The 2023-24 NBA Season: Early Surprises and Struggles

The 2023-24 NBA campaign is officially underway and has already provided fans with some exciting surprises and a few struggling teams. The Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Boston Celtics are among the few remaining undefeated teams, while the Los Angeles Lakers are still finding their groove. Despite the drama surrounding James Harden’s trade, the Philadelphia 76ers remain in the top 10. On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets are still searching for their first win of the season.

Rankings

Throughout the regular season, our panel of experts will be ranking all 30 teams based on their performance and likelihood of contending for a title. Let’s take a look at the current rankings:

1. Denver Nuggets

The defending champions are off to a perfect start with a 4-0 record. Led by MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have proven themselves as one of the top teams in the league.

2. Boston Celtics

The Celtics have won all three of their games and have been bolstered by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis. The defensive duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White has been impressive.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

The partnership between Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo is showing great promise, with wins over Eastern Conference contenders. However, the team is still working on its defensive cohesion.

4. Phoenix Suns

The Suns’ start has been marred by injuries to Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Nevertheless, Kevin Durant has been a standout performer, surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon on the all-time scoring list.

5. Golden State Warriors

The addition of Chris Paul has had a significant impact on the Warriors’ performance. With a healthy roster and the hot start from Stephen Curry, the Warriors look like serious contenders.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers made a big move by trading James Harden, but the emergence of Tyrese Maxey has given the team confidence. Maxey’s impressive performances have even earned him the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award.

7. Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic has been exceptional for the Mavericks, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists in the first three games. His 49-point performance against the Nets was a standout moment.

8. LA Clippers

The Clippers made a major trade for James Harden to strengthen their chances of winning a title. However, coach Ty Lue will need time to figure out the best lineup and ensure chemistry among the star-studded roster.

9. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have started the season well, even without De’Aaron Fox due to injury. If they can continue to compete in the stacked Western Conference, they have a good chance of success.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder

Rookie Chet Holmgren has been a standout player for the Thunder, providing much-needed rim protection and 3-point shooting. His performance has been historic, setting records for his impressive stats.

These rankings are subject to change as the season progresses. Stay tuned for updates on ESPN.com.