NBA title race shifts: reranking 10 biggest favorites with Jalen Williams off the board

Oklahoma City faces major losses

The Thunder’s championship pursuit was shaken when Jalen Williams dislocated his left ankle and fractured his fibula. Cason Wallace tore the labrum in his left shoulder, and both players are set to undergo surgery.

They are expected to miss several months, potentially most or all of the season. Oklahoma City’s depth remains a strength, but the injuries open more room for other teams to challenge for the title.

Boston and Los Angeles show promise

Boston has had an uneven start, but Jayson Tatum bounced back from a difficult opener against Detroit by scoring heavily against New York. The Celtics have a regular-season approach built around defense, rebounding and three-point shooting.

Their playoff offense remains an open question, particularly with Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia. The Lakers, meanwhile, have built their offense around Luka Dončić, with Walker Kessler offering a promising pick-and-roll partner when healthy.

Austin Reaves gives Los Angeles another strong option, and the team is expected to have a top-five offense. Its depth is a concern, though, while coach J.J. Redick has shown creativity in solving problems.

Philadelphia and Toronto carry questions

Philadelphia opened 3-1, including comeback victories over New York and Cleveland. The team has looked strong after halftime, but injuries have left its bench thin, and the half-court offense has struggled when Joel Embiid sits.

Toronto has the personnel to become one of the league’s best defensive teams, with Scottie Barnes anchoring the defense and Collin Murray-Boyles making an impact off the bench. Kawhi Leonard’s knee swelling kept him out of a loss to Minnesota, creating an early concern for the Raptors.