Houston Tops NBA Power Rankings Early in Season
CBS Sports ranked the Houston Rockets first in its weekly NBA power rankings after a 7-1 start.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
CBS Sports placed Houston first in its NBA weekly power rankings for the 2026-2027 season, with the team holding a 7-1 record and the top spot in the West. Philadelphia ranked second, while the Golden State Warriors rose 15 spots to ninth and the Oklahoma City Thunder fell eight spots to 10th.
Why it matters
The rankings reflect Houston's improved scoring, fast-break points, and assists compared with last season, a development that matters for the team's early standing in the Western Conference. The shifts in Golden State and Oklahoma City also show how quickly positions can change this early in the season.
Houston is 7-1 and first in the West, with scoring, fast-break points, and assists all up from last season. The extraction does not specify the scoring averages or other exact figures behind those increases.
The players
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an NBA franchise based in Houston, Texas, and a longtime member of the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is a Hall of Fame-caliber NBA forward who was acquired by Houston in the prior season.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet is a veteran NBA point guard who has returned to the Houston lineup this season after an injury.
The details
CBS Sports' rankings put Houston at the top, followed by Philadelphia, San Antonio, Detroit, Boston, Memphis, and the LA Lakers. The outlet credits Houston's rise to better pace and ball-sharing, and points to Fred VanVleet's return from injury and the team's acquisition of Kevin Durant in the prior season.
Timeline
- November 5, 2026: CBS Sports released its NBA weekly power rankings.
Season Trajectory
CBS Sports' weekly power rankings place Houston first and Philadelphia second, with Philadelphia's ranking boosted by its additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. The early order will shape the Western Conference picture as the season moves forward.
Houston's placement at the top of the rankings signals the team's early strength for fantasy and standings watchers tracking the West. Fans can use the power rankings to gauge which teams are rising or falling after the opening weeks.
The takeaway
Early power rankings are a snapshot rather than a verdict, and Houston's pace and ball-sharing gains will need to hold across the season to keep its top spot. Readers tracking the Western Conference should watch how Oklahoma City's injury recovery affects its climb back up the rankings.
Further reading
Follow the latest team news in Houston Basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
