One week in, six teams are still perfect and the defending champions have not won a game. Luka Doncic dropped 52, Detroit pulled off the comeback of opening night, and Nikola Jokic is one triple-double away from 200. Every number here is as of October 26, 2026.
After Week 1 of the 2026-27 NBA season, six teams are 3-0: the Timberwolves, Lakers, Pistons, Grizzlies, Thunder and Rockets. The defending champion Knicks are 0-3, the first reigning champ to start that way since the 2011-12 Mavericks. Standings as of October 26, 2026.
Week 1 standings: the 3-0 club and the 0-3 club
| Still unbeaten (3-0) | Still winless (0-3) |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | New York Knicks |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Golden State Warriors |
| Detroit Pistons | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Brooklyn Nets |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Sacramento Kings |
| Houston Rockets | Miami Heat |
| New Orleans Pelicans |
Three games is a tiny sample, but the split is telling: five of the six unbeaten teams play in the West.
The Knicks are 0-3, and that is rare for a champion
New York lost the banner-night opener to Philadelphia 106-100, lost by four in Boston, then lost 111-102 at home to an Orlando team that was also winless. Per ESPN, the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks were the last defending champion to drop their first three games.
The Orlando loss is the one that should worry Knicks fans. New York led by 10 with 9:20 left and still lost, because the Magic poured in 40 points in the fourth quarter. Franz Wagner scored 21 of his 23 in that quarter, and the Knicks shot 9 of 38 from three. In a league built on the three-point line, that is very hard to survive.
Luka Doncic scores 52 as the Lakers go 3-0
The best game of the week came Sunday in Salt Lake City. Doncic scored 52 points with 10 assists in a 132-123 win over the Jazz, shooting 17 of 30 from the field and 8 of 18 from deep. Utah led by 18 in the first half and lost anyway.
It was the 10th 50-point regular-season game of his career, which moves him past Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the all-time list. The Lakers have scored at least 125 points in all three games, and right now they are the most fun team in the West.
| Player | Game | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic, LAL | 132-123 win at Utah, Oct. 25 | 52 PTS, 10 AST |
| Jamal Murray, DEN | 141-135 OT win vs. New Orleans, Oct. 24 | 42 PTS |
| Nikola Jokic, DEN | 141-135 OT win vs. New Orleans, Oct. 24 | 35 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST |
| Cade Cunningham, DET | 106-93 win at Philadelphia, Oct. 25 | 26 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST |
Detroit’s 23-0 run set the tone
The Pistons trailed Boston 72-50 in the third quarter on opening night, then ripped off a 23-0 run in about five minutes of the fourth and won 121-113. According to NBA.com, that 22-point rally was the biggest comeback on the first day of a season since 1997-98. Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham each scored 22.
Sunday was more impressive. Without Duren (hamstring) and Ausar Thompson (ankle), Detroit went to Philadelphia and handed the 76ers their first loss, 106-93. Philadelphia never led. Cunningham had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Winning like that without two starters makes Detroit the team to beat in the East.
Milestone watch: Jokic sits at 199
Denver fell behind New Orleans by 23 on Saturday and won 141-135 in overtime. Murray scored 42, and Jokic posted 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his 199th regular-season triple-double, which is a double-double with a third category added. That leaves him one short of 200 and 10 behind Russell Westbrook’s record of 209.
At his pace, the record could fall before the All-Star break. Keep track of every big date on the calendar with our NBA countdown.
The scare of the week: Jalen Williams
Oklahoma City beat the Clippers 108-101 on Sunday to reach 3-0, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 34. The win came at a cost. With 1:14 left, Jalen Williams landed awkwardly on his left leg after a drive and was taken off the court on a stretcher, per theScore. As of October 26, the Thunder had not announced a diagnosis.
Next up: Emirates NBA Cup group games start Friday, October 30.
Keep learning
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20-point streak ends at 141 games
- NBA opening night 2026-27: storylines and milestones
- What is a triple-double in basketball?
FAQ
Which NBA teams are still unbeaten?
As of October 26, 2026, six teams are 3-0: Minnesota, the Lakers, Detroit, Memphis, Oklahoma City and Houston.
When did a defending champion last start 0-3?
Before this year’s Knicks, the last reigning champion to lose its first three games was the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks.
How many triple-doubles does Nikola Jokic have?
Jokic has 199 regular-season triple-doubles as of October 26, 2026. That is second all time, behind Russell Westbrook’s 209.
Sources
- NBA.com: Pistons use 23-0 run to storm back for season-opening win over Celtics
- ESPN: Brunson on the Knicks’ sputtering offense amid 0-3 start
- Yahoo Sports: The records Luka Doncic broke in his 52-point game
- theScore: Jalen Williams stretchered off vs. Clippers with leg injury
- SRN News: Luka Doncic explodes for 52 to lead Lakers past Jazz