Week three NBA power rankings see several teams drop out of the top 10, including the struggling Phoenix Suns.

Much parity was expected this season, and we got it. Although the Suns are 4-6, other contenders like the Lakers and Bucks have had inconsistent starts.

Which NBA clubs are now top 10? That and an honorable mention follow.

HM: Warriors

After three consecutive losses, the Warriors weren’t deserving of consideration this week, but their 6-2 start and many other teams’ dismal records give them the edge. 

Steph Curry looks like one of the finest players in the world at 35, and the Warriors have a lot of good complementary players, but the lack of a real co-star may damage them. Klay Thompson is second on the team in scoring at just over 16 PPG.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are another team that doesn’t deserve a rank but will be mentioned this week. 

The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers/Orlando Magic but beat the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons in close games. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 54 points against the Pacers and remains in excellent form. 

Outside of Giannis, the Bucks stink. Damian Lillard is wounded and possibly adjusting to his new circumstances. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez have looked ragged. Bucks defense is among the weakest in the league.

They may work things out, but this isn’t the dominant club many projected after the Lillard deal. 

9. Pacers of Indiana

The Indiana Pacers seem playoff-ready. Tyrese Haliburton has made another step and is the franchise’s face, averaging nearly 24 points and 12.2 dimes with an insane 5.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Nine other players average eight points on the league’s greatest offense. Rick Carslile seemed to have improved Indianapolis swiftly. 

8. Oklahoma City Thunder

After a surprising play-in berth last season, the Thunder are 6-4 and in the playoffs. 

The Thunder dominated Phoenix in the fourth quarter because to 30-point performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

OKC has four starters and possibly more stepping up. Josh Giddey’s stagnation worries me. Should Sam Presti deal Giddey before he loses value?

7. Houston Rockets

I think the Rockets are the biggest NBA surprise so far. Ime Udoka’s team looked to be repeating their success from the previous three seasons. 

Slow down!

After a 0-3 start, the Rockets won six straight, including against the defending champion Nuggets. 

Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet appear to transform culture. The versatile Jalen Green has made an impact. Alperen Sengun may be the best player gained. 

Can Houston sustain this start? It’s possible the Rockets could be escaping a dire position.

6. Miami Heat

Again, Erik Spoelstra and the Heat seem to be overachieving. The Heat have won five straight after a 1–4 start, despite losing Tyler Herro last week. 

Bam Adebayo leads Miami in scoring, but unheralded guys like Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are helping them win. 

Never underestimate Miami.

5. Dallas Mavs

The Mavericks started the season as another surprise. 

The team had a forgettable free agency season, but some of its moves look to be paying off as support for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. 

Grant Williams stabilizes both ends. Dereck Lively appears to be an all-rookie and draft steal. Even journeyman Derrick Jones Jr. is impactful.

Dallas has a top-tier offense, but their defense is lacking. Does Dallas offer Jaden Hardy at the deadline for perimeter help like Alex Caruso? 

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

It took a year, but the Timberwolves look like the 2022-23 squad they were anticipated to be.

Anthony Edwards apparently became a superstar in year four. Rudy Gobert appears to be the defensive player of the year. Jaden McDaniels may be the best basketball perimeter defender. A slow start appears to be behind Karl Anthony-Towns. 

Kyle Anderson, Naz Reid, and Mike Conley are key players for the Wolves as they try to contend. 

3. Celtics 

Last week’s tough losses to Minnesota/Philadelphia highlighted some of the Celtics’ less obvious weaknesses. 

Boston may have the best top-six in the NBA, but their depth is questionable and they sometimes overuse Tatum/Brown hero ball.

Boston should dominate these charts all year despite these questions.

2. Sixers

After replacing Doc Rivers with Nick Nurse and ending the James Harden era with Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers have improved this season. 

Maxey dropped 50 points last night, contributing to Philly’s hot start. The young Kentucky guard might be an all-star for the first time this year and has a bigger upside than James Harden. 

Philly worries about Kelly Oubre Jr. after his Saturday night mishap. Oubre has been crucial this season and should recover quickly.

1. Nuggets

After losing to the Rockets, the Nuggets reclaim first place. Denver has been the most consistent and seems to be adjusting well without Jamal Murray. 

Off the bench, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson have softened the losses of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. 

Denver should top the mountain all season.