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NBA tiers: From title-or-bust all the way down to the relegation zone

The NBA pre-season is behind us, and the real thing tips off Tuesday. But before the ball flies, Sportsnet’s Steven Loung sorts all 30 teams into contention tiers.

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 12:40 PM
NBA tiers: From title-or-bust all the way down to the relegation zone
Key Things to Know
  • Steven Loung grouped all 30 NBA teams into six tiers ahead of the 2026-27 regular season.
  • Loung ranks the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs as Tier 1 title-or-bust contenders.
  • The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Indiana Pacers comprise Tier 2.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Sportsnet writer Steven Loung organized all 30 NBA teams into six tiers ahead of the regular season, ranking clubs from championship contenders to the bottom tier. Loung places the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs in the top tier as the league's only definitive "title or bust" squads.

Loung classifies balanced contenders such as the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets in Tier 2, while placing talented yet volatile rosters like the Philadelphia 76ers in Tier 3. Meanwhile, teams such as the Golden State Warriors are labeled as play-in candidates, and six clubs, including the Brooklyn Nets, fall into the lowest relegation tier.

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