# NBA Defense Rankings for 2026-27 Season

> CBS Sports ranks NBA teams' defenses for 2026-27 season.
- Title: NBA Defense Rankings for 2026-27 Season · CBS Sports
- Summary: CBS Sports ranks NBA teams' defenses for 2026-27 season. CBS Sports projects the NBA's top 30 defensive rankings for the 2026-27 season based on pre-season…
- Keywords: nba, defense, 2026-27 season, rankings, cbs sports, thunder, spurs, celtics, knicks, pistons, rockets, heat
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/ranking-every-nba-defense-2026-27-season-thunder-spurs
- Published: 2026-10-09T18:36:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nba, defense, 2026-27 season, rankings, cbs sports, thunder, spurs, celtics, knicks, pistons, rockets, heat
## Pre-Season Defense Rankings
CBS Sports releases pre-season rankings for all 30 NBA teams' defenses for the 2026-27 season.
## Thunder Lead Defense Projections
Oklahoma City Thunder projected as top defense with 2025-26 rating of 106.5.
## Spurs' Defensive Strength
San Antonio Spurs ranked 3rd with 2025-26 defensive rating of 110.4.
## Raptors' Defensive Strategy
Toronto Raptors ranked 5th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.1.
## Pistons' Physical Defense
Detroit Pistons ranked 2nd with 2025-26 defensive rating of 108.9.
## Rockets' Defensive Challenges
Houston Rockets ranked 6th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.1.
## Heat's Zone Defense
Miami Heat ranked 14th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 113.6.
## Celtics' Elite Defense
Boston Celtics ranked 4th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 111.7.
## Knicks' Defensive Improvements
New York Knicks ranked 7th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.3.
## Hawks' Rebounding Strength
Atlanta Hawks ranked 10th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.9.
## Magic's Defensive Struggles
Orlando Magic ranked 13th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 113.6.
## Pacers' Defensive Weakness
Indiana Pacers ranked 24th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 117.9.
## Timberwolves' Extreme Defense
Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 8th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.5.
## Trail Blazers' Backcourt Issues
Portland Trail Blazers ranked 12th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 113.5.
## Cavaliers' Rim Protection
Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 15th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 114.1.
## Lakers' Defensive Shift
Los Angeles Lakers ranked 20th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 115.5.
## 76ers' Defensive Challenges
Philadelphia 76ers ranked 17th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 114.4.
## Suns' Roster Changes
Phoenix Suns ranked 9th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 112.9.
## Mavericks' Transition
Dallas Mavericks ranked 19th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 115.5.
## Hornets' Rebounding Strength
Charlotte Hornets ranked 11th with 2025-26 defensive rating of 113.5.
## Key takeaway

CBS Sports projects the NBA's top 30 defensive rankings for the 2026-27 season based on pre-season analysis.