The NBA hits Week 8 with momentum, movement, and a 23–1 titan at the top. NBA Cup Week compressed the schedule, injuries reshaped rotations, and five franchises separated themselves from the pack with a mix of dominance, resilience, and surprising consistency.
#1 — Oklahoma City Thunder (23–1)
Last Week: 1 | Net Rating: +15.9 (1st)
Oklahoma City is playing with the confidence of a heavyweight who already knows the end of the story. Even without a fully healthy rotation, incredibly, their top seven haven’t shared the floor once this season, they extended their winning streak to 15 games and continue to post elite two-way efficiency.
Jalen Williams’ return has added a downhill burst that reshapes the offense. With him in the lineup, OKC scores 120.1 points per 100 possessions even without Shai, which is an absurd number for a secondary-led unit. They’re faster, more decisive, and absolutely lethal in early-clock actions. The incredible part? This team still has another gear once they get healthy.
Week 8 NBA Schedule: vs PHX, vs LAL/SAS
#2 — Denver Nuggets (17–6)
Last Week: 2 | Net Rating: +8.6 (3rd)
Denver just completed one of the most impressive road stretches of any team this season, a three-game sweep, including a 23-point comeback in Atlanta that showcased their poise. The Nuggets have quietly solved their biggest recent flaw: sustainability without Jokic. Their non-Jokic minutes sit at –2.8 per 100, their best mark in two years.
Jamal Murray’s return to full form is a massive factor. His shot creation saved them in Atlanta, while the team’s strange statistical split — losing four straight at home but winning ten straight on the road, makes them one of the league’s most unpredictable contenders.
Week 8 NBA Schedule: @ SAC
#3 — Los Angeles Lakers (17–6)
Last Week: 4 ↑ | Net Rating: +2.0 (14th)
The Lakers are a paradox: mediocre advanced metrics but lethal late in games. They maintain a perfect clutch record and continue to lean on the brilliance of LeBron James, who ended his streak of 1,297 consecutive double-digit games only to immediately begin a new one the next night.
But the real story is the three-man chemistry between LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves. Every two-player combination among them produces elite offensive efficiency, and Reaves erupting for 40 points per game in non-Luka matchups is one of the wildest statistical quirks of the season. The Lakers aren’t flawless, but they’re terrifying when it matters.
Week 8 NBA Schedule: vs SAS, vs OKC/PHX
#4 — Houston Rockets (15–6)
Last Week: 3 ↓ | Net Rating: +10.8 (2nd)
Houston split the week with a statement win over Phoenix and a reality check in Dallas. Without Sengun, the Rockets’ turnover issues spike dramatically, and it cost them possessions in high-leverage stretches. Still, they remain elite in shot quality and interior creation despite ranking dead last in three-point rate.
The loss to Dallas marked their first defeat outside of the clutch this season — a reminder that even top-tier teams can lose rhythm when their offensive hub is resting. The Rockets remain a statistical juggernaut with one of the league’s sharpest defensive identities.
Week 8 NBA Schedule: vs LAC
#5 — Detroit Pistons (19–5)
Last Week: 5 | Net Rating: +5.4 (6th)
The #1 seed in the East continues to validate their record. Detroit split with Milwaukee after Giannis went down, but Cade Cunningham’s rise is the bigger story. He now ranks #2 in clutch scoring, powering their offense through seven straight clutch-heavy games.
The Pistons’ question marks remain rotation-based. Jaden Ivey is producing strong efficiency but remains stuck in limited minutes as Monty Williams prioritizes defensive lineups. Even so, Detroit’s balance, discipline, and late-game execution hold up against elite opponents.
Week 8: vs ATL