Grading Every NBA Team's Starting Lineup So Far

A successful starting lineup will almost always dictate how well an NBA team performs. A good bench certainly helps, although the starting five sets the tone for the entire game.

Now a few weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, we're getting a decent sample size for nearly every team. Grades will be based primarily on net rating together, although the team's record with these starters matters as well.

Injuries have certainly affected a number of starting lineups, although we're looking at every team's ideal healthy starting five while leaving out players who have yet to make their season debut due to injury (Jimmy Butler, etc).

Here's how the starting five for all 30 NBA teams grade out so far.

Note: NBA lineup net ratings via Cleaning the Glass .

ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS

Starting 5: PG CJ McCollum, SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF Dyson Daniels, PF Jalen Johnson, C Onyeka Okongwu

Net Rating/Record: plus-4.5 (201 total possessions), 3-4 overall

There's a lot to like about this starting lineup for the Atlanta Hawks, even if the end result has just been OK so far.

Johnson is the alpha of the group yet is seeing a dip in his numbers and efficiency this season while dealing with an ankle injury. Alexander-Walker is making his All-Star case with a team-high 21.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and a 40.3 percent mark from three, proving to be one of the best values in the NBA. Daniels is leading the league in steals (3.0 per game).

This Hawks group needs a healthy Johnson to hit its peak, but has been fine so far overall.

Starting 5: PG Derrick White, SG Jordan Walsh, SF Jayson Tatum, PF Paul George, C Mitchell Robinson

Net Rating/Record: plus-17.8 (90 total possessions), 4-1 overall

The Boston Celtics are off to a 5-2 start overall despite tinkering with their starting five. Only three players (Tatum, George and White) have remained as a constant presence in the opening lineup.

Their most-used lineup featuring Walsh and Robinson has been very effective, despite neither contributing much offensively. George has been a pleasant surprise, as the 36-year-old is putting up 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals as the No. 2 to Tatum.

This five has been fueled by an elite defense ( 100.0 rating ), although players like Neemias Queta, Baylor Scheierman and Hugo González have all spent time in the starting lineup as well.

Starting 5: PG Egor Dёmin, SG Keon Ellis, SF Michael Porter Jr., PF Julius Randle, C Day'Ron Sharpe

Net Rating/Record: minus-1.1 (105 total possessions), 0-3 overall

The Nets' starting lineup is guaranteed to ebb and flow throughout the year as young players are rotated in and out. Porter and Randle could be big names at the trade deadline, as both veterans are currently averaging over 20 points per game.

For now, a near neutral net rating is quite surprising, especially given Brooklyn's 1-6 record overall. Sharpe is proving himself to be a reliable defensive anchor, as the Nets give up 11.0 fewer points per 100 possessions with the 24-year-old center on the floor.

Mikel Brown Jr. should start at some point, although the rookie guard is making just 29.8 percent of his total shots to begin his young career.

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Starting 5: PG: Coby White, SG: Kon Knueppel, SF: Brandon Miller, PF: Naz Reid, C: Moussa Diabaté

We finally saw the Charlotte Hornets' long-awaited starting five in action for the first time on Wednesday night, although Knueppel lasted just six minutes before leaving the game due to soreness in his left leg. The runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 2025-26 had missed the first eight games of the regular season while recovering from a left hamstring strain suffered during the preseason.

This is a starting five that definitely needs his offense and overall gravity. Miller and Reid are both shooting 39.5 percent or lower overall and White only recently made his season debut following a calf injury.

It doesn't feel right to grade the Hornets yet. We'll slap them with an incomplete and move on.

Starting 5: PG Josh Giddey, SG Norman Powell, SF Matas Buzelis, PF Caleb Wilson, C Jalen Smith

Net Rating/Record: minus-14.3 (210 total possessions), 1-6 overall

One of the few NBA teams who have rolled out the same starting five in every game this season, perhaps the Chicago Bulls should be rethinking this strategy.

Nic Claxton has yet to make his season debut because of a hamstring injury. His eventual return should help a defense that's allowing a whopping 123.3 points per 100 possessions (12th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass ). Smith is a fine backup, but he's being asked to play too large of a role right now.

Josh Giddey looks lost when trying to create his own offense this season. After averaging 17.0 points on 44.8 percent shooting overall in 2025-26, he's down to a career-worst 9.1 points on 36.9 percent.

Saying a change is needed is an understatement, but the Bulls don't appear to have any better options on the bench.

Starting 5: PG James Harden, SG Donovan Mitchell, SF Peyton Watson, PF Evan Mobley, C Jarrett Allen

Net Rating/Record: minus-21.7 (159 total possessions), 4-2 overall

Watson was supposed to be the missing piece in the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting five, as the 6'8" wing brings the size and two-way versatility this team needed at small forward.

Watson's defense has been excellent, although the 24-year-old is shooting just 16.7 percent from three to begin his Cavs career. Mitchell's shot attempts and scoring are down as Cleveland tries to work in its new pieces (including second-round phenom Meleek Thomas), but those numbers should return to normal in time.

Giving Harden a fully guaranteed three-year contract already looks like a terrible decision, as the 37-year-old has a swing rating of minus-22.6 (8th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass ) to begin the season.

Starting 5: PG Kyrie Irving, SG Max Christie, SF Cooper Flagg, PF P.J. Washington, C Daniel Gafford

Net Rating/Record: plus-5.3 (81 total possessions), 4-1 overall

The Dallas Mavericks should be pleased with how the starting five (and team in general) has performed so far.

Irving looks good coming off a torn ACL (21.4 points, 4.8 assists, 39.0 percent from three). Starting center candidate Dereck Lively II is still recovering from foot surgery, and Flagg remains a teenager for another month and a half. The ceiling for this group is quite high.

If Flagg (23.3 percent), Washington (29.5 percent) and Christie (27.0 percent) can start knocking down more of their three-pointers, this already surging offense ( 130.9 rating ) will reach another level.

Starting 5: PG Jamal Murray, SG Christian Braun, SF Cameron Johnson, PF Aaron Gordon, C Nikola Jokić

Net Rating/Record: plus-11.0 (92 total possessions), 1-2 overall

The record doesn't necessarily show it, although the Denver Nuggets still have one of the best starting fives in all of basketball. Unfortunately, a questionable bench has helped contribute to a modest 3-3 record to begin the year.

Murray, not Jokić, has led the offensive charge for Denver, averaging a career-high 27.3 points to go along with 5.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals and a sparkling 51.9 percent mark from outside the arc. His workload will need to be monitored, however, as Murray's 38.3 minutes per game lead the NBA.

Christian Braun is enjoying a bounce-back season (15.2 points, 2.3 steals, 40.6 percent from three) and Jokić is still arguably the NBA's best player, even if his raw numbers are down.

Starting 5: PG Cade Cunningham, SG Ausar Thompson, SF Duncan Robinson, PF John Collins, C Jalen Duren

Net Rating/Record: plus-41.0 (30 total possessions), 2-0 overall

The good news? The Detroit Pistons' starting five has the best net rating of any team in the NBA. The bad news? We're drawing from a tiny sample size, as Duren played just two games before going down with a hamstring injury. He could be back in as little as a week, however.

Robinson isn't going to average 17.9 points for the entire season. Collins (8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds) needs to play a bigger role and Ausar Thompson has attempted just three total threes in his six games (and is yet to make one).

There are reasons to question the long-term success of this starting five, even if the very early results have been great.

Starting 5: PG Stephen Curry, SG Brandin Podziemski, SF Gui Santos, PF Yaxel Lendeborg, C Draymond Green

Net Rating/Record: plus-31.7 (41 total possessions), 2-0 overall

Winners of five straight following a 0-3 start to the year, the Golden State Warriors appear to have found a starting lineup that's working.

Curry has turned back the clock (30.0 points, 42.9 percent from three), and Lendeborg, the 11th overall pick, has become a necessary secondary scoring option while the team awaits Jimmy Butler's return from a torn ACL.

Putting a 36-year-old, 6'6" Green at center on a full-time basis may not work for the entire year, however, as the Warriors have gone small by necessity. It's a limited sample size for sure, although Curry and a (mostly) new-look supporting cast have been effective thus far.

Starting 5: PG Fred VanVleet, SG Amen Thompson, SF Kevin Durant, PF Jabari Smith Jr., C Alperen Şengün

Net Rating/Record: plus-12.2 (99 total possessions), 4-0 overall

The Houston Rockets have been waiting to try out this starting lineup for over a year, as VanVleet is now recovered from a torn ACL suffered right before the start of the 2025-26 season.

VanVleet's ability to take care of the ball has been crazy good, as the veteran point guard has racked up 41 total assists against just six turnovers in his first six games. Smith is averaging a career-high 18.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting from three and Şengün (23.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists) is a nightly triple-double threat.

A modest 20.8 points per game for Durant is the lowest he's averaged since his rookie season with the Seattle SuperSonics nearly two decades ago. This should be a positive for Houston, as it means the rest of the roster has played well enough that the 38-year-old no longer has to shoulder such a big offensive load.

Starting 5: PG Tyrese Haliburton, SG Andrew Nembhard, SF Aaron Nesmith, PF Pascal Siakam, C Ivica Zubac

Net Rating/Record: plus-6.9 (17 total possessions), 1-0 overall

Indiana Pacers fans have to be among the most patient people on the planet. Injuries continue to pile up for the franchise, as this new-look starting five has played just a single game together all season.

Haliburton, currently week-to-week with a hamstring injury, did look really good in his four games in a return from a torn Achilles. The 26-year-old was averaging a career-high 21.8 points along with 4.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.3 steals and a 51.6 percent shooting mark overall.

This is the smallest sample size of any NBA team's starting lineup, although there's no reason to believe this group can't work together. Four of these starters did make it one game short of winning an NBA title together, after all.

Starting 5: PG Darius Garland, SG Kris Dunn, SF Derrick Jones Jr., PF Rui Hachimura, C Isaiah Jackson

Net Rating/Record: minus-0.2 (155 total possessions), 1-4 overall

The Los Angeles Clippers' starting five has done surprisingly well considering Brandon Ingram, their projected leading scorer, is still recovering from a partially torn Achilles and is yet to make his season debut.

Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (foot) and Bradley Beal (knee) are starting contenders who have also been unable to play due to injury.

The fact that this group is keeping up with other teams' starting fives is admirable, despite the lowly overall record.

Garland (20.1 points, 6.6 assists) is fueling what little offense this injury-depleted Clippers team can muster right now as he awaits the return of Ingram as a co-leading man.

Starting 5: PG Luka Dončić, SG Austin Reaves, SF Ziaire Williams, PF Matisse Thybulle, C Walker Kessler

Net Rating/Record: plus-19.3 (107 total possessions), 3-1 overall

Dončić leads the NBA at 38.3 points per game—a pace that, if maintained over a qualifying full season, would rank fourth in league history, behind three Wilt Chamberlain seasons.

This starting five is all about maximizing Dončić's playmaking ability without taking away too many of his shot opportunities. Wings like Williams, Jake LaRavia and Quentin Grimes have all started games for the Lakers this season, as Dončić, Reaves, Thybulle and Kessler have been permanently stamped into the opening five.

Kessler is playing his role perfectly (14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 71.4 percent shooting) and Austin Reaves is putting up All-Star numbers (23.6 points, 5.1 assists, 44.4 percent from three) even alongside such a ball-dominant force in Dončić.

There's no great option at small forward, although the Lakers' starting five has been excellent overall.

Starting 5: PG Ty Jerome, SG Cedric Coward, SF Jaylen Wells, PF Cameron Boozer, C Zach Edey

Net Rating/Record: plus-7.7 (105 total possessions), 3-1 overall

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the NBA season, the 6-1 Memphis Grizzlies are being fueled by elite outside shooting and a starting five that simply doesn't turn the ball over (8.6 percent, 100th percentile via Cleaning the Glass ).

Save for Jerome, the other four Grizzlies starters are all on rookie contracts. Boozer, who turned 19 on July 18, is the youngest player in the NBA, making this early success even more remarkable.

The net number here isn't as eye-popping as some other units on this list, although a positive net rating and strong record earn the Grizzlies high marks early on.

Starting 5: PG Davion Mitchell, SG Klay Thompson, SF Andrew Wiggins, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, C Bam Adebayo

Net Rating/Record: minus-11.9 (168 total possessions), 2-5 overall

Exactly how long is it going to take for the Miami Heat to bench Thompson? While he's certainly not the only problem in South Beach right now, the veteran wing has a defensive swing rating of plus-21.4 (2nd percentile, via Cleaning the Glass ).

There's simply no reason a unit that includes Adebayo, Antetokounmpo, Mitchell and Wiggins should be allowing 134.5 points per 100 possessions to opponents.

Antetokounmpo has been amazing per usual (28.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists), ranking in the top four in the NBA in both scoring and rebounding. This supporting cast is severely short on guards, however, and can't be relying on Thompson to be anything close to the two-way force he once was.

Unless Tim Hardaway Jr. starts hitting some shots, Miami doesn't have a good option to replace Thompson with in the starting lineup right now.

Starting 5: PG Ryan Rollins, SG Tyler Herro, SF Jaime Jaquez Jr., PF Kyle Kuzma, C Myles Turner

Net Rating/Record: plus-20.9 (167 total possessions), 1-5 overall

Rookie Brayden Burries has recently entered the starting lineup in place of Rollins, although the Milwaukee Bucks could use a time machine to bring back prime Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and they would still struggle to stack wins together with this roster.

A 1-6 start to the season certainly isn't the fault of the starting five, however, as the Bucks possess the sixth-highest net rating of any opening unit in the NBA this year.

Herro has that contract-year glow (21.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 43.1 percent from three) and Jaquez Jr. is thriving in an everyday starting role (16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 44.0 percent from three).

The net rating is certainly "A" worthy, although a lousy record keeps this starting five at a B-plus.

Starting 5: PG LaMelo Ball, SG Anthony Edwards, SF Jaden McDaniels, PF Jonathan Kuminga, C Rudy Gobert

Net Rating/Record: plus-28.3 (119 total possessions), 3-1 overall

A 3-0 start to the season with all three victories coming by 22 points or more was a great early sign that this new-look Minnesota Timberwolves team is for real. We'll have to wait until Christmas to see more evidence, however.

Edwards is expected to return around this time following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He was second in the NBA in scoring at 33.3 points per game through four appearances when he went down.

We knew this squad had some serious offensive potential with the additions of Ball and Kuminga, although it's the defense of this starting five ( 86.8 rating, 94th percentile ) that was perhaps the most impressive.

Starting 5: PG Dejounte Murray, SG Jeremiah Fears, SF Trey Murphy III, PF Zion Williamson, C Yves Missi

Net Rating/Record: minus-34.2 (50 total possessions), 0-2 overall

Even when they return to full health, the New Orleans Pelicans should not use the same starting lineup they began the season with. This was the worst net rating among all 30 teams in the NBA.

The good news? The two most frequently used lineups by New Orleans have both been overwhelmingly positive and feature nine different players. It's still early enough in the season for the Pelicans and new head coach Jamahl Mosley to figure out which player combinations will work the best together.

There's a fair amount of talent in New Orleans, although we have no idea how all of it fits.

Starting 5: PG Jalen Brunson, SG Josh Hart, SF Mikal Bridges, PF OG Anunoby, C Karl-Anthony Towns

Net Rating/Record: minus-4.9 (190 total possessions), 3-4 overall

With a negative net rating and losing record with their regular starting five, should the New York Knicks consider making a major change? Relax, Knicks fans, we're joking.

This isn't the start to the season that New York would have liked, although there's a banner hanging in Madison Square Garden that says this group can work just fine.

Mikal Bridges (6.1 points, 30.8 percent shooting) will inevitably be better and Jalen Brunson is beginning to heat up following a lukewarm start to the season. This is still one of the best starting lineups in all of basketball, especially when the lights are the brightest.

Starting 5: PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG Cason Wallace, SF Jalen Williams, PF Chet Holmgren, C Isaiah Hartenstein

Net Rating/Record: minus-6.5 (61 total possessions), 3-0 overall

This starting five for the Oklahoma City Thunder somehow registered just two possessions together all of last season. Unfortunately, this year they'll cap their run at 61.

Williams (and possibly Wallace) will most likely miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Holmgren is out for 8-to-10 weeks with a knee injury as well.

For now, the Thunder are piecing together whatever healthy bodies they can find. A poor net rating for this group in their three games together was surprising, especially since they went a perfect 3-0.

Starting 5: PG Jalen Suggs, SG Desmond Bane, SF Franz Wagner, PF Paolo Banchero, C Wendell Carter Jr.

Net Rating/Record: minus-6.9 (58 total possessions), 0-2 overall

Few teams have been impacted by injuries more than the Orlando Magic the past few years. Unfortunately, this season has been no different.

This starting five got exactly two games together before Banchero and Suggs suffered injuries, although the results with their core didn't look good, either. Banchero is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks with a low grade high ankle sprain.

A 2-5 start to the season doesn't bode well for the future of this team, especially with injuries always seeming to be a factor. Don't be surprised if this starting five looks completely different by the end of the year.

Starting 5: PG Tyrese Maxey, SG VJ Edgecombe, SF Jaylen Brown, PF LeBron James, C Joel Embiid

Net Rating/Record: plus-20.1 (132 total possessions), 5-0 overall

It took the Philadelphia 76ers roughly one half of a basketball game to mesh all of their new stars together, which has to be some sort of a record.

This group that now features James and Brown is a perfect 5-0 together with a sparkling net rating, seemingly finding the right balance between their scorers and playmakers.

While it's weird to see James averaging 16.2 points per game as a fourth option, it's exactly the role this Philly team needs him to play. Maxey has been correctly used as the alpha, with both Brown and Embiid serving as complementary scorers.

Surprisingly, it's been the defense that's carried this unit ( 85.9 rating, 100th percentile ) amidst an average scoring attack (106.1 rating, 41st percentile).

Starting 5: PG Devin Booker, SG Jalen Green, SF Dillon Brooks, PF Miles Bridges, C Khaman Maluach

Net Rating/Record: minus-29.6 (125 total possessions), 1-4 overall

The Phoenix Suns' decision to not play a traditional point guard is one that's reportedly frustrating the rest of a shot-hungry starting five.

Yes, the offense could use some more shot creation, although it's been the defense that's really been the weakness of this starting five ( 135.2 rating, zero percentile ).

Khaman Maluach has all the physical tools to be a defensive anchor at 7'1", yet barely played as a rookie (411 total minutes) and is only starting until Mark Williams can return from a torn labrum.

Green needs to embrace a sixth man role immediately, with Collin Gillespie added to the starting five in his place.

Starting 5: PG Ja Morant, SG Damian Lillard, SF Toumani Camara, PF Deni Avdija, C Donovan Clingan

Net Rating/Record: plus-21.8 (87 total possessions), 3-1 overall

The Lillard-Morant backcourt experiment was working extremely well for four games, as the Portland Trail Blazers got off to a 3-1 start.

Morant was averaging 15.8 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from three, showing off an improved outside shot. Unfortunately, injuries continue to plague his career as a hamstring strain could keep Morant sidelined until December.

Lillard is averaging 19.3 points in his return from a torn Achilles, Clingan l eads the NBA in rebound percentage and Camara can't miss a shot from inside the arc right now (85.7 percent).

Starting 5: PG Darius Acuff Jr., SG Zach LaVine, SF De'Andre Hunter, PF Keegan Murray, C Domantas Sabonis

Net Rating/Record: minus-30.7 (58 total possessions), 0-2 overall

Defense was supposed to be the primary concern for the Sacramento Kings, although their opening-season starting lineup has a measly offensive rating of 87.9 together. Acuff leads the NBA in shot attempts per game (23.6) as a rookie, the most by a first-year player since Elvin Hayes in 1968-69 .

On a positive note, Sabonis is leading the league in rebounding (14.6) and is shooting 72.4 percent from the field overall. Acuff has shot the ball better the past few games after a shaky start, giving Kings fans some hope that this season won't be completely lost.

Starting 5: PG De'Aaron Fox, SG Stephon Castle, SF Dylan Harper, PF Devin Vassell, C Victor Wembanyama

Net Rating/Record: plus-26.8 (58 total possessions), 5-2 overall

Switching to a three-guard lineup this season (four if you count Vassell) was a risk for the San Antonio Spurs, although the early results have been overwhelmingly positive.

The Spurs have won five straight contests, with all three guards averaging at least 14.7 points and 5.0 assists per game. That's a lot of scoring and playmaking to place around Victor Wembanyama, who once again leads the NBA in blocks (4.0 per game).

The rebounding hasn't suffered despite going smaller, as San Antonio ranks No. 8 overall in total rebound percentage .

Starting 5: PG Immanuel Quickley, SG RJ Barrett, SF Scottie Barnes, PF Kawhi Leonard, C Jakob Poeltl

Net Rating/Record: minus-5.7 (53 total possessions), 2-0 overall

Leonard's return to the Toronto Raptors lasted just two games before injuries once again delayed his career. The 35-year-old forward is currently out for a few weeks to address swelling in his left knee.

A 2-0 record was a nice start, although an offensive rating of just 92.5 limited some high-level defense by this group.

Some good news? The Raptors' most-used lineup this year featuring Ja'Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles in place of Leonard and Poeltl is up to a plus-20.2 net rating in their first 66 possessions together.

Starting 5: PG Keyonte George, SG Darryn Peterson, SF Ace Bailey, PF Lauri Markkanen, C Jaren Jackson Jr.

Net Rating/Record: minus-2.2 (89 total possessions), 1-2 overall

If the goal was to start Jackson and Jusuf Nurkić in the frontcourt together, Utah Jazz fans will need to wait awhile to see this union take place.

Nurkić has yet to play this year due to a foot injury, while Jackson could remain out until Christmas with a torn MCL.

Going small with Jackson at center helped keep the net rating respectable for a now 1-7 Jazz team, one that's forced to start Jaxson Hayes and play Mo Bamba for healthy minutes off the bench.

This isn't a lost season yet. Hopefully we still get to see what a Jackson-Nurkić frontcourt can look like before all playoff dreams are gone.

Starting 5: PG Trae Young, SG Kyshawn George, SF AJ Dybantsa, PF Anthony Davis, C Alex Sarr

Net Rating/Record: plus-13.6 (201 total possessions), 1-1 overall

A starting unit featuring Young has a stingy defensive rating of 96.6 . Perhaps the Washington Wizards knew what they were doing with the Davis trade after all.

Washington has found a good blend of veteran and young talent in its opening lineup, as Young leads the NBA in assists (10.0), Davis has played in all seven games, and Dybantsa is off to a good start to his career (19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds).

Can the Wizards' starting five keep up the strong play, or will injuries eventually haunt Davis and Young?