks face Philadelphia and Boston, and Detroit’s opening four-game stretch could quickly reshape the early pecking order.