NBA grades for every East team at the one-quarter mark, plus each squad’s early MVP

As more than half of the NBA's 30 teams have played 21 or more games, we are reaching the end of the season's first quarter, which can mean only one thing: It is high time for our first report card of 2025-26.

Here we grade on a scale against expectations. If, for example, the Washington Wizards (3-17) get a good grade, it is because we expected them to lose — they want to lose — and they are doing a good job of it. If, say, the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-9) get poor marks, it is because we expected more from them.

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We start in the Eastern Conference, where the Cavaliers and New York Knicks (13-7) — two teams everyone expected to lead the East, and two teams that remain betting favorites to emerge from the bracket — are among seven teams sitting on 12-15 wins, all trailing the first-place Detroit Pistons (17-4).

Not one East team has played in a way that can convince us the conference can compete in an NBA Finals with the West's winner, but the bracket is as wide open as it has been in some time — perhaps ever. It is not out of the question to think, if Jayson Tatum returns this season, the Boston Celtics (12-9) could be a threat. Likewise, who is to say the Miami Heat (14-7), Toronto Raptors (15-7), Orlando Magic (13-8), Atlanta Hawks (13-9) and even Philadelphia 76ers (11-9) could not win a first-round playoff series?

Before we get there the Pistons must decide if they are all in, if an increasingly rumored deal for Lauri Markkanen could come to fruition. They have the assets to make a trade if it comes time to think they are, indeed, one player away from more serious championship contention. And we are getting there.

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But first … a first-quarter report card for the NBA's East. (West to come.) …

Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards