Just two weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, everything’s already flipped upside down. The Houston Rockets, sitting pretty at number one with a 7-1 record, have completely shocked the league. Meanwhile, the defending champion New York Knicks are stuck at a brutal 0-3 and are fighting just to get back into the conversation. The West is wild, with teams like the Thunder already battling star injuries, proving that early season depth isn’t just a luxury, it’s everything.
Rockets Ignite, Grizzlies Go Youth-First Fast
The Houston Rockets have absolutely found their stride, and it’s all thanks to Fred VanVleet coming back from that season-ending knee injury. His impact is undeniable. Houston’s rocking the league’s best offense rating at a scorching 121.2, and adding Marcus Smart as a backup for those brutal back-to-back games was pure genius. This team just looks calmer, more organized, moving the ball beautifully and limiting those sloppy turnovers. Man, that’s what a top-tier floor general does for a squad, right?
Out West, Memphis is straight up proving that going young doesn’t mean you have to wait. They started out 6-1 after shipping out Ja Morant in June and totally pivoting to a younger build. GM Zach Kleiman told everyone this shift “not going to be some drawn-out five-year process,” and holy smokes, he was right. Guys like Cameron Boozer and Cedric Coward are already taking on major roles, and Ty Jerome is making an early splash. This team is pure speed and energy; they didn’t need some veteran star to start strong. That’s a lesson for a lot of teams out there.
Stars Struggle and Shine: Gobert’s Woes, Luka’s MVP Case
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows everywhere, though. The Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with some brutal star injuries, which is forcing other guys to step up. Rudy Gobert, unfortunately, is in a bit of a slump. Yeah, he’s doing some things well, but his shooting has been a real problem. Get this: over a two-game stretch, he missed all 13 of his field goal attempts. Plus, he’s only blocked four shots in seven games! ESPN’s Eric Karabell, who said he invested in Gobert because he expected consistency, must be pulling his hair out. Gobert’s 34 and has been doing the same thing for a decade, so maybe that back injury is really messing with him, making him miss layups he usually drains. Managers should probably be patient, but man, those numbers are screaming slump.
And then there’s the defending champs, the New York Knicks. Starting 0-3? That’s rough, and they are clawing just to get a W. Mikal Bridges has been way too quiet, attempting zero free throws through 90 minutes, which is super weird for a star like him. They need more from their leaders, period. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson might be fantasy gold, but the team record says they aren’t winning enough. The pressure is on, and they need to turn it around fast before this season gets away from them.
But hey, let’s talk about Luka Doncic. This dude is making an early MVP case for the Los Angeles Lakers, dropping 42 and 45 points in his last two games. He just isn’t slowing down, soaring high on the points rankings and sitting as the second-ranked player in fantasy points leagues. The Lakers look totally different with him at the helm, and he’s scoring at a rate that few can even touch. Fans are glued to their screens, wondering if he can keep this up all year.
The Detroit Pistons, on the other hand, are showing out with improved three-point shooting, all while keeping that stifling defense reputation intact. They’re first in both points per game and defensive rating, which is insane. Cade Cunningham is shooting a career-high 37% from three, totally carrying over that playoff success into the regular season. This early stretch is all about defense and depth, and the league is paying attention. What a wild start to the season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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