Who are the biggest surprise teams 2 weeks into 2026-2027 NBA season?

The 2026-2027 NBA season began exactly 2 weeks ago from today. A lot has happened in the league during this 2-week time span. Injuries have taken shape throughout the NBA, but that is not the surprising factor. Success among star players, rookies and contenders has been the largest conversation starter. There have also been plenty of surprise teams when reflecting on this season. With that said, it's time to look at the biggest surprising teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Beginning with the Eastern Conference, there's the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers currently sit as the number 1 seed in the conference with a 7-1 record. Their only loss was to last year’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Pistons. The Sixers were expected to be a championship contender following the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. It is not a complete surprise that they are a great team, but it is a surprise, as they sit in the tie for best record in the NBA with the Houston Rockets. Team chemistry often takes time to build, especially when it is a team with several new players added. Health always plays a crucial role for NBA contenders. The 76ers will continue to sit atop the Eastern Conference and dominate the rest of the league, if they stay healthy. The Detroit Pistons follow the Sixers in the standings as the number 2 seed, with a 6-1 record. Their only loss came against the defending champion, the New York Knicks. The Pistons were expected to take a step back following the departures of Tobias Harris, Isiah Stewart and Caris Levert. The Pistons, led by their star Cade Cuningham, have not missed a step since beginning the 2026-2027 season. The Pistons won 60 games and were the 1 seed last season, and they look like they have the best chance to repeat last year's regular season accomplishment. Switching over to the Western Conference, they entered the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are the biggest surprise team of them all, as they currently sit as the number 2 in the Western Conference with a 6-1 record. The Grizzlies entered the new season among several rebuilding teams and have shown much progress with a 6-0 start to their season. Their only loss, recently in overtime to the New Orleans Pelicans. They surprised the entire league with a break-out performance from role player Ty Jerome. Jerome is making an All-star case in the early season, averaging 28 points per game, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and shooting 50% from the field. The Grizzlies have also seen the emergence of rookie of the year candidate Cameron Boozer. Boozer has shown flashes of stardom, averaging nearly 18 points a game, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. It's very early in the season, but it's hard to deny how promising the Jerome and Boozer duo looks 7 games into the season. Lastly, there's the Portland Trail Blazers, who are currently the 3rd seed, with a 5-1 record. The Blazers entered the new season with hopes of taking a leap following their first playoff appearance in 5 years. The Blazers' next steps to contention included the return of former face of the franchise, Damien Lillard, and the addition of former All-star, Ja Morant. The addition of Lillard and Morant, along with All-star Deni Avija, has created a big 3 in Portland. Prior to Morant’s recent injury, the Blazers' offense looked dangerous and dominant in the early games played. They began their season 3-0 with their only loss to the surprising Memphis Grizzlies. In Morant's absence, Avija and Lillard have played like a dynamic duo in wins against the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets. If the Blazers' offense continues to show flashes of greatness, they will be a problem in the Western Conference. So who are the biggest surprise teams in the early part of the 2026-2027 NBA season? Is the success of these teams sustainable as the month of November begins. An NBA season is long and played like a marathon. While the early success of these teams is promising, it's best to remember that it's not how you start a season, but how you finish it.