Bleacher Report ranks Knicks third, 76ers fourth before preseason

Clippers sit 30th while Lakers open at No. 12.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 57m1 min read

NBA POWER RANKINGS AHEAD OF THE PRESEASON 🔥 30. Clippers 23. Warriors 12. Lakers 4. 76ers 3. Knicks See full rankings Via @BleacherReport on X

What happened: Bleacher Report placed the New York Knicks at No. 3 and the Philadelphia 76Ers at No. 4 in its NBA power rankings ahead of the preseason. The Los Angeles Lakers came in at No. 12, the Golden State Warriors at No. 23 and the La Clippers at No. 30.

Why it matters: Those slots separate New York and Philadelphia from the other three named teams before exhibition games even begin. Early preseason rankings do not change the standings, but they set an outside expectation line for teams entering camp with very different levels of confidence.

By the numbers: Among the five teams listed, the gap from No. 3 New York to No. 30 the Clippers spans 27 spots. The Knicks are one spot ahead of the 76Ers, nine ahead of the Lakers, 20 ahead of the Warriors and 27 ahead of the Clippers.

What to watch: Watch whether preseason results or roster changes shift that order once camps turn into games. The next ranking update will show whether any of those teams move quickly off their opening slot.

Sources

@BleacherReport 2026-10-02T20:47:20.220622+00:00

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