NBA Standings: Undefeated Rockets and Spurs' Early Struggles

The early standings of the 2026-27 NBA season present a sharp contrast between established contenders and teams undergoing transitional phases. The Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, and Portland Trail Blazers all entered Tuesday's slate with undefeated records. Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs, who reached the Finals in June, currently hold a 2-2 mark and sit in the second tier of the national rankings despite their recent championship run.

Houston's perfect 4-0 start marks the first such beginning for the franchise since the 2014-15 campaign. The Rockets' performance coincides with the return of point guard Fred VanVleet from a torn ACL that sidelined him last year. Veteran forward Kevin Durant has scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games, a streak that marks the tenth time in his career he has started a season in that manner. Center Alperen Sengun has also elevated his production, becoming the third Rockets player to record multiple games with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the first four contests of a season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2024-25 champions, remain unbeaten with a 4-0 record. Third-year guard Ajay Mitchell has stepped into a larger role following injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Mitchell posted a career-high 30 points and five assists in Monday's victory over the Phoenix Suns, his first start of the season. His performance follows a Western Conference semifinal series last year where he averaged 22.5 points and six assists while Williams was sidelined.

San Antonio's early difficulties have prompted immediate assessment from head coach Mitch Johnson. The Spurs lost their first two games against top Western Conference opponents, Houston and Oklahoma City, before winning their last two contests. Johnson acknowledged the team's inconsistency, stating that their defensive floor is too low and they must return to the standard they are capable of meeting. The frontcourt has been hampered by injuries, but the coaching staff views the early struggles as part of a necessary evolution in their offensive structure.

Other notable trends include the Minnesota Timberwolves' high-scoring offense, which posted a 120.8 offensive rating when Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball shared the court. However, Edwards underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss up to two months. In Toronto, Kawhi Leonard is managing left knee soreness, and Scottie Barnes struggled in Leonard's absence, finishing 0-for-12 in an 117-94 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Scheduled for Tuesday, the Thunder will play at Dallas, the Rockets will host at Houston, and the Sixers will face Philadelphia. The Spurs are set to travel to Indiana on Wednesday, while the Blazers will host Memphis.