NBA Early Season News: Luka Fuels Lakers, Celtics Topple 76ers for East Lead, and Crisis Mode in Milwaukee

The opening three weeks of the 2026-27 NBA season have blown open expectations across both conferences. Heavyweight contenders are asserting early dominance, unexpected powerhouses are taking over the standings, and several marquee franchises have tumbled straight into early-season panic.

From Boston and Philadelphia battling for East supremacy to the Los Angeles Lakers igniting a red-hot West run, here is the comprehensive breakdown of where the league stands through mid-November.

1. Atlantic Titans: Celtics and 76ers Set the Pace in the East

The battle for Eastern Conference supremacy runs squarely through the Atlantic Division, where the Boston Celtics (9-2) and Philadelphia 76ers (9-3) have seized control at the top of the standings.

Boston showcased its championship pedigree on Tuesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, delivering a 123-101 road blowout over Philadelphia. Jayson Tatum led the charge with a 34-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 24 points. Boston’s ball movement and perimeter defense held the 76ers to just 41% shooting, stretching the Celtics’ winning streak to four games.

Despite Tuesday’s setback, Philadelphia has been one of the league’s most complete squads. Tyrese Maxey has taken another leap toward superstar status, averaging 29.1 points and 7.4 assists per game, while Joel Embiid continues to anchor the interior defense. With offseason acquisition Paul George providing secondary scoring, the 76ers look poised to push Boston all season long.

2. Western Surge: Lakers Shock at 10-2, Spurs Give Chase at 9-2

The biggest surprise in the Western Conference is the blistering 10-2 start from head coach JJ Redick’s revamped Los Angeles Lakers, who carry a six-game winning streak into Wednesday night’s matchup in Milwaukee.

After overhauling their roster with nine new additions around Luka Dončić, the Lakers lead the NBA in scoring at 122.1 points per game. Dončić is playing at an early-MVP level, averaging an astonishing 39.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per night. In Monday’s 124-114 road win over the Atlanta Hawks—with Austin Reaves (25.3 PPG) sidelined—Dončić delivered 32 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals, burying a step-back three and jumping a passing lane for a breakaway bucket in the fourth quarter to extinguish an Atlanta rally. Center Walker Kessler added 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Sandro Mamukelashvili poured in 23 points on five triples and Collin Sexton scored 18 points.

Hot on Los Angeles’ heels are head coach Mitch Johnson’s San Antonio Spurs (9-2), who extended their winning streak to nine games with a 122-96 rout of the Phoenix Suns. Victor Wembanyama anchors the NBA’s fourth-ranked defense (107.0 PPG allowed), flanked by De’Aaron Fox, rising sophomore Dylan Harper (18.0 PPG), Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell.

3. Early Contenders & Shining Stars Around the League

Several other franchises are turning heads with strong November starts:

• Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3): Anthony Edwards is putting up MVP-caliber numbers (30.4 PPG), leading Minnesota to four straight wins alongside Rudy Gobert’s rim protection.
• Houston Rockets (8-3): Alperen Şengün (21.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG) and Amen Thompson have transformed Houston into an elite defensive unit, allowing just 106.4 points per game.
• Golden State Warriors (8-3): Stephen Curry continues to defy Father Time, shooting 44% from three-point range during an eight-game Warriors surge.

4. Basement Blues: What’s Wrong with the Bucks, Kings, and Jazz?

At the bottom of the standings sit three franchises in early crisis: the Milwaukee Bucks (1-10), Sacramento Kings (1-10), and Utah Jazz (1-10).

+---------------------+--------+-----------+-----------------------------------+
| Team                | Record | PPG Allow | Core Issue                        |
+---------------------+--------+-----------+-----------------------------------+
| Milwaukee Bucks     | 1-10   | 121.2     | Perimeter defense collapse        |
| Sacramento Kings    | 1-10   | 121.0     | Lack of interior rim protection  |
| Utah Jazz           | 1-10   | 117.6     | Injuries & youth transition       |
+---------------------+--------+-----------+-----------------------------------+

Milwaukee Bucks (1-10)

Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo putting up 30.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per night, Milwaukee has dropped seven straight games. Opponents are shredding the Bucks for 121.2 points per game as aging wing defenders struggle to contain quick guards.

• The Fix: General manager Jon Horst must explore the trade market to add wing athleticism around Giannis and Damian Lillard before season goals slip out of reach.

Sacramento Kings (1-10)

The high-powered trio of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan has failed to translate into wins. Sacramento’s defensive rating ranks near the bottom of the league, surrendering constant transition points.

• The Fix: Head coach Mike Brown needs to retool defensive rotations or consider shifting roster pieces to balance scoring with perimeter stopper depth.

Utah Jazz (1-10)

Utah’s nightmare start hit a breaking point with star forward Lauri Markkanen sidelined due to a severe back strain. While rookies Darryn Peterson (24.0 PPG over his last three games) and Ace Bailey (23 points against Miami) offer glimpses of a bright future under coach Will Hardy, the team’s 18 turnovers per game have proven fatal.

• The Fix: Utah must lean entirely into its youth movement, giving heavy minutes to Peterson and Bailey while accumulating draft capital for next summer.