The 2026-27 NBA season tips off with San Antonio Spurs ranked first and a highly competitive Eastern Conference led by the Knicks; 14 teams are considered legitimate title contenders.
01Summary
- 01The Spurs are the No. 1 team in CBS Sports' opening power rankings for the 2026-27 season.
- 02The Knicks lead a reloaded Eastern Conference, with at least 14 teams believing they can compete for the championship.
- 03The rankings are based on 'championship viability' and will shift to reflect current trends as the season progresses.
02Why it matters
This ranking sets the stage for the season, highlighting which teams are viewed as serious title threats and how the competitive landscape shapes up across the league.
Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.




